First day of classes

Today we had our first day of 4th year. And boy, were we bombarded by the fact that we are doing our MASTERS year. More of student directed learning instead of guidance by the lecturer. Projects, patient interviews, lots of studying...... and the all overwhelming decision on whether to take a 40 credit research module or a 60 credit extended one during the last semester. What if I make the wrong choice?

Moreover, there's the terrible fact that we have to work when we graduate from university. What if I make a mistake? What if everyone looks to me for answers and I don't have it and I look stupid? What if I accidentally made a major error and resulted in dire consequences and I'll have to live with that guilt forever?

I think it's better if I just continue to study all my life without having to go out into the working life. That way, I won't have to worry so much about the other things, will I? And life will be much simpler if I could manipulate time and go to any time I wish to go to.

Success!

I finally got an offer for my pre-registration placement! It's a very early offer as placement only starts in August next year. Well, at least I do not have to worry about it while I continue on with my final year.

So, during the interview (by two different hospitals), they asked me about the recent happenings in the pharmacy world. Sad to say, the things that I have been reading about in the Pharmaceutical Journal did not get asked (well, maybe a small part) and they asked me about NICE which I did not even think to read about as preparation. So I had to be honest and said, "I'm sorry but I have not recently read NICE guidelines so I cannot tell you anything about their recent reviews." I couldn't very well talk about something that I haven't even read.

Anyway, after the very brief interview (it only went on for around 15-20 minutes), I was asked if I would accept if either of them offered me a placement, and to sign a document saying I will consider any other offers from hospitals in the West Midlands. I said yes to everything. In my mind, I found myself a desperate person who does not mind wherever I will work at in the future. I didn't think I did very well during the interview but it was a very big improvement from the first one.

But I was glad to hear from one of hospitals the next morning offering me a place. She asked me whether I would like to accept and with a bit of hmmm... I just said yes. She did say she's not going to pressure me into accepting but I did anyway. So all that's left to do is to email them formally saying I accept.

Well, it's a relief to be able to say that I have a job when I graduate. That I do not have to worry about finding one when I finish with my studies. But the thing is, where has the time gone? How is it that 3 years has flown pass so quickly that I have a glimpse of it and now I am about to start my 4th and final year tomorrow?

First day of Autumn

Apparently it's the first day of autumn today. And it was a very gloomy, cold and wet day. How is it that the weather suddenly change from being sunny and warm (ok, not warm but just not cold) to gray and rainy?

Well, welcome to autumn 2008 and goodbye summer.

Hospital Pre-registration Interviews

I attended an interview on Tuesday and I can't help feeling that I did really badly at it. Considering it's the first interview I have ever attended, I guess it cannot be blamed. I just hope that the second interview which is coming up this Tuesday will be better.

Throughout the interview, I had to keep thinking about how to explain it perfectly and express myself in an appropriate way. I found myself forgetting the word that was needed in that context and then kicking myself mentally when I remember it a moment too late. I was always better at expressing myself in writing rather that verbally. Wonder if I can do an interview through messenger?

One thing about all this is that you come back thinking that you should have said this instead of that or should have elaborated more instead of just stopping where you did.

Still anxiously wondering if I can actually get a pre-registration placement in a hospital pharmacy which is what I really want. I just have to take whatever I have undergone in the last interview and improve on that for the next.

Now... all I have to do if to keep myself calm for the next interview and stop hemming and hawing when answering. I just feel that if there were clinical questions I would've been able to answer those better than the questions that were asked of me.

Finally!!

I got internet connection!!! After a few days of having to go to my friend's place to borrow her internet connection, we finally have our own connection.

We had to pay 10 pounds installation fee.. but I suppose it is for the quick set-up kit. It wasn't that hard to install everything and get it running but the phone is still not working!! Waiting for them to call me back on how to fix the stupid phone.. or better yet, send someone to fix it. Oh well, as long as the broadband is up. They better not charge me for the phone line (even though the person I spoke to said they won't until everything is up and running).

You know what's great about having internet connection today? It's just in time for me to download all my favourite shows which are starting soon... :D yippee!!

Long awaited post

Thought I should update my blog with a post saying that I'm in London! Ok, I've already been in London for several days now and going back to Nottingham tomorrow. Why am I back in UK so early you ask. Well, that's because I have two hospital interviews lined up. And I have no idea how to prepare for them.

So, when I came, my bag decided to be broken, and I couldn't pull it as the lever broke. I had to carry the heavy heavy 20kg bag up and down the stairs at the tube station. I was so very glad that I did not bring another box full of stuff with me. Even so, i had quite a hard time trying to get the bag back to my aunt's place. I don't know why this happens to me every time I am in UK. Must be the weather, causing me to carry all the heavy things so I won't get overweight. Good form of exercise.

Time to watch TV. Have to watch as much as I can before going back to Nottingham as I don't have TV there. So more TV for me.