December Issue
The final newsletter issue of 2020! In typical fashion, the BMP newsletter is jampacked with valuable content to keep you enriched.
🎉 Welcome Back!
With a new month comes new opportunities and reflections! See a message from our founder, Sharon, as we go into the new year!
What a year it’s been! A global pandemic. A racial reckoning. Elections, lockdowns & zoom calls. But one thing that has come out of this year that I’m grateful for is the Black Medic Plexus. I can’t believe we’re three months in! The growth of this network so far has been overwhelming, and I want to personally thank you all for taking the time for being a part of this journey. Thank you every like, share and comment.
As we’re coming to the end of the year and the beginning of another, I’m sure most of us have been reflecting on our past goals and setting new resolutions.
My piece of advice is to encourage everyone to do some self-introspection - detailed and thorough introspection. Analysing your personality and actions. Feelings and motivations. Strengths and weaknesses. I learnt the importance of this during quarantine earlier this year. My mentor told me ‘life is a journey, and you are the vehicle’. How can we navigate the journey of life if we don’t know what type of vehicle we are? What if you work better on diesel, but you’re trying to fuel your vehicle with petrol due to lack of introspection? Introspection helps with all other goals, plans and visions we may have for ourselves. And if you believe in God - seeking His face and praying for your purpose to continually be revealed to you is of importance too.
I can’t wait for you to see what we have in store for BMP next year, including the launch of our group chats (finally) and other projects we’re working on! The growth of a space for black medical students is up and coming! Stay safe and stay tuned!
Don’t forget to sign up to be a member of the BMP Network!
👀 Things to Look Out For
I don’t know about you, but I’m still recovering from that impactful message! Alas, we have some opportunities and content for you guys to look out for:
A new series will be piloted on our Instagram very soon where each member of the BMP team will be producing micro-teach videos on subjects of their interest within Medicine.
Our Instagram live with Victor has been uploaded to our page! After some technical difficulties, we finally managed to get it sorted. Have a watch and hear Victor’s insight into life at Cambridge Medical School
BMP is also focused on showcasing work-life balance, and we did just that in our latest Instagram Reel! Events officer, Ibinabo (AKA ibblogs) collaborated with BMP founder Sharon. They whipped up Teriyaki Chicken with Special Egg Fried Rice & Sweet Chilli Rice Noodles Garnished with Prawns! If you're looking to diversify your cooking portfolio, then this is the video for you!
Opportunites:
The Black Excellence Network is an organisation that aspires for a future in which black students across the UK can have access to the guidance they need in their journey to higher education and their experiences throughout university. They have reached at least 500 students ranging from sixth form/college to university level as part of their mentorship scheme and networking initiative. They are now looking for new members to join their growing team!
Roles available:
Social Media Officer
Events Lead
Communications Lead
Blog Writers
Interested applicants should email theblackexcelnetwork@gmail.com by 9/01/2021! Please contact us if you have any questions or queries.
Find out more about BEN via:
Instagram: @theblackexcellencenetwork
LinkedIn: The Black Excellence Network
Twitter: @BlackExcelNet
💎 BMP Recommendations
Our favourite part of the newsletter! Here, we will be giving our monthly recommendations of content that would be of value to you!
Adewale
I reviewed Atul Gawande’s “Complications: A Surgeon’s Notes on an Imperfect Science” and would strongly recommend it to those who are thinking of a career in surgery.
Osas
"The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" provides an account of Henrietta Lacks' life and her lasting input into scientific research. The book also provides an insight into the intersectionality of scientific research and ethics. A relevant read which has made me consider the previous shortcomings that science and the black community have had. I would recommend the film too!
Junior
My recommended read would be "Rich Dad Poor Dad". It taught me the importance of building a strong financial foundation and distinguishing the difference between assets and liabilities and how acquiring assets will best improve your financial stability.
Victor
I have recently been listening to the ‘science weekly’ podcast by the Guardian. They give a quick and brief overview of scientific topics of interest, such as COVID-19 vaccines, to physical distancing psychology. Each podcast is like 30 minutes, so it’s a nice and quick way to gain a vast amount of information.
✍🏾 BMP Resolutions
The dreaded New Year resolutions with a medic twist! Hear from some of the members on the BMP on their “Medicine Resolutions”. These are goals that they aim at consistently doing in the new year to ensure they are better medical students and eventually, better doctors.
Sharon
Practice the act of spaced repetition whilst learning new content. This can be challenging - especially with a course like Medicine - when there’s always more that can be learnt. Despite this, it is known to be an effective method for information retention. Hopefully, this makes revising for exams (both January and summer exams!) easier and more manageable.
Liam
I aim to remove the fears and anxiety of taking on new opportunities and be able to go the extra mile in my studies. Although this sounds like a very broad and long term resolution (which it is), I aim to implement this mindset day to day. This may even include studying for a more extended period in a productive manner in instances where I may have usually stopped and lost focus.
Overtime with this mindset, I aim to unlock my full potential as a medical student and ensure that I maintain a proactive nature and productivity in my activities.
Ibinabo
To discipline myself enough to know when it’s time to stop working and relax. I find that I burn out without thinking I’m overexerting myself and that really needs to stop!
I want to be more intentional with learning anatomy, perhaps dedicate time to sit and learn the structures, innervations, anatomical relations and so on.
I want to change how I plan my work, give myself time slots and if things are not completed within that time frame, move onto something else so that way I cover more things.
Be more specific with my list of priorities.
Despite my long list of resolutions, I’m extremely excited for the New Years & I’m looking forward to seeing all that God has in store for us. Happy New Years Everyone!
Victor
I want to ensure when I need to study or do anything productive in my life, I go about it effectively and efficiently; therefore, I can get the best result whilst not sacrificing much. As a result, my overall happiness and wellbeing should increase because I have time to do other things I enjoy and achieve my goals.
Osas
To make sure that I remember why I originally wanted to study Medicine and use it to help me enjoy the actual process.
Junior
I want work on improving my personal branding. I’m going to do this by getting involved with activities that will boost my CV and image.
Join a growing network of black medical students who are enriching themselves with valuable content!