Catrin Hurley

What has been the best part of studying Medicine and Surgery so far?

My favourite thing about medicine is meeting the patients and speaking to so many different people. I’m at the stage now where I get a bit more independence, so I get to do the consultations myself while being observed. You could be seeing an 80-year-old one minute and a two-year-old the next - it’s completely different! I really like that variety. And it makes you feel that bit more confident when the consultant comes in and tells you you did it right. 

There are also lots of opportunities to follow your interests. I decided to take a year out to do an intercalated degree in Medical Humanities because I am really interested in mental health and inequalities in healthcare so I am spending the year doing some extra research. 

What does a typical day at university look like for you?

A big part of my degree is being on placement. You spend a lot of time watching and shadowing doctors but then you start getting more involved, taking bloods and doing cannulas. A day on placement could be spending time on wards, doing some independent study, or speaking to patients. Afterwards, I might do an extra hour or two of independent study.

What has been your highlight as a University of Birmingham student so far?

One of my favourite memories is from my obstetrics placement, where I got to see lots of babies being born. There was a day when the midwife delivered a baby and handed her straight to me. I got to be the first person to hold her. That felt really amazing.

What's the most challenging part of studying Medicine and Surgery?

Studying medicine can make you feel out of your depth. It can be scary to do things for the first time, like taking blood, or meeting with your consultant. It’s all about finding a way to overcome that fear. When you’re on placement, speak to the younger doctors (resident doctors) who are fresh out of med school. They remember the feeling and they’re really happy to help you out. And it’s good to make friends with the doctors on your wards!

What do you get up to outside of your studies?

Towards the end of the year when you have exams, things do get busier, but I make sure I have my social time as well. I’m on the committee for the dance and fit clubs here at Birmingham, so I still get the opportunity to do lots of things. The Medical society is a great chance to meet people outside of your classes, and get involved with parties and balls, and that’s a nice way to take a break from studying.

What advice would you give to students thinking about studying Medicine and Surgery?

When it comes to medicine, what worked for you at school might not work for you at uni. In A levels, I would just rewrite everything and hoped it would sink in, and that worked. But there’s so much more information to learn on a medical degree! I started using flash cards and testing myself with past papers, and that really helped. You don’t have to be the best in your year group, try your best and don’t put that extra pressure on yourself!