Freshers' Booklet 2011 by Malta Medical Students' Association

www.mmsa.org.mt

Contents

Contacts President Vice President Secretary General Financial Officer NPO NORA NORP NOME NEO NORE Media & Marketing Officer Leisure Officer NOPET Electives Faculty Rep General info

president@mmsa.org.mt vicepres@mmsa.org.mt secgen@mmsa.org.mt finance@mmsa.org.mt scoph@mmsa.org.mt scora@mmsa.org.mt scorp@mmsa.org.mt scome@mmsa.org.mt neo.nore@mmsa.org.mt media@mmsa.org.mt leisure@mmsa.org.mt npet@mmsa.org.mt electives@mmsa.org.mt facultyrep@mmsa.org.mt info@mmsa.org.mt

MMSA Tel Address

(+356) 25951899 Malta Medical Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association University of Malta, Medical School, Block A, Level 0 Mater Dei Hospital, Tal-Qroqq, Msida MSD2090 Malta

Credits Editor, Design and Layout: Elizabeth Gialanze` Cover: Gordon Muscat and Daniele Lauretta Agius

Introduction Department of Anatomy ................................................. 2 Department of Physiology .............................................. 3 Message from the President .............................................4 Editorial ................................................................................................5 Introducing your MMSA EB....................................................6 - 7 The active student ....................................................................8 TRD .........................................................................................................9 SCOME .................................................................................................10 SCORA ..................................................................................................11 SCORP ...................................................................................................12 SCOPH ..................................................................................................13 leisure ....................................................................................................14 Media .....................................................................................................15 Professional & Research Exchanges .............................16 Electives ............................................................................................17 Peer Education ...............................................................................18 MMSA ...................................................................................................19 EMSA .......................................................................................................20 IFMSA .....................................................................................................21 Mnemonics ...................................................................................22 Book crazy ......................................................................................23 Your booklist & study units ...............................................24-25 First year .. by the ex-first year .......................................26 Living life the Gozitan way ...............................................27 On being a student ..................................................................28

Fresher’s Booklet 2011

The Anatomy Department Head of Department Dr. Pierre Schembri-Wismayer

Academic Staff Prof. M.T. Camilleri Podesta’ Mr. A. Casha Dr. J. Calleja Agius Dr. S. Waiczies Dr. E. Said Dr. L Grech Dr. A. Micallef Fava

Prof. I. Stabile Dr. M. Casha

Secretary Ms. Graziella Azzopardi E-mail: graziella.azzopardi@um.edu.mt

.In learning this ancient but also modern art, you will be doctors, purveyors of doctrine - people who can teach your fellow men how to care for themselves and maybe help out when they cannot by surgical skills or suitable administration of drugs. I think the merits of living can be summed up in trying to improve oneself. Before doing this one needs to know oneself. One needs to know one’s strengths (for example possibly in your case, a good memory), and one’s weaknesses (possibly a character type, or a difficulty in 3D visualisation or possibly a difficulty in looking at things from new angles or shyness with other people or simply revision skills). The more one knows oneself, the more one can turn one’s weak points into at least average and one’s strong points into excellent. By this you will become great doctors. We will try to prod you some of the way by opening you up to 3D situations in the anatomy dissection room, or into looking at things from new angles in the critical thinking skills or into your shyness by having you partially strip down and be examined by your fellow students in clinical skills sessions.

Tel: 21319527 / 23402280 Dear Students, from myself and all the staff at the Anatomy department, I wish you all a very warm welcome. You may all be feeling very happy to have got yourselves into one of the more difficult courses in the University. Do not worry too much about difficulty - it is over stated. One important source of traditional wisdom tells us it is very difficult to get a camel through a needle’s eye (though by liquidising the camel and then feeding the pulp through a peristaltic pump we may succeed) - but I do not see many people lining up to get into the Guinness Book of records in this way - because doing so is of no great merit. Being a doctor is on the other hand of great merit. It is so because one learns how to recognise and then alleviate some of the many ills of mankind - mostly, but not exclusively, the physical kind.

It is up to you however to recognise these points and work to improve on them. It is good to have a network of friends to help you in this recognition and to help push you in the right direction. Friends and family are a great strength. Appreciate and cultivate them. So is your faith, whatever it may be. And have fun. You are at University, a time to open your minds, meet different people from all over the world and enjoy the joys of your youth. Do not snuff out your lives in books - it will do you no great benefit. But do remember to start your studies early - do not leave all for later. Remember half your 1st year exams - each of which you have to pass, will be in January not in June. God bless you all and enjoy MMSA (it is a great organisation - even better than in my time - and I am honoured to have been a past president).

Dr Pierre Schembri-Wismayer

www.mmsa.org.mt

The Physiology Department Head of Department Prof. Gary J. Hunter

Academic Staff Prof. R. Muscat (Prorector for Research) Prof. R. Balzan Dr. T. Hunter Prof. A. Felice Dr. N. Vassallo Prof. J. Vassallo Dr. R. Cauchi Prof. G. Di Giovanni Dr. R. Blundell Dr. M. Zammit-Mangion Dr. E. Pullicino (sabbatical leave 2011)

Secretary Ms. Sharon Cachia E-mail: sharon.cachia@um.edu.mt

All our staff members are active researchers in subjects spanning a wide variety of interests in physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics. These include the physiology of stroke, substance abuse, the genetics of globin gene expression, the effects of oxidative stress at a molecular level, protein aggregopathies and structural biology. With the integration of the basic and clinical sciences within our curriculum, we have the opportunity to pass on not only our knowledge of these subjects, but hopefully some of the passion we all share for these important endeavours. I would encourage all students to be active participants in the learning process, not simply by-standers. Student contributions to discussions are a vital part of the teaching process, and I look forward to getting to know you as the course progresses. I wish you all the best with your future studies, and your chosen profession.

Tel: 21316655 Prof. Gary. J. Hunter I take this opportunity to welcome new students to the medical course and specifically to the Department of Physiology and Biochemistry. The curriculum for the first two years of our medical school is an integrated one and requires a truly collaborative effort between all the departments involved. This provides the information, knowledge and skills which will be required by our future doctors. It has always been a tradition in medical schools over the world that science, being taught early on in the course, is taught by research scientists. I am very pleased to say that this department upholds this tradition.

Fresher’s Booklet 2011

Message from the President Ann Farrugia 4th Year

Dear first year medical students, Congratulations and well done It is with great pleasure that I welcome you into the medical course. Being a medical student does not only mean endless hours of reading, studying cadavers and all that heavy stuff (I’ll leave that part of the introduction process to the lecturers). It also means that you form part of the great association that is MMSA You will soon realise that university life does not – and should not - stop at books and lectures. There is a whole plethora of opportunities for you to discover and exploit when you are a medical student. Being part of MMSA opens up new doors for your holistic development and growth into a mature young doctor. As a first year, you too can be part of this thriving association I’m sure you have heard of the Training and Resource Development weekend which is held in October (better known as TRD ). This is a perfect occasion to launch yourselves into MMSA and all that it offers. You will be introduced into all the Standing Committees (SC), each focusing on a particular field, such as Reproductive Health, Medical Education and Media.

