GAMSAT webinar!

Afternoon!

I haven't been feeling all that well for the past few days so my posting has been a bit off. I also have been really struggling with my exam prep so not being very productive at all.

Anyway something positive today: I attended a free GAMSAT webinar, from passgamsat.com. It was on how to approch the GAMSAT when you don't know where to start.

The first half of the webinar was quite good and motivating and then the second half was pretty much trying to sell their online course which like all other GAMSAT stuff is reallyyyy expensive!

Some of the useful things I did get from the webinar, included the following:

1) 80% of people who sit GAMSAT don't get into med school.

Eek how terrifying is that?! But good to know so you don't underestimate the challenge.

2) Make a visual reminder of what will happen if you don't pass the GAMSAT!

You might include having to wait another year, having to fork out more money, or having to settle for a career less fulfilling than you want.

3) Imagine your future if you do pass GAMSAT and get in!

This is a positive reminder about why you are doing all this prep. Get a clear and specific mental picture into your head of where you want to be and what you want to be doing.

The guy who runs the company who was hosting the webinar is offering a free ebook to download from their website called "How to Pass the GAMSAT". I looked at it briefly just now and it seems like it has a mix of helpful info and promotion of their course which is fair enough I suppose.

Just handy to have all the info you can.

Personally I'm still deciding how to approach my study. I think I might need a tutor or something like that for chemistry and physics because I have no basis in them, but not sure about a GAMSAT course, they seem pricey and I'm sceptical about how helpful they are...

Anyway I'm off to do yet more study (will exam period ever end?!).

Sleepy Sunday zzz...

Evening!

Today I have been so exhausted! Got a fair bit done though so am happy that I had a productive day. I cleaned out my guinea pig cage, gave her a bath, sorted my phone billing out and then made food for my family and got in around 4 hours of study! :)

I had to push myself a bit. I didn't want to study. But I know that I will be studying for my GAMSAT (and then hopefully in med school) and I'm going to be tired and not in the humour of doing it, but I just have to do it. Keep my eyes on the prize and not slack off.

I guess what's been on my mind today is money.

Medicine is so expensive! I know that if I get into med school I will be applying for a loan, but I'm worried about everything that comes before that.

Everything related to the GAMSAT is so expensive! Books, materials, the test itself! Also if I am flying over to London in Sept, I'm going to need some money for that as well! Nightmare!

I also have to pay tuition for my final year in college which is ALOT!

I worked it out, and even if I work as much as possible, I can't afford to cover all the expenses I have this year, plus all that I had planned to do. I've abandoned the idea of a holiday. I guess I will have to abandon learning to drive as well, and that means I will have to reapply for my learners permit.

My minds just working on what to do to make and save money. I'm considering setting up an ebay account and trying to sell some of my stuff! Haha desperate times and all that.

I guess money is the first hurdle one must pass on the way to medschool. Sad that that is the first criteria for becoming a doctor, being able to shoulder the economic burden.

But it is what it is, and I won't give up. If I have to sell all I have, I will.

Except my bed...it's too comfy, and I'm off to dream now!

ZZZ

 

:)

Two tests or one?

I have read many Irish students travel to the UK to take their GAMSAT exam. I am wondering if I should try for the exam this coming Sept (scary!).

My fear would be that I will not be ready to take my exam that soon. But it would be good practice, and if I could do well in it, I would be able to relax and focus fully on my final year as an undergrad.

I found this very useful post about the lenght of time needed to prepare for the GAMSAT.

http://gamsatpreparation.blogspot.ca/2012/12/the-gold-standard-gamsat-study-schedule.html

Generally they say from 3-6 months.

I'm getting slightly nervous at the prospect of taking this so soon but it's something I need to consider.

I'm on the search for prep materials. I was looking into the Gold Standard but it costs a fortune and has not necessarily gotten great reviews.

Perhaps there is something better out there?

Off I go to do my research!:)