🎥 Facebook LIVE series - Biomedicine Students' Society
Catch up on our Biomedicine Students' Society's Facebook LIVE series.
- Episode 1: Transitioning from high school to universityWith Semester 1 well under way, what better time to hear from our co-presidents Joanne Liu and James Lin as they share their advice on transitioning from high school to university, life at SBS and their top study tips.
Terry Mulhern, principal research fellow from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, sat down with the third year Bachelor of Biomedicine students today to ask:
- How are you settling back into university life after the summer break?
- Explain your first weeks of university life?
- How did you transition from first year to second year studies?
- What advice would you give our first year cohort?
- How and why did you get involved in the student society?
- What are your top study tips?
- How do you find balance between study, exercise and social activities?
- And much more.
James, who is doing a Human Structure and Function major, encouraged students to use their time at university to push their limits.
“Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone – whether that be socially or academically,” he said. “There are always going to be situations or things you haven’t done before.
“I often find if I do try something new, 99 per cent of the time it works out well. Be brave, try something new, meet new people, do some research, find a job.”
After doing a semester exchange in Canada last year, Joanne returned to take up a summer breadth subject on motivation and performance before starting third year.
She said, learning about wellbeing and how that relates to being a biomed student put her in good stead for finding balance during her busy study schedule ahead.
Watch the Facebook LIVE
- Episode 2: Studying abroad
Studying overseas is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for many students. In this Facebook Live, Bachelor of Biomedicine students Maddi Poon and Georgia Carney shared their Study Abroad experiences, as well as advice on deciding where to go and how to make the most of your time on exchange.
Chatting with Terry Mulhern, principal research fellow of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the pair answered questions on why they decided to go on exchange and how they went about applying. They also discussed finding accommodation, opportunities for extra travel and how they fit Study Abroad in with their degrees at Melbourne.
“The first thing you need to think of is “Where do I want to go?”” said Georgia. “Maybe you already have somewhere that you’re interested in … or you’re curious about a certain country.
“The other thing you need to think about is which subjects you would study overseas, and then which universities offer those subjects.”
Looking to practise her French skills, Georgia decided to go to Montreal in Canada, whereas Maddi went to Glasgow in Scotland to make the most of its proximity to Europe for further travel.
Maddi highly recommends that first years thinking about going on excchange embrace the opportunity.
“I feel like we study so hard here, and on exchange you just get to travel a bit, have some fun,” she said.
For Georgia, the best part of her experience was experiencing everyday life in another culture.
“You’re always making the most of every opportunity in front of you, so you get really involved. I loved that.”
Watch the Facebook LIVE
- Episode 3: Exams and study tips
Exams are an inevitable part of student life. Yet, whether you look forward to them or not, your first university exams can seem overwhelming.
In this Facebook Live, BSS Social Officer Ronan Petersen and second year representatives Christos Preovolos and Feyla Anja share their advice for managing study, surviving SWOTVAC and navigating exam day.
For Feyla, successful studying is down to early preparation and planning.
“Have an exam attack plan,” she advises. “Figure out what you’re going to study on which days.”
Ronan emphasises that when it comes to study, quality is better than quantity. He suggests using active rather than passive study strategies, and studying in 1–2 hour bursts with breaks in between.
“Fit it in with the other activities in your life,” he says. This could include exercising, or making time to keep up with your hobbies.
All three students also agree on the importance of maintaining a work-life balance while studying, particularly during SWOTVAC and the exam period.
“In order to actually do an exam well, you have to be in a good state of mind as well as prepared academically,” Christos says.
The students also recommend joining study groups, which the BSS organise each year through their Facebook page. The groups encourage independent, collaborative study, where members can help each other to fill gaps in their knowledge.
Christos’s key advice for first year students going into their first university exams is to take due responsibility and diligence. Arriving late for his first exam, due to traffic and confusion over the venue, was a turning point for him in the transition from high school to university.
“I realised then that the brunt of the load is on you now. You’re not going to be forced into anything, you have to be diligent.”
Feyla recommends listening to music before an exam, which she says helps take her mind off things.
“You want to get yourself in a position where you can tackle the exam effectively – not be stressed out,” she says.
Watch the Facebook LIVE
The 2019 Semester 1 exam period runs from Tuesday 11 to Friday 28 June.
For more information on exam preparation, including what to bring and what happens on the day, visit the University’s exam page.
To find out more about Biomedicine Students’ Society – run by students for students – including how to join, upcoming events and study group information, check out Biomed Bear on Facebook.