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In Focus - Zahra Batool

Zahra Batool

Year of Study: Year 3

Zahra Batool tells us about her experience of being a student at BSMS, how she prepared for interviews and what brought her to study medicine in Brighton. Read Zahra's answers in full below.

What made you want to study at BSMS?

I attended BrightMed for four years before joining BSMS - this experience was incredibly important in my decision making as I had the opportunity to visit the medical school and meet their students on several occasions. I personally wanted a school to be a close-knitted community and inclusive and that is exactly what BSMS had. I saw how genuinely happy and content the senior medical students were, which of course was the direct result of the support that was available. Last but not least, BSMS has the facilities for dissections which have been such a highlight of my course!

What work experience did you undertake before applying to medicine? How was it beneficial?

I attended a three-day work experience at a hospital (through BrightMed) which allowed me to see how an MDT functioned in the wards. It was great that on each day I visited three different departments to have exposure to different specialties and morbidities. Additionally, I volunteered in a neurosurgical ward in a hospital once a week for six months. This played an instrumental role in helping to improve my confidence, work on communication skills as well as understand the patient’s perspective on the receiving end of healthcare. It was a very valuable and insightful experience.

How did you prepare for the BMAT/UCAT?

I began preparing after my mocks in Year 12, using online subscribed question banks, workbooks and past papers. I completed the UCAT earlier to allow time to prepare for my BMAT.

How did you prepare for your interview(s) for medical school?

I watched as many YouTube videos on other students' experiences to get a general gist of what not to do. I was fortunate enough to have a school rearrange a 'mock interview' so that I could begin getting used to being put on the spot and work on not getting too nervous. That was also really useful in getting feedback on how I came across to the interviewer. The medic portal was also really useful in getting insight into relevant news pieces and other topics of interest.

What’s your top tip for interviews?

Stay as calm as is possible and do not let the pressure get to you. Doing this will not only demonstrate that you can work under pressure but also allow you to think carefully about what you have been asked with a (hopefully) clear mind. I cannot emphasise enough to think very carefully about the question: make sure you have covered the necessary topics and if possible end your answer with how a certain skill of yours would make you a great doctor. It is absolutely fine to make a mistake or perhaps not know an answer, simply refocus yourself and think about other ways you can answer the question - there will almost always be ways on how you can sell yourself as a good candidate. Smile and be enthusiastic about the course at that particular medical school: show off your research. Finally, do not let how the interviewer 'seems' to respond sway you either way!

Is there a piece of advice you wish you could have given your younger self when thinking about/applying to medicine?

Early preparation. You can never go wrong with being the early-bird. You tend to absorb more of what you learnt and be a lot more at ease when being interviewed because you have grown comfortable with the skills you've gained. A medical application is tedious, exhausting and unbelievably stressful at times hence you may run the risk of burning-out or falling behind with your current course (A-levels etc). After-all the process in itself is a test, however hopefully you will look back on your experience fondly and feel pride in surviving it!

How did you choose which medical schools to apply to?

Through BrightMed I got to experiment with the different ways a course is taught (e.g. PBL, traditional) which helped to narrow down some choices. I also wanted to have the privilege to perform dissections where possible. The size of the school also mattered to me as I wanted a smaller cohort in order to have that stronger sense of community. Open days were useful but speaking to medical students for their honest opinion was essential for me, although bear in mind that not all students have the same experiences.

How did you find/ manage the transition to university?

I lived in Brighton before joining and so the area was familiar and therefore not so much of a shock to me. However, meeting new people and the course itself was entirely new hence it was simultaneously exciting and over-whelming at times! I was fortunate enough to find my feet fairly quickly thanks to the Freshers’ Week and it was comforting to know that everyone was on the same boat.

Which part of your course have you found the most interesting so far?

Dissections have got to be the highlight! It is an experience like no other though most importantly I feel privileged to have the opportunity to view anatomical structures and see how they vary from person to person - all in thanks to the incredible donors. The anatomy team do an incredible job in instilling the immense gratitude we have for this opportunity.

What is your favourite thing about studying and living in Brighton?

Brighton has its own distinctive character to it and it's what makes it such an interesting place to live in! It is also nice to change up my studying routine from leaving the library and being just a short bus trip away from the beach or South Downs.

Do you have a favourite place to visit in Brighton?

Devil's Dyke in the South Downs. The great thing about it is once you visit, you'll come back again to visit the 297 other trails in the South Downs so you will never run out of places to see! However, more importantly, it is a very effective stress reliever - crucial for difficult times in a medical degree.

What is your top tip for prospective applicants applying to study medicine?

Aside from the entrance exams and interviews, it has to be the initial decision you make to study medicine that is the most important. It will be this determination and passion for this field that will carry you all the way through the application and hopefully your career too.