January Issue
The first month of 2021 has passed, and with that comes our first newsletter issue of the new year!
🎉 Happy New Year!
Welcome back BMP Network, we hope you have been well and managing to keep your spirits high!
PSA: Don’t forget to sign up to be a member - we have some exciting news about membership to follow, and you do not want to miss it!
👀 Things to Look Out For!
With the new year here, we have some new and fresh content as well as some opportunities you need to look out for!
As promised, we recently debuted our new BMP micro-teach series! I talk about the infamous bacteria Clostroidiodes difficile and break down its clinical effects and the potential innovation in this field in terms of treatment (without using standard antibiotics). It’s definitely not one to miss!
As we hit another lockdown and more bouts of online learning and Zoom calls, it is even more important to stay resilient and look after our mental wellbeing in these challenging times. Why not check out our latest post on coping as a medical student during a pandemic?
If you’ve found yourself struggling with keeping resilient in this uncertain period (you’re not alone), check out an Instagram Live I did with Inclusion Z. I invited some exceptional guests, including our founder, Sharon, who spoke brilliantly about the importance of reflection and aligning yourself with your purpose!
Opportunities:
Medic Mentor’s Summer Schools (Paid):
Earn up to £350 per week teaching and mentoring aspiring medical students! If this is a bit of you, sign up and register interest using this link
Medic Mentality Mentor (Voluntary):
Medic Mentality is predominantly a mentorship service, which offers personal statement reviews, 1-1 mock interviews, UCAT/BMAT advice, and events tailored to meet the needs of a prospective medic
Medic Mentality successfully launched its mentorship scheme in July 2020, with 70 mentees already. Their mentees are supported (for a duration of their choice) by their expert mentors, who are either medical students or doctors.
Currently, they run 1-1 interview sessions and to do this they need more mentors!
If you are interested in helping them with one of these sessions, email medicmentality@gmail.com
To become a mentor with them, click the link
🌟 Stars of the Network!
In this new section of the newsletter, we will be showcasing members of the network who are making strides in their medical degree, balancing medical school with their side hustles or producing valuable content! If you’d like to feature in the next issue, feel free to DM us and we can make it happen.
1. Dami - (YT Channel: Dr Dami)
Dami is a current 4th year Medic at Kings College London, who is the embodiment of thinking beyond Medicine! He has a YouTube channel, which features videos on his journey to Medicine, advice to current and aspiring medical students all with some laughs along the way! Be sure to subscribe!
2. Allan & Henry - (IG: More Than A Medic)
More Than A Medic (MTM) is a multifaceted platform where two black medical students, Allan (4th year Medic at Leicester) and Henry (locum optometrist and 1st year Medic at UEA), showcase their versatility whilst aiming to inspire others! MTM’s platform is centred around their day to day activities whilst displaying their versatile lifestyles. I’m loving the content and would definitely recommend you drop them a follow!
3. Funmi - (IG: FMA Collections)
Funmi is a 2nd year Medic at Bristol and is getting her bag in numerous ways! She is founder of small business, FMA Collections. FMA collections specialise in handmade accessories such as face masks, bonnets and scrunchies. Each item is custom-made, including unique features, such as reversibility and adjustability. Purchase yours today - that satin face mask has been doing me wonders!
💎 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!
Sharon
My recommendation is a study method! I’ve started using the 52/17 Pomodoro method to study, and it’s been helpful (52-minutes studying followed by a 17-minute break). For those not aware of Pomodoro techniques, it is a proven time-management strategy focused on breaking down long tasks into short, manageable chunks to increase productivity!
Ibinabo
I recently finished “The Girl with the Louding Voice” by Abi Daré, where she reflects on some of the harsh truths in Nigerian society and discusses the importance of education. She also deconstructs some of the stigmas associated with young girls in education and the potential knock-on effect on their marital status. A very educative and interesting read!
Liam
“A man can’t run with money in his pocket. All he can run with is hope in his heart”. This short documentary by Anthony Joshua was genuinely inspiring. He documents his journey back to his home town in Nigeria, where he expresses that he is merely no different from anyone else. I resonated deeply with some of his quotes, especially where he said: “Just because I box, I am no different. My job is fighting. First and foremost, I fight for my family.”
Join a growing network of black medical students who are enriching themselves with valuable content!