ATAR Notes: Forum
Uni Stuff => General University Discussion and Queries => The University Journey Journal => Topic started by: babushka818 on August 26, 2017, 02:02:55 am
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Hey all :D
I'm babushka, graduated VCE in 2016 with an ATAR of 93.35. I'm currently in my first year of university, studying the Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging (Honours) at Monash University (Clayton campus).
Looking back on my choices and present career satisfaction, I feel like I've picked a pretty good, solid, rewarding line. I had an interest in biology virtually all my life, and all through high school wanted to do something in health. I considered med for a while, but stuffed up my VCE with some personal struggles, so opted for allied health instead. I don't have regrets - I believe I'll end up where I was meant to be in the end. I'm struggling enough with uni at the moment, probably wasn't ready for undergraduate medicine anyway. Initially I was looking at med then a postgrad through radiology. After opting out of med, I looked into radiation therapy, and following a tour at Peter Mac, I thought that industry looked incredibly rewarding. However, being a highly specialised field, the only undergraduate option was at RMIT Bundoora, and since I'm not driving, the commute wasn't really worthwhile, so I ended up in radiography at monash, which means my commute time, transport options and hours marry somewhat more nicely and I'm still living at home. There are several postgrad options from radiography, so I'm thinking its a worthwhile trade-off.
So that's my pathway into my course.
My first semester at university was tough, enjoyable, challenging, rewarding and even intimidating. I learnt more than I thought I could, I developed some confidence in myself as a person, and I'm learning more about who I can be in the future. I'm loving the independence of uni life, but I'm still hoping to learn more about accepting and taking on more responsibility for myself - next on the radar is to actually get my license, get a job and make some friends. Socially, uni has been hard. I don't really struggle to talk to people, but I do struggle to belong. I made a few friends, but since my cohort has 80 students and we divide into 2 tutorial groups which change each semester, I'm finding that my friendships at uni are quite shallow - we talk in class but we don't hang out in breaks or call if we need help or catch up outside of uni. People are lovely, but many cliques got established in the first semester, and there's a few that I can definitely not see myself with, and others that just really don't seem to want to talk to anyone else. I don't mind being on my own, but since it's such a small course, it'd be nice being able to talk to more people and feel like I could actually approach someone if I needed, rather than the superficial relationships I seem to have at the moment.
Academically, I haven't found a rhythm of how to study, or what to study, or how to review content. I'm doing okay at uni, but I definitely could and should be doing more, and I hope soon I can work that out. Updates on my academic progress to come, but I'm hoping to use this space to encourage myself to get on track.
I'm not too sure where I want to go after this course just yet. I think I'll practice in straight radiography for a few years, preferably a hospital rather than a clinic, perhaps look into specialising in CT. I might look into sonography, then later in life move to radiation therapy once I have more maturity and experience working with emotionally susceptible patients and families. But first, I need to find my motivation, find passion in what I'm doing, and find confidence in my ability to practice this profession. I really hope it works out and gets better for me soon. I hope I can be happy here. :) :)
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YAAAAS BABUSHKA!!! 8)
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Sooooooo excited to read your next instalments ;D
How are you finding the semester so far? :)
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26/08/17-
I have my first of two image analysis tests on Monday, which together make up 7.5% of my mark. I didn't do too well on this for the lower limb last semester so today's all about studying for that. This one's on the abdomen, pelvis, hip, femur, shoulder, acromioclavicular joint, scapula and clavicle. It's a lot of content and I forgot to do the shoulder quiz so that's going to be a challenge.
-Finished doing my C spine part one quiz review
-Reviewing abdomen case examples for image analysis (struggling through this omg :-[ )
Need to look at shoulder and hip positioning, and image analysis of the shoulder girdle in a lot more depth today.
YAAAAS BABUSHKA!!! 8)
love you so much <3 <3
Sooooooo excited to read your next instalments ;D
How are you finding the semester so far? :)
Thanks K888! This semester is a massive challenge actually. Taking one 18 credit point unit that at this point feels just as intense as my 6 is really hard. The amount of pathology we're doing is insane given that we're not qualified to diagnose. Rad labs got flooded on open day weekend too, so that pushed our labs back a week, and the speed of the semester is so fast. Last semester we spent a 3 hour lab on imaging of the hand, and now we spend a 3 hour lab covering abdomens, pelvis and axiolateral hips which is absolutely hectic. Falling behind so quickly. But the hours have gone down so I'm only at uni about 30 hours a week now (22 contact hours). Not feeling too confident, but I'm a lot more determined to get the most out of my 6 week placement after exams in October, should be a bit less stressful since its after exams and we go on holidays after we finish up. Since the labs aren't as dedicated as last semester, all the practice I can get on placement will be worth so much, so I can go to some more busy/highly regarded trauma centres in second year :) hope your journey is going well too! <3
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26/08/17-
I have my first of two image analysis tests on Monday, which together make up 7.5% of my mark. I didn't do too well on this for the lower limb last semester so today's all about studying for that. This one's on the abdomen, pelvis, hip, femur, shoulder, acromioclavicular joint, scapula and clavicle. It's a lot of content and I forgot to do the shoulder quiz so that's going to be a challenge.
-Finished doing my C spine part one quiz review
-Reviewing abdomen case examples for image analysis (struggling through this omg :-[ )
Need to look at shoulder and hip positioning, and image analysis of the shoulder girdle in a lot more depth today.
This is hectic as!! I'm so glad that all I have to do is read x-rays (which is hard enough), learning how to take them is a whole other ballgame haha.
When I had my most recent hip-xrays, the positioning seemed pretty tricky! So I hope (and have full faith) that you can smash it 8)
Thanks K888! This semester is a massive challenge actually. Taking one 18 credit point unit that at this point feels just as intense as my 6 is really hard. The amount of pathology we're doing is insane given that we're not qualified to diagnose. Rad labs got flooded on open day weekend too, so that pushed our labs back a week, and the speed of the semester is so fast. Last semester we spent a 3 hour lab on imaging of the hand, and now we spend a 3 hour lab covering abdomens, pelvis and axiolateral hips which is absolutely hectic. Falling behind so quickly. But the hours have gone down so I'm only at uni about 30 hours a week now (22 contact hours). Not feeling too confident, but I'm a lot more determined to get the most out of my 6 week placement after exams in October, should be a bit less stressful since its after exams and we go on holidays after we finish up. Since the labs aren't as dedicated as last semester, all the practice I can get on placement will be worth so much, so I can go to some more busy/highly regarded trauma centres in second year :) hope your journey is going well too! <3
Feels about taking the one unit - mine's worth 24 points and it's crazy! Am still behind on stuff from week 1, and now I just have to ride the flow because I don't have a great deal of free time to go back and go over things. Not having good organisational skills is definitely killing me haha, and I wanted to try push for a HD this semester, or at least to top my marks from last semester, but I worry that I'm not gonna be able to do that. Pretty disatisfied with my performance so far haha, but I guess that's the way of life.
Super glad to hear about your placement! So awesome to have something to remind you exactly why you're doing the course, and to help keep that passion burning. :)
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This is hectic as!! I'm so glad that all I have to do is read x-rays (which is hard enough), learning how to take them is a whole other ballgame haha.
When I had my most recent hip-xrays, the positioning seemed pretty tricky! So I hope (and have full faith) that you can smash it 8)
Feels about taking the one unit - mine's worth 24 points and it's crazy! Am still behind on stuff from week 1, and now I just have to ride the flow because I don't have a great deal of free time to go back and go over things. Not having good organisational skills is definitely killing me haha, and I wanted to try push for a HD this semester, or at least to top my marks from last semester, but I worry that I'm not gonna be able to do that. Pretty disatisfied with my performance so far haha, but I guess that's the way of life.
Super glad to hear about your placement! So awesome to have something to remind you exactly why you're doing the course, and to help keep that passion burning. :)
Yeah it's insane. Reading x-rays isn't particularly easy either, no, but it sucks that we have to learn all this pathology and identify all of it on images but still aren't allowed to diagnose. Yeah I'm studying my hips right now, it's the biggest nightmare when you have a trauma patient that you're not allowed to move or transfer :(
Damn 24 is insane! But at least you just have the one unit to focus on at the moment :) I trust you're going to do awesome <3 I feel like I'm still behind on stuff from last semester! Crazy busy and yeah, definitely need to start working on planning out time better. I was aiming at doing better this semester too, but honestly feeling like its taking all I've got to just keep passing. I guess it's taking some time to settle in and learn how to study effectively too, trust that next year will be better <3
As a general update;
Didn't get much done last night, went to my grandmother's house for her birthday around 6.30, only meant to stay a couple of hours but came home around 11 and was feeling thoroughly depressed and out of touch with life. Honestly not feeling like myself this year in general, I don't think I've let go of past events and they still haunt me. I think I need help, but I know I can't get it. I feel like I'm falling in a deeper and deeper hole the more I ignore how I'm feeling but I just can't afford to stop and think about it. I know if I do, it'll set me back and I'll have to relive everything and actually deal with it, and I'm not ready for that. Balancing all this is getting hard, and I'm struggling to force myself to ignore it. My study isn't efficient while I'm having panic attacks at uni. It's taking me hours to understand concepts and I don't have the time for this. But I'm sleeping for hours at a time every day too.
Currently trying to study image analysis criteria and case examples of mediolateral oblique unilateral hips, then going to look at positioning and image analysis of the shoulder and all the associated anatomy (clavicles and scapula and joint spaces/rotator cuff). Later today I'll look at my three group assignments and some positioning reviews for my test tomorrow. Hoping today is more productive than yesterday.
Hope everyone's well and having a great weekend. :)
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28/08/17-
Had my first image analysis test today, actually went so badly, though everyone seemed to struggle a fair bit. Think I'll pass but not expecting anything higher than a 65. Really need to work on analysing the shoulder.