At TRD, you get to meet the other first year medical students, and forge friendships that will last throughout medical school and beyond. Whatever your interest, you will surely find an SC to suit you You can, of course, go all out and be part of every SC MMSA is really what you make it. It is made up of students, run by students, and for students – you. There are also plenty of exciting prospects when it comes to the international sphere. Every year MMSA offers monthly exchanges with many countries all over the world, and many of us go abroad every summer on clerkships to foreign countries. It is a great way to explore a country, learn medical skills, and make new, life-long friends. Apart from exchanges, make sure to read MMSA News and visit the MMSA website (www.mmsa.org.mt) – the official channels of communication of MMSA - for applications to conferences, international meetings, and workshops. As a final note I would like to encourage you to make the most of your years in medical school. There has never been a better time, and a better chance, to be the best you can be. Take up new challenges, chat to students in the more senior years, and be proactive in your studies and in your MMSA life. Study hard, party hard, but make sure to allocate time for yourself. Taking care of yourself during these upcoming five years is as important as all the care you will give your patients in the future. Please do feel free to approach me at any point if you need any help or if you have any questions regards MMSA or your studies. We’re a nice bunch, us medical students, and we’d be more than happy to help out first years in distress I look forward to seeing you all at TRD and at all the other MMSA events that are in store

www.mmsa.org.mt

Editorial Elizabeth Gialanze` 2nd Year

A shrieking alarm is the first thing you hear in the morning. Not the most graceful sound is it A rush to your desk to check the timetable and make sure you are on time. Another hustle and bustle to get ready. Check your watch – you’re going to miss the bus (unless you’re one of the lucky ones who already have a license and a car). A quick jog to the bus stop (yes that is your most probable daily dose of exercise). If you’re lucky, the shiny green air-conditioned bus is quick to arrive in front of you. You arrive at Uni. A wafting smell of coffee and pizza greets you as you walk towards the entrance. Chance to stop? Not really since you’re already 5 minutes late A quick run through the quad (be careful not to hit other students), a gallop down the stairs, and a jog through the long corridor to our faculty. Greeted by the whiff of formalin, and sometimes the smell of cooked food (you’ll experience this along the year), you hurry breathless into the lecture room. Welcome to 5 years of medical school, and most of all – welcome to MMSA :) Life as a university student is another step into independence, at the end of which you will become a doctor.

By being a medical student, you are automatically part of MMSA: An organisation which allows you to achieve a whole new level of potential within you; an organisation through which you will meet medical students from all the years. Student life should be a rewarding experience :) One day you will look back on these years, and I hope that apart from memories of the endless hours spent poring over books, you’ll find yourself reminiscing over all the fun you used to have as a medical student :D Keep this in mind - A good doctor is not one who has memorised all the books and can reel off chunks of theory without breaking a sweat. Apart from being capable of treating the patient, a good doctor is someone who has compassion, knows how to deal efficiently and effectively with any challenges he or she faces and makes the patient feel that yes, this doctor is there for him or her. ‘Live life to the max’ – Fulfill your potential, follow your passion and aim for your dreams. This is why you chose to give your studies your 100%, why you have maintained focus, why probably some of you chose to repeat their exams: - Because you had an aim and a dream, that to become a doctor.

Remain focused. Have fun – be an active student. Time management is the key Others have done it before you - and so will you ;) Hope you find this booklet useful and fun to read

The aim of this booklet is to give you a peek into what you are becoming part of - be it MMSA on a national level, EMSA on a European level, or IFMSA on an international level.

Sander Grima Financial Officer

Keith Pace National Officer on Reproductive Health including AIDS 1. Quiche 2. I like rodents :) 3. When after spending two hours explaining something to a group of 3 surgeons, one of them told me he couldn’t understand a word of what I was saying 4. SCORA sessions during the GA held in Montreal in August 2010

Thea Dimech National Officer on Human Rights and Peace 1. No. Not since I was five.. And we are NOT going there. 2. I love chocolate ..and bunnies. In that order. 3. Having my netbook freeze 2 minutes before a lecture only to have it unfreeze mid-way into the lecture and loudly announce, “DO YOU HAVE THE BIEBER FEVER?!” 4. When putting up the tent for ‘Healthfest’ ended up generating a lot of laughter And I do believe a joke arose that day starting along the lines of – ‘How many medical students does it take to raise a tent ’

1. is-Sunny 2. I prefer biscuits to cookies 3. A lecturer asked me what epithelium the bladder was made of. I answered ‘stratified’. His reply was: ‘Not unless you practice some very weird sex fetish’ 4. Helping out in Healthfest and being told by a British guy “Thank you so much for what you are doing here. It’s so important.”

Richard Apap Bologna Secretary General 1. Ricardo 2. I can dive up to 12m down underwater with one breath and flippers 3. Tripping & falling on the stairs in the anatomy department in front of a lecturer 4. Organising Careers Convention in 2011

1. Because of my surname - Polar Bear or Burger 2. I love to eat peanut butter, banana and jam sandwiches A very random combination - but try it and you’ll know what I mean 3. I once got locked outside my house wearing my pyjamas and no shoes, and had to ask someone walking past to use their mobile 4. Definitely World Heart Day in Valletta Jessica Burr an experience where you get the chance to National Electives meet all sorts of people, and one which I will Coordinator never forget

1. What is your nickname? 3. Which is your most embarassing moment?

Eleanor Borg

Michael Sullivan National Officer on Peer Education & Training 1. Sulli 2. I like Batman 3. Thinking that the avian flu was actually Asian flu 4. GA 2010, Montreal Canada

National Public Health Officer 1. Lina 2. I browse throught internet shopping sites as a break from studying xD 3. When a ball was thrown at my face during a handball game when I was still a DLS student 4. International Food and Drink Party at EuRegMe 2011

2. Te ab

your name? our assing nt?

or Borg

al Public h Officer

1. Lina t shopping udying xD ce during a LS student egMe 2011

Ann Farrugia President 1. Annie or Panna 2. I prefer to spend money on travelling than buying a car 3. Breaking down into tears in front of a minister whilst at an MMSA event because not everything went according to plan 4. Speaking on behalf of my beloved association at the last IFMSA GA held last August in Denmark

2. Tell us a random fact about yourself 4. Which is your favourite MMSA memory?

Daniel Vella Fondacaro Vice-President 1. DVF or Fonda 2. I love sports (I side with Juventus) and music favourites are Take That and Robbie Williams 3. Dropping a pint of sticky orange juice on a lady on a friday night during the period that I worked as a waiter. Splashed her from head to toe 4. EuRegMe 2010

1. Bob 2. I have a dog named Echo who has 1 ear and 3 legs 3. When I was taking a blood glucose sample from a young girl who burst out crying as soon as I pricked her in the middle of Valletta during my first ever World Diabetes Day 4. 1st MEDIK-T weekend .. simply awesome

Media & Marketing Officer

NEO NORE

Ryan Grech 1. Il-Poster or Bryan 2. Sometimes I randomly shout catchphrases like ‘PARTAAE’ and ‘HEY BUDDAAEEY’ 3. A dear friend of mine pulled my chair away as I was about to sit down .. in front of a large number of people.. 4. Ballo Bianco

National Officer on Medical Education

Elizabeth Gialanze` Christabel Mizzi

Leisure Officer

Robert Cachia

1. Don’t have one 2. I always go to extremes in whatever I do 3. When a boat full of people had to wait just for me since I was stuck in traffic - walking towards the boat with everyone staring at me with that killer look on their face was way embarassing 4. The first GA is always a memorable experience as you’re representing your own country!

