As I See It – My 1st Semester At UCD

Time and tide wait for no man. My 1st Semester at UCD which commenced on the 8th of September and my last exams paper just finished on the 19th December, 2006. All in all, I have been here for more than three months already (1/3 of the 1st year). I gazed at the calendar with unbelieving eyes.

In introspection, I put pen to blog my experiences here.

Academic
I took six papers for my 1st Semester, namely Clinical Science Informatics, Basic Tissue and Early Development, Musculoskeletal Biology, The Molecular Basis of Life, Cell Biology and one elective (Sports Science). In UCD, some papers are tested based on True / False MCQ questions. It sounds simple but actually they aren't really that easy. They will test you on very minor details which you may think they are not important at all. It is really agonizing when you try to contemplate the answers with precision. Undeniably, these minor details can make a vast difference especially in medical field. You really need to have a thorough understanding of many teeny-weeny details.

We also took the Basic First Aid Exam (comprising of bandaging and basic first aid skills) which is very useful in rendering First Aid during emergency cases. I went for home visit - one Irish woman who suffers from chronic depression and panic syndrome. It really saddened me to see the patient in such a depressive stage. Well sometimes, we just have to think positively, learn to let go and accept reality in life. "Health is wealth".

We will be moving to our new medical building at UCD Belfield campus itself when the 2nd semester begins in mid- January 2007. This certainly benefits us as we won't have to travel downtown so often– saving expenses and precious time.

On the whole, I learn a lot from such a short period of time mainly on analytical thinking, critical thinking and time management. I hope one day that I'll be able to look back and say, "I did it and I have come this far". I hope I can rise against the odds and beyond.

Social
I have the opportunity to meet people from all over the globe (Ireland, Canada, Africa, Poland, Britain, Singapore and Malaysia). They are indeed very friendly and helpful. Life in Merville is the one I cherish most. It’s like a cultural pot where we actually get to live with the Irish. They are superbly nice and understanding.

Sports
Initially, I took up fencing. I was very enthusiastic for the first 2 months. However, I began to stop attending practice when my workloads started piling up on my table. Anyway, I'll try to go for the practice next semester whenever time permits me.

Food
I mostly cook with the help of another housemate. It is much cheaper than eating outside. I usually get my groceries from Tesco Merrion, a 24-hours supermarket outlet near UCD.

Wireless Connection
I subscribe the wireless connection on my own. It helps me in many ways like chatting with friends, parents as well as seeking extra info for my group projects. Nevertheless, my apartment will be fixed with wireless connection beginning next year. Hence, I can save subscription of around 18 euro per month.

Weather
The crazy gale is sometimes frightening. At times, it might be blowing at 100-120 km per hour, unseen in Malaysia. The temperature is also erratic, end of November, there were several nights hitting freezing points but now the temperature hovers around 4 degree Celsius. Actually, it is the strong gale that gives rise to misery.

"No Pain, No Gain"