Going to relax a bit tonight, then study some radiobiology and physics for my test on Wednesday and revise heart anatomy for tomorrow's dissection and positioning of the cervical and thoracic spines for tomorrow's lab. Not particularly keen, some of these lectures are so poorly structured they're hard to follow :(
Need to submit my group's referencing assignment tonight too and have a look at my indigenous community project assignment.Not feeling very motivated but more than anything it's a worthwhile distraction.
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Hi Babushka,
I'm also thinking of doing Bachelor of Radiology but I'm not sure whether to choose Monash or RMIT. Could you give me a run down of what the course is like at Monash? What's the vibe like? Do you like it there?
Thanks!
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Hi Babushka,
I'm also thinking of doing Bachelor of Radiology but I'm not sure whether to choose Monash or RMIT. Could you give me a run down of what the course is like at Monash? What's the vibe like? Do you like it there?
Thanks!
Hey! So a few days ago I actually drafted like a 1000 word response and I was going to proofread it and rip I lost it all, so tbh been a little frustrated and not motivated to rewrite the whole thing when I don't remember it, but once my hectic period is over I will definitely do this, I feel so bad how long you must be waiting for this response! Hope you're doing okay, and I hope to get that response up over the weekend :)
Haven't posted an update in a long time so this is just going to be a review of my past fortnight.
29/08/17
Had my heart dissection in anatomy lab which was actually so good, learnt heaps about the heart anatomy and it's helped a lot with chest x-ray radiographic anatomy.
Had lab in the afternoon which was actually alright, feeling a little more comfortable in the lab now, though practice will only come from placement which I'm getting a little intimidated about.
30/08/17
Dosimetry test today. Worst run assessment I think I've ever seen in my life. Walk into the room, lecturer's not there, had some practice questions to review at the same time as doing the assessment, attendance wasn't taken, five people at a table sitting next to each other, people discussing the questions with each other, people showing each other their papers, open book, general bullshit. Still, not a hurdle and worth 2.5% so not too stressed, it was worth like 10 marks and I shouldn't fall below 7 or 8.
01/09/17
Bio unit presentations started on this date, which wasn't mine, so we were marking the other presentations. Some really good stuff going around, definitely learnt a fair bit from these. 8am starts for a presentation is never fun so my lecturer brought in chips and lollies ;) My 2pm tute got cancelled, my 12pm lecturer apparently didn't show up and my 1pm was destined to be useless anyway, so I went shopping with a friend after my day finished at 9.30 in the morning :P
04/09/17
Had two lectures from 9-11, then caught up with my partner for my bio presentation to go over the content of our poster, then went shopping in the afternoon with my sister. Been fairly motivated this week so it was nice to get out and have a nice day and still come home and get some more work done for our presentation.
05/09/17
Tuesdays are always hectic and this was no different. 9am lecture on pathology, nearly fell asleep I can never concentrate in pathology :( Last anatomy lab for the semester, which is a shame because I learn so much in these, but it was so good. On the anatomy of the respiratory system, and learning how to identify lungs and heart grooves and observe dissections of wet specimen thorax was so beneficial, probably the most educational lab I've had this semester! :) Lumbosacral spine and lateral thoracic in lab, generally getting the hang of it which is nice. Have a reasonably old guy for one of my positioning stations and he usually does his model palpations on the only guy in my group but needed to investigate the curvature of the female figure... being felt up the waist and hips by an old guy you don't know is not a particularly pleasant experience but there it is ::) Had a long day so didn't get much done in the evening, worked a bit on my poster though.
06/09/17
Short easy day today, path tute at 9 which was one of the easier ones on diabetes. Clinical tutorial at 10 which I really wasn't feeling so kind of relaxed, but it was generally relaxed since my lecturer has just returned from a few weeks away for grievance. Caught up with my partner again for my presentation, then had another tute at 1.
Had a doctor's appointment so didn't get home til 4.30, then had a nap by accident.. Had to get my poster printed and meant to email it to my partner but didn't get it to her til 8 so we had a lot of drama cos a lot of places wouldn't print it on time, so my mother bless her saved the day <3
07/09/17
Had an early day, left at 7 with my mum to get our poster printed, which bless we found a place that would do it by 2pm today which was amazing. Got to uni by 8.30, didn't have class til 11, so caught up with my partner to divide up the presentation, worked on my wiki presentation from 9 since I'd neglected that for my poster presentation (which is worth six times as much). Had image analysis tutorial on lumbosacral, making some good progress with that which is great. Had a double lecture series on respiratory physiology, but I missed the first part as I was walking my friend on crutches back to her room and missed half of it, so I went to play with the monash puppies instead 8) :) good investment, made my day. Second part physiology was actually pretty good, lecturer has a great accent and actually teaches in a way that is hard not to understand which is awesome. At the moment just fixing up my Wiki for my group presentation tomorrow afternoon, and preparing my notes for my partner presentation tomorrow morning. Hope it all goes okay :)
Hope everyone's Friday is delightful tomorrow <3
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Hey! So a few days ago I actually drafted like a 1000 word response and I was going to proofread it and rip I lost it all, so tbh been a little frustrated and not motivated to rewrite the whole thing when I don't remember it, but once my hectic period is over I will definitely do this, I feel so bad how long you must be waiting for this response! Hope you're doing okay, and I hope to get that response up over the weekend :)
Hey babushka818,
That''s okay! There's no rush, still a couple more weeks before VTAC Applications are due. Can't wait to read it, when you post it :)
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Hey babushka818,
That''s okay! There's no rush, still a couple more weeks before VTAC Applications are due. Can't wait to read it, when you post it :)
Thanks :) would've done this today but regretfully got really sick, spent much of my day sleeping and vomiting so that was fun.. Feeling better now, I'll hope to get this up during the week!
08/09/17 + weekend
Had my poster presentation at 8.30 this morning, actually went pretty well, was surprised at how confident I felt doing this, hope the marking of the presentations goes alright! Need to spend the next week writing the 1000 word report that goes with this due on Friday, done about 4-500 words of this already.
Had a two hour break, did some editing and formatting of my group wiki for my presentation. Had the last lecture in a 3-part physiology series of respiratory system, fell asleep in the last 15 minutes so ditched my physics lecture right after and caught up with a friend instead. Had the wiki presentation at 2, which also went alright, 10 minutes among 4 people and wasn't graded so not too stressed, but gotta fix up the wiki and write the group 1000 word report for that which is due this Wednesday.
Wanted to spend the weekend getting those reports done and studying for my spine image analysis test, but got really sick today so haven't done much. Guess we'll just take it a day at a time. Not sure if I'll go to uni tomorrow, not feeling too great right now :(
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Thanks :) would've done this today but regretfully got really sick, spent much of my day sleeping and vomiting so that was fun.. Feeling better now, I'll hope to get this up during the week!
Awww, hope you get better! Sending you my warmest wishes! It seems like this year the sickness is pretty bad - Thank-you very much in advance!
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Awww, hope you get better! Sending you my warmest wishes! It seems like this year the sickness is pretty bad - Thank-you very much in advance!
Thank you so much <3
11/09/17
Had a fairly chill day and wanted to take a bit of a relaxing approach, so went to my 9am image analysis review, which I was actually really happy with, 28/32 and I didn't even know much of my theory or finish the test, so its nice to know that my application skills aren't that bad after thinking I couldn't do this for months :) Went to my bony thorax positioning lecture after that which was good, not particularly easy at all but hopefully lab clears that up. Only had one lecture after that at 1, so decided not to go, instead went to the shops to buy a dress for ball, which I'm actually getting excited about since I think I might just end the semester on a good note :) probably spending too much money but a little indulgence once in a while is fine right? ::)
Had a decent evening, rested a bit, ate a bit, watched TV casually for the first time in months, finished my group 1000 word report due Wednesday, now working on my group 1000 word report for Friday and hope to get image analysis of the cervical spine and shoulder done tonight before bed. Finally feel like I'm getting to a good place at uni, feeling pretty good right now :D
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Thank you so much <3
11/09/17
Had a fairly chill day and wanted to take a bit of a relaxing approach, so went to my 9am image analysis review, which I was actually really happy with, 28/32 and I didn't even know much of my theory or finish the test, so its nice to know that my application skills aren't that bad after thinking I couldn't do this for months :) Went to my bony thorax positioning lecture after that which was good, not particularly easy at all but hopefully lab clears that up. Only had one lecture after that at 1, so decided not to go, instead went to the shops to buy a dress for ball, which I'm actually getting excited about since I think I might just end the semester on a good note :) probably spending too much money but a little indulgence once in a while is fine right? ::)
Had a decent evening, rested a bit, ate a bit, watched TV casually for the first time in months, finished my group 1000 word report due Wednesday, now working on my group 1000 word report for Friday and hope to get image analysis of the cervical spine and shoulder done tonight before bed. Finally feel like I'm getting to a good place at uni, feeling pretty good right now :D
It seems like you have bounced back and on roll now compared to before. I like how you commented on your application skills helping you improve your mark on the test.
I too also feel that when you are put in a position to apply the skills you have learned previously, you internalize it a lot better compared to just rote-learning the theory.
I continually look forward to reading about how you get on with your course.
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It seems like you have bounced back and on roll now compared to before. I like how you commented on your application skills helping you improve your mark on the test.
I too also feel that when you are put in a position to apply the skills you have learned previously, you internalize it a lot better compared to just rote-learning the theory.
I continually look forward to reading about how you get on with your course.
Yeah definitely feeling more confident now, and I'm actually really excited to see how much I learn and how my confidence will grow while on placement this semester. I've always been apprehensive about what I didn't know, almost afraid of it, and too afraid to write something down if I wasn't confident, but even though I didn't know a lot, it was really rewarding to take that chance and have a stab to find that things actually went well. I hope I get more into placement and try and get the most out of it.
Thanks very much for your support and interest :)
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Been a few days since I've done this so..
