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Bachelor of 5. Actually do the past exams and practice Okay, that has depleted my biomed wisdom
questions for now. If you are yearning for more or have
BIOMEDICINE by Charlotte Webster The practice exams are one of the best ways any questions about biomed, uni, or college,
I’m always happy to help. I hope you have a
to prepare for your exams because they give magnificent year and enjoy first year biomed

Congratulations and welcome to the are all pretty intense subjects like maths, you a really good idea of what to expect. as much as I did! :)
Don’t just leave them all for SWOTVAC! You
wonderfully painful degree that is Biomed! chemistry, and physics. Personally, I had can go through exams and answer questions
Get ready for a whole lot of content, bonding always found physics super intimidating throughout the semester too! Unfortunately,
with your biomed buddies and becoming a and was very nervous to find out it was a the biology and maths faculties aren’t great in
champion of weird flexes (e.g. “Well I have compulsory subject for biomed. However, this area and they only give out one practice
20+ contact hours a week”). Here are a Physics for Biomed was one of the most exam, but you do get given weekly tutorial
couple tips I’ve picked up over the last year interesting subjects to take and I’m actually questions that are super useful to complete.
that will hopefully help make your first year a glad it was compulsory. If it wasn’t, I probably On the other hand, the chemistry and physics
little bit easier. would never have taken the subject and departments are very generous and give
subsequently missed out on learning some
1. GO. TO. LECTURES. pretty cool stuff. For those interested in out an almost endless amount of practice
exams, as well as the weekly tutorial sheets.
postgraduate medicine, these subjects help So go get practicing!
This is probably the most frequent piece prepare you for the GAMSAT! So stay open-
of advice you’ll hear this year, and also minded about these subjects, they might just
what you’ll most likely ignore. Everyone is become your favourite ;)
guilty of skipping a few lectures here and
there, myself included, but for biomed it’s 3. Be well prepared for your practical
super important to stay up to date with the classes
content. Most of your first-year lectures
will build on the previous lecture’s content, Two or three-hour practicals can be
which makes falling behind ridiculously easy. overwhelming sometimes BUT, if you
You’ll also have a much easier SWOTVAC if prepare well, they are the most enjoyable and
you’ve stayed up to date with all the content rewarding classes to take. Make sure you
throughout the semester. read the notes, watch the videos on LMS,
and complete the pre-prac tests and you will
breeze through. It’s important to know that 6. Have fun!
pracs aren’t on every week, so make sure you
know your personal timetable, and always Biomed doesn’t have to be all study all the
remember your safety glasses and lab coat! time. Make sure you give yourself a break My first year goals
and treat yo’self to the occasional Pidapipó

4. Make the most of your lecturers, tutors or Yo-Chi. Go to the park with a group from
and peers (including those at college!) college or uni and kick a ball around. Watch
a few episodes of your favourite TV show.
One of the best things about college is that Take a trip to the beach or go for a swim at
you are surrounded by brilliant people who the uni pool. SLEEP! Looking after yourself
love to help, and they are around almost all throughout the semester will make first year
the time! If you ever need help with any of so much more rewarding and memorable.
2. Stay positive and open minded about all your subjects, there are so many people you
the compulsory subjects can go to from lecturers and college tutors to
other biomed students. Everyone wants you
Having six compulsory subjects in first year to do your best so, if you’ve got a question,
can seem quite painful, especially when they don’t be afraid to ask.

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