Do you have a question about coming to university, medicine, LUSUMA or something else?
We may have answered it below!
If we haven't got your question here, feel free to contact us using either facebook or the 'contact us' page on this website (found under the 'more' tab). This list will also be updated periodically as new questions are posed to us that we hadn't thought of before.
Do I still have time for joining societies as a medic?
​Yes! Lots of medics do an awful lot of things, and are active members of both medic and university societies. The huge number of LUSUMA sub-societies is testament to that!
It can sometimes be difficult having so many contact hours and trying to fit society events around this, but on the sub-society and sports pages on this website there are loads of medic-specific societies and sports teams that often have timetabling that works better for medical schedules. A lot of university societies will often be understanding that our timetable can do strange things, especially as non-medical courses are not homogenous in terms of their structure either.
The basic principle is this - try anything out that you fancy doing, it might fit into your life and schedule really well. Even if it doesn't work particularly well, ask the people running the society. They will be able to tell you what you can still do around your timetable, enabling you to be an active member of whatever society you like.
My flatmates are being disruptive and preventing me from working effectively. What can I do?
​Firstly try speaking to them and explain how the noise is impacting on your work. Uni courses vary in their workload so some of your flatmates may not realise the amount you work. Having a polite word is often enough to get them to reason with you.
If this doesn't work, try speaking to your RAs (in halls). They can advise you on the options you have. They should have made themselves known to you in the first few weeks, but you can get hold of them through your halls office. If it gets to the point that you're thinking of moving out, the accommodations office can help you.
Who do I tell if I'm ill?
​If you are ill and need time off, you have to let the medical school know. There are forms to fill in which can be found on blackboard, under LMS Official Info. If your illness is affecting your work, then tell your Personal tutor and they can record this in their notes (this can be very useful for helping to prove mitigating circumstances, especially around exam time). If you are away for more than five days at a time, you may have to obtain a note from your GP. If you need more support from the Medical School, talk to the Pastoral Support Unit and they can help.
Do I have to wear smart clothing all the time for lectures?
​Nope! You will have to dress appropriately for any placement or clinical training (for example training for taking blood), but for Phase 1 lectures you are not expected to look a certain way. Bring out the joggers and metal band T-shirts!
The main exception to this is the Dissection Room (DR) - it has certain regulations for your own protection such as not wearing open-toed or flimsy canvas shoes that wouldn't stop a dropped scalpel. Basically, do what you're told in terms of DR clothing and you should be absolutely fine.
What happens if I feel like I am not coping?
​Being at University and experiencing new situations away from home is difficult enough as it is, let alone being a Medical Student. It is quite usual for people to feel like they are not coping with everything - just about everybody at the medical school will have had the same feelings at some point. Talking to other medical students in your year or your Medic Parents can be nice, and you can also come to us for some support.
Firstly, tell your tutor! It's good for your tutor to know about any problems you are having, and they will always try to find ways to help you. If it is a particular topic you are struggling with, then email the module leader; all of them are only there to help. There are also six medical school tutors who you can email if you feel you are struggling and don't want to talk to your tutor, and of course there is the Pastoral Support Unit.
What happens if I don't understand something on the course?
​Obviously with all this new information, no one is going to be able to understand all the material. The good news is that there are several people you can ask for help!
You can talk to other peers, they might be able to explain something in a different way that causes the subject to 'click'. Your medic parents might be useful, as they have done all this stuff before and should hopefully understand what you need to know for the exams.
For revision and consolidation purposes, LUSUMA have a set of notes available. These are found on the Academic section of this website, please ask a committee member for access if you do not have the password (as it is only for LUSUMA members). In addition to this, we provide revision lectures fairly close to revision periods so that you can hear different perspectives on taught material.
​Every year has resits - normally these are in the summer for Phase 1. You normally only have to re-do the part of the year you failed, for example if you failed a written paper and passed the OSCE then you only have to resit the written papers.
If you do fail the resits, you are now allowed to resit your year for academic reasons without needing mitigating circumstances. You previously had to go before a panel and submit reasons for you needing a repeat year, but this has been relaxed. More information is found on our Appeals and Resits page.
What is it like repeating a year?
The thought of repeating a year could make you feel anxious. However repeating a year does not make you a failure, and it shows that the Medical School have faith in you completing your course.