12/09/17-
Glad to finally have a relaxing Tuesday, normally 9-5 with no breaks, but anatomy labs are finished for the semester, so I ditched my morning lecture too. Aunt was leaving to go home to the US so went to see her off early in the morning then spent some time resting at home. Went to uni at 12 for my tute which was fairly beneficial and the last one before next week's mock exam. Had three hours of lab after this, and man I don't know why but this was an absolutely exhausting day even though I took three hours off it.. Been falling asleep in lectures and tutes all over the place, not sure what's wrong with me at the moment. Lab did end up clearing up how to image ribs though which was helpful, had a lot of fun getting palpated in the coccyx by lab demonstrator ::) Also cleared up a lot about imaging of sacrococcygeal spines.
13/09/17-
Wednesdays be fairly dull.. tute on clinical scenarios of the ribs and sternum, image practicum tute on lumbar spine. path tute on diabetes and respiratory diseases. Submitted wiki essay in the morning, glad to see the back of that tbh.
14/09/17-
All round a fairly shit day. Had a lecture at 10, fucking useless lecturer didn't even show up. Had a actually useful tute at 11 on image analysis of sacrococcygeal spine and image analysis review for Monday's test on cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, coccyx and SIJ imaging which really helped (would've helped more if my laptop wasn't retarded and didn't let me take notes :-\ ). Had a lecture on lung neoplasia/metastasis and another path lecture on restrictive respiratory diseases and pneumoconiosis. Went home, had a generally shit time, had to fix up my essay due Friday but of course my laptop becomes a massive nuisance and froze every time I wrote a word.. Finally managed to submit that, slept a hell of a lot, miserable af day.
15/09/17-
Been an alright day, always pretty chill on a Friday. Lovely lecturer took my tute at 8.30 instead of 8, bless late starts, that was pretty chill looking at pathological wet specs, last tute for the semester on path, so glad that's over, didn't understand histological or autopsy images.. Three hour break at the moment, did a practice test for Monday's spinal image analysis test to see what I need to focus on for the weekend. Looking over physics of imaging lectures as I have a revision tute at 2. Keen as ::)
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Haven't done much lately but feeling thoroughly overwhelmed so thought I'd put an update out to clarify my thoughts.
Friday didn't end up being particularly effective, didn't understand my physics lecture slides so I ditched my tute and went to chadstone instead since I hadn't really been out to treat myself after some good days. Got home and got in trouble for going out so I went to bed at like 8.. Had a disruptive sleep, my alarm went off at 2.30am and I woke up so disoriented.. Didn't have the greatest sleep after that.
Woke up around 8 after only getting some solid sleep after 5am, had a physio appointment at 10 which I incidentally ran late for. Was my first appointment since getting hit by a fence over a month ago and apparently I was in worse condition than I thought.. I thought I'd healed up and was fine but my physio said I'm still really bruised and I've been compensating for it and after my massage my shoulders, neck, upper and lower back are so sore. Back on panadol and heat treatments :( took a few naps, had a generally unproductive day but studied a bit of the shoulder and some image analysis of cervical spine for Monday's spinal image analysis test.
Woke up at about 6 today which felt great, amazing weather so I started studying pretty early. Been at my desk all day which has definitely taken a toll on my back but what can you do. :-\ Had a not so great evening but getting through the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacrococcygeal spine for image analysis notes has definitely helped. Need to do some practice questions and retake my quiz before bed.
Got a busy last week ahead.. Test and practice osce tomorrow, 9-5 day exciting. Tuesday have a mock radiographic pathology exam and some lectures, so tomorrow night I want to go over the pathology lectures from the whole semester. Wednesday is final tutes and we done! Ball is on Friday too which should be nice. Can't wait for this week to be over this semester has been a killer.
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Had my last official in semester assessment yesterday. Honestly not too confident with the spine given your massive range of pathologies and less than optimal images but I'm fairly confident that I'll pass and I might even get a distinction. It's a pretty different ball game to abdomens and hips, so anatomy identification is difficult but imaging criteria is easier. Still glad it's over though. Practice osce was pretty chill which I'm kinda mad about cos the actual osce won't be that easy but it is what it is.
Today was a nicer day. Had a couple of lectures in the morning for revision of physics and anatomy. Fire alarm went off in anatomy so we were in the garden for like twenty minutes but otherwise pretty helpful. Got a long few weeks of revision though :P Physics I straight up do not understand and MTFs and LSFs are the bane of my existence. Had my imaging mock exam which actually wasn't too bad, except some pathology that I will never be able to recognise :( played uno in the library for a bit after then went home and been chilling since as I finish tomorrow and already did my bony thorax image analysis quiz last week :D should start studying for exams though ::)
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^What is it with Monash and fire alarms?!
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^What is it with Monash and fire alarms?!
This quote should be What is it with Monash RMIT and fire alarms?!
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What fire alarms?
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Lmao I know right, don't think anyone can actually tell the difference between a drill and the real thing.. Like I think it was legit but we all took our shit and people still be evacuating fifteen minutes after the alarm ::) Is it just me or does every fire find the students and teachers reading the evacuation plan in the middle of the evacuation?
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20/09/17-
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!
So the first part of my semester is now officially COMPLETE :D don't ask me why but I'm in the fucking best mood, the weather is so much better, I've actually done alright in most of my in-semester assessments, I'm so excited for placement, I'm ending my learning term with good friends and on reasonable terms with my teachers, I'm feeling confident, ball is on Friday, having a family dinner out tonight (its legit been months) and just generally starting to feel somewhat good about myself! Obviously this burst of happiness isn't going to last long, but it finally kind of feels like things are looking up and I'm getting better. And it's not a one-day thing. It feels like the last couple of weeks have slowly been getting better, even despite the odd rough day, and I actually for once hope it isn't just a good phase. I'm going to work hard to make this feeling last :) So I had a bio tute in the morning which was just reviewing what's going to be on the exam. Had another tute on clinical methods (scenario typical exam question). Then had a 2 hour break and spent it with some friends I made earlier in the semester, and for the last few weeks I thought they hated me but they don't so feeling great about that :D Had my last image analysis tute and I'm actually getting so good at image analysis, so that makes me happy :)
Home now, going to clean my room which looks atrocious in the last week, going to change my sheets, going to write out my revision plans for swotvac over the next couple of weeks, practice my makeup for ball and then go out for dinner :)
HOPE Y'ALL ARE HAVING A FAB DAY <3 <3 <3
**side note lyoko if you're reading this I'm looking at getting a response to your queries up tonight too :) :)
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20/09/17-
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!
So the first part of my semester is now officially COMPLETE :D don't ask me why but I'm in the fucking best mood, the weather is so much better, I've actually done alright in most of my in-semester assessments, I'm so excited for placement, I'm ending my learning term with good friends and on reasonable terms with my teachers, I'm feeling confident, ball is on Friday, having a family dinner out tonight (its legit been months) and just generally starting to feel somewhat good about myself! Obviously this burst of happiness isn't going to last long, but it finally kind of feels like things are looking up and I'm getting better. And it's not a one-day thing. It feels like the last couple of weeks have slowly been getting better, even despite the odd rough day, and I actually for once hope it isn't just a good phase. I'm going to work hard to make this feeling last :) So I had a bio tute in the morning which was just reviewing what's going to be on the exam. Had another tute on clinical methods (scenario typical exam question). Then had a 2 hour break and spent it with some friends I made earlier in the semester, and for the last few weeks I thought they hated me but they don't so feeling great about that :D Had my last image analysis tute and I'm actually getting so good at image analysis, so that makes me happy :)
Home now, going to clean my room which looks atrocious in the last week, going to change my sheets, going to write out my revision plans for swotvac over the next couple of weeks, practice my makeup for ball and then go out for dinner :)
HOPE Y'ALL ARE HAVING A FAB DAY <3 <3 <3
**side note lyoko if you're reading this I'm looking at getting a response to your queries up tonight too :) :)
*Thumbs up* Really happy for you babushka818! :)
I now understand when people say 'good vibes' because this post of yours is just radiating with it ;D
I was just wondering when you say 'the ball' is it a Monash Uni. exclusive ball or are you allowed to bring +1 from other unis? Also I'm sure you will look stunning tomorrow at your ball. Pretty like a princess :D
Can't wait to read your response + just more updates in general
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*Thumbs up* Really happy for you babushka818! :)
I now understand when people say 'good vibes' because this post of yours is just radiating with it ;D
I was just wondering when you say 'the ball' is it a Monash Uni. exclusive ball or are you allowed to bring +1 from other unis? Also I'm sure you will look stunning tomorrow at your ball. Pretty like a princess :D
Can't wait to read your response + just more updates in general
That's so sweet omg thanks for this reply :)) means a lot!
So I think all universities run some form of balls. At monash, many of the clubs and societies run their own balls for their members (harry potter clubs, cultural societies, faculties etc.) To all these events, you are allowed to bring other people who aren't in that faculty, or not a club member, or from a different uni, as long as they pay the ticket :P (often this is like a $5 higher ticket or something for non-members). Most people bring their partners or a friend, and my department is really small so we've only got about 200-300 people who go including guests :)
So ball was Friday night and legit got litttt ;) wasn't strictly speaking supposed to drink, but of course you're at a table with your rowdy friends who go clubbing every other weekend and there's unlimited drinks and table service and three boys who wanna see a conservative girl get shitfaced so that's always fun. Never had more than a couple drinks, five vodka raspberries later guess who's feeling dizzy and sleeping on my friend's shoulder and being woken up by security ::) but all in all an amazing night and I'm really glad I went :) wasn't planning to go again, but the environment is so nice and made heaps of new friends so I think I just might!
Took a fair bit of yesterday off to recover (though my feet still kill!) but getting back into it with the intent of writing up my psychosocial lectures and finish up image analysis revision examples of the spine and upper posterior ribs, and start reading through dosimetry before getting on to those notes tomorrow.
