AA,
please don't say I'm the same as
him Anyway...
Congratulations to those who passed on the resits. I am told that there are some who are now heading for the viva stage. Well, heres some advice for the viva... if anyone else has any other advice, please do post it too.
I think the most important thing to remember about the viva is, no matter what it may look like, they really are there trying to help you. Even if the questions asked seem tough, the examiners are looking for anything, anything at all that will allow them to give you the few extra marks you need to pass.
[glow=red,5,300]Help Them to Help You![/glow]
Accordingly, you should give them as many reasons as possible to give you marks. So just like in that interview you did to get into med. school, think aloud, in a clear and structured fashion.
One Small Step...
Remember to take a step back and consider what the question really is asking. I say this because all too often, in an interview/ on the wards, med students make the classical error of jumping in to give an answer, and in doing so quickly focus on one small part of the answer... and then grind to a halt. For example, if asked about measure to prevent the spread of infection between patients, just about everyone knows about handwashing. Some will mention hot water, appropriate aids/ clensing substances. Some might mention how often. Then they become stuck. Few might remember the importance of removal of rings/ watches for the hand washing procedure. Then they get stuck. So what other answers are there? Well, huge subject headings such as clean clothes, no dangly bits (ties), short/ rolled up sleaves, apron or ?white coat?!. Don't forget that if you take jewelry off to wash, and then replace it, you have just re-intorduced any pathogens. Consider separate equipment for each patient, or appropriate cleaning swabs. Isolation, education, the list goes on.
So remember to take a step back, and consider how you should answer such a question.
UsE YoUr KnOwLeDgE!This may sound obvious, but there is little point in knowing something if you don't use that knowledge. And most people don't. Even med. students. It seems that in most situations, most students only use about half of their applicable knowledge. This means that the other half of their relevent knowledge is unused, and so they don't perform well. You probably know more than you think, but when you don't have confidence in yourself, you may not trust that what you think is right really IS right.
Stay Up All night StudyingIt's suppossed to be a double negative. DON'T Stay up the night before. You want to sit the viva with a clear, fresh mind, not one thats struggling to stay awake. Even a little tiredness decreases your cognitive ability. the same goes for food and drink. Make sure you keep your fluid levels up... it's hot weather, and you can dehydrate quickly. And dehydration reduces cognitive ability. Food, on the other hand is slightly different. Eat enough tat you are not distracted by hunger, but not so much that extra energy is wasted on digesting food, which will tire you out(!).
The same goes for your study leading up to the viva.
DO StudyUnfortunately, I can't really give you a clue about what specifically you may be asked... in my experiance, vivas are all different, and very dependent on the parties involved... in other words, they seem fairly individualised. Another reason why this is all general advice.
But still do study. It'll remind you of stuff, make you more confident, etc. just remember to take breaks too, and make sure you can remember the stuff you learn.
And also don't pay attention to the stories about how someone did the most bizarre thing in a viva and the examiners passed them for it. Whilst some of these are based on truth, I simply wouldn't recommend having a go at your examiner, or worse ( a lot worse, if some stories are to be believed!).
Finally, and possibly most importantly, begin in the best way. Say bismillah. It will help calm you, give you something else to focus on briefly, and is simply the best way to begin any undertaking.
Let us know how it goes ;D
wasalaam
NMA
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