Barts FTW!!!!

I went to an open day at Barts today and I am officially in love with Queens Mary uni. I got a tour of both Mile end and Whitechapel. I loved every minute.

I wish I had got some photos because at Whitechapel they have this amazing converted church. The church has be converted into an impressive library for med and dentistry. Even the glass windows had been altered with medicine related pictures.

I think the mile end campus is so impressive because the way it's self contained but at the same time so close to central London.

This has been for a while and will definitely be my first choice!

Sainsbury's continues....

We'll I've left from blogging about the situation because I wanted to see what work did but the drama has finally ended. I handed in my notice 4 weeks ago (yes I know rediculous) and am now officially a student bum!!!

Today was my last day and I have to say probebly the most enjoyable. I did not work, had the best time with my colleagues who are now actually friends and discovered that real life is a bitch. I suppose I had a slightly naive notion that my company would care for me and try to stop me from leaving.

But I am now jobless but ready to focus on my exams. TBH while I bitch and moan about that place, I'll probably end up back there in 3 months. I just love the people there!!!!

Coursework

Every year I say I won't leave my coursework till the day before yet I'm here at 4am while I type away at biology. I am going to be knackered tomorrow, but I don't care cause it will be done and Easter will start!!!!

Edit: Finished my coursework at about 4:30 and handed it in today. woot! Going to work and then going to get an early night

Short post, I've passed my theory test. Had to travel up to Bristol on the train which was surprisingly easy and fun. Ultimately I got 47/50 on the theory and 60/75 on the hazard perception test. It rocked and I'm one step closer to getting my licence, although I don't need to rush because I have up to 2 years to take it!!!

Work is Shit

Had a crap day and need some advice.

I work for sainsbury's as you may have guessed. I have been having trouble with college work load for the past 2 months so 5 weeks ago I applied to drop Friday nights and take up an extra hour on Thursday. I currently work Thursday - 3hours - Friday - 3hours - Saturday - 9hours = 15 hours a week.

Personal are claiming that we are understaffed across the store on Fridays so I cannot drop it.

I am also one of about six people who are trained to work in the kiosk with the lottery machine. If I were to leave they would have no one to work on thursday nights, saturday lunch breaks and saturday afternoon.

What should I do? I love the job and my colleagues but can I force a contract change? If not shall I go above to the store manager or just leave (or threaten)?

Key Skills...more like Get Rick Quick

Decided that I just make a quick blog today.

I'm working on my key skills folder. For those who aren't aware I have to prove that I am capible of communication, basic maths and other skills demmed appropraite. Forgot the fact I got As and A*s in my GCSE Maths, English, IT and a B in AS Critical Thinking. However talking to my tutor (great girl/woman) I discovered that if I complete my key skills, college get £3000 for government. College is putting the pressure on and have already thrown people out and down graded them to part time for not completing key skills, so no rocking the boat this time.

Anyway, my presentation (communication) is on the Tooke Report. I'm sure most people won't have a clue what I'm on about but it interests me. My main ideas come from the ferret fancier's 7 part coverage. Thanks.

It's actually going nice and slick. Will drop some comments latter and read some books on med interviews.

A Cashier's point of view

Inspired by a great day at work: If you want to annoy your cashier then:

• Wait till 0'clock or half pass when change overs occur, and then pile two trolley loads onto the belt.
• Watch me pack while you have no physically disabilitating illness with you arms folded and the occasional groan that I'm not doing it right.
• Open food/drink IN FRONT of me and then explain that it was like that when you picked it up. I'm not an idiot so don't treat me like one.
• When on fast track and I ask if you had any problem items, don't point or jester to your child. It's not funny and your not the first to say it.
• Watch me open bags for you then refuse to admit defeat while you struggle with your own bag. I'm not going to do a dance in your face.
  
• I am 17 not 7, so I'm more that aware of what a fake id looks like.
  
• Naming members of staff does still not make you 18.
• Don't scream help under a pile of men when you've just legged it with a crate of beer. You'll look an idiot.
• Surprisingly I am considering a career in medicine. Don't look so shocked when I say this while handing out Sainsbury's leaflets.
• Just because I work for Sainsbury's does not mean I will take shit, I am not will I ever be your personal slave. Respect can go both ways and make your day better/worse.
• It's great that your kid wants to learn how to pay for things but when it's Saturday and I have a massive cue, count the cash out yourself.
• Everyone wants a bargain, but when I price check, my supervisor checks the shelf and the main computer all say it's £14.99, you will not get it for a tenner!
• Everyone loves reduced items, you can get the same pizza for £2 less. Unfortunately some like to buy nothing but reduced items. 15 digit codes that generally don't scan. More fun for me.
• Complain on your phone about staff having conversations while serving you. Maintain a loud conversation as you pay, then try to pay with your Tesco's card. You can then laugh making some reference that you usually shop at the classier Tesco's .
  
• Last but not least, buy as many clothes as possible refusing to put them on the belt encase they get dirty. Then expect me to fold them with the hangers still on and place them in a bag without ever touching the belt. Before you go, thank me and say you'll give them a wash when they get home anyway.

*Rant Over*

I do have nice customers, who do make my day. I also have amazing collaegues who've I've never laughed so much with. BTW, my local Sainsbury's banned from 4 pubs/restaurants for staff parties. We are a wild bunch!!!!

Blogs I Visit Every Day

I don't post much and am a rare find in the mass of comments, but I feel that I should say something to the blogs that I read each day and find great for news on a medical career and it's journey. These are in no particular order:

Unprotected Text - I've read this blog since it started out as COABS. Something about this blog made me stick with it and I'm glad. Harry has always provided great posts and I do love his writing style. He's got a sense of humour that I think I get. A main bonus though is that he has applied and got into the very medschool I deeply considered applying too!! I look forward to reading more about his progress though barts. I hope I'll be there in less than two years time.

Panda Bear - He comes across as someone who is always ready to put forward their belief. Not in a bad way, but as a confident, won't take crap, kinda guy. He is so detailed and helpful in posts, with a strong commitment. His four part series on what it takes to be an emergency resident was great to read and I feel others, even not considering it as a career should have a look. Part 1,2,3 and 4. Although Panda Bear is an MD, I recommend UK people taking a look.

Little Medic - I feel privileged to have been allowed into the Real Little Medic. It's like a cool club for all the med student bloggers and me. I feel like I've got to know him and that he's been kind enough to share possible quite open and deep posts. However what really tips the iceberg for me is the ability to create names for many characters at med school.

Med School Hell - This is the second blog I ever read. It was so honest and more truthful than a media portrayal that I stayed up till 4 in the morning reading every blog from the beginning. That was a year and a bit ago, and I still light up with joy when a post is sent down from my feeds. Thanks Hoover.

Kevin, M.D - I don't know how Kevin has the time but I am very thankful. With up to 15 posts a day I can be finding new blogs every week, and better resourses for medical news. His time and effort is much appreciated so I thought I'd give him a mention on my world class blog ;)

Some may ask why I've done this. Is it because if I continue down this road they'll be my consultant bosses :P? Or is it because they put time and effort into writing detailed and descriptive blogs that should be praised for their work? There are other blogs I would like to praise but do not have the time or space. These are the ones that truely catch my eye and hope always will.