1. Liz 2. I don’t know how to whistle :( 3. When I ran through the Junior College foyer and fell flat on my face in front of the Prime Minister after tripping over a chair 4. Singing ‘Lan a ejja u o ra u sejra’ with the rest of the MMSA delegation at the GA August Meeting 2011 in Copenhagen whilst waving the Maltese flag :)

Fresher’s Booklet 2011

The Active Student Daniel Vella Fondacaro 3rd Year Vice President

Firstly, I would like to congratulate you for making it into medical school. Undoubtedly, the road ahead is not an easy one, and steep hills ahead of you may sometimes discourage you from doing your very best. However, this is something that all medical students experience, as I have experienced when I was a fresher back in 2009 The aim of every single medical student should be to graduate as a medical doctor, and since you were capable of coming this far, I am pretty sure that you are capable of making it to your fifth year and beyond. However, a university student should not be limited only to scholastic work. On the contrary, a student should have a holistic approach to university life during his/her years at university. The active student is more likely to promote good change, and is more likely to have more satisfaction at the end of the student life, than a passive student who closes all windows to extra-curricular activities and work. These few words serve to give you a brief summary of the overall relationships that our association has with external bodies and to make you conscious of the large number of opportunities that every medical student has in the world of ‘the active student’. All medical students are automatically members of the Malta Medical Students’ Association (MMSA) and this is an incredible opportunity for medical students to stay active by participating in campaigns, seminars and other events that the MMSA organises. The MMSA is one of the National Member Organisations (NMO) within the International Federation of

Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA: www.ifmsa.org). The IFMSA organises two annual General Assemblies: one in August and one in March. Maltese medical students have the opportunity to attend these meetings as representatives of the MMSA. The MMSA also makes part of the European Medical Students’ Association (EMSA: http://www.emsa-europe.org) which mostly acts to enhance European student interaction and the sharing of knowledge in the fields of medical education, medical ethics, medical science and European integration. Through the MMSA, the medical students have the chance to attend the EMSA General Assembly and the various meetings that happen throughout the year. Therefore, as previous medical students have done and are currently doing, you also have the opportunity to actively participate in these international associations through the MMSA. Of course, apart from medical student oriented international associations, the MMSA works continuously with other very large unions such as the European Union, and makes use of important agencies such as the European Union Programmes Agency (EUPA: http://www.eupa.org.mt). There are a large number of other associations on campus and the most prominent one is ‘Il- Kunsill tal- Istudenti Universitarji’ (KSU: www.ksu.org. mt) which represents the university student body as a whole, partially by means of the Kunsill Politika Socjali (KPS) or Social Policy Commission which brings students associations’ representatives together to draft and implement policies related to the students themselves. The KSU is also a member of the European Students’ Union (ESU: http://www.esib.org). There are other agencies such as the A enzija g azag (http://www.agenzijazghazagh.gov.mt) that the MMSA has a close encounter with. There are an endless number of opportunities for you out there, and I’ll be very happy to see you make use of them and become active university students. You are now mature university students with incredible strength, fresh minds and opinions. You have five years. This is your time to shine. Once again, I congratulate you on choosing this medical path in life. You will surely not regret it! I’m very looking forward to meeting you all soon.

www.mmsa.org.mt

TRD Richard Apap Bologna 3rd Year Secretary General

So you have finally entered medical school and you are full of motivation, determination and energy to work hard - and that is great But the key to surviving medical school is to keep that motivation and energy going throughout the whole 5 years of the course, and believe me at times this can be a struggle How do you keep this motivation, determination and energy flowing through you? There are many ways to do this - In my opinion the best method is getting involved with MMSA and enjoying university life to its maximum, thus ensuring that there is more to your life than just studying. So how does one become more involved within MMSA The 9th Training and Resource Development (TRD) weekend is all about that This 3 day seminar is a great opportunity for you to get to know more about MMSA, its different standing committees, the organisation of some of our big events, and most importantly, your new fellow medical students

It is also a good chance for you to find out which standing committee/s you would enjoy working with the most and can contribute the most to. That said, this does not mean you are restricted to just one standing committee, you can be active in as many as you want This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theme for TRD is Crossroads, and it will deal with how MMSA can help you find yourself as a first year medical student. We have also invited a number of guest speakers so as to deliver some very interesting talks and training sessions which target your day-to-day needs as a medical student. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure most of you have heard of the infamous MMSA costume parties which attract the likes of both medical and non-medical students, freshers and older students These parties will be one of the most memorable nights of your years at University so do not miss them So how do I attend TRD Pretty simple; Find our stand during Freshersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; week, on which you will find a MMSA member to whom you can hand in your application to. On your first day we will tell you from where you can obtain this. Hurry as spaces are limited and available on a first come first serve basis So be sure not to miss this great experience as you will regret it

Ask any student that has attended a TRD weekend in the past and he will definitely recommend it.. so much so that older students keep coming back for more During TRD you will get a good taste of what MMSA is all about. You will learn more about the events we host and what every standing committee aims to achieve.

Fresher’s Booklet 2011

SCOME Robert Cachia 3rd Year National Officer on Medical Education “I look up to the sky and now the world is mine, I’ve know it all my life, I made it, I made it I made it into med school … Now what ” When taking your first steps into a whole new world, a new life, and you are faced with a long and winding journey ahead of you - you are definitely feeling confused. The next stepping stone seems too far away and the signs of direction seem to have disappeared. Getting into med school is the ultimate goal of many students, but most do not consider what is to be expected from them in the following five years. We SCOMEdians are your older brother and sister - who will be there throughout your journey such as to guide you through med school. We will provide you with tips and directions which are somewhat essential to surviving your study years whilst maintaining a fun social life. This is done through fun educational projects which fill in the gaps of the boring passive curriculum. These projects are also aimed at providing you with tools which will help you become the best doctor you could possible be. Are you having any problems No matter how trivial or grand those problems may seem, we can help you come up with a solution.

One of SCOME’s main aims is to make your voice heard. We provide you with representatives who are ready to listen to your suggestions and take them directly to the faculty. We want to give you a say, and we want to put your brilliant ideas to good use Finally, we want to make your medical education worthwhile. This is the only Standing Committee for medical students aimed directly at the needs of the medical student So if you feel lost, don’t fret Look out for the signs … we’re here, ready to show you the way! :)

www.mmsa.org.mt

SCORA Keith Pace 3rd Year National Officer on Reproductive Health including AIDS When I became a medical student I wasn’t sure what to make of it. All the hard work had finally paid off, but when sitting in class for the first time I remember feeling very unsure of the journey ahead. MMSA made me feel more at home in the medical course. Your course will be shaped by your decisions, and MMSA will be there every step of the way opening the door to many opportunities, both on a local and international level. SCORA – the Standing Committee on Reproductive Health including AIDS – is the newest of the IFMSA standing committees, but it is definitely one of the most active More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981 and currently over 30 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. Had these people been equipped with the knowledge about the proper use of contraception, the statistics might not have been so worrying. This was what originally sparked the concept for SCORA back in the 90s.

