Brain Doctors

Over the last two Wednesdays, I've been watching a series called Brain Doctors, which covers some of the cases that neurosurgeons treat and care for. I've been really interested in it, as it gave an insight into the tough working life of a doctor. However, I am not put off, in fact it has even motivated me further to achieve and succeed. I was particularly fascinated by the way the doctors and long term patients build up a relationship. Although it is obviously not a desirable situation, I felt that this would make the patients more comfortable in hospital, as they are able to recognise a face or two in a constantly changing atmosphere. The main surgeon followed by the program seemed like a really nice person, I thought he had exactly the right attitude for the job, serious and thoughtful at the necessary times, such as helping parents decide how to treat their children, but jovial and friendly when suitable, for example he played music on speakers while performing operations. This is important, because I believe that if you get too caught up in being sad and sombre all the time, you can lose focus and forget why you are doing anything.
I think I have learnt more about life as a surgeon after watching these programs, such as the fact that it takes 6 years after medical school to become a fully qualified neurosurgeon. I will definitely be watching the rest of the series!

Catch up

Sorry, I haven't blogged in a long time as I have been very busy with school work as well as other activities. I took two exams this January, a Biology and a Maths module which I felt went quite well - I will find out my results in March, not long to wait now. I have also been working hard with my role as Equestrian Team Coordinator at school. Last week I had a meeting with a member of staff who has been an important part of the team since I started. We further discussed running a house show jumping competition, to provide a low key event for less confident students to practice their show jumping. We are also hoping to get the inter-school competitions back up and running, something that has died down over the past few years. When I was a year 8 our school won overall, so I hope to rekindle the same sort of success. Even if it happens a few years after I've left, I'd like to leave a positive mark on something that has been a large part of my school life. Finally, we plan to work with a local riding school to get a fantastic deal on a course of riding lessons, which will widen the opportunities available to all students.

Outside of school, I am planning to go to an exhibition at the Museum of London, called 'Doctors, dissection and resurrection men'. It focuses on the illegal acquiring of bodies, which enable doctors to both learn and teach anatomy. This should help me reflect on the enormous change that has occurred in the medical world, allowing doctors to become ever more knowledgeable. I feel incredibly lucky to be entering such an exciting time. When I go to London, I also hope to meet up with some friends that I made at Medlink (a course at Nottingham Uni in December 2011), which I am looking forward to. Having made some very good friends after a three day course at a university, I am excited to see what a few years will bring.

I have been keeping up my weekly after school sessions volunteering at Mencap - I still feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to do this. I can feel my communication skills improving, being able to work with the children is such an enlightening experience.

I have noticed that there are some recorded open lectures on the University of Sussex website, I will be taking time to listen to these, as they relate to Cognitive Science and Psychology, fields that I am very interested in. I find the brain one of the most fascination parts of the body, and am looking forward to learning about it in greater depth.