Tuition fees

Tuition fees for uni students, are once again in the news (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7946912.stm). The vice-chancellors are calling for fees of between 4k-20k ouch. This is shocking no way will I be able to follow my dream of becoming a doctor if these fees are introduced and that’s with a supportive middle class family.

Just a quick question for your thoughts, how would you feel if all your doctors, lawyers etc came from rich families? Part of the personal statement we write for application to medicine is about showing your understanding of the width and challenges of medicine.

How are doctors going to be able to relate to patients when all of their life they have been brought up in a life of extreme privilege, as this is what will happen if fees rise so high that the majority of students cant afford them. I know I find it hard to relate to students that literally have to scrap by on smart price food and hardly ever go out as that is all they can afford. Now imagine how hard it would be to relate if a simple phone call to daddy got you the latest land rover, hand bag, phone, clothes etc things these people can only dream about.

The governments target of 50% of students in higher education will go straight out of the window if these fees are introduced.

I should really be typing up my lab report for cell biology however I seem to have become very easy to distract since the start of uni. Its would have also been mine and my ex-bf 3year anniversary today meaning im not in the right mood to work but needs must.

I have also applied to two more HCA jobs and a job as a ambulance care assistant which although the job description is very vague sounds interesting. Fingures crossed I get one of these

How to waste time

One of my big interests is modifying my ford ka, so after my cell biology exam the other day I decided to go take some decent photos. Cherry Knowles is an abandoned asylum not far from where I live and provided a spectacular backdrop for some night shots.

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Now while im writing this blog im meant to be starting my cell biology lab report which is due in on Wednesday and my pharmacology lab report which is due in on Tuesday. But seen as im currently at home, im very distracted and have so far managed to do just about everything but…..must do some work just after I back to black my bumpers and go pack all the washing my mam has done for me.

Autism abseil

On Sunday the 17^th May 2009. I will be abseiling off the glass centre in Sunderland to raise money for Daisy Chain Teesside.

Daisy Chain is a charity working with children with autism. For more information their website can be found at http://www.daisychainproject.co.uk/

I have created a justgiving page ( http://www.justgiving.com/victoriachong ) and am asking any of you to give a donation no matter how small.

Oh yeah and any tips on how to do this when your scared of heights would be greatly appreciated.

work work work and more work

Whoooot managed to move halls about a week ago, granted this had made things with uni even more hectic. Loving my new flat but it further from uni so now get up at 6am (its still dark sighs….)

My life at the minute is just one long to do list

-black belt grading to prepare for

-Cell biology lab report

-Lab skills lab report x 2

-Cell biology test to revise for

-Pharmacology test to revise for

Off to taekwondo tonight then going to try and burn some midnight oil and get the introduction for cell biology finished.

Had a meeting about work experience today and it looks like the GP practice will be willing to take me on find out defiantly on 23^rd. No news on the job front which is a shame but ill just keep trying. 40+letters to get 1 work experience placement god this med application is physically demanding.

Cars, timetables and student finance

I often whinge about how much work I have to do, so thought it might be a good idea to publish my timetable. Will also give anyone who is thinking of studying biomedical sciences an idea of the hours required.

Monday- morning of lectures

9-11 Fundamentals of pharmacology

12-1 Fundamentals of pharmacology

Afternoon off currently trying to organise work experience in this gap

Tuesday- a good mixture of labs and lectures

9-12 Fundamentals of pharmacology LAB

12-1 Cell biology

2-4 Cell biology

Wednesday- quite day with lab fun

Morning off again trying to get work experience or a job organised for here

2-5 Cell biology lab

Thursday - a day of lectures

9-11 Molecular biology and micro biology

12-1 Molecular biology and micro biology

3-4 Fundamentals of pharmacology

Friday- Physically hard day on my feet for 6 hours minimum.

9-12 Molecular biology and microbiology

LAB

2-5 Laboratory skills

I’m now 100% skint, the car died again today and look like its going to cost me a new alternator.

The biggest down side to uni

I’m ill once again although the living in halls experience is a great side to university it does have a major pitfall. I have once again got cold the second time in as many months, once the virus hits it not a case of if you get the cold its when you will get it, living in such small quarters makes it inevitable. Sighs and sniffles. Seen as I feel rotten and had taekwondo on Friday, ive gone home for the weekend to a surprise of alot more snow than back at uni whoooot fun time.

Microbiology is so far my favourite unit, below is a pic of the what we’ve spent the best part of 6 hours of lab time doing. WASH YOUR HANDS PEOPLE

The medics snow man. The halls I live in has a block dedicated to Newcastle medical students who are on placement, below is a snow man we ended up messing on building with them.

Catch up part 2

I really don’t haven’t updated this in ages, but im going to attempt to turn over a new leaf. On the uni front ive passed all my first term modules granted one with not the mark I really wanted, but have started the new modules with an idea on how to get the grades I want.

Not really enjoying halls anymore and wish id just lived at home, me and one of my flat mates are poler opposites with totally different values and always seem to be arguing of late. Next year will def be living with the parents but not sure if that’s worse hmm well see in time.

Managed to move a little bit further forwards with the voluntary work but still not started. CRB check say that your address is your halls of residence, which is fair enough. But as I don’t live their permanently, I haven’t changed any of my bank statements bills etc to that address so don’t have any evidence to send to them which is proving a bit of a nightmare. Organising work experience is proving even more difficult recently sent 30 letters to GP’s so far have heard back from two both of which wont take me. ANY SUGGESTIONS IN COMMENTS PLEASEEEEEE

Im currently at home for the weekend after being at senior grade training for taekwondo. The snow here is way more than at uni, so been out to have some fun. Living on the coast means we had some on Monday and that’s been about it.