Access Student Starts Journey to Becoming a Doctor

East Sussex College student and blogger, Hannah Gale, who is studying an Access to HE course in Medicine at ESC Lewes, has been offered a place at medical school - the next step in becoming a qualified doctor!

In September, Access to HE student Hannah will continue in pursuit of her dream job as she is set to start her first year of studies at Brighton and Sussex Medical School! Her goal is to become a fully-fledged, qualified doctor by 2029.

Speaking to the College about being offered a place at medical school following her studies at ESC, Hannah said, “[When I found out I’d been offered a place at medical school] It was easily one of the greatest achievements of my life and the rush was overwhelming. I was standing in my kitchen cooking dinner whilst refreshing the UCAS homepage, when I saw the offer and I immediately started crying and then had to explain to my kids that they were happy tears.

“It's something I'd thought about for maybe a decade but always thought it was impossible or a bit of a silly idea because I already had a career and I was juggling small kids too, but it just feels so right and I can't wait to see where it takes me. I will be studying at BSMS [Brighton and Sussex Medical School] which is split across both university campuses.”

She added, “I'm really excited to get started, and it's made so much more exciting by the fact so many of my Access classmates will be starting at the same time. We've formed such amazing friendships [at the College] and really support each other, so it'll be great to continue to share that bond whilst we start on our medical degrees. I'm looking forward to continuing learning more about how our bodies work, whilst also getting hands-on experience within the medical industry.”

Studying an Access to HE course at ESC has been a positive experience for Hannah, both in an educational and social sense.

“I've really enjoyed my Access to HE course. There's been a great variety of subjects and assignments,” said Hannah. “It's also been brilliant to have our own common room to relax in and work in, which has been incredibly useful when studying for medical school entry exams. We used to stay late one night a week and order pizza and complete mock exams together - it will always be one of my favourite college memories!”

Hannah also praised the level of support she has received from tutors at the College throughout her journey studying an Access to HE course in Lewes.

She said, “The tutors have always been incredibly helpful and easy to get hold of whenever there's been extra questions about assignments or workload. They've also been kind and fair which is really appreciated especially when so many of us have kids or jobs outside of studying. It's nice to be treated as an equal as an adult learner, and makes the experience so much more enjoyable.”

If you’d like to follow in Hannah’s footsteps and pursue a career in your dream industry, please click here to find all of the College’s Access to HE courses.