Conversation with Journey2Med

Meet Lydie and Hazal, two fourth year medical students based in the UK. This dynamic duo are not only excelling in their studies but are also using their experiences to help others. As educational content creators, they offer an insider's look into the life of a medical student and provide tips and advice for maximising academic potential, making their content accessible to students of all backgrounds. In this must-read interview, they reveal their journey, challenges, and the tips they've learned along the way.

Why did you decide to create Journey 2 Med?

Hazal: We started "Journey 2 Med" just before we entered Medical School, while attending the same grammar sixth form. During the medical school application process, we went to events together and helped each other with interviews.[AO(M3]?

By the time we received our offers, we realized that there was a lot of information out there that our peers at different schools didn't know. We also realized that we wouldn't have had access to all this information if we hadn't taken the initiative to attend events and gather information.

So, we decided to collate all this information onto one platform and help aspiring medics with their own journeys into Medical school, regardless of their background. We believe that the school you go to shouldn't determine if you can get into Medical school or not, but unfortunately there is still a gap in attainment between private school, grammar school, and state school students.

That's why we wanted to make our platform free and accessible on YouTube, to teach medical students about every aspect of the Medical School application process. After we entered Medical school, we started documenting what it's like, as we felt it was important to shed more light on the field. We knew a lot about getting into Medical School, but not much about what to expect once you're in. So now, our channel provides insight into the average life of a medical student and offers study tips.

When you first started creating content, did you expect to have such a large following on Instagram and YouTube? Did you anticipate such a great demand for your initiative?

Lydie: When we started Journey 2 Med, our primary goal was simply to put information about Medical School out there for the public. We didn't have a specific plan for our success as content creators, or even a set timeline for how long we would continue creating content. Our focus was just to follow our passion, purpose, and mission.

This approach has served us well, as our brand has taken on a life of its own and become a successful business model. We have had to implement strategy in order to maximise the reach of our information and meet our social media goals but starting without any specific goals in mind allowed us to remain true to our genuine desire to help others, connect with people, collaborate, and network. This focus on purpose has opened amazing opportunities and allowed us to touch so many lives.

It's great to hear that you are working together on this initiative. Can you tell us how important it is to have each other while creating Journey 2 Med and managing the business?

Hazal: It has been a valuable experience working alongside Lydie. When we first started, we were naive about what we were getting into and we had to mature in terms of how we communicate and work together. However, it has been amazing to work with someone who is determined and dedicated, like Lydie. We complement each other and bring out the best in each other, despite a few hiccups. It's amazing to have someone on your side with the same passion and mission, wanting to help as many people as possible.

Lydie: I agree with Hazal. Working with someone who has the same ideologies and values makes it easier, even though it hasn't been entirely easy. Hazal is a hard-working person and we are both willing to sacrifice a lot to maximize our ambition and help others. Being able to work with someone of her character has been very helpful.

What are some of the challenges you have faced while content creating?

Lydie: There are many challenges associated with content creation, especially when you're a full-time medical student. One of the biggest challenges is time management. Balancing the content creation process, including planning, filming, scripting, editing, and communicating with the team, all while keeping up with our studies, can be very demanding. It can also have a negative impact on our mental health.

Another challenge is dealing with criticism. Opening up to the world can be difficult and the fear of not receiving the same reaction that we hope for can be overwhelming.

Despite the challenges, there are many rewards to content creation. One of the biggest reasons is the enjoyment and excitement that comes from scripting and filming videos. Participating in different TikTok trends is also a lot of fun.

Another benefit is the friendships that are formed through content creation. As one of less than 10 black people in my cohort, I felt like I was sticking out like a sore thumb. People had preconceptions about me as a black girl, which impacted the rapport I was able to build with others. However, through my channel, I was able to connect with people who understand me and share common interests, even if we don't look alike. For example, people who understand the difference between box braids and a lace frontal wig. The online community is great, even though we may not know each other personally, we still support and care about each other. If it weren't for YouTube I believe my medical school journey would have been a lot lonelier.

Can you tell us more about your process for balancing Medical school and content creation?

Hazal: We start by setting a weekly plan every Sunday to make sure we have a clear overview of all our commitments for the upcoming week. We write down our educational, personal and social media tasks. This helps us assess if our workload is manageable and allows us to adjust tasks if needed. The weekly plan keeps us organized and on top of all our tasks and having a visual representation of our commitments ensures that nothing is missed and all deadlines are met.

Can you tell us why you both chose to study Medicine? What motivated you to pursue this career path?

Lydie: From a young age, I would say ‘I want to be a paediatric’. I was learning about child development, but I didn't take it seriously until I reached Sixth-form. I was faced with a decision to either study A-level Chemistry, which I couldn't study, or A-level Business, which I was interested in. To make the right choice for myself, I attended a National Medical Conference at Kings College London and heard a talk from a European cardiothoracic surgeon. After hearing her story, I realized that I wanted to pursue Medicine and help people. I also enjoyed learning about Biology and the sciences. To further solidify my decision, I did work experience and shadowed a GP. This allowed me to see myself in the role of a doctor, caring for patients. I also visited a plastic surgery clinic and observed procedures, which made me realize how interesting Medicine can be. All of these experiences led me to choosing Medicine as a career.

Hazal: Like Lydie, I had always said that I wanted to be a doctor, but I wasn't sure if being a Medical student was the right choice for me. To confirm my decision, I volunteered at a care home, where I worked with dementia patients, and also attended the same plastic surgery clinic as Lydie. Through volunteering as a first aid cadet, I was able to apply my scientific knowledge and see if I could see myself as a doctor in the future. All of these experiences led me to pursue Medicine as a career, and I haven't regretted it since!?