As a qualified medical practitioner and eventually an ophthalmologist, I will be committed to improving Indigenous health and addressing the significant health disparities that exist within Indigenous communities. One of the ways that I plan to contribute to this goal is by becoming an ophthalmologist and using my skills to address the high rates of eye disease that are prevalent in Indigenous populations.

I am particularly interested in researching genetic eye diseases, which disproportionately affect Indigenous communities. By gaining a deeper understanding of the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to these diseases, I hope to be able to treat and help prevent disease.

More specifically, I plan to take my skills to Aboriginal communities in Alice Springs, where I will work closely with Indigenous health workers and community leaders to provide culturally sensitive and appropriate care to Indigenous patients. I am from Alice Springs and it is a place close to my heart I have seen with my own two eyes the health disparity in rural Aboriginal communities. Even though my family ties are from far north Queensland and Thursday Island, the Aboriginal communities I grew up around were in Alice Springs. That is why I want to return one day with ophthalmic skills and gene therapy knowledge to help reduce the disparity of healthcare between those communities and the rest of Australia.

Furthermore, growing up I would watch Fred Hollows foundation ads on tv and would think how amazing it was that he could give sight back to people. Hollows worked tirelessly to improve the eye health of Indigenous Australians and I wish to follow his footsteps.

Overall, my goal as a qualified medical practitioner or health worker will be to use my skills and knowledge to improve the health of Indigenous people, particularly in the area of eye health mainly in Alice Springs. By working closely with Indigenous communities and focusing on culturally appropriate and sensitive care, I believe that I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of many, and in the same stroke, fulfil my career goal.

Reflecting on the second semester of last year, I can’t help but notice the stark difference it was compared to the first semester. The background of this change was the freedom from needing to work. This was a welcome relief that significantly alleviated the stress I had dealt with during Semester 1. This newfound flexibility allowed me to channel my energy and time more efficiently into my studies, enabling a focused effort on improving my grades from the previous semester. The results definitely reflect this.

Semester 2 turned out to have a noticeable intensification in both content volume and difficulty. This primarily included focus on the gastrointestinal and renal systems, subjects that proved challenging yet very fascinating to me. I saw a strong link between these systems and the rest of our coursework, showing how almost everything in the body is connected to these two systems.

As the study demands escalated during the semester, I developed a greater ability to manage stress more effectively. Despite starting the second semester on the back foot, a disciplined regimen of consistent meditation, regular exercise, and dedicated study sessions became crucial for my stress management. This stress management approach paid off during the final exams.

One of my strategies in semester 2 was the implementation of diverse and effective exam preparation strategies. Recognizing the importance of a multifaceted approach, I focused on sufficient personal study, collaborative group sessions, and comprehensive, frequent reviews of past exams and any extra exam questions I could find. These techniques not only deepened my understanding of the course material but also increased my confidence in my exam taking skills and lowered my stress due to the feeling of complete preparation.

In retrospect, semester 2 was a transformative period for me. Enabled by the liberation from needing to work, the integration of the new, intricate content into my knowledge, enhanced stress management techniques, and the implementation of effective exam preparation strategies. As I move forward into year 3, I’ll carry with me the lessons learned from a hard-fought semester. What I did worked, so doing that again but better is the goal.