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Hi Babushka,
I'm also thinking of doing Bachelor of Radiology but I'm not sure whether to choose Monash or RMIT. Could you give me a run down of what the course is like at Monash? What's the vibe like? Do you like it there?
Thanks!
Hey okay so finally getting around to replying to this.
So each university has its positives and negatives and are known and credited for various things, and it's really down to you of what you value more and the experience that you want. Obviously I go to monash, and I'll explain my reasons for doing so first.
Mostly, location. I live about 20 minutes from Clayton campus, but about 70-90 minutes from RMIT bundoora. I'm on campus five days a week, and I don't have the time to travel 15 hours a week, especially since I don't drive, and I wasn't looking at moving out of home for personal reasons.
Additionally, the bundoora campus just wasn't what I wanted in a university environment. Admittedly when I paid a visit, the semester was essentially over and no one was around, and monash is always busier, especially on the open days I've visited. However, I find the RMIT campus generally older, and slightly more dull, with brick buildings and a whole lot of those crunchy looking trees. I just don't find it a very motivating environment, but naturally that's personal preference. I like the life and business and openness of the monash campuses, and I feel more comfortable here. If you're tossing up your options, it's be worth paying a visit to both and seeing which one you feel better in.
In terms of entry, I don't know a lot about the RMIT selection criteria. This is from the website:
Current Year 12 prerequisites units 1 and 2 or units 3 and 4 - Biology or Chemistry, and units 3 and 4 - and a study score of at least 20 in one of Mathematical Methods (any) or Specialist Mathematics; and a study score of at least 25 in any English (except EAL) or at least 30 in English (EAL).
For monash, the following:
Units 3 & 4: a study score of at least 35 in English (EAL) or 30 in English other than EAL, a study score of at least 25 in one of Mathematical Methods (any) or Specialist Mathematics and Units 3 & 4: a study score of at least 25 in Biology or Physics.
Additionally, monash will shortlist about 400 students I think for interviews, of which we have about 80 successful candidates. A key thing to note about monash is you MUST have the course in your preference list by September preferences. If you add the course during December change of preference period, you will not be considered under any circumstances. You can move your preferences, but cannot add them any later than September (I think this is because interview candidates are selected as soon as ATARs are released).
Clearly the entry requirements are higher for monash, and personally I think they're more relevant in terms of science. Biology I think is a crucial prerequisite- every monash student I know has struggled this year in biology, and those who didn't take it in year 12 even more so, one of my friends even changing degree after first semester because she struggled so much. Apart from knowing the definition of an atomic number, I don't think we'll ever need that much background in chemistry. Physics background helps, but it is a different spectrum to high school physics, and most students who took physics say that it doesn't really help much, so everyone started physics on a fairly level playing field. I'd say the most important background you could have is a solid 30-35 in biology and you'll find first year fairly straightforward (at monash anyway). Of course the course may be structured differently at RMIT and they might have a chemistry based approach (I think their applied science radiation courses are somewhat melded in first semester with nucmed which is chemistry based). This is just something to think about with the subjects you've done.
Just to give you an idea of the monash course content (which should be similar at RMIT since its the same profession), we study physics, anatomy, physiology, pathology, ethics, psychosocial, professionalism, radiographic technique and positioning and radiation safety practices. We cover general x-ray, CT, MRI, fluroscopy, contrast imaging, and introductions to radiation therapy, ultrasound (sonography) and a little bit of nuclear medicine (though not a lot of this as its sort of a separate domain). We have skills labs in our on-campus radiography department, and in first semester a series of physics experiments. Throughout first year we've had regular anatomy labs looking at cadavers for muscles and doing heart dissections and the like. It's definitely harder than you think it is, and there's a lot of scope for the industry to change especially in the role of a radiographer (we're being trained in technical and diagnostics but the industry only offers technical at this stage) so you have to be open to life long training. On the plus side, you've always got heaps of options to go into later in life, like management, sonography, radiation therapy or clinical education if you get bored and don't want to fully change your stream.
Now I obviously have little interaction with RMIT and it's radiography education program, but last semester I did placement with a second year student from there, and I've met several students at ASMIRT events. I don't think there's anything inherently bad about RMIT's program. In speaking to the students, the only thing that really got mentioned was that their course structure isn't as well organised as at monash. This year at least, we pretty much look at one body region each week in my clinical unit, and there's associated weekly learning, like clinical situations, positioning, image analysis and pathologies. At RMIT, I'm sure it still follows some process, but seems a little less structured and time constrained. I don't know if that's good or bad, I like having structure and routine because I know what to expect and where I'm at. But you might be better talking to an RMIT student about the comparisons.
Clinical experience is the last thing I really wanted to touch on, and is arguably (or not) the most important aspect to your education in this field. From employers in the field- "Whether you have Ps or HDs is not relevant. If you have a good reputation in the clinical setting from placements or internships, that has significantly more weighting." At monash, we do a 2 week placement after first semester, 6 weeks after second semester. In second year, around June you have two back to back 4 week placements (effectively 8 weeks divided up at two locations). In third year, I believe it's 4 weeks in February and another 4 weeks maybe at the end of the year or midyear (not sure about this, think it's end of year though). In fourth year, you do six months of research and then six months of a paid internship. I like this structure, you get six placements throughout your main learning years, and with specific rotations (first semester is extremities and chests, second semester is generals for everything, second year you go to theatre and fluros, third year you start doing your CT rotations, etc). It's great that you don't just do one placement or internship after you finish learning, like you need to consolidate it and it's all about the clinical experience in the end so the opportunities offered are amazing. Of course $30000 by the time you graduate is a neat income too ;)
I don't know a lot about RMIT's opportunities. I think in first year they just do one placement (from what I understood from the guy I did my last placement with). But they I think do two placements a yearago following this. I think it's done as a three year course at RMIT but their processes are a little confusing. From what I've heard, they might be the last institution to offer a one year internship (I think paid). However, it says three years degree on their website, so I think the internship isn't offered through the university. At monash, I believe it's associated with the uni and included in the degree, but you do still have to apply and interview for preference of the institution you want to intern at from monash (rigorous process since you usually get offered a job at your intern location). I really can't say much about the RMIT stance on this, and I don't know if the one year thing is subject to change. You'd really be best placed to talk to an RMIT student about it, that'll get you a more confident and informed response.
Placements, whilst your opportunity to learn, are also a place to show your skills, professionalism, passion, communication, personality and attitude. Your clinical educators and other staff remember you. One placement in first year, and if you apply for an internship in fourth year or a job there five years later, they will remember your experience and hire you or not most likely based on that, so make the most of those opportunities and always leave a good impression. Monash also offers interstate and international opportunities. I know people who've gone to Dubai, Queensland and England, and those opportunities are incredible if you wish to take them on. Again I don't know about RMIT but you could always travel on your own and apply for international placements (though this may be more expensive).
All in all, the career is great, the pay is fairly decent (starting around $70k and goes to about $85k in Victoria), the job opportunities are pretty secure, shifts tend to be flexible. We all graduate with the necessary skills, and one institution isn't necessarily inherently better or worse than another. It all just comes down to what you want out of your education, where you can extract the most benefit, where you feel more comfortable, who you feel more comfortable around, your location and preferred living circumstances, your grades and entry ability, and what you think is best for you. For me, that was monash, and I'm happy and I've got no regrets. I know people at RMIT and they're happy, and they're skilled workers, and they're confident. Wishing you the best of luck with your choice and if you have any questions feel free to ask, preferably on the forums so more people can benefit :)
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First of all,
THANK-YOU SO MUCH!!!!
(http://gifimage.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/virtual-hug-gif-3.gif)
(Sorry, wasn't sure how to add gifs)
I really do appreciate you spending time to write all of this. It's has help massively, especially with uni courses closing soon...in a few more days!
That's so sweet omg thanks for this reply :)) means a lot!
So I think all universities run some form of balls. At monash, many of the clubs and societies run their own balls for their members (harry potter clubs, cultural societies, faculties etc.) To all these events, you are allowed to bring other people who aren't in that faculty, or not a club member, or from a different uni, as long as they pay the ticket :P (often this is like a $5 higher ticket or something for non-members). Most people bring their partners or a friend, and my department is really small so we've only got about 200-300 people who go including guests :)
So ball was Friday night and legit got litttt ;) wasn't strictly speaking supposed to drink, but of course you're at a table with your rowdy friends who go clubbing every other weekend and there's unlimited drinks and table service and three boys who wanna see a conservative girl get shitfaced so that's always fun. Never had more than a couple drinks, five vodka raspberries later guess who's feeling dizzy and sleeping on my friend's shoulder and being woken up by security ::) but all in all an amazing night and I'm really glad I went :) wasn't planning to go again, but the environment is so nice and made heaps of new friends so I think I just might!
No worries ;D Sound like you had a memorable night, can't wait to see if my designated uni holds one or not next year :) If I may ask, what department are you apart of?
Hey okay so finally getting around to replying to this.
So each university has its positives and negatives and are known and credited for various things, and it's really down to you of what you value more and the experience that you want. Obviously I go to monash, and I'll explain my reasons for doing so first.
Mostly, location. I live about 20 minutes from Clayton campus, but about 70-90 minutes from RMIT bundoora. I'm on campus five days a week, and I don't have the time to travel 15 hours a week, especially since I don't drive, and I wasn't looking at moving out of home for personal reasons.
Additionally, the bundoora campus just wasn't what I wanted in a university environment. Admittedly when I paid a visit, the semester was essentially over and no one was around, and monash is always busier, especially on the open days I've visited. However, I find the RMIT campus generally older, and slightly more dull, with brick buildings and a whole lot of those crunchy looking trees. I just don't find it a very motivating environment, but naturally that's personal preference. I like the life and business and openness of the monash campuses, and I feel more comfortable here. If you're tossing up your options, it's be worth paying a visit to both and seeing which one you feel better in.