​"I was really nervous about repeating a year. I thought it would be difficult to balance my new year and my old year and not living in halls with everyone can be a really big worry. However, everyone was really accepting and my new year were very grateful for the extra knowledge and experience. I tend to spend most of the time with my housemates (so my old year), and sometimes it is difficult because of the different timetables but everyone is still free in the evening. It also just means I know even more people now, however I didn't feel the need to go out as much as I had already had my Fresher's year and mainly I wanted to concentrate on work. Also, I wasn't expected to know everything and there is always more to learn, in some ways repeating a year gives you an advantage over the new Freshers as you already know some of the information. It was also nicer being in my own house instead of halls, as there were no fire alarms and it's much easier to decorate so it feels more like home."
What do I do if I feel anxious/homesick when I come to university?
You aren't unusual at all if you feel weird when first coming to university. In fact, it's probably more unusual to not feel any homesickness! Just think, everyone you see in university in years above you has probably felt the same and worked through it - it's overwhelmingly likely you will be able to as well.
If you're being affected by it, don't feel nervous about telling one of the LUSUMA committee, one of the LUSUMA welfare team or the Pastoral Support Unit. We can help you work through it, although these feelings often disappear on their own as you get more used to your new circumstances. Being busy and integrating as much as you can into university life definitely helps you to power through it, as it distracts you from all you may be missing at home.
Where should I go to get a drink in town?
Wetherspoons is nice and cheap (The Corn Exchange for atmosphere, The Last Plantagenet for lack thereof) and The Loaded Dog on London Road is good for students and a slightly hipster feel. The LUSUMA membership also gets you discounts to some other pubs and bars, so it's always a good idea to choose one of those if in doubt.
What is provided in the accommodation for INTROweek?
Your accommodation for INTROweek will probably be your permanent room for the rest of the year. All rooms contain a bed (however you'll need to bring your own pillows and duvet, or they can be purchased at the John Foster reception), a desk with a desk chair, a bedside table, wardrobe and an extra chair. Depending on your room type, you may have an en-suite bathroom or a common one. Bear in mind that if you want to use the internet in your room, you may need to register for it.
What will happen on the day we arrive?
On the day you arrive in Leicester, you will be met by the committee in Oadby and you will be assigned your INTROweek pass, a timetable for the week and directions to the room key collection area if you haven't done it already. After you've put your bags in your room, there will be a chance for you to meet and socialise with the other medics before going to dinner (which will be provided in one of the halls).
Do all medics live together?
No. There isn't any medic-specific accommodation, although chances are you'll have another medic somewhere nearby. The whole point of INTROweek is to get to know your fellow coursemates anyway, so accommodation doesn't limit you.
What do I get with a medic sports pass, and how do I buy it?
The medic sports pass can be bought together with your LUSUMA membership card at the beginning of the year. It can also be bought online, or in person from any of the sports captains or LUSUMA committee. With the medic sports pass, you can join any medic teams you want for that academic year.
What do I get with a university sports pass?
A uni sports card will allow you to use the gym facilities at the university, both in Oadby and on campus. There are different types of sports cards, some more inclusive than others, and you can choose the one you think is best for you.
How do I get to uni from Oadby?
Getting from uni to halls and back is easy, and you can get the 80 or 80A bus. These buses run every 10 minutes from 8am until 5pm Monday to Friday, and a bit less frequently in the evenings. Up-to-date timetables are on Arriva's website - though be careful in the mornings because the buses fill up fast. The 31 bus also runs every day from London Road to the bottom of Oadby - handy sometimes if you don't mind a walk either end. Because INTROweek happens before the beginning of term, the 80/80A might not be running, but there will be buses organised for you and/or LUSUMA committee members will be there to walk you to and from uni if needed. Cycling is always a good option - it's cheap, only takes twenty minutes, you don't have to wait for the bus and it keeps you fit.
Each one of you will be assigned two Medics Parents, who are students from the year above you that are there to help you throughout your time at medical school. You will get to meet your medic parents and siblings on the Monday night of INTROweek, and your family will organise other opportunities to meet up to get to know each other during the year. Your medic parents will also give you advice on studying and revision, and will organise some revision sessions to make sure you're on the right track.
What is the PJ Pub Crawl?
PJ Pub Crawl takes place on the Tuesday of INTROweek and is one of the most anticipated nights of a Leicester medic! All of the first year medics wear pyjamas, while the older years wear fancy dress (and we all take it very seriously with a long time organising the costumes!). On this night, there is also be a PJ Grub Crawl running alongside the pub crawl, so that you don't have to come to bars and pubs if you don't want to but can still have great fun and dress up.
Why do I need to bring sportswear for INTROweek?
One of the nights of INTROweek is Sports Night, where you get a chance to get to know the various medic sports societies. For this evening, the dress code is sports attire so you'll need to take some sportswear with you. And remember, you don't have to be interested in joining any sports to come along.