Perhaps one of SCORA’s greatest challenges is removing the social stigma associated with sexual issues, not only amongst the general public but also amongst us as tomorrow’s doctors. Many of SCORA’s projects aim at this; including the Antihomophobia campaign, illuminAIDS (a project aimed at zero discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS) and the IVF information campaign. One of SCORA’s main projects (in liaison with NPET) is to reach youths through Peer education sessions. These sessions have a foundation of evidence, respect, equality, dignity and freedom of thought and expression. Our aim is not to impose on the students, but rather to equip them with the self-assertion needed to make responsible choices in life. SCORA also aims at raising awareness amongst the general public, especially during World AIDS Day and Valentine’s Day, when we organise various outreaches on and off campus. The Candle Vigil and the Red Party are also events to look forward to in the upcoming year For us medical students, various seminars pertaining to sexual health and medicine will be organised throughout the year in liaison with SCOME and various external organisations. Moreover, the whole SCORA team is there to help you throughout the year with anything you need; SCORA related or otherwise Feel free to approach us or email us anytime. Looking forward to seeing you all at TRD

In Malta, sexual and reproductive health is a subject that still has the power to raise many eyebrows, and some degree of taboo still surrounds the topic of sex for (too) many people, particularly in the extremely important context of adults educating children and youngsters. This is why SCORA in Malta aims to provide both teens and the general public with all the skills and knowledge necessary to make proper sexual health decisions.

Fresher’s Booklet 2011

SCORP Thea Dimech 2nd year National Officer on Human Rights & Peace

In other campaigns, such as Breaking Bad News and Respecting Patient’s Rights - we will train you and help you acquire skills to not only become a good doctor, but a great one And if this still doesn’t sound like something you would go for, you could always get trained by one of our many MMSA trainers and learn how to deliver Peace-test sessions in primary and secondary schools. These are sessions designed to recognise discrimination and tolerance levels in our future generations. For any questions don’t hesitate to contact me or simply tag along with the nearest SCORP activist (often aptly named SCORPians) - we don’t sting

Dear Class of 2011, You are here now - this is where you`ve worked so hard to be and you’ve made it In conjunction with being a medical student you also get to be an MMSA member (Malta Medical Student’s Association). And this… is where the fun is. MMSA holds endless opportunities in a variety of activities ranging from campaigns to exchanges. You will be delighted to find out that as medical students you already have an opinion that the general public is interested in hearing - something which you know is usually to be true of doctors. In most of MMSA’s Standing Committees, including the Standing Committee for Human Rights and Peace (SCORP), you will be given an opportunity (and equipped with the confidence) to use this voice to raise awareness. As this term’s NORP (National Officer of Human Rights and Peace) I therefore welcome you to take part in one of SCORP’s several campaigns. Here we organise numerous campaigns such as, Mental Health Awareness Campaign, Human Rights Campaign and International Women’s day - all which aim to raise awareness on the importance of human rights in relation to health.

www.mmsa.org.mt

SCOPH Eleanor Borg 2ndYear National Public Health Officer

These events can serve as a break from the long and tiresome study hours. They are the best way through which you can get to know your classmates – who after 5 years of medical school, will most probably be your colleagues Imagine this .. the person sitting next to you during lectures, or the one handing out tomatoes during the FOOD campaign, or the one taking blood pressure during World Heart Day .. will eventually be that doctor you will be spending your night shifts with. Ah ye And do not forget those who enjoy carrying out X-rays on teddy bears during Teddy Bear Hospital :) SCOPH allows us all to experience the main reason why many of us have decided to become doctors – Because we wanted to help people.

Hello medical student. Welcome on board :) I am Eleanor, this year’s National Public Health Officer (NPO). You are going to hear a lot of these abbreviations in the upcoming weeks, especially in TRD (which I’m hoping you’re all going to attend) One of these is SCOPH – the Standing Committee on Public Health – which is what I direct with the help of a LOT of people. SCOPH is very active within MMSA. We all know how hard it is to enter this course, and sometimes it can be even harder to survive it. However, the motto I try to keep in life is this: If they did it, so can I. I encourage you to keep the above motto in mind throughout the upcoming years in order to motivate you to carry on when you’re feeling stressed out, or to have more fun when you are experiencing new things – such as being a SCOPHian. SCOPH organises a number of events throughout the year in which we students aim to increase awareness amongst the general public with regards to certain issues.

Being a SCOPHian is not only a local opportunity, but also an international one. There are many internationally organised SCOPH events which you can attend International and European conferences offer YOU the chance to meet other medical students coming from countries all over the world. You will also notice that even though we speak different languages, we all have a common aim in mind. Congratulations again on becoming a medical student And remember that with this title comes great responsibility, now as a student, and even more as a doctor in the future. Do not hesitate to come forward with any questions, especially if you would like to get to know more about SCOPH Hope to see many of you in our events. Let’s make SCOPH bigger and more active than it already is

Such campaigns include the creative Teddy Bear Hospital, the renowned World Heart Day and World Diabetes Day, as well as those small yet equally important campaigns dealing with mental health, first aid and eating disorders. You will get to know more about our campaigns in TRD and throughout the year

Fresher’s Booklet 2011

Leisure Ryan Grech 2nd Year Leisure Officer Dear fellow medical students, Just like my colleagues I would like to welcome you to the medical course - And welcome to the next five years of your life. Unfortunately this also means that summer is now over and you have to again hit the books. Our course is not an easy one, yet on the other hand I dare say that it is one of the most challenging courses and it will also give you an opportunity to grow in all aspects of your life. Probably most of you whilst reading this article still do not fully understand what MMSA (Malta Medical Student Association) is and how it is divided into standing committees, but in time you’ll meet us all and understand ;) I would like to introduce you to the standing committee of Leisure. Although MMSA leisure events are primarily organised for medical students, most of these are open to all university students. University life is not all about studying and exams but it is also about making the most of campus life, having a good time with your friends as well as making new ones The Standing Committee of Leisure aims in fact to provide activities for all medical students with the aim of reducing stress, having fun and maximising the beautiful aspects of University life.

We aim for the best events in order to enrich the University social life -with the result that MMSA events have now become a trademark for all University students. Organised events include: The End of Exams party (such as MMSA Lift Off: The Second Edition), the MMSA Boat Party, the End of Summer party, the TRD parties, the Christmas party, the Consultant’s party and the annual ‘Ballu’. Leisure has many plans for the upcoming year We are always open to new ideas and suggestions and we have no doubt that you will be willing to join in on our events. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the MMSA Executive Board 2011-2012 for all their help, the past Leisure Officer for all his guidance and my team whom without them, nothing would be possible. I hope you are excited in starting your year as I am in starting mine Should you have any queries, we are all happy to help. We will all be available at the TRD sessions but feel free to contact us whenever needed. Hope to see you soon in the Standing Committee of Leisure

www.mmsa.org.mt

Media & Marketing Elizabeth Gialanze` 2nd Year Media & Marketing Officer Hello first years :) First of all – congratulations You’re finally on the path leading towards what I assume was always your lifelong ambition ;) Welcome to MMSA and welcome to the standing committee and team of Media and Marketing. Our role is to integrate all the hard work done by the various standing committees and present the students and the general public with a picture of what MMSA does. Media’s main project is Murmur – This is one of MMSA’s annual publications and is distributed free throughout University campus and Mater Dei. In this magazine, the articles are written by you the students, so anyone who feels creative or skilled with a pen (or keyboard) - feel free to contact me Another annual publication is the Freshers’ Booklet, and I hope you have found good use for this one.