I'm located in between both unis so location isn't really a factor for me. I've calculated that it's gonna take me about 1.5 hours travel to get to both by PTV. I actually did go to both unis this year for open day. Both appeal of them appealed to me but I guess maybe because it was open day and everything was on display?
Additionally, monash will shortlist about 400 students I think for interviews, of which we have about 80 successful candidates. A key thing to note about monash is you MUST have the course in your preference list by September preferences. If you add the course during December change of preference period, you will not be considered under any circumstances. You can move your preferences, but cannot add them any later than September (I think this is because interview candidates are selected as soon as ATARs are released).
If I may correct you here, while the course selection has to be in by September, Monash no longer does the multiple mini interview stage anymore...I found this out at Monsah open day this year that they only look at the clearly in ATAR which unfortunately doesn't really benefit me as I know that competition is tough and I'm not exactly the smartest kid out there
Clearly the entry requirements are higher for monash, and personally I think they're more relevant in terms of science. Biology I think is a crucial prerequisite- every monash student I know has struggled this year in biology, and those who didn't take it in year 12 even more so, one of my friends even changing degree after first semester because she struggled so much. Apart from knowing the definition of an atomic number, I don't think we'll ever need that much background in chemistry. Physics background helps, but it is a different spectrum to high school physics, and most students who took physics say that it doesn't really help much, so everyone started physics on a fairly level playing field. I'd say the most important background you could have is a solid 30-35 in biology and you'll find first year fairly straightforward (at monash anyway). Of course the course may be structured differently at RMIT and they might have a chemistry based approach (I think their applied science radiation courses are somewhat melded in first semester with nucmed which is chemistry based). This is just something to think about with the subjects you've done.
Noted! Thank-you for telling me this, I was beginning to worry a bit since I didn't do physic in VCE yet rather biology as stated on the Monash webpage. I was aware that Monash offers a physic bridging course so I was sort of using that as my 'physic background.'
Just to give you an idea of the monash course content (which should be similar at RMIT since its the same profession), we study physics, anatomy, physiology, pathology, ethics, psychosocial, professionalism, radiographic technique and positioning and radiation safety practices. We cover general x-ray, CT, MRI, fluroscopy, contrast imaging, and introductions to radiation therapy, ultrasound (sonography) and a little bit of nuclear medicine (though not a lot of this as its sort of a separate domain). We have skills labs in our on-campus radiography department, and in first semester a series of physics experiments. Throughout first year we've had regular anatomy labs looking at cadavers for muscles and doing heart dissections and the like. It's definitely harder than you think it is, and there's a lot of scope for the industry to change especially in the role of a radiographer (we're being trained in technical and diagnostics but the industry only offers technical at this stage) so you have to be open to life long training. On the plus side, you've always got heaps of options to go into later in life, like management, sonography, radiation therapy or clinical education if you get bored and don't want to fully change your stream.
:) Radiography I guess is like a stepping stone as ultimately I want to become a sonographer *thumbs up*
Now I obviously have little interaction with RMIT and it's radiography education program, but last semester I did placement with a second year student from there, and I've met several students at ASMIRT events. I don't think there's anything inherently bad about RMIT's program. In speaking to the students, the only thing that really got mentioned was that their course structure isn't as well organised as at monash. This year at least, we pretty much look at one body region each week in my clinical unit, and there's associated weekly learning, like clinical situations, positioning, image analysis and pathologies. At RMIT, I'm sure it still follows some process, but seems a little less structured and time constrained. I don't know if that's good or bad, I like having structure and routine because I know what to expect and where I'm at. But you might be better talking to an RMIT student about the comparisons.
:)
Clinical experience is the last thing I really wanted to touch on, and is arguably (or not) the most important aspect to your education in this field. From employers in the field- "Whether you have Ps or HDs is not relevant. If you have a good reputation in the clinical setting from placements or internships, that has significantly more weighting." At monash, we do a 2 week placement after first semester, 6 weeks after second semester. In second year, around June you have two back to back 4 week placements (effectively 8 weeks divided up at two locations). In third year, I believe it's 4 weeks in February and another 4 weeks maybe at the end of the year or midyear (not sure about this, think it's end of year though). In fourth year, you do six months of research and then six months of a paid internship. I like this structure, you get six placements throughout your main learning years, and with specific rotations (first semester is extremities and chests, second semester is generals for everything, second year you go to theatre and fluros, third year you start doing your CT rotations, etc). It's great that you don't just do one placement or internship after you finish learning, like you need to consolidate it and it's all about the clinical experience in the end so the opportunities offered are amazing. Of course $30000 by the time you graduate is a neat income too ;)
I don't know a lot about RMIT's opportunities. I think in first year they just do one placement (from what I understood from the guy I did my last placement with). But they I think do two placements a yearago following this. I think it's done as a three year course at RMIT but their processes are a little confusing. From what I've heard, they might be the last institution to offer a one year internship (I think paid). However, it says three years degree on their website, so I think the internship isn't offered through the university. At monash, I believe it's associated with the uni and included in the degree, but you do still have to apply and interview for preference of the institution you want to intern at from monash (rigorous process since you usually get offered a job at your intern location). I really can't say much about the RMIT stance on this, and I don't know if the one year thing is subject to change. You'd really be best placed to talk to an RMIT student about it, that'll get you a more confident and informed response.
Placements, whilst your opportunity to learn, are also a place to show your skills, professionalism, passion, communication, personality and attitude. Your clinical educators and other staff remember you. One placement in first year, and if you apply for an internship in fourth year or a job there five years later, they will remember your experience and hire you or not most likely based on that, so make the most of those opportunities and always leave a good impression. Monash also offers interstate and international opportunities. I know people who've gone to Dubai, Queensland and England, and those opportunities are incredible if you wish to take them on. Again I don't know about RMIT but you could always travel on your own and apply for international placements (though this may be more expensive).
THANK-YOU VERY MUCH!
I have been wondering this very question. Whether it is about prestigious/academics or whether it's about experience/placements. So thank-you for answering this question for me :D Yup, I will double check if the internship still runs at RMIT or not.
All in all, the career is great, the pay is fairly decent (starting around $70k and goes to about $85k in Victoria), the job opportunities are pretty secure, shifts tend to be flexible. We all graduate with the necessary skills, and one institution isn't necessarily inherently better or worse than another. It all just comes down to what you want out of your education, where you can extract the most benefit, where you feel more comfortable, who you feel more comfortable around, your location and preferred living circumstances, your grades and entry ability, and what you think is best for you. For me, that was monash, and I'm happy and I've got no regrets. I know people at RMIT and they're happy, and they're skilled workers, and they're confident. Wishing you the best of luck with your choice and if you have any questions feel free to ask, preferably on the forums so more people can benefit :)
THANK-YOU ONCE AGAIN BABUSHKA818 for this very insightful and detail response. I guess I've just gotta have a long hard think and decided where I want to go. I know for sure that radiography is my first preference for university, the question is really now, is it first preference at Monash or first preference at RMIT? I guess I better decided soon :) but honestly, thank-you - reading this has really helped me!
Mod edit (K888) - fixed formatting for GIF. You just need the image url (http, not https) and use [ img ] [ /img ] :)
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I really do appreciate you spending time to write all of this. It's has help massively, especially with uni courses closing soon...in a few more days!
No worries ;D Sound like you had a memorable night, can't wait to see if my designated uni holds one or not next year :) If I may ask, what department are you apart of?
I'm located in between both unis so location isn't really a factor for me. I've calculated that it's gonna take me about 1.5 hours travel to get to both by PTV. I actually did go to both unis this year for open day. Both appeal of them appealed to me but I guess maybe because it was open day and everything was on display?
haha that's really alright, I'm glad it helped and I'm so sorry it took so long to do!
I definitely had a great night :) its the MNHS (medicine nursing and health sciences) faculty, and the medical imaging department (i think the department named might be something a little different with the intro of radiation science now though!). If you come to monash, there'll definitely be a rad ball again ;) ;) otherwise I'll take you as my plus one :-*
Ah that's rough but fair enough. Yeah open days are slightly different for establishing the actual vibe of the university huh? Generally, I think monash, esp clayton, has a bit more life going on, there's always a barbecue going on or someone selling baked goods, heaps of cafes and stuff around. Haven't found much at rmit but can't say I've looked too deeply, and this is definitely not your primary focus when choosing a uni :P also I had a few friends going to monash, which was comforting to me since my degree is so small and its not so easy to make friends as you don't have hundreds of people to choose from :P its nice to be able to catch up with them in the breaks. Also if you've got big gaps, there's a lot nearby and public transport is pretty easy from clayton (friday night chadstone trips are a regular for me!). Of course, you've got uni hill factory outlet close to rmit too, but I don't know much else about the area :)
If I may correct you here, while the course selection has to be in by September, Monash no longer does the multiple mini interview stage anymore...I found this out at Monsah open day this year that they only look at the clearly in ATAR which unfortunately doesn't really benefit me as I know that competition is tough and I'm not exactly the smartest kid out there
Noted! Thank-you for telling me this, I was beginning to worry a bit since I didn't do physic in VCE yet rather biology as stated on the Monash webpage. I was aware that Monash offers a physic bridging course so I was sort of using that as my 'physic background.'
:) Radiography I guess is like a stepping stone as ultimately I want to become a sonographer *thumbs up*
They don't do interviews?? Damn no wonder the ATAR clearly in went up so much! That's rough, but I have faith!! I'm sure you can make it, and because of this they might even offer some more places, I'm not sure :) as far as I know, the average for my cohort was around low 90s, so try and aim for around there if you think you can :)
Yeah I know a lot of people who choose this course do so because they are interested in health thus they take biology, and tend to stress about physics. I've had a few people PM me on AN alone asking about how heavy the physics workload is, and honestly, its not easy, but it is manageable, especially since everyone understands and doesn't understand a similar spectrum of topics! They do have a physics bridging course which you get online access to at the start of first year, and I think it has 5 components to it. If I'm honest, I did one and a half of them and I'm still doing okay :) I wouldn't stress too much!
