Last reviewed: 05 October 2025
Week one: done. I walked in with a fresh mind, too much coffee, and that weird mix of nerves and anticipation. I walked out on Friday a little tired and a lot more sure why I’m here.
Subjective assessment came first. The lecturer had that rare gift: he made the “boring bits” feel like foundations instead of forms. He was also the funniest person I’ve met—and the funniest lecturer I’ve had. The humour didn’t undercut the work; it loosened the room so the hard ideas could land. Fewer, better questions. Long pauses that weren’t awkward, just kind. Listen until the picture is clear enough to be safe. I could feel my shoulders drop.
By mid‑week we were on objective assessment and patient‑centred approaches. The practicals were fun in the way a cold pool is fun—shock first, then you start swimming. I liked seeing the line from the classroom to someone’s actual day. Hands on, head on.
This is nothing like my undergrad. I’m in uni five days a week, and everything we cover has somewhere to land. Monday/Tuesday were lectures/seminars. Wednesday/Thursday, the ideas grew legs. Friday was the exhale where I noticed what stuck and what I only heard.
I didn’t do much anatomy this week. Welcome Week and settling in ate the evenings. It picks up again now: small daily reps, hip and knee first, nerves out loud until I can say them without peeking.
New city, new rhythm. The cohort helps—good people, easy to be around. And Birmingham keeps surprising me: every street feels like a different biome. I’m promising myself I’ll explore on weekends instead of just talking about it.
Looking ahead: next week is neuro with a side of MSK. It looks busy (mild panic), but I’ll keep the work small and consistent.
—J
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