'I have felt connected to other medical students through working alongside them'
Gaurav Rattan Vashisht is one of the students who will be reading the Declaration of Geneva for the School of Medicine's 2020 Graduation ceremony. He answered some of our questions, so that you could get to know him better.
What is a highlight from your time at the School of Medicine?
"One of the highlights from my time at medical school is when I had the opportunity to present my research in gastroenterology at the national conference held by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG). I had been working hard for 2 years on the project on the scholars programme and I felt like it all paid off. It was nice also to get awarded a prize for the project at the conference."
Were you a member of any societies or sports groups?
"I have been busy helping and holding drop-in sessions as an INSPIRE lead to help students with their research projects and to encourage students to participate in research."
How do you feel you have connected to your classmates over the last couple of months in particular?
"I have found ways to connect to my year group as a fifth year student representative, through liaising between the medical students and the University of Liverpool. Also, over the last couple of months, I have felt connected to other medical students through working alongside them as friends and colleagues at the hospital."
What are your plans for after graduation?
"My plans after graduation is to find more research projects that I am interested in and participate in them, especially since I am on the Academic Foundation Programme; I look forward to having the opportunity to experience learning through research."
What advice would you give to yourself as a fresher 5 years ago?
Being a medical student is very enjoyable and rewarding. If you work hard, you will succeed.
Gaurav is currently participating in Orthopaedics research, which he says is going well.