Sonography is a great industry, and damn the pay is incredible! Start at around 130K, and I know someone who was applying for jobs asking for $90 hourly rate, but god forbid I couldn't identify a brachiocephalic vein on an ultrasound for the life of me ??? I've been considering it too, but more so for pregnancy than pathology :)
THANK-YOU VERY MUCH!
I have been wondering this very question. Whether it is about prestigious/academics or whether it's about experience/placements. So thank-you for answering this question for me :D Yup, I will double check if the internship still runs at RMIT or not.
THANK-YOU ONCE AGAIN BABUSHKA818 for this very insightful and detail response. I guess I've just gotta have a long hard think and decided where I want to go. I know for sure that radiography is my first preference for university, the question is really now, is it first preference at Monash or first preference at RMIT? I guess I better decided soon :) but honestly, thank-you - reading this has really helped me!
Yeah, its something you don't get told in high school, that industry experience matters. I have a friend who was giving a talk to year 12 students at her high school, and teachers said whatever you say, just make sure you don't tell them that ATARs don't matter. In the real world, academics don't really matter that much. As we say, Ps get degrees ;) you need to do well, sure, you don't want to be borderline as such, but none of it matters if you can't hack it in the industry. In my eyes, the internship would be the deciding factor for which university I choose, but of course that's your choice!
I'm really glad its helped! :)
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haha that's really alright, I'm glad it helped and I'm so sorry it took so long to do!
I definitely had a great night :) its the MNHS (medicine nursing and health sciences) faculty, and the medical imaging department (i think the department named might be something a little different with the intro of radiation science now though!). If you come to monash, there'll definitely be a rad ball again ;) ;) otherwise I'll take you as my plus one :-*
No worries! I know you were super busy, especially towards the end of the semester. Sounds like a plan :)
They don't do interviews?? Damn no wonder the ATAR clearly in went up so much! That's rough, but I have faith!! I'm sure you can make it, and because of this they might even offer some more places, I'm not sure :) as far as I know, the average for my cohort was around low 90s, so try and aim for around there if you think you can :)
Yeah I know a lot of people who choose this course do so because they are interested in health thus they take biology, and tend to stress about physics. I've had a few people PM me on AN alone asking about how heavy the physics workload is, and honestly, its not easy, but it is manageable, especially since everyone understands and doesn't understand a similar spectrum of topics! They do have a physics bridging course which you get online access to at the start of first year, and I think it has 5 components to it. If I'm honest, I did one and a half of them and I'm still doing okay :) I wouldn't stress too much!
Thank-you for kind words :) Hopefully I can. My school is also under-represented at both unis so I'm hoping that may get me by. Sweet - looks like not physic isn't going to be an issue after all :)
Sonography is a great industry, and damn the pay is incredible! Start at around 130K, and I know someone who was applying for jobs asking for $90 hourly rate, but god forbid I couldn't identify a brachiocephalic vein on an ultrasound for the life of me ??? I've been considering it too, but more so for pregnancy than pathology :)
Same here! :D More so pregnancy than pathology!
Yeah, its something you don't get told in high school, that industry experience matters. I have a friend who was giving a talk to year 12 students at her high school, and teachers said whatever you say, just make sure you don't tell them that ATARs don't matter. In the real world, academics don't really matter that much. As we say, Ps get degrees ;) you need to do well, sure, you don't want to be borderline as such, but none of it matters if you can't hack it in the industry. In my eyes, the internship would be the deciding factor for which university I choose, but of course that's your choice!
I'm really glad its helped! :)
Much appreciated Babushka818
Mod edit (K888) - fixed formatting for GIF. You just need the image url (http, not https) and use [ img ] [ /img ] :)
Thank-you K888! I will remember for next time :)
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No worries! I know you were super busy, especially towards the end of the semester. Sounds like a plan :)
Thank-you for kind words :) Hopefully I can. My school is also under-represented at both unis so I'm hoping that may get me by. Sweet - looks like not physic isn't going to be an issue after all :)
haha thanks for understanding! exams be killing me rn :/
that'll definitely help, since they've got rid of the interview, stuff like that will definitely help. I know at least 30-40% of my cohort had something like living far away or being underrepresented or rural, so definitely use as much of that as you can, they might pick and choose based on giving under-privileged students a chance :)
Physics definitely shouldn't be an issue :) just make sure you work hard if you do get in, because though you all start on a similar level, you don't all end that way, and at least half of the student who got kicked out in first semester did so because of physics.
Same here! :D More so pregnancy than pathology!
Much appreciated Babushka818
might see you in the industry some time ;)
don't mention it <3
As a general update for the past week;
Getting massively frustrated cos I couldn't find motivation to study from the weekend up until about tuesday, and I now have less than a week to study for two exams that includes a shit load of aetiology, sequelae and prognosis for over fifty pathologies.. anyone say failure? ::) prays i can finish psychosocial tonight (2 lectures to go, 110 lecture slides kms) and get onto dosimetry and imaging principles. Can't even think straight I'm losing my mind and I'm definitely not going to do well in these exams :( just not feeling the dedication right now.. prays I can pick it up though.
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haha thanks for understanding! exams be killing me rn :/
GOOD LUCK! Wishing you all the very best for your exams!
might see you in the industry some time ;)
Never know - It is after all a small world ;)
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GOOD LUCK! Wishing you all the very best for your exams!
Never know - It is after all a small world ;)
thank you so much xx
Update-
So generally stressing out like crazy and it's killing me right about now..
Starting exams on Wednesday and I still don't know my exam timetable rip. First exam only worth 35% but I understand nothing of the 15 physics lectures I've had this semester, half of which I didn't even go to. Someone explain to me poisson statistics and roc curves and the psf and lsf :'( :'( :'(
Positioning is going okay but there's not shoulder practice questions and I struggle with all the SI/IS, glenoid/grashey and garth shit omg there's so much and I didn't even know scapula imaging existed until this morning rip. Anyway that's enough ranting about that, I need to sort out the technique shit tonight and review physics tomorrow and bullshit the rest :-[
THEN need to get on to biology because that's literally 30 pathology lecture and I'm drowning in my own tears just thinking about that. can we not even talk about the vertebral anatomy or spinal, cardiovascular and respiratory physiology that is also going to kill me :-\
Honestly cannot wait for this week to just end already, then just two more ??? ??? rip if i dont survive i love you all stay blessed xoxo
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thank you so much xx
Update-
So generally stressing out like crazy and it's killing me right about now..
Starting exams on Wednesday and I still don't know my exam timetable rip. First exam only worth 35% but I understand nothing of the 15 physics lectures I've had this semester, half of which I didn't even go to. Someone explain to me poisson statistics and roc curves and the psf and lsf :'( :'( :'(
Positioning is going okay but there's not shoulder practice questions and I struggle with all the SI/IS, glenoid/grashey and garth shit omg there's so much and I didn't even know scapula imaging existed until this morning rip. Anyway that's enough ranting about that, I need to sort out the technique shit tonight and review physics tomorrow and bullshit the rest :-[
THEN need to get on to biology because that's literally 30 pathology lecture and I'm drowning in my own tears just thinking about that. can we not even talk about the vertebral anatomy or spinal, cardiovascular and respiratory physiology that is also going to kill me :-\
Honestly cannot wait for this week to just end already, then just two more ??? ??? rip if i dont survive i love you all stay blessed xoxo
I believe that you will be fine, don't worry you got this.
Remember all the hardships of VCE that got you here and also uni, if that helps as well. :D
Also the rest of us university students that lurk on AN are feeling the same stress as you.
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thank you so much xx
Update-
So generally stressing out like crazy and it's killing me right about now..
Starting exams on Wednesday and I still don't know my exam timetable rip. First exam only worth 35% but I understand nothing of the 15 physics lectures I've had this semester, half of which I didn't even go to. Someone explain to me poisson statistics and roc curves and the psf and lsf :'( :'( :'(
Positioning is going okay but there's not shoulder practice questions and I struggle with all the SI/IS, glenoid/grashey and garth shit omg there's so much and I didn't even know scapula imaging existed until this morning rip. Anyway that's enough ranting about that, I need to sort out the technique shit tonight and review physics tomorrow and bullshit the rest :-[
THEN need to get on to biology because that's literally 30 pathology lecture and I'm drowning in my own tears just thinking about that. can we not even talk about the vertebral anatomy or spinal, cardiovascular and respiratory physiology that is also going to kill me :-\
Honestly cannot wait for this week to just end already, then just two more ??? ??? rip if i dont survive i love you all stay blessed xoxo
GOOD LUCK! I know I'm not in uni yet but like zofromuxo saids you've made it to uni, meaning you conquer VCE. Now anyone who can conquer VCE has the strength and determination to face anything head on :)
Side note: Monash is my second preference after RMIT.
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Side note: Monash is my second preference after RMIT.
What are courses are you planning on doing?
If you do choose RMIT (if you choose the City campus), message me and I'll give you a tour of the cool places not many people know about.
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What are courses are you planning on doing?
If you do choose RMIT (if you choose the City campus), message me and I'll give you a tour of the cool places not many people know about.
Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiations): Medical Imaging or Bachelor of Biomedical Science: Laboratory Medicine :)
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Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiations): Medical Imaging or Bachelor of Biomedical Science: Laboratory Medicine :)
HEY DEAR :)
Nice to see that you made a decision, and I hope your journey to the end of year 12 and beyond goes very successfully <3 all the best and keep us updated on your journey!
