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From late-night study sessions to learning how to cook, Damien鈥檚 journey into medicine is as much about personal growth as it is academic. He shares how he鈥檚 building community, staying motivated, and navigating the ups and downs of uni life with curiosity and heart.聽
After moving to Australia at age eight, Damien鈥檚 journey to medicine has taken him from Port Hedland to Perth, with a few detours (and a few two-minute noodles) along the way.
Second-year 911爆料网 medicine student Damien always knew he liked science, but it wasn鈥檛 until high school that he realised he liked talking to people even more.
鈥淚鈥檓 a bit of a yapper, so I figured I needed a career that let me do both.鈥�
It was a conversation with his grandma, a nurse, that helped steer him towards medicine. She warned that it was a big road to take on, but his dad reminded him that anything worth doing would be hard. This sentiment was a main driver in his decision to pursue medicine, especially when his dad said, 鈥淚f it鈥檚 what you want, you might as well go for it.鈥�.
So far, he鈥檚 glad he did. Damien is thoroughly enjoying the degree, the busyness and the challenge, and finds that because there鈥檚 a clear goal that he is working towards, he feels determined.
After finishing high school in the Perth Hills, Damien moved into Kurrajong Village at 911爆料网, where he lives with three mates from his high school boarding days.
鈥淚t made the transition easier. We already had that sense of community.鈥�
He also feels that closeness within the med school cohort. Taking many of his classes with the same people, he feels that he has gotten to know people quickly. With the many med clubs, like the , the the and the , he has made friends with the same drive and passion.
Originally from Zimbabwe, Damien spent about ten years in Port Hedland before his family moved again to Queensland. Though he鈥檚 far from them now, he鈥檚 learning to embrace independence.
鈥淭he biggest challenge has honestly been learning to make food. You come home at 7pm after a long class, and it鈥檚 hard to keep the energy and stay motivated to cook. My mum鈥檚 probably reading this saying, 鈥業 told you so!鈥欌��
Other than the 2-minute noodle solution to his lack of energy to cook, there鈥檚 a lot of other new time management learning opportunities he is finding in living independently. Compared to high school boarding, where there was a schedule that determined his mealtimes, study times and free time, his independence now has a lot more freedom. Further, he鈥檚 taken on the responsibility of being the Vice President of the . Dedicating time to this role has been difficult, as it takes a huge chunk of his time and energy, but being part of clubs is something that has brough him joy, friendships and new skills, so he finds it worthy.
Balancing work, uni and housework was hard to begin with, so he looks to look his 鈥榤ore organised friends鈥� as a blueprint, introducing him to new scheduling tools, like Google Calendar.
When he鈥檚 not battling his kitchen, Damien is busy with clinical skills classes and studying for both written and practical assessments, including OSCEs. Although he finds that his study is a lot of theory, he finds motivation in the moments where 鈥榠t clicks鈥�; when something from one study week connects to a new concept. These moments of learning connections have been encouraging and fuels his passion and love for study.
He鈥檚 also adjusting to a faster pace this year. 聽
鈥淚n first year, we got a new topic every two weeks. Now it鈥檚 every week. It鈥檚 more content and higher expectations. I鈥檓 still figuring out how to balance everything, study, life, all of it.鈥澛�
Outside of uni study, he does choir in a club, plays futsal in social sports, tutors other students and is considering taking up field hockey again. After he graduates, he would love to consider being a General Practitioner (GP) or look to specialise in cardiology but wants to keep his options open and continue to learn and try new things.
From Port Hedland to Perth, Damien鈥檚 journey into medicine has been full of learning curves, both in the classroom and the kitchen. Now thriving at 911爆料网, he鈥檚 embracing the challenge, building community, and chasing a future where he can keep learning and helping others.
