Vivian Pan

When I was six years old, I visited Melbourne for the first time with my family. I was lucky enough to have relatives from Melbourne show me around and the experience made me hold this city in a special place in my heart. In high school, I became interested in health sciences after studying biology and learning about the different body systems.

I decided to return to Melbourne and pursue my passion for health in the Bachelor of Biomedicine at the University of Melbourne. Biomedicine offers a really flexible course structure. I spent my first 1.5 years of Biomedicine exploring different fields within the biomedical sciences, including anatomy, physiology and nutrition, before deciding to major in Neuroscience. Additionally, the flexibility to undertake breadth subjects and complete a concurrent diploma was very attractive. I was able to combine by interest in language learning and Italian culture but studying a Diploma in Languages (Italian Studies). As part of the diploma, I was fortunate to undertake an overseas intensive subject in Florence!

After graduating from my undergraduate degree, I decided to pursue the Doctor of Medicine (MD) at UniMelb. The Melbourne MD allows students to start clinical learning from first year at hospitals and GP placements. This really appealed to me as I wanted lots of hands-on learning and opportunities to work with people. Reflecting on my experiences so far, I’m reminded of the importance of health and the meaningful impact health practitioners can make.

The Doctor of Medicine (MD), Bachelor of Biomedicine and Diploma in Languages have been challenging and fun. I enjoy so many aspects of studying at the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, and the University of Melbourne. I find myself constantly encountering new and interesting topics which helps me stay curious and keep seeking the rationale behind different health topics, e.g. the mechanisms behind lung diseases. I also really like the student community. I have made a lot of friends across various majors, degrees, and even faculties from classes, university events, and resident college. This has boosted my motivation to study and has made my university experience really enjoyable.

There is a big transition from high school to university; you need to be more independent and self-disciplined and have strong time management skills. I remember struggling a little bit when I first started university. However, I benefited from the Bachelor of Biomedicine’s relatively small cohort. I found it easy to form study groups and make like-minded friends. Similarly, the Doctor of Medicine (MD) offers a small and supportive cohort experience. Friendly teaching staff and peers have been very important to my MD journey. The high volume of content we need to get through may seem overwhelming in the beginning, but group study and peer tutorials have made things much more digestible.

During my undergraduate degree, I slowly transitioned from being an individual learner to a group learner. I tried different study techniques, including mind mapping and flashcards, to improve my active recall. Now in the MD, active recall forms a significant part of my study as it helps strengthen my memory and understanding of unfamiliar topics. My work life balance has also benefited greatly from my improved time management.

In Biomedicine, there was a good balance between theoretical knowledge from lectures and tutorials as well as practical learning from labs and workshops. In the MD, we also have a mixture of theoretical knowledge delivered via lectures, tutorials and workshops, and practical learning from placements and case studies. The theory and practice build upon each other, and I have been able to consolidate my learning.

Last but not least, the University of Melbourne also offers many study abroad opportunities, e.g. exchange and overseas intensive subjects. The overseas intensive I did in Italy was one of the highlights of my Biomedicine degree. I was able to learn about and develop a more in-depth understanding of Italian culture in an immersive way.

After graduating from the Doctor of Medicine (MD), I would like to become a medical doctor, who is knowledgeable, compassionate, and treats her patients with kindness.

My undergraduate study in the Bachelor of Biomedicine has helped me build a strong biomedical science foundation, which has prepared me well for the MD. Through various core subjects, I have also had the chance to explore other areas in health sciences and other career pathways such as research.

Moreover, my Italian studies have helped me become a better communicator and active listener. Both of these skills are widely applicable within the healthcare setting. In the Doctor of Medicine, I am not only learning about biomedical science, but also about professionalism, medical ethics, problem solving, and clinical practice. I am excited to start rotations across different specialties from second year and cannot wait to explore the different career options available to me.

Overall, I would encourage future students to enjoy university life as much as they can. Attending different university events and making lots of friends can make campus life more enjoyable and study more fun and effective.

It is also essential to maintain a good work life balance and take time to recharge and avoid burnout. Melbourne is a vibrant, multicultural, artistic and welcoming city with lots of cool things to explore. Make sure to do something fun on the weekends and during breaks to make the most of your university experience.

The University of Melbourne also offers many volunteering opportunities such as the Teddy Bear Hospital and peer mentoring. These can be awesome ways to make friends and develop leadership skills.