Also general update since I took time off writing here during exams:
The last couple of weeks were definitely tough and I know for sure I'm not going to do the best that I could have but it is what it is. I think I'll do okay in clinical, maybe around a credit, and a pass to credit in biology. Image pathology was pretty decent, should have a solid D to HD in that one. OSCE was better than expected but definitely never something to be confident about, but at least I did know my AP axial cervical. Communication was very intense and I don't know how I'll go in that segment but generally think I'll have passed everything. WAM is definitely going to go down this semester but I hopefully can keep it at 70+, still got 26% of my semester's assessments to go so there's a chance I can pick it up.
Been relaxing a fair bit since I finished up on Thursday, which has honestly been the most amazing four days I'll have for the next two months bless. Preclinical week starts tomorrow with a semester one masterclass on chests and upper and lower limb imaging and image analysis. At least that session is only two hours. Tuesday I have off, wednesday and thursday are both about 5-6 hours on semester two masterclass and professional behaviour and practice. Thursday is just clinical briefings, clinical psychology and breakdown of placement assignments and weightings and submissions. Friday I also get off thank the lord. Need to call up my placement centre tomorrow because some person at uni has put two different spellings of my clinical tutor's name up on the contact list and I don't know if my base email has gone to the right person and I need to hear back by tomorrow. Yay for drama ::)
Tonight I'm just hitting up some chest preparatory exercises before tomorrow's session and reviewing some extremity technique and considerations (and procrastinating fantasising over Christian Louboutins that I'm striving to own someday ;) ).
Bless guys, stay lovely and thanks again for the support! Goodnight <3
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HEY DEAR :)
Nice to see that you made a decision, and I hope your journey to the end of year 12 and beyond goes very successfully <3 all the best and keep us updated on your journey!
Thank-you very much! <3 and hopefully I'll have some good news to share come early 2019 when offers are out :)
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Thank-you very much! <3 and hopefully I'll have some good news to share come early 2019 when offers are out :)
I have every faith that you will! :)
Bit of a general update I might just throw in here:
Yesterday was semester one masterclass which was just a couple of hours in the afternoon, producing a video of how to take a pa chest image, image analysis test and some reviews of positioning hard regions like knees, forearms and elbows.
I've got today off which is a welcome break but been feeling quite unwell so just been spending it sleeping and resting, might see if I can eat anything now. Hopefully by the evening I'll be feeling a little better and I can do the three readings I need by tomorrow and check out my Pebblepad notebooks to get familiar with all that before tutorial.
Luckily my clinical tutor also did email me back yesterday morning, and I ended up calling him the wrong name so now I feel like an idiot and I'll have to apologise for that when I start. Starting to get excited for placement, seeing a real vision for my life and my nearsighted goals and hopefully in the next few years I can find some visions of the big picture :)
Stay beautiful everyone ❤
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Hey everyone, so it’s clearly been well over a year since I’ve hit the forums but I hope I can start up again after having met some of the new generation of AN users and been a little inspired!
Asa general review of my course journey so far:
- PLACEMENT: First Year first semester had a really chill but good placement, but only two weeks. Small local hospital but great people and interesting cases, lots of paediatrics. Second placement was pretty miserable, busy clinic, disrespectful staff, six weeks, had an eyelid surgery halfway and had to complete my six weeks between October and January, got like one month of holidays that summer lol. Second year first semester I did four weeks at a small rural hospital. Was very nervous after my disastrous second one, but met some amazing people, got so many opportunities and learned heaps. Once I graduate if I don’t get in to a big trauma centre, I’m going to move back there for a few years. I did my next four weeks at a major trauma hospital in Melbourne. This was intimidating, there were a lot of expectations, big reputations on the line, and some devastating consequences for stuff ups. But I had the opportunity to learn a lot, even spending time in Cath lab, fluoro and theatre, as well doing ED and trauma work. I saw a lot of stuff that I wasn’t prepared for, and for the first time I realised the extent of my job could actually be more than what I thought it was. I realised that I don’t just take images,but I can be responsible for the deterioration of a patient in my care, after attending trauma calls and having patients collapse while I’m seeing them. I hope I can get my confidence back this year so I can successfully take on my internships but I’m really worried. I have a clinic and a large rural site this year, unfortunately neither will help get me the internship I want.
- WORKLOAD: the course workload is insanely busy. Second year only had 15 hours a week so it was really nice to have the much shorter days and bigger spaces for free time. I feel like I really didn’t work hard enough in 2018 and I’m not happy with my wam, which I wanted to hit 80 but is stuck at a meagre 79.3. I don’t even understand what the course will be like this year. There’s no lectures just something called workshops, labs and tutes.. seems like it’s going to be a lot of personal study, setting my own bar and finding my own ways to achieve it. I’ve suffered with a lack of motivation for probably about 9 years now regarding my academics and I think I finally need to make some changes.. follow this thread to see if I make it ::)
- SOCIAL: I was finally able to make some new friends in my course, and meet some people in other years which has been great for letting me find mentors to help me out and give me advice, as well as letting me mentor other students a little and help them find their feet with starting first year and progressing to second year. Having good friends has made a big change in how much I can enjoy uni and engage in my degree. I joined my department society committee last year as a year level rep and it was a great way for me to get more involved with other students and start being social, attending balls, pub crawls and academic events. I didn’t make committee this year but I joined the ball organising subcommittee. I love event planning and getting to know other students and teachers so it should still be fun! I’ve also finally been able to reach out and develop some really nice friendships outside of uni, and more recently, met some extremely valuable people on these forums. I look forward to a year with more positive relationships and I hope that helps me with my own life experiences and wellbeing.
- LIFE: so life in general has been insane over the last year.. obviously placement triggered an insane degree of anxiety and confidence loss, but left room for optimism. My future started to look possible in a way I want it to. Friendships improved, relationships got worse. Family got hard. 2019 has been a massive bitch already and it’s going to be a shit year I can tell. Within a month, my mum went to hospital, I need my sixth eyelid surgery, my grandfathers Parkinson’s has progressed, there’s so much family drama, uni is stressful, life moves too fast and I don’t feel ready for it. It’s already a massive struggle and I don’t think I’m going to make it, but I’m going to fight as hard as I can to make it as far as possible. After a significant mental health upset in 2016, I reluctantly saw someone about it until mum forbid me to continue. I survived as long as I could until my uni teachers encouraged me to get better. I made an appointment with a uni counselor on one of my better days so I didn’t go back, and I’m still battling my worth to continue seeing her, but I think I might try it and see if I deserve it yet..
- GOALS: being my last purely academic year, I feel like there’s a type of person I want to be before I enter the workforce as an intern next year, so I have a lot of physical, personal, emotional, social and mental goals. I hope to get my license in three weeks, maybe get a job at the clinic I’m doing placement at, get the internship I want, get volunteer experience in health organisations, develop as a diagnostic radiographer and quality health care professional, get over my fear of relationships, build on my friendships, become healthier, embrace and care for my mental health, undertake a course in consciousness, read more, take more photos, write more, engage more with music and learn how to say no.
So my journal has expressed a pretty tough journey so far, and as it seems, will continue to do so, but I hope things work out and if not, that I can face adversity with strength.
God bless everyone and have a blissful 2019 xx until next time :)
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Hey Babushka!
Just wanted to say thank you for sharing your experience at Monash so far. I just came across your journal and as a health student about to start first year I know recounting some of your thoughts on uni and your course will come in handy for the next few years.
Especially about focusing more on hands on experience rather than obsessing about grades. I heard it's helpful to get TAFE certificates and work in the field first, and after reading your posts I feel I should be more serious about that.
Really found your posts insightful, thank you!!
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Hey Babushka!
Just wanted to say thank you for sharing your experience at Monash so far. I just came across your journal and as a health student about to start first year I know recounting some of your thoughts on uni and your course will come in handy for the next few years.
Especially about focusing more on hands on experience rather than obsessing about grades. I heard it's helpful to get TAFE certificates and work in the field first, and after reading your posts I feel I should be more serious about that.
Really found your posts insightful, thank you!!
Oh my gosh this is so nice thank you so much for posting! :) I'm glad you found it useful haha, I've been questioning how relevant my journal is but I do hope you can take something out of it for your own experiences.
It definitely is, it's a very hard line to draw because all through your school life everyone likes to tell you that grades are everything and while you do need to know your stuff, if you can prove that you're willing to learn and can handle yourself in a professional environment, often that gets you a lot further than a couple of HDs haha.
A quick stalk leads me to believe you're exploring dentistry?
I have a few friends who, despite not having any educational background in the field, work as dental assistants/receptionists. I'm not sure if you've looked into this but maybe have a look at getting some part time work in a dental clinic as even being a receptionist will give you insights into how places operate and you might learn things about procedures etc and it's always helpful to build some contacts in your field!
I hope everything goes well for you and I'll be sure to follow your journey as well, all the best! :)
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Oh my gosh this is so nice thank you so much for posting! :) I'm glad you found it useful haha, I've been questioning how relevant my journal is but I do hope you can take something out of it for your own experiences.
It definitely is, it's a very hard line to draw because all through your school life everyone likes to tell you that grades are everything and while you do need to know your stuff, if you can prove that you're willing to learn and can handle yourself in a professional environment, often that gets you a lot further than a couple of HDs haha.
A quick stalk leads me to believe you're exploring dentistry?
I have a few friends who, despite not having any educational background in the field, work as dental assistants/receptionists. I'm not sure if you've looked into this but maybe have a look at getting some part time work in a dental clinic as even being a receptionist will give you insights into how places operate and you might learn things about procedures etc and it's always helpful to build some contacts in your field!
I hope everything goes well for you and I'll be sure to follow your journey as well, all the best! :)
Thank you again Babushka!
I didn't think of working part-time as a dental receptionist, will definitely look into that and apply for it. I was hoping to get a part-time job in dental assistant without doing the relevant TAFE course, so your anecdote is encouraging!
Thanks and all the best for yours too! I'm sure it will go very quickly from now on for you, and I hope you will have an amazing time.
