What are you doing now?
I’m in my sixth year as a doctor in the NHS.
What route did you take up to this point?
I left school and headed directly for medical school, not really knowing what I was in for.
The reality was two years of lots of lectures (and learning not to fall asleep in them, although in hindsight I definitely didn’t pay attention all the time) followed by three years of learning how to talk to patients.
Since then I’ve gone through my initial junior doctor years working in Torbay, Derriford and Exeter Hospitals, still learning how to do the job.
Were there any significant crossroads in your journey?
The main one was when I left for uni initially.
I’d requested six months beforehand to defer my entry by a year and take a gap year but I found out with three weeks to go that my request had been declined, so I was suddenly heading for uni!
In hindsight of course, I don’t regret how this played out. Uni was fantastic, plus in this line of work there’s an opportunity to take time out and travel, which is what I did two years ago, with the benefit of some funds and a girlfriend to travel with.
What have you learnt most about yourself?
Tough question. I guess I’ve always been of an anxious disposition, always worried that I’m not up to the task.
I’ve learnt that giving what you think is your best effort is always well regarded by your peers and seniors, and in my line of work that’s always been regarded as good enough.
Even if a task feels like a mammoth one, just getting your head down and getting stuck in pays dividends.
What words of wisdom would you give to a student joining DHSB in Year 7?
Ask for help.
Even now sometimes I struggle to ask for help with some things. The reality is that there are lots of people who’d want to help you if you’re struggling, but probably aren’t aware that you’re having a hard time.
Whether it’s schoolwork or home life, the key thing is to recognise you could do with help, and then ask :)
And advice for a Sixth Form student leaving DHSB?
Go on an adventure, be it straight after school, or a few years later when you have some money. (I took the second option and I recommend New Zealand).
Secondly, when life gets busy and stressful, that’s when you need the hobbies that you love.
Find them, keep at them, and when you’re feeling low (which happens to all of us sometimes) make sure you do them.
Good luck!
Do you have any fond memories of DHSB to share?
Too many to recount!
Sixth Form was a really amazing time for me.
Despite the stress of A levels, there was so much fun in turning 17 and 18 with all my best friends, in a place that, by then, felt like home.
Do you have a message for any of your teachers?
Al Morris and Amanda Delve - my two form tutors. Thanks for many great chats, life advice and laughs. I remember it all with a smile.