Greetings!

Hi everyone out there!

I’m EragusTrenzalore (that is an amalgamation of names in two of my favourite book/ TV show, guess which ones they are) and I am a first year Bachelor of Biomedicine student. It’s a pleasure to have joined the FirstYear@Unimelb Team and write for you this year.

For those of you entwined in the intricacies of VCE or final year high school studies, I hate to break this to you, but it does not get easier in Biomed. Given that you are in a cohort of the top students in the country, you will need to work hard especially if your aim is Medicine (as is the case with most first year Biomed students). However, as you progress through the course, you will come to appreciate that there are many other pathways to careers in health that the Biomedicine degree offers.

After the first few weeks of that is the honeymoon period where you enjoy and appreciate what Uni life has to offer, from the plethora of clubs and societies catering to almost any niche (e.g. there is a Cheese Club), to the great variety of camps and social events welcoming first years, you will realise that this is the calm before the storm. The storm that comes after Week 5 comes in the form of assignments and tests (known as Mid-Semester Tests) that one must study and complete. Luckily, we as Biomed students huddle together in support of each other through these terrible times…..

Now that I have completely scared you off from choosing Biomed, when you could choose Science instead, I will just say that compared to your high school years, there will be much more work in Uni, but it is different in that you have much more time and are now responsible for managing your own studies. For some, it may be difficult moving from the structure environment of high school, where what you do is dictated by the bell, to the freedom of University life and balancing what you need to do with what you want to do (a common thread that will run into adult life as well). This certainly was an issue for me initially, as I had trouble balancing study and participation in clubs and societies; I would have to make study work around long rehearsals with the Biomedicine Symphony Orchestra, but in the end, you find what works. Use this opportunity in first year to find out the best ways you study and how to manage your time; there is plenty of support from the University regarding this, especially with Stop 1, so if you find you have any troubles at all, drop by and discuss it with Stop 1. This can also be expanded generally to any issue at University, if you have trouble with anything whether you are confused about something in lecture or need help with choosing what subjects you want to take, always ask! The support is always there at University and will help you only if you ask.

All in all, Biomedicine is a lot of fun if you’re interested in health and do work hard. It is the perfect time to learn what you are interested in and participate in the countless opportunities available. Don’t be afraid to try anything you’re interested in as you never know where it may lead you.

Be good and Study Hard!