Medical Sciences at University of Western Ontario
Kelly (Year 2)
@kellly.kan
What made you choose this institution over all others? Did the university exceed your expectations?
I was looking for an undergraduate program which focused mostly on the sciences required for medical school, such as biology, chemistry, and physics, and when I found out about Western University’s Medical Sciences program, I instantly fell in love. The campus felt like home to me when I first visited and Western University definitely exceeded my expectations, especially with their student body.
Do you have any lingering thoughts or regrets in your year as a whole (ex; application process, mistakes going into first year). If so, describe them.
I regret not putting enough effort into my courses during my first semester, as I did not realize how difficult the midterm and exams would actually be.
Briefly describe the academic rigour of your program (in terms of competitiveness, courses, professors, etc.)
I would say all the courses in the Medical Sciences program are fairly reasonable in terms of course grading, as there are easy assignments and quizzes to boost marks that may be dropped from the exams. The weight for the course material is also reasonable and some courses in the program even have alternative weight distributions for course material to ensure you receive a fair mark. Furthermore, the professors have multiple drop-in hours where you can ask them questions pertaining to the course, and they are also readily available over email.
Describe the social life at your campus based on your own experiences (making friends, clubs + extracurriculars, party culture etc.)
I came into university knowing only two people, however, once I moved into my residence, I found it was extremely easy to make friends at the same residence as me! I also met many of my friends through my program, as there are various course group chats that help connect fellow students. I tried to join as many clubs as possible that I found interest in, and they held many social events and gatherings which made everyone feel included.
What are some of the best and worst parts of your university experience so far?
I personally haven’t had any extremely negative experiences happen to me yet in university, except for maybe cramming to study multiple exams within a short period of time. However I can definitely say that the social events and parties I have attended really made my university experience!
List three effective study techniques and/or habits:
Course group chats (people asking and answering questions)
Studying and completing past exams
Discussing topics with my friends in the same program
List three pieces of advice for first-year students:
Don’t be afraid to reach out to anybody for help
Try to join as many clubs as possible
Don’t get too distracted and carried away from your studies
Take care of your mental health.