Q&A with Matthew Hayes: How a College community helped me settle into postgrad Medicine
“From the first dinner I felt like I belonged.”
Matthew is a first-year postgraduate Medicine student at UWA, originally from Beaumaris, Victoria. He shares how he found his path into healthcare and what drew him to life at St Cat’s.
Matthew, a first-year postgrad Medicine student from Victoria.
What inspired you to study Medicine at UWA?
Working at a general practice clinic during my undergrad opened my eyes to healthcare. I enjoyed how person-centred it was. The impact doctors and nurses had on their patients and how much their care meant, really stood out.
There wasn’t a significant turning point. It just became clearer over time that this was the direction I wanted to take.
How did it feel when you received your offer to study Medicine?
When I got the offer, I felt a mix of excitement and relief. The whole process had been long and tough, so it felt good to finally know I could start something I’d been looking forward to.
I was also really glad I’d be living close to campus and meeting new people. When I arrived and saw there were heaps of other first-year med students, I knew I’d made the right call.
What’s one way living at College has helped you handle the challenges of your first year at university?
The biggest challenge has been how time-consuming Medicine is. There’s just so much content. Living ten minutes from uni and having meals sorted has saved me a lot of time. That’s helped me study properly but still have space for other things too.
Matthew at a Faculty and Industry Dinner.
Were there any unexpected parts of College life that you’ve really come to value or enjoy?
I didn’t realise how many events would be on. Some of them have been valuable. One that stood out was the regenerative medicine Faculty & Industry Dinner. We got to meet medical professionals and hear from a world expert in burn surgery. That was a pretty exciting night.
How do you balance study with downtime and friendships?
Planning helps. Living close to friends makes a significant difference. We can walk to class and study together. Even during busy times, I still get to see people at dinner and catch up.
Have you found any support networks, mentors or friendships at College that help you thrive?
Definitely, I’ve been lucky to meet second, third and fourth-year med students who’ve been really generous. They’ve given me advice, told me what to expect and shared some of their old study resources. That was very helpful, especially in first semester since I didn’t have a science background.
Has there been a standout moment for you from your first year at College?
One moment I remember was early on, before semester properly started was when the Director of Dandjoo Darbalung, Maxine, saw a few of us studying in the Learning Centre and came over to introduce herself. She mentioned that if it got busy later, we were welcome to use the Dandjoo Darbalung Cultural Centre. That was a really kind thing to offer. It showed me that the staff here actually pay attention and care.
What would you say someone thinking about applying for Medicine and considering College life?
College is a great way to make new friends and enjoy uni. It also helps you balance study with everything else. That can make a big difference when things get full-on.
The location, the support, and being around people going through the same thing. It’s made a big difference in my first year.
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