School Captain Ivin Jose reports on how he has been spending his time since the virus-related restrictions hit.
“First and foremost, I have been prioritising my studies, at what would have been an important time of year in terms of AS exam preparation, completing the tasks set for me by my subject teachers and sticking, as much as possible, to my usual School timetable, to retain some semblance of order and routine.
Aside from the academics, I have been trying to use this ‘stay-at-home’ period to develop my extra-curricular skills, which are sometimes pushed to the sidelines during the normal School week. Thanks to the Music department, I have been able to transfer my violin lessons (which would usually happen at School with my teacher) on to Skype. This has enabled me to continue having lessons on a weekly, scheduled basis, and keep progressing to my goal of achieving Grade 7 in violin. A similar arrangement has been achieved with my piano teacher (with whom I used to have lessons outside of school). Sticking with Music I have also recently been told by Miss Grint [Caroline Grint, Graduate Assistant] that I have passed my Grade 5 theory exam with a strong merit, having sat the exam earlier this year. Fortunately, she has also taken the initiative to continue with our usual theory lessons in the Summer Term via tasks set through eQE.
In terms of super-curricular activities, I have used my spare time for reading around my subjects, both for academic purposes and for enjoyment. Currently I am reading: Your life in my hands: A Junior Doctor’s Story by Rachel Clarke, which is a powerful evocation of her life on the NHS frontline – a story particularly pertinent to, and resonant with, the current pandemic.
In order to supplement my AS subjects, I am reading:
• Bloom’s Modern Critical Interpretations: ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Harold Bloom
• Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism and Progress by Steven Pinker
• Biological Sciences Review and Chemistry Review magazines from the Philip Allan magazine series from the Library section of eQE.
Additionally, I now have more time to devote to my EPQ (which is on Preventive Medicine and its applications in the 21st century) and have therefore been doing research and reading into that. I am thinking of starting a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), but I have not yet decided what medical topic to do it on.
For pure enjoyment, I’ve delved back into one of my favourite childhood fiction series called His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman and started re-reading Northern Lights.
For the following weeks, I hope to carry on with my academic studies and my extra/super-curricular activities. Particularly, I will also be focusing on creating PowerPoints and activities for members of MedSoc (QE’s Medic Society, a Thursday lunchtime club I run with a few others). This is in response to the Clubs and Societies eQE page that Miss Grundy [Rebecca Grundy, Head of Extra-curricular Enrichment] is planning to set up – a brilliant idea. Touching on my desire to go into medicine, in addition to my reading, I have started listening to the Royal College of Physicians’ RCP Medicine podcasts, which give in-depth analysis of certain medical conditions and diagnoses.
And, still with that career choice in mind, I’ve been really inspired by the heart-warming and heroic acts of selfless professionalism shown by all medical staff on the NHS frontline. Their courage and dedication to patient care, despite the risks to their own personal safety and well-being, never fails to touch my heart, and it has never been more apparent that they are fully deserving of every bit of gratitude and respect that the public are giving them at this difficult time.”