I’ve been delighted to see that our wonderful medical societies are off to a flying start this academic year with the new committees laying out exciting plans for the year and hosting their first revision sessions, as well as sports clubs and fundraising initiatives. Special congratulations to our sports societies for holding our triumphal position against the Vets and Dentists, and to our two staff for excellent results in the London Marathon.
The societies provide plenty of opportunities for you to meet new friends, advance in your studies and hear from experienced clinicians who offer their expertise and insight. I can only echo the message shared by students Jaqueline and Meera in this month’s edition and encourage you to grab additional opportunities with both hands – as they can be incredibly beneficial in both enriching your student experience now, and setting you up for success in the future.
Like so many of you, I have been really enjoying my own time back on campus, having a chat and a coffee with colleagues, meeting with students at drop-in sessions and generally feeling the buzz of Cedar House back in business with students bustling in and out, greeting friends and catching up on their course work in the hub and study area. It has also been lovely to bask in some minutes of autumn sun in the garden, where it will soon be time to plant some spring bulbs, so if you fancy being part of that, drop me a line.
And looking beyond campus, our fantastic city’s reawakening has been exciting. Liverpool’s waterfront is illuminated once more in this year’s River of Light. I’ve booked my first experience of ‘Riverdance’ at the theatre, and restaurants and cafes offer warm drinks and twinkly lights as the darker evenings and colder weather settle in. So, grab the brolly and boots and enjoy!
As we are gifted with an extra hour this weekend, I’m wondering how best to use mine and I invite you to do the same. I may take a trip to a nearby river walk, whose waterfalls will be spectacular after all the recent rain. Why not make sure yours is something for you and only you, for your benefit and enjoyment, to help the balance between your studies and free time, and in the interest of your own wellbeing. Remember, there are plenty of ways to find connection and support within our School community and I encourage you to make the most of those that best suit you this year.