Alumnus talk: Medical school myths busted

We were delighted to welcome back alumnus Ari Yad (Class of 2022), now a third-year medical student, to speak to our aspiring Medics, Veterinarians and Dentists at MDV Society last week. 

Ari studied Biology, Chemistry, and English Literature A Levels at Trinity and – now in his third year at the University of Nottingham – decided to tackle ‘Medical School Myths Busted’ as the topic for his talk. 

Ari debunked common myths about studying medicine, reassuring students that success isn’t about being a genius or a science whizz but rather about hard work, perseverance, and strong communication skills. He highlighted the value of work experience, even in non-medical settings, and emphasised that medical students can still enjoy life outside their studies with good time management.  

He shared insights on how universities are looking for well-rounded candidates, not perfection, and rejection isn’t the end. Many students, including some of Ari’s peers, have entered medicine as graduates. Most importantly, he reinforced that medicine is a challenging yet rewarding path that requires true passion and commitment. Ari compared it to loving a sport like rugby – waking up early every Saturday morning, eager and excited to play for your team.  

The session ended with a lively Q&A, with so many hands raised that we could have gone on for hours! Ari was incredibly generous with his time, even visiting a form room after his talk with Dr Asquith (his former English teacher) to offer last-minute advice to a Sixth Form student preparing for her medical school interview this week. 

Sixth Form students interested in pursuing careers in MDV industries are exposed to some of the topics, ethical debates, practical skills and more, to help them make informed choices about their future pathways. It was brilliant to see three Fifth Year students who had expressed an interest in studying medicine also attend Ari’s talk. They said: 

Mafeng: “I went to Ari’s talk after an invite from Mrs Harvey-Shipp, our Head of Careers, because I’m interested in studying medicine. It was really helpful to hear from someone actually doing the course. Ari gave us real insight into what life at university is like for a medical student, and it was great to hear that you can still have a social life while studying medicine.” 

Josh: “Ari was really engaging, and his talk has made me seriously consider studying medicine. I was especially pleased to hear that he studied English instead of the usual Maths, Biology, and Chemistry. I’m thinking about choosing either Psychology or Politics as my third subject, so it was reassuring to know that you don’t have to stick to the typical choices. Listening to Ari has really confirmed that medicine is the right path for me.” 

Yash: “Ari really grabbed my attention, and now I’m more certain than ever that I want to study medicine.” 

Mrs Lewis, Alumni Services Manager, said, “Ari delivered a seamless presentation, captivating the room with his engaging and empathetic style. His ability to make everyone feel heard and valued is a testament to the qualities that will make him an outstanding doctor. A huge thank you to Ari for returning to Trinity and inspiring the next generation of medics.”