Meet the Team
Freshers
HOW TO: stay on top of your finances

SHOP AROUND! Don’t buy the first one you see if you know you can get it cheaper elsewhere.
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Buy things in bulk. If you know you’ll use it, save money by buying it in advance.
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Budget. And stick to it. Worrying about how you’re going to find next month’s rent is the last thing you need around ESA time.
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Look at your bank balance every once in a while, however scary you think it will be.
HOW-TO: keep on top of your studies
Try not to fall too far behind – some people like to make notes, some prefer to make summary diagrams after a session – find something that works early on and try to stick to it each week.

Summarising each session onto one side of A4 (it IS possible) makes a great last-minute revision guide before ESA1 and beyond!

Spider-diagrams (or if these aren’t your cup of tea – just one page of text/flowcharts) for a particular condition that links areas from several modules help you to anticipate some of the ESA questions.

Self-study questions are there for a reason. Use them to highlight areas you haven’t quite got straight and you’ll learn the topic properly first time round.
HOW TO: make friends in halls

Tea is a great ice-breaker after dragging ten boxes of luggage up to the third floor of flats. Even better if you have home-made cakes or biscuits to offer.
Keep your door open! Your doorstop will be one of the most worthwhile investments you make.

They’re just as scared as you. Don’t be afraid to make the first move!
Join societies with your new friends! Even if you don’t like them in a month’s time, you might find someone else you do like!
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Cooking together or going to dinner with your flatmates is a great way to be extra-social.
HOW TO: make the most of being a medic

Get involved! There are so many societies and groups to join you’re bound to find something you’re interested in. It’s a great way to meet people AND make a difference within the medic and wider communities

Go on socials. Even if you’re not into drinking or clubbing, LUSUMA (the medical society) organise plenty of opportunities to socialise with your fellow medics.
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Introweek will become legendary. Get involved and make some amazing memories!
HOW TO: avoid spending your entire loan on books (our top 5 for 1st year)
embryology can be tricky to get your head around and pops up in all of the systems modules: Langman’s Medical Embryology is the one lecturers refer to
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biochemistry makes up a big chunk of the first semester and is not really mentioned again, so it’s important to get it stuck in your head properly: Mark’s Medical Biochemistry is a good choice

an anatomy book will become your bible for musculoskeletal in semester two: either Clinically Oriented Anatomy or Gray’s Anatomy for Students
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a basic physiology book will be a great reference throughout your degree
pathology will crop up in semester two and does not go away: Core Pathology
an anatomy, embryology and histology book bundle is available from the library shop for a discounted price
What can I expect in 1st year?
During first year, expect to spend around four hours a day in uni, usually between 9 and 1. In this time, you’ll probably have two hour-long lectures and a group-work session with your allocated group (you’ll see these people near-enough every day during phase I). Some modules have practical sessions in the dissection room or in the histology labs. (Note those on the four-year graduate course will have two or three afternoon sessions a week on top of this).
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Seminars and some additional lectures usually take place in the afternoon, but you won’t have these every day. Most afternoons will be all yours to nap, revise or socialise as you wish!

During first year, you will have the most free-time so use this as an excuse to get involved with all of the sports and societies you can! Some people have a part time job one afternoon a week or at weekends, this is most feasible during first year, but can hinder your ability to make the most of the social side of uni-life.

Second year and beyond.
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Semester three is very similar to first year, except modules take place in the afternoon, usually between 1 and 5. This is said to be the toughest semester, although the course becomes progressively more clinically-orientated so most people find it more engaging. Semester four is a little more relaxed: you take an optional module as part of this and there is also opportunity to practice clinical skills on the wards.
Phase II takes place entirely on the wards, in a modular format. You will rotate around different departments and learn essential clinical skills for the future.

A little bit about the exams?
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Exams (End of Semester Assessments = ESA) in phase I take place in January and June and the qualifier in late July. Simply put, if you pass both exams (with a Satisfactory or Excellent grade) you won’t have to take the qualifying exam to go through to the next year. If you achieve one or more Borderline or Unsatisfactory grades, you will have to take the qualifier to progress. This is not as scary as it sounds! Most people find that if they find themselves in the qualifier, it’s a big enough kick to make them learn the stuff well enough to pass.
The exams at Leicester are cumulative, meaning you can’t ever forget things you learned in semester one as they will crop up in any exam, right up to finals! Some people find this daunting, but it’s really for the best! Imagine treating your first patient and realising the last time you read about that topic was in your first week of med-school!
Find out more about exams by clicking here.

Should I be scared?
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NO. Always remember - if people before you have done it then you can too. Your friends, family, the university and Medics' Welfare are around when things don't quite go to plan. Sorting issues out before they become problems will help limit the effect on your studying.