DAY 506-510

Jan 19 - 23

1) Here at Beaumont there is a concept of Reading Fridays. Essentially we have no classes today (save for the odd tutorial), and can maximise this time to cover lectures, or alternatively, get some much needed rest. Unfortunately, at the rate we're going, it'll be used up in a desperate attempt to cover the immense content of the other four weekdays.

2) These past week, we've been adjusting to lessons at Beaumont, as well as getting to know our lecturers. Whereas Junior Cycle has been about learning everything in a normal individual, Intermediate Cycle focuses on everything that can go wrong (in a pathological state). It's a shift in focus, and it'll take a while to fully adapt.

3) Another difference I've noticed - having stayed in Beaumont for the past month - is the lack of extra-curricular activities here. Sure, every Tuesdays and Wednesdays there is a chance to sit in for the Grand Rounds (presentations consisting of medical problems and treatment of a particular patient to an audience consisting of doctors, residents, and medical students) if you can make it by 8.00am. But save for that, and the odd event or so, nothing much really happens here.

4) This is in stark comparison with the multitude of activities in the main campus (123 St. Stephen's Green). For instance, I still haven't tried out the new "Coffee Doc" - 1784 yet. There was a grand unveiling on the first day when school reopened, where they invited guest chefs the Flynn brothers (a.k.a. "The Happy Pear") over! Furthermore, I'll be missing out on a follow-up to the photoshoot we did recently (due to lessons), as well as an invitation for those excellent Friendship Lunches we had last semester. Oh well, I suppose you can't have them all XD. That has been my blog update, and I hope you enjoyed reading about it. Thanks very much for tuning in, and have a nice day. Cheers!

Throwback to the day when it REALLY snowed in Dublin :)

A white view from outside my bedroom window

Even in the morning there was some traces of frost

Our first Microbiology Lab Group Tutorial

Microbiology stuff ^^

It's hard to see, but my buddy Zi Yan is helping to demonstrate 

the process of uncoiling of DNA by DNA helicase

Our Infection Prevention and Control Leture

The entire lecture was allocated to keeping one's hands clean, and to prevent accidental contamination of the environment/equipment 

That's lunch for today at Beaumont's (staff!) canteen, 

after I finished the last of my frozen meals XD

DAY 503/504/505

Jan 16, 17 & 18 

1) It's back to business as we started our first semester yesterday at Beaumont. I'm personally very glad that I made the choice to move here, as I do not have to go through the daily hassle of taking a 40-45 min bus ride to class everyday. Anyway, I met up with many of my friends, and we chatted about our holidays during the registration. Shortly afterwards, there was an induction lecture by Prof. Alice Stanton, IC1 Coordinator.

2) We had an hour long break, so my friends and I went to the canteen for some food. The meals here at Beaumont are really cheap and filling. The only downside is you can only pay by cash... Then classes officially started, with Prof. Mary Leader giving the introductory lecture on Pathology. She gave another two lectures in the afternoon, covering 119 slides of the insanely huge 342-slide lecture module - Neoplasms.

3) There are three separate modules this term - Foundation in Pathology, Foundation in Microbiology, and Cardio-Respiratory. Many seniors have previously warned us that the amount of content thought can be overwhelming. Personally, I feel the added burden already. Good thing we have (most) Fridays off then :)

4) Finally, the one thing that was really on my mind yesterday was my results. Although I had put in what I can only call (unashamedly) a Herculean effort, I was well aware that I did not do as I expected in a few of my exams. In particular, I was dreading the outcome of the EBH/PHE paper, which in all fairness, quite a number of my friends felt was difficult too. By noon, all had been revealed, and I am only so thankful that I managed to obtain good grades. While it is way too early to say, replicating those results again this semester will be an absolute nightmare. But at the very least - I can try.

5) That has been a summary of my day-to-day activities, and thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed reading, and have a nice day. Cheers!

IC1 here I come :)

The foyer just in front of our lecture theatre

Our lecture theatre - the Robert Adams Lecture Theatre

"How many of you are coming to Beaumont for the first time?"

"Haha, not me. "

Cafetaria

Fruitcake (eaten), sausage, a tonne of beans and scrambled egg, and an omelette-

all for only €2.80!!

Heartsaver CPR AED Course Certificate :)

Thanks so much Melvin and Melissa for the birthday present! 

It was really thoughtful of you ^^