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So I haven't really updated all year but hello!
Has been a super tough semester, uni has been beyond insane with assignments, as well as so much outside of uni.
This semester focused on clinical techniques and physics of CT and ultrasound, as well as aspects of clinical ethics and law. CT and ultrasound have very complicated physics mechanisms so it's been a huge struggle to understand these individual concepts and then integrate them into how machines work, and then the combined effect of these optimising parameters on the final image quality and practical, real time data manipulation. Having never studied sound, going back to learning these interactions from scratch was really challenging, and the machinery is going to require a lot of study during swotvac to get right, so super excited for the next two weeks!
I've had a lot going on with stress, family problems, and trying to sort things out so the assignments haven't been to a good quality standard. I think I've submitted two on time this whole semester and as ashamed as I am, as long as I pass I think I can live with this, as other things have been of higher priority to me. I'm finally taking the time to look after my mental health. After seven years of moderate to severe bouts of depression, a couple of years of mild anxiety, two attempts with psychologists, one psychiatrist and a few GPs, several friends desperate for me to help myself and family realising I'm not doing well, I've just started counselling, and for the first time, I think I want it and I'm working hard to make it worth my while. I'm starting to like myself as a person, do things that make me happy, I'm motivated, I'm seeing a future for myself, I'm feeling confident and I'm finally deciding what I deserve and what I want in my life. I'm not usually one to put this side of myself out there, but I'm actually really proud and this feels like genuine progress. Hard work, sacrifice and mentally exhausting, but worthwhile. I hope someday I can find peace and value and joy in little things, have less guilt, less resentment, more love and transparency, replace anger with passion and hurt with forgiveness.
I got back into reading. It's been a really great way to unwind, get out of my head and relax. I was never into non-fiction when I was younger but the last year, it's been really eye opening, motivational and a big opportunity to learn. I've also been volunteering heaps, I've met some incredible people and it has enriched my life so much. I feel appreciated, I get to do things I love, be a part of people's lives, experience new things, have fantastic opportunities, help those in need and not a day goes by when I'm volunteering that there isn't a smile on someone's face, and at the end of the day, that's what I want to be a part of. I also completely tidied my room, and invested in some diaries and planners that will hopefully keep me inspired and driven, and I actually really recommend these if you like mapping out what you’re achieving and how you’re using your time!
Hopefully soon I will be uploading a first year survival guide that myself and a couple of colleagues wrote last year for this course, as well as some information about entry into the program and some FAQs.
Will also do a full update on this year’s placement experiences.
In the meantime, I have three exams in the next three weeks, then onto intern applications, networking, tours, ASMIRT events and seminars, and completing some courses in ultrasound and image interpretation. Not an easy road, but for once, one I'm excited to take 🙂
Hope everyone's keeping well and good luck with exams!! ❤❤
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hey babushka! it's really inspiring to see you push through life even in tough times. I hope you are doing well and it's great to see that reading is helping you. Books are like a safe haven of happiness and a way of taking a breather from my own life and I'm happy to see that it is also like that with you! Good luck through your studies and things will definitely get better ;D
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hey babushka! it's really inspiring to see you push through life even in tough times. I hope you are doing well and it's great to see that reading is helping you. Books are like a safe haven of happiness and a way of taking a breather from my own life and I'm happy to see that it is also like that with you! Good luck through your studies and things will definitely get better ;D
Hey there!
sorry its been forever, its been a mental semester and things have just calmed down!
thank you so much for your kind words, really means a lot to me <3
reading has been amazing. a very good friend of mine proposed an accountability thread and so I've put some time aside every day to read and its really helped me feel more in control and positive about life!
thanks again and I hope you're also doing well!
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So I figured I'll do an update as I've just successfully completed my third year of Radiography and I've had a few PMs about the course with VCE and course preferences hitting peak stress for those interested in the department.
This was a ridiculously intense semester, and I had a lot of high and very low points. It forced me to confront aspects of my personality I hadn't thought about before, discover what I valued, appreciate opportunities I took for granted, learn about professionalism, success, achievement, and most of all, failure. We had a 3 week intensive in July before I went to Ballarat for a 4 week placement.
I really enjoyed the experience in Ballarat, I got extensive fluoroscopy training, heaps of paediatrics that I finally feel comfortable with and really started to embrace independent, well thought out and all-encompassing examinations and patient presentations. I still don't think I reached a level that I would have hoped to but I feel confident for the first time in my degree that I am somewhat competent and I'm super driven to smash out my internship next year.
The assignments this semester were once again difficult, and I had a couple more late submissions due to on and off periods of depression. However, I was really impressed with the fact I managed to achieve some 80-90% grades in some, while naturally the physics work stayed at 60-70s ;D I had a very rough period during exams, falling quite far behind and struggling a lot with MRI, mammography and dosimetry physics. I borderline failed one of my exams, and I was thankfully unbelievably blessed to have been granted a resit which I passed. I did get my first credit of my degree, but with a wam of 77 and a massive drive to smash out my final year, I want to hit that 80 next year!
I didn't develop a huge interest in ultrasound this semester, but I did manage to handle the technique aspect of it pretty well, and it really helped my memory of pathological findings and its relevance to clinical presentations so I hope this learning will still prove to be an asset. Whilst I remain uncertain as to my future in mammography, I enjoyed the methods aspect of this learning and I hope to get my training with my internship completed next year. MRI hasn't greatly appealed to me in the physics regard, but the methodical learning will be taught next year and I guess we'll wait til after that to see how that modality eventuates.
On top of the stressful semester, internship applications were an unbelievably trying time for all of us. I have never had a job and I found it quite difficult to find aspects of my personality that I really liked. Selling myself has never come easily to me. I opted to not apply for a private centre, but in retrospect, it might not have been a bad idea. I applied for 10 out of 12 available clusters, and sadly only got 4 interviews. This was a really heart wrenching time for me, but last week I got the call from Monash Health where I will be an intern from June next year! This was not my top preference but they have some excellent teaching staff, great equipment (a stunning CT scanner at Dandenong Hospital!) a great intern group and I can't wait for my rural experience in Traralgon. My friends all did really well, and though not everyone is happy with their preferences, its going to be a really rewarding year for us all and I'm going to work really hard to learn as much as I can before we start work.
Fourth year has already started which is of course very stressful. I guess we got comfortable with the 3 month semesters, 7 months is going to be a very long haul! But its good content next year and I finally have a decent mindset with which to face it. It is mostly pathological appearances on plain film imaging, CT physics and elaborate techniques and MRI methods, as well as a 5000 word literature review and some content on research, psychophysics, ethics and stats. I'm spending the last 3 weeks of my holidays picking lit review topics, studying a course in image interpretation and reviewing some concepts from second year, and maybe getting a head start on some of next year's self directed modules.
In other news, I was among a group of 4 who hosted this year's radiography/radiation sciences ball which was a massive success but a very stressful event! Had a great time though, also attended a few ASMIRT events and getting all geared up for the huge ASMIRT/NZIMRT conference next year. I hope to be joining a few more volunteer opportunities on a long term basis next year as I might get a bit more time to myself, I have started a knitting project and made heaps of new friends so trying to have some fun in these last couple of weeks! My mum is heading out to India tonight so also going to be gaining some life skills in independence which should be difficult but fun ;) try to stay out of trouble!
Hoping you're all looking after yourselves and I'll keep you guys updated <3
Also any prospective students with any questions, feel free to post them in this thread and I'll be happy to answer whatever I can!
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It's great to hear from you again!
Thank you for updating and it's nice to hear that you have developed a bit more confidence :)
What does elaborate techniques refer to?
Organising a ball sounds very stressful - had any of you done that before? Glad to hear that it was highly successful!
Hope you're taking care of yourself too <3
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It's great to hear from you again!
Thank you for updating and it's nice to hear that you have developed a bit more confidence :)
What does elaborate techniques refer to?
Organising a ball sounds very stressful - had any of you done that before? Glad to hear that it was highly successful!
Hope you're taking care of yourself too <3
miss you Bri! hope you've been doing well <3
Imaging tends to have standard routines for presentations like 'pain' or general pathologies but certain conditions are quite complicated and difficult to see on standard imaging so there's enhanced protocols to better visualise different anatomy. The main things that come up in CT is like cardiac scanning and perfusion studies, cardiac is a pretty big thing in MRI as well. Requires different imaging planes and extremely rapid timing, often ECG gating/contrast timing as well to map heart function in various parts of the cardiac cycle :)
The ball was definitely crazy! One of the girls had some friends who worked as DJs and her dad did like lighting and stuff, another guy was into photography but other than that no! Had a lot of deadlines/sorting stuff out with the venue, selling tickets, advertising, budgeting, it got super hectic and in the last week a couple of people kind of stopped helping so me and one other girl basically hosted the whole thing that night, which kind of sucks as we didnt get to enjoy much of it but learnt heaps and everyone else had an awesome time, made some new friends and stuff too so a worthwhile experience! Thanks heaps :D
Definitely trying to look after myself a bit more. I'm unfortunately too broke to continue with therapy right now so a little rough but have some better people around me now. Probably going to get worse for a bit but we're peaceful <3
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Hi babushka818,
Long time no see right...or is it hear? HAHAH
First of all, congratulations on your internship year at Monash Health! What a year that would have been!
Secondly, I hope you have been well and that the first half of 2021 has treated you well.
Just an update for you, and for anyone reading along at home.
After I graduated in 2017, I did end up going to RMIT. Did a year of lab med before transferring to Med Rad, so yay, we got there in the end.
Currently in my third year with one more year to go (since it's the new RMIT program 3.5 years).
Reading back at all your post when I was in first and second year of MI, I could definitely relate to it. Especially your post about placements, those helped me a lot.
I guess I just wanted you to know your med rad journal has helped me a lot through mine and I am so grateful that you started this topic back in 2017.
Stay safe xx
Best wishes,
lyoko