Student Doctor Maisie is absolutely thriving here at Liverpool, getting stuck into the early clinical exposure in Year 2 of the MBChB course and a firm fixture in our Medics Women's football team. All made possible by the generosity of alumni and friends, via the Student Fund.
I'm Maisie and I'm from St Helens. For a long time, I thought medicine wasn't for me because of my background and my perception of what a doctor should be. I did some work experience in different careers and ultimately decided that I should just go for medicine, even if I felt that I didn't fit the stereotype for doctors that I had in my head.
When I was in sixth form, I completed the Liverpool Scholars scheme. The scheme really helped improve my confidence and helped me meet other students from widening participation backgrounds with similar aspirations to me. The whole experience was very empowering and conversations with staff and students cemented that Liverpool was not only a university that I could get into but a university that wanted me there.
My overwhelming feeling on results day was relief, as it is for many students. Starting university felt surreal for me and it was certainly a very proud moment. It wasn't all easy for me, I definitely felt a lot of anxiety when starting, and I think it took me longer than most to gel with other students and find my crowd. But, with the help of medics football, I got there eventually and I now have a great group of friends.
Out of the course content, clinical communication practice is definitely my favourite topic. I enjoy talking to a range of different people (even if they are just actors!), and it makes me feel like I can see the end goal of my degree.
In terms of extracurricular activities, I have particularly enjoyed medics women's football and all their social events, and the annual ball was a special night too. I have also enjoyed giving back as a medical student, working for the University's Widening Participation and Outreach team, and volunteering for the fantastic widening participation charity Medics and Me.
I have had 2 days of clinical placement so far, with more to come. I absolutely love practicing my skills and talking to all the patients. It has been so nice to also pick up some skills with the nurses and healthcare assistants, which I think will be greatly valuable to my future practice.
This year the big focus is starting placement and I'm buzzing to get stuck in! In year 2, we have 4 placement weeks, and I have the huge benefit of never really having been in a hospital environment before, so everything is interesting to me. I'm also excited to try and tackle this year's content in a bit of a more effective way than last year, but only time will tell if I reach this goal!
It might be cheesy, but I don't think I actually can describe the impact that the Student Fund has made to me because it has improved every area of my life.
I estimate that the student fund takes care of at least half of my daily living costs, so that's food on the table, buses around the city, and petrol in my car so I can see my beloved AFC Bournemouth on the road around the north.
I'm also able to do lots of exciting things like enter running races, or go to medic and guild events, and I don't have to live in fear of unexpected costs like the time I broke my glasses.
I may be biased but I think Liverpool is the best city in the world! Weekends for me are definitely orientated around football, be it down my local pub watching a game, watching Liverpool women with my friends from home or going on an adventure with my dad and watching Bournemouth play away from home.
When I'm not doing that, I'm very basic and I love a run around Sefton Park or Croxteth Hall. And, of course, I need caffeine to fuel my studies so you can often find me in Small Town Boy just off campus or Sips And Stories on Smithdown.
My biggest advice to anyone from my background is to challenge your perception of what a student doctor is like and just go for it!
You can have a regional accent, you can enjoy hobbies away from your studies, you don't have to be the top of the class or constantly studying. An interesting, diverse workforce of doctors will make it easier for patients - everyone has something to bring to the table!
I also felt like applying to medicine was a really expensive experience, which is one reason I worked myself to the bone between sixth form and part time work when I was 16-18. It really doesn't have to be this way, so please reach out to widening participation schemes and charities and knock on all the doors you can find before you pick up your bank card thinking it will be beneficial for your future. There is a whole network of students who have walked in your shoes and so many of us want to help and give back to aspiring medics.
Discover more
- Has Maisie inspired you to pursue your dreams of a career in Medicine? Take a look at the many Widening Participation and Outreach programmes available here at Liverpool, including the Scholars scheme Maisie was a part of.
- Keen to give back and support students like Maisie? There are so many ways your donations can make a difference. Head to Student Fund to learn more and reach out to giving@liverpool.ac.uk with any queries.