I have been a student for almost two months. My motivation was incredible and I started my studies with great enthusiasm. I wanted to become the ultimate role model for all future generations of students: I wanted to be super organized, eager to learn and never short of money. Less than eight weeks later, all I can say is: I thought wrong.
Keep your eagerness to learn under control
First the positive: I have at least been able to maintain my eagerness to learn so far. But studying medicine doesn't allow for much else. In a week I have my first exam, chemistry. This directly depends on whether I am admitted to the practical experiments this semester. The internship, in turn, is mandatory for all students in the first semester, which ultimately means: If I don't pass this exam, I can repeat the entire first semester. Hahaha. Of course no problem. I was always really good at chemistry and I still know everything. In order to close the gaps in my knowledge, I spent many hours in the library and also used the time at home to study. Was there so much left? Well, I definitely did something for my guilty conscience.
Life is really expensive
When it comes to money management, however, things could definitely be going better. I try to buy in a somewhat balanced and sustainable manner and pay attention to the quality of the products, which unfortunately always comes at a price. In addition to such sensible editions, there are always such pointless editions like GEZ - yes, thank you too, because I watch so much Rosamunde Pilcher on ZDF. I'm also happy to save 80 euros to repair my beloved bike after the gears left me in the drizzle in the morning. Splendid.
So, not really a huge amount of money in itself, but overall just a decent amount. Life is really expensive.
Of course I thought about looking for a part-time job. But the workload of my studies really doesn't allow me to go to work alongside the university, do a bit of sport and have some social life. My eagerness to learn would definitely suffer. And I don't even want to think about the organization behind it.
The organization has failed
And that brings us to the point that I no longer have any control over: organization. To understand what I mean, perhaps I should just tell you about my last week.
Apparently I caught chickenpox some time ago - maybe in the hospital, but who knows for sure. After I was completely out for the last week. I had a doctor-prescribed curfew because chickenpox is extremely contagious and can lead to serious complications, even death, especially in adults. I wanted to make a virtue of necessity and at least use the time well. Keyword: eagerness to learn. Proud of myself that I was able to motivate my inner weaker self even in the midst of my health chaos, I walked into the university last week freshly recovered and in good spirits again.
Suddenly everyone started talking about the physics test that was supposedly due that day, how it would be so difficult and how they had learned so much for it, which books and I don't know what they had worked through. And I sat there and started laughing and crying at the same time. A certificate? Hahahaha, that can't be right, you're kidding me. As it turned out, there really was a test on the agenda that day. The organization really kicked the eagerness to learn in the butt.
I don't think I've ever been this close to a panic attack. I was firmly convinced that I could give up my first semester straight away. Thank you very much, dear chickenpox. With the organization I will definitely not become a role model for future generations of students.
Oh yes, by the way, I passed. Luckily, you were allowed to use the internship script in the certificate, so it wasn't as bad as I first thought. And so there remains hope that everything will be better next semester: eagerness to learn, money management AND organization.
Lina is 19 years old and started her medical studies in Münster in the winter semester of 2015/2016. She writes on our website once a month about her experiences as a first-year student. Lina isn't actually called Lina at all. Since she would rather remain unrecognized, she writes here under a pseudonym. You can find more stories from Lina's life in her blog.
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October 26, 2015: Finally freshmen!