Our aim is to promote MMSA’s events - we are its facebook profile :) This year the Media team is armed with some fresh ideas and is aiming to work on some new projects in collaboration with other standing committees. We have also introduced the concept of liaison officers in order to facilitate our work – more people results in a larger team, and a larger team offers new ideas Media is creativity. Creativity is talent. Being a student in such a demanding course does not mean that you should shunt your hobbies aside. As some of this booklet’s writers have stressed – All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy Explore your talents, maybe you never realised you had an artistic side you could exploit ;) If you want to be an active student within MMSA, do not just seek to help out in events, but also try make the most of your potential. You can learn and achieve something by being part of MMSA, but MMSA can also achieve and gain something from you. Hope to see you all at TRD .. some wicked ideas are in store for you

Media is also associated with the maintenance of our website, to which a whole fresh look was given last year – visit it on www.mmsa.org.mt Since Media is combined with Marketing, we must therefore also have an artistic side - to ensure the creative design of any publication or MMSA event. Liaisons with external media organisations and press is important, and this is why we work to achieve and maintain a successful relationship between MMSA and the external media, and why we always keep a look out to make new contacts.

Fresher’s Booklet 2011

Professional & Research Exchanges Christabel Mizzi 4th year NEO NORE Dear Freshers, It is with great joy and pride that we welcome you to the medical course. I would like to introduce you to the Standing Committee on Professional Exchanges (SCOPE) and also the Standing Committee on Research Exchanges (SCORE). SCOPE organises Professional Exchanges, in which students study in a hospital in a foreign country, while SCORE organises Research Exchanges, in which students participate in a research project in a hospital or University in a foreign country. MMSA is part of one of the largest student exchange programmes in the world, both professional and research - run by the international federation of medical students’ associations (IFMSA). Both standing committees are very active on a local and international level, especially during the summer months. The most significant aspect of every international exchange is the broadening of each student’s medical knowledge as well as the thoughts, joys and memories that the student will collect and cherish at the end of each experience I hope that you too will be encouraged to take part in these once in a lifetime opportunities. Locally, during the summer months, students become involved in the SCOPE / SCORE standing committees by helping out with the hosting and social programme of the exchange students coming to Malta.

Initially most students are reluctant to act as contact persons, but in the end, they love it and want to do it again, since they make loads of new friends and contacts The social programme is organised by the contact persons for these exchange students, and this is where you guys come in A contact person is an MMSA student who meets up with his or her assigned exchange students two or three times a week, and shows them round the island. You are all welcome to help the contact persons organise the social programme for the exchange students Taking the students round Malta is great fun, and it’s also an excellent way of making friends with lots of medical students from all around the globe. The social programme includes trips to several places of interest around Malta. We take the students to visit historical sites such as Mdina and the Three Cities - where you have the chance to explain to the students what you remember from your history classes at school Naturally the students are not only interested in history.. We also take the students to Paceville - where they soon start to feel part of the Maltese nightlife. One of the most popular events is the International Food Night - a perfect opportunity to taste the Austrian schnitzel, the Spanish paella, the Tunisian couscous and a dozen other different dishes. Similarly, the International Drinking Night is a great event to get to know the exchange students whilst passing round some German beer or Russian vodka. You could also join in the beach BBQ or the day trips to Gozo and Comino, where you can help us make the students feel welcome and at the same time have a great time yourself We hope you will be motivated to help out in the SCOPE/SCORE programme, and/or take part in an exchange, and feel free to forward us your comments and questions throughout the year. For more information, look for us at the TRD sessions. We are looking forward to seeing you on the exchange team

www.mmsa.org.mt

Electives Jessica Burr 4th Year National Electives Coordinator

A medical elective is a fantastic opportunity to travel the world It consists of a period of a 1 or 2 month placement in a hospital abroad and is intended to introduce student doctors to medical practices beyond their training experience; be part of the communities served by the hospital hosting their Elective, as well as to enjoy some of the excitement of foreign travel - All this after many months of demanding study and examinations. Currently, MMSA only offers elective programmes to incoming students applying from overseas. On average, we have 10-20 students arriving every month: We provide them with accomodation, ensure they have transport from the airport to their lodging, and we also set up their clinical placement with a consultant in the speciality of their choice.

America, or all the way down under in Australia An elective can be found on any continent you desire, so you have the opportunity to experience any health care system, as well as culture It is important to note that all Universities have their own deadlines and application processes. With this in mind, I would advise that if you are thinking of undertaking an elective you should begin the process of application well in advance, at least 8-12 months beforehand. Some universities such as Oxford would be pre-booked from two years ahead so be cautious so as to avoid disappointment. The advantage of doing an elective is that you get to personally select the exact city and university you want to go to. As I have said, the choices are endless - however cost should be an important factor to keep in mind. MMSA does not have any agreements with these Universities so prices can be quite high. Be sure to look into accomodation availability. I have personally been on a elective to UCL in London during last August - it was an excellent experience but finding accomodation was very hectic However, looking back it was definitely worth it and I would highly recommend this experience to any medical student.

We always ask local medical students whether they want to get involved and help out with our foreign elective students. This may include organising pick-ups from the airport or even offering support to these students; at the same time giving them the chance to meet new people. What can the Elective Officer offer you as a local medical student Basically some advice on how to go about applying for an elective Truth be told, an elective is an independant study programme for the more â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;free spirited studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The choices can be endless if you browse online - you can opt for a hospital in the heart of London, a bustling city in

If you would like some advice on how to undertake a medical elective please do not hesitate to contact me. MMSA does not organise the trip for you, but I can surely offer you some invaluable experience after having completed an elective myself.

Fresher’s Booklet 2011

Peer Education Michael Sullivan 3rd Year National Officer on Peer Education & Training I am Michael Sullivan and I am responsible for the National Peer Education and Training (NPET) part of MMSA. Hence, I am the National Officer on Peer Education and Training (or NOPET). NPET involves training YOU to be able to conduct sessions about several subjects, mainly anti-tobacco, human rights, substance abuse awareness, sex-ed and eating disorders. We then organise peer-education sessions at schools and youth centres to discuss these subjects with our peers in an informal environment. This gives our peers the opportunity to be comfortable and speak openly about subjects often connected to social stigma or that have never even been heard of – How many of you knew that there are 4 types of eating disorders Which brings me to my next point … Growing up, we are bombarded with information from the media, our friends etc., that can altogether mess up our outlook on many things. We peer educators have heard many incorrect, and sometimes shocking, comments, such as: “only teenage girls are affected by eating disorders”, “alcohol is not addictive”, or “being gay is contagious”. So, peer-education is all about giving the right, unbiased information to peers to hammer-out any misconceptions in as fun a way as possible so that they can make informed decisions. Ask any peer-educator and they will all agree that peer-ed sessions make one feel that they are really making a difference..

