Fourth month, in Urology Department
Life
First time coming to Tongzhou campus, waking up changed from 7 a.m. to 6 a.m. Every time after a holiday when I sleep in, I have to adapt for a few days, then have another holiday to sleep in, and adapt again 
Fortunately, there are shuttle buses between the school and hospital, departing from and returning to the south gate, boarding anytime. Much more convenient compared to taking the bus at Dongcheng campus. The trip takes about an hour, mainly used for listening to audiobooks and lectures.
- During this month, I finished listening to the main lines of Records of the Grand Historian (from Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to Qin and Han dynasties) (I finished listening to the Assassins chapter last month). Next month, I plan to listen to histories of various countries.
- Also started a new series: listening to Liu Zhongbao’s Physiology. This physiology course mostly features the teacher talking nonstop, so it’s very suitable for listening in the car — originally, I wanted to review internal medicine, but after some time was advised to switch to diagnostics, then further advised to study physiology, just as Professor Liu said:
\u003e Start from physiology, end with physiology
\u003e
\u003e The Nobel Prize in Medicine has always been the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Daily Life and Study
Starting Physiology and Immunology
Besides physiology, I also started immunology, which traces back to relearning nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Clinically, I often could not understand the differences among many kinds of NSAIDs. After completing this topic, I realized I didn’t understand inflammation well. By chance, I also studied hepatitis B serology, and found I didn’t understand antibodies well.
Fine, might as well learn immunology from scratch!
Putting Anatomy Aside
My study of Aves’ Anatomy has been relatively put on hold due to limited time. Learning one subject means not learning another. Looking back now, to learn a course properly should be from beginning to end, a systematic study is exactly what I need now. Back then, I did not seriously study each course—physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, pharmacology… really fell into Professor Liu’s saying:
\u003e You reap what you sow. I didn’t understand in sophomore year, and will still have to learn later.
With so many disciplines wanting to be picked up again, there must be an order. Next stage, I plan to focus on finishing physiology and anatomy, because one is the foundation of medicine, and the other is the foundation of my major.
Picking Up English Again
By coincidence, I started practicing spoken English with a foreign teacher. Originally, it was an IELTS speaking class, but unexpectedly, I came along as a layperson haha. From initial confusion, slowly got the hang of it after a month. I feel my spoken English is not that bad after all; it’s all about practice—saying more and listening more!
The foreign teacher is from Zambia, a country I know little about. We talked about local foods; he mentioned his hometown has a kind of fermented product called munkoyo, which is sour. I got curious, looked up some production process—basically fermented corn paste (munkoyo production process https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPpzXchcUo4). Coincidentally, my hometown also has a delicious dish mainly made from corn flour, called Huhu, mixed with pea flour, corn flour, and oat flour… got sidetracked, will talk more next time.
Work and Study
Overall, the workload as an undergraduate is relatively light, many tasks are completed by the teachers. Most of the time is spent slacking off or studying.
The rules are strict: leave requests, exams, everything is covered thoroughly. But although teachers chat seriously in group chats, each of them is just a senior a few years older. The atmosphere in the department is relaxed; we joke together, eat delicious food together, discuss studies together, and complain together.
Every Tuesday and Thursday are surgery days, very important learning opportunities. I have observed various urological surgeries (mainly stones and benign prostatic hyperplasia, plus some complex cases like tumors). I can ask questions anytime, teachers answer everything, many are proactive in teaching (for example, one time during ward rounds I searched for a wrong disease name, a teacher later specifically told me I searched incorrectly).
I have met another surgery department chief who seems similar in personality to my chief hahaha. Maybe surgeons are all somewhat alike?
Study notes will be posted separately later.
Summary
Overall, I learned a lot this month, and the pressure was acceptable.
Gains: 4.5/5
Pressure: 1.5/5
Recommendation: 4.5/5
Feel free to ask more questions.