A-level results are out today. Even after 5 years I still shudder a little at flashbacks to the sick feeling in my stomach that lasted all morning. I can’t forget the frustration of the UCAS website crashing and anxiously driving to school to collect my results; taking the brown envelope and hiding in the bathroom. Then I remember the elation of seeing those A’s, knowing I was off to do medicine at Imperial in just a few months. I confess, I don’t remember much of the A-level results night.
Today we have a new batch of freshers. Congratulations to them all for achieving stellar results and landing themselves a place at a world class university. Just like me, they made a choice which led to a seismic shift in their lives. At least one of them will likely end up as an officer trustee of the Union.
I officially took over this job less than two weeks ago and can’t imagine anything more different from my life in medicine. The last 5 years included many, many (manymanymany) hours of lectures, libraries and labs, later running around wards trying to get people to teach me cannulas and catheters. There were highs and lows. I’ve seen people die right in front of my eyes, but I’ve also delivered babies with my own hands. I’ve been there when patients have been informed of their poor prognosis, but also been privileged enough to see patients receive the news that their cancer treatment was successful, or tell a young man that his wife has just given birth to a healthy baby boy.
I’ve hung up my stethoscope for the year, but now I have a desk in an office full of ideas. I have a team of staff and volunteers as well as a long line of excellent DPWs to measure up to. I’m full of ideas and I’m busy formulating plans. Everything from housing to student advice provision to equality issues is on a giant mind map behind me right now; all scribbled in classic, indecipherable doctors’ handwriting and linked up as a master plan.
The phrase “Hi, my name’s Jennie, I’m a fifth year medical student, the doctors have asked me to speak to you about why you’ve come in today” still feels far more natural than “Hi, I’m Jennie, Deputy President (Welfare) at Imperial College Union”. The physician in me cares about students deeply. The surgeon in me is analytical and eager to get the job done. My inner obstetrician is unafraid and always ready for action. I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be, nor can I think of any better preparation than the last five years.