The satisfaction that comes from peer-ed is really motivating. One memory which I will always recall was when a 14 year old girl walked up to my fellow peer-educator and very honestly said, “Thank you, that really helped” – hug included. The training aspect of NPET is also really great. I have learned things over the past 2 years that enhanced my presentation skills, organisation and management, public speaking and much more. At NPET weekend (in November) you obtain all the skills required to give NPET sessions, amongst many other things. Besides, peer-education is a great way of being awarded MMSA exchange points. Working with MMSA offers great opportunities. Thanks to MMSA I have travelled to Montreal, Innsbruck and Warsaw – just in the past year, and in all these places I have learned a lot. As a final note, try not to let your medical student years go by without having experienced anything other than Snell’s (or Gray’s – depending on which one you use) anatomy. Remember, MMSA has a lot to give, but if student organisations aren’t your thing be sure to keep up your sports/hobbies. Above all, enjoy the course and your very short time at university. Yes, it is very short ..

Hope to see you all at TRD and NPET weekends. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me

www.mmsa.org.mt

MMSA Gabbi Sammut DeMarco 2nd Year Congratulations! You’ve made it into medical school. Now begin the endless hours of studying – but there’s also MMSA to look forward to. If you’ve spoken to any older student you’ve definitely heard of it - but what is MMSA “The Malta Medical Students’ Association (l-G aqda tal-Istudenti talMedi ina ta’ Malta) represents all medical students at the University of Malta (UoM) since 1951. The Malta Medical Students’ Association (MMSA) aims to enhance the medical student life through promoting active participation in the academic system, international exchanges and training in various fields of the public health sector. MMSA also aims at empowering society to become functionally involved in holistic health decision making.” [www.mmsa.org.mt] Our mission is to enhance the education of future medical professionals through enforcing active participation in their teaching system, organising international exchanges and implementing training in the various fields of the public health sector. We also aim at empowering the Maltese society, including its marginalised communities, to become functionally involved in decision taking within the National Healthcare System and to reduce health-related social problems through culture and gender sensitive health advocacy.

Since then, we are also full members of EMSA and IFMSA (an organisation consisting of over 3 million medical students in 97 countries ) N-PET and SCOPH will give you the opportunity to take part in campaigns such as Anti-Tobacco or Anti-Substance Abuse. SCOME will allow you to have a say in what and how you are taught. The Media team designs our posters and controls press releases. Or else why don’t join the Leisure team and help plan one of our famous parties Medical school is taxing and scary but MMSA is there to make it a bit more bearable :) Here are a few pointers for you: Butt in. You think you can plan an event Volunteer Do you have any suggestions Tell us MMSA needs you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. We’ve all been first years, we know how overwhelmed you feel right now. As Prof. De Giovanni likes to say. “Don’t worry, it will get worse ” Talk to us. We can and will help. ;)

We’re the strongest organisation on campus for a reason. MMSA was set up 60 years ago at the University of Malta.

Fresher’s Booklet 2011

EMSA Jacob Vella 4th Year International Coordinator Yet another acronym. EMSA. It stands for European Medical Students’ Association. The main aim of EMSA is to represent all European medical students and MMSA is one faculty medical organisation (FMO) within this regional association. The work and projects of EMSA are endorsed by the European Commission which strongly supports it through its almost infinite resources and opportunities. So far so good, but how can a first year medical student benefit from EMSA? Well, apart from the opportunity of meeting students from all over the continent, you can improve your medical and personal skills. EMSA is made up of 4 themes: European Integration, Ethics and Public Health, Science, and Education. As one would realise on visiting EMSA’s website, EMSA projects pertain to what mostly matters to a medical student, that is, improving his/her educational experience and also getting a wider picture of a satisfactory youth. Just to mention a few events, EMSA organises the annual Parkinson’s disease summer school where European healthcare students get together to learn how to work in a multi-professional team and how to write a research project proposal with relevance to patients in different healthcare professions. The nearest event is the International Congress on Medicine and Law which will be held between the 15th and 18th of this October. This congress

is being organised with ELSA – the European Law Students’ Association and will discuss Medical Science, Law, Medical Ethics and Medical Law. Another annual event is the Leadership Summer school where EMSA, in collaboration with 15 other European Youth organisations, helps student leaders to develop their skills by using non-formal education methods. On a more internal basis, the different European faculty member organisations organise twinning projects whereby two groups from different countries visit each other throughout the same academic year. The hosting group organises medical rounds and lectures and also an astonishing social programme whereby local culture, tradition and gastronomy are made available to the guests Last but not least EMSA has two meetings per year: the EMSA General Assembly (GA) and the European Medical Students’ Congress (EMSCon), and the EMSA National Coordinators and Enthusiasts Meeting (NCM) which is unfortunately held in May. The last one was held in Leiden, Holland. During the GA all national coordinators (NCs) meet and discuss on how to improve EMSA and their FMOs. Pillar sessions revolving round the 4 EMSA themes are coupled with personal skills training. All GAs include a gala dinner and daily parties during the 4-day event. The GA is also preceded by EMSCon where renowned medical experts are invited to deliver workshops on a particular medical theme (last theme was Nutrition). There is also the Working Group for the more enthusiastic students. The EMSA Work Group is established to create and organise international and local events and projects and to have input from EMSA-members about internal and external issues. Well, I think that this would suffice as an EMSA introduction. Of course apart from EMSA there is the European Union, IFMSA, WHO and the UN I will also be frequently sending several opportunities via MMSA news so watch out for them Also feel free to speak to any Executive Board member regarding any questions you might have. Visit the Contacts section on the MMSA website – www.mmsa.org.mt – to learn about other organisations and prospects. Regarding EMSA do visit www.emsaeurope.org to get more insight on what you can do and gain

www.mmsa.org.mt

IFMSA Raphael Buttigieg 5th Year ex-IFMSA official Helping TB patients with their medication in Tanzania, decreasing maternal mortality from infections and haemorrhage in Nigeria, teaching about the dangers of radiation exposure in Japan, campaigning for fair pharmaceutical marketing in America.. and finally promoting skin health on Malta’s beautiful beaches. All have one thing in common - medical students on the front line, doing their best to promote health in their communities. If you like travelling, meeting new people and getting in touch with cultures around the world, then it might be worth considering getting involved in IFMSA - the International Federation for Medical Students’ Associations. It is one of the largest student organisations in the world, representing a total of more than 2 million medical students, and works hand in hand with many organisations in the field of health - including the WHO (World Health Organisation), WMA (World Medical Association), UNESCO, UNAIDS and UNICEF. Think of IFMSA as being the international version of MMSA, which forms a part of it, together with 103 other associations from 98 countries worldwide. Like you there are loads of other students all round the world, working hard to become doctors, whether to save the world, make some money, or fulfill mummy’s lifelong dream of having a doctor for a son :P Medical school can be one of the hardest periods of your life, but also one of the most amazing experiences you will have Cherish and make the most of it - You WILL become a doctor, only question is: What will you be thinking when you look back on these past few years

“When I got into Med school here in Palestine i never imagined such amazing years. I am not talking about books or lectures here, it’s IFMSA the family that you will never forgot, the experience that you will really enjoy to the max. I have been working with IFMSA for 4 years and it’s the best time of my life. Being a doctor is much more than treating patients - its about building a new world” - Basel Zaid (IFMSA-Palestine) “I’m not a medical student, but I have heard about IFMSA on one of its exchanges and I think it’s great ” - Marta Vilà González (Biomedical Science Student, AECS Health Science Students’ Association “Being part of the IFMSA family makes me feel extremely lucky everyday. The IFMSA “IFMSA is the best kind of gives you the possibility to take action on addiction in the world . It any level, aiming to make a change in our own develops this kind of feeling little world It gives you the opportunity which you cannot exactly deto meet amazing energetic people, to share scribe - It creates a new level experiences and to work together towards of passion for work and makes a common goal as a true team. So, what are you want to cmake a change”you waiting for Join us ;)” Lujain Al-Khalifa (IFMSA-Saudi - Mariana Reis Costa (Portmsic, Portugal) Arabia)

.. & from all around the world

“IFMSA gives you the chance to go beyond the books right from the start; it gives you the chance to start making a difference right away :) “ - Brian Den Braber Cárcamo (IFMSA - Chile)

“Getting the chance to be part of the IFMSA family is an honour and pleasure for any medical student ,, In the IFMSA, a medical student’s life turns to be an awesome story of interacting with the world that we are part of - Mona Faramawy (EMSS - Emirates Medical Students’ Society, Dubai) “Being a med student consists of much more than just studying medicine - it is about thinking on healthcare everyday, and trying to do something to improve people’s lives quality in any way possible. IFMSA makes you realise that you don’t need a diploma to ‘care’” - Maria Jose Navarrete Dättwyler (IFMSA - Argentina)

Fresher’s Booklet 2011

Mnemonics Nicola Bonello 2nd Year

> ACADEMIC

> MMSA RELATED

MDH - Mater Dei Hospital SGT - Small Group Teaching room PCL - Physiology Computer Lab (ground floor) (n) ALR - (new) Anatomy Lecture Room MP - Maths and Physics Building SLT - Science Lecture Theatre CTS - Critical Thinking Skills CS - Clinical Skills VLE – Virtual Learning Environment (found on the uni website) also referred to as “Moodle” BS – Behavioural Sciences

WHD – World Heart Day WDD – World Diabetes Day WAD - World Aids Day TBH - Teddy Bear Hospital EB – Executive Board

> SOME COMMON LECTURER ABBREVIATIONS (you’ll never actually use their name ) PSW – Dr. Pierre Schembri Wismayer JCA – Dr. Jean Calleja Agius GJH – Prof. Gary Hunter GDG – Prof. Giuseppe di Giovanni

> ABBREVIATIONS TO IMPRESS CXR – Chest X-Ray IVC – Inferior Vena Cava ECG – Electrocardiogram MI - Myocardial Infarction

> COMMON PHRASES YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF USING OFTEN KML – Kill my life FML – The ruder version KOL – Kill our lives BDQ – Break down qawwi

www.mmsa.org.mt

Book crazy Martha Dimech 2nd Year

How to choose the right book? Success during the years to come largely depends on your ability to assimilate the correct information in the appropriate amount of time. Choosing the right book that works for YOU is not just important, it’s essential Some of you may have heard all the necessary details from friends or relatives who have already boarded the medical ship so this will hopefully serve as a guide for the more confused :) 1) Identify the study-units for which you will need lots of extra reading material, take note of the faculty’s recommended textbooks (available from the University’s Website/ eSIMS), and ask older students about those very essential books you will definitely make use of (such as those for anatomy and physiology) – You need to start setting the foundations for your 5-year journey 2) Do your homework i.e. ask around and compare book reviews on the net. Gather as much information as you can on the titles which tend to constantly crop up (Gray’s Anatomy anyone ) 3) Make a list – this actually works - in which you note down what you need. Crossing books off the list once you’ve bought them would help you keep track of this daunting task.

4) Go to the library (with your list, of course :P) - locate the relevant shelves and flip through the books’ pages. Better still, borrow a few from older students and see whether they actually reinforce the material covered in the first few lectures. This is the moment when you need to start testing the waters for the best choice.. 5) Once you have pinpointed the books you want, go to a bookshop. Find your target and look it over before actually buying it. I suggest you compare prices between competing bookshops first; after all, why pay more for something you can get for less somewhere else Remember that the book your friend has just bought in the one-hour break s/he happened to have might not be the best option for YOU Even if 99% of the class has Gray’s Anatomy and you happen to prefer Snell’s, go for Snell’s - and always remember that recommended textbooks are just that - recommended The style, the text, the details or even the illustrations (yes, the diagrams - as ridiculous as that may sound) may very well not appeal to you at all So take your time before deciding whether to buy the book or not. Last but definitely not least, if you think that you will be needing more than one book for a specific topic, before buying the second book please bear in mind that the more material you possess, the more material you have to go over to study - and the more overwhelmed you will be when it comes to exams And obviously the crazier it all becomes Arming yourself properly with a personal medical library that fully and specifically caters to YOUR needs will result in a lifelong investment that will surely pay off in the end ;) You can now safely set sail to navigate the wonderful ocean that is medicine - GOOD LUCK

Fresherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Booklet 2011 ANATOMY (GROSS)

Your booklist & study units Fabrizia Cassar 2nd Year

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MDS 1021 - Cell Biology and Biochemistry Coordinator: Prof. G. Hunter MDS 1022 - Organisation of the Body Coordinator: Dr. P. Schembri-Wismayer MDS 1023 - Introduction to Clinical Practice I Coordinator: Prof. P. Mallia MDS 1004 - Cardiovascular System Coordinator: Prof. G. Di Giovanni MDS 1005 - Respiratory System Coordinator: Dr R. Cauchi

> Mcâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Minnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clinical Atlas of Human Anatomy ISBN-10: 0323036058 ISBN-13: 978-0323036054 Edition: 6 Author: P H. Abrahams, J. D. Spratt, J. Boon

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> Muir’s Textbook of Pathology ISBN-10: 0340740620 ISBN-13: 978-0340740620 Edition: 14 Authors: David Levison (Editor), Robin Reid (Editor), Stewart Fleming (Editor), David Harrison (Editor), Alastair Burt (Editor)

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> Neuroscience ISBN-10: 0878936971 ISBN-13: 978-087893697 Edition: 4 Authors: George J Augustine, George FitzPatrick, Dale Purves

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Fresher’s Booklet 2011

First year ... by the ex-first year Nicholas Cassar 2nd Year I’ll be completely honest with you – the most important thing in first year is to be chillaxed This doesn’t mean that you study as little as possible or take your assignments lightly – this would just be stupid. It means that whatever happens, you remain calm and collected, and realise that a) Having managed to get into M.D. (congrats :D) means that you have got the brains (so just make sure you use them) b) There’s nothing that’s asked of you that hasn’t been done by countless others before you. If you really want to be a doctor, there’s very little that can stop you. Yes, there’s quite a bit of material, and yes, studying will occupy a large chunk of your time: but knowing that what you’re doing now will one day help save a life will give you a sense of accomplishment that never grows old. Apart from the fact that a lot of the material is genuinely interesting Panicking needlessly would simply make life the more difficult. Studying will have a tendency to eat up your free time, but make sure you leave room everyday for fun and relaxation: it’s just as important to let off steam and clear your mind as it is to study. And of course, MMSA parties and events are a great stress relief My personal favourites are TRD – a must for any first-year in my humble opinion – and MMSA Ballo Bianco – a night many of us will never forget and many more will never remember :P

Outreach events like World Diabetes Day and World Heart Day are another great way through which you can make new friends, and make you feel that you can already make a difference to health in the community. It’s also important that you keep relations with fellow first-years healthy: you will make lifelong friends with some of the best people in Uni. If you find any info that is useful studying material, don’t keep it to yourself – share it. There are no prizes for being first, and helping others is a favour that will most likely be returned - this also acts as a way to strengthen friendships. Also, don’t be scared of: (i) Approaching lecturers with difficulties – the vast majority of them are very helpful and genuinely want you to succeed. Always remember to make use of the resources you have at hand for those simple difficulties: that’s why you have books, internet access, and a library (ii) Having different study patterns from your friends – everyone has their own methods and tastes. Just make sure you find the ones which suit you best and stick to them. (iii) Feeling lost – the first two weeks for me were terrible: VLE was a conundrum I could not understand, the campus was a maze, and the sudden information overload made me feel like I had bitten off more than I could chew When in trouble - share your concerns (others will probably be just as worried as you ), help each other, and ask an older student to point you in the right direction. (iv) Not understanding lectures – lectures are mostly a (highly compressed) summary of the very most important points. Your true information base should come from books and the internet: you’re expected to teach yourself. Ideally, you should read up on the lecture topics beforehand (yes, EVERYDAY) – the same applies for dissections and Critical Thinking Sessions (CTSs – I cannot emphasise enough how important these sessions are). That’s what’s essential really, oh and don’t forget: work hard, and party hard :D

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Living life the Gozitan way Caroline Attard 5th Year Well done first years I bet youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all so excited about getting into Medicine :) You have been studying so hard to get here and finally you have achieved the grades you wanted Well, the journey has just begun - It will be a challenging, tough but interesting ride. Do not feel overwhelmed by the many opinions and comments people pass about this course. You will be suggested dozens of different textbooks (â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all for the same topic ), lecturers will start emphasising on how tough the course will be, and you will be faced by a whole new cascade of subjects and systems of learning - as well as continuous changes to your timetable Do not feel disheartened by what you hear, and this goes especially for you Gozitan students. Being a Gozitan involves a slightly tougher job. Apart from being worried about what the course entails, you also have cooking, washing clothes and cleaning on your mind And yes, this whole new responsibility might be too much to handle at first, since being on your own means you are now facing new challenges. How will you cope if you are locked outside whilst all your flatmates are in Gozo for the weekend and there is no spare key How will you handle a noisy flatmate whilst you are trying to study on on the eve of an exam How will you manage to balance time spent on studying against that spent having fun with your flatmates

And trust me â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from all these challenges, the latter is the most difficult since it is much more difficult to stick to a study timetable when you are constantly surrounded by your best friends. Living on your own has its advantages as well: You will achieve a whole new level of independence and maturity and you will immediately start growing fond of your second family The biggest pro about this You are in for an exciting lifestyle full of fun and craziness The benefits are definitely worth the hard work ;) Here are some tips on how to handle this stressful beginning: 1. Make sure you divide the responsibilities a flat brings equally between you and your flatmates from the very beginning so as to avoid any unnecessary hassles. 2. Be equipped with earphones so as not to bother others with your loud music whilst they are working. On the other hand, arm yourself with earplugs so that no one spoils your sweet dreams (- be it a jackhammer or loud music ) 3. Your mum will not be there to wash your plate Make sure you clean after yourself so as to avoid any unwanted furry friends sharing your flat :P 4. You and your flatmates should try to make an effort and cook together so as to gather around the table at least once during the day. 5. Make sure you apply for the renting grant offered by the government, and that you pick up any necessary documentation from the Ministry of Gozo. 6. Make sure you do not procrastinate and leave everything for tomorrow Devise a timetable so as to plan the time you will spend on studying, cleaning, and trips to Gozo - as well as your time spent with friends. Time management is essential to success. 7. In case of any difficulties, never hesitate to ask older students who are always willing to help Final note - Locking yourself up to study is definitely not what being a medical student is all about. Enjoy this exciting journey and make sure to attend the memorable TRD

Fresher’s Booklet 2011

On being a student ... By the newly graduated doc Dr Claire Vella M.D. Dear firsties, well done It’s great to have you here You’re in for a very interesting few years, and trust me: they’re going to fly. Then you’re going to find yourselves in my shoes in 5 years’ time With the advent of the Foundation Programme in Malta, the transition from student to doctor is about as seamless as it’s ever going to be. Nevertheless, it’s one thing to be a student, wrapped up in your cocoon of differential diagnoses and rare syndromes, than to be a house officer – doing things like dosing drugs, juggling acute calls on duty, making diagnoses and trying to quell patients’ anxieties. But you’re going to be surprised at how quickly you adapt. Let me break it to you bluntly: you’re going to forget loads of things you learnt in medical school, no matter how much you study. However, you’re hopefully going to come out with a set of basic reasoning skills that’s going to come in very handy when you come to applying your knowledge. I cannot stress enough that you should always study what is common and only read about the rarities with passing interest. And once you’re done studying, close your books and head down to meet your friends Keep practising your hobbies – your outside interests (and MMSA work) will keep you sane when you’re starting to feel overwhelmed. With that, I leave you with one final message: help is always around when you need it. Never shy away from asking your friends or older peers for a hand. You’d be surprised how eager we are to help

.. and the old Dr Jason Attard Higher Specialist Trainee (Histopathology)

Dear newbies, Congratulations I would like to start off by quoting the same words another doctor, my senior, once told me when I joined the MD course (and repeatedly thereafter ): “Quit… It’s never too late ” Joking aside, you are in for a very interesting ride. The curriculum itself has dramatically changed from when I was a medical student. You are going to be inundated with information and at times you may feel that some of what you are learning is useless, extra information and that to become a good doctor, you really don’t need to know it – and you are probably right It will however create a solid foundation which will, at the end of the day, turn you into safe doctors. I cannot stress enough that there is a life outside medicine You DO have to work hard, and you DO have to make some sacrifices, but you really MUST keep your hobbies and meet up with your friends. You can’t put your life on hold till after the course, because the truth is, you will be even busier when you start working You might think that the end destination is passing those pesky exams and getting that piece of paper at the end of the course – but I can assure you (with many years under the belt), good doctors that, does not make (That said, you still have to pass your exams :P) On a final note: Learn to know your limitations and learn when to ask for help. Remember you are not alone

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Introducing the president Daniel blabla 4th Year National Officer on Public Health

Fresherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Booklet 2011