From HSC Setbacks to JMP Medicine | Medical Student Interviews #13

How do you bounce back from a low UCAT verbal score and still land a 3280? What’s it like studying medicine in Armidale, away from home? What were Pania’s biggest regrets in her journey to medical school? In Episode 13 of the Medical Student Interviews Series, we sit down with Pania Paksa, a first-year medical student in the Joint Medical Program (JMP) at the University of Newcastle and UNE. From a predicted ATAR in Year 11 that was far from her goals to an incredible offer to medical school next year, Pania shares the full story: resilience, regret, mindset, and what really matters. In this episode: ▸ Building community in a small, rural med school cohort ▸ Breaking down the JMP structure (PBL, anatomy, placements) ▸ UCAT pressure and a comeback after low VR score ▸ What she wishes she did differently during applications ▸ Year 12 strategies: motivation, subject selection, self-care ▸ Life in med school now — and what’s next! Interested in joining Contour, or just want to see what we’re all about? You can sign up for a free, no-strings-attached trial of our VCE or UCAT programs and see what makes Contour stand out firsthand! ⊳ SIGN UP AT: https://www.contoureducation.com.au/e... ⊳ LISTEN HERE YouTube:    / @contoureducationau   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0eZLC5h... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ⊳ GET IN TOUCH Website: https://www.contoureducation.com.au Instagram:   / contour.education   Facebook:   / contoureducation.au   ⊳ SPECIAL THANKS TO Host: James Blanch Guest: Pania Paksa AV: Will Alexander Music by: Projectify (YouTube:    / @projectifyofficial  ) Episode Breakdown: 00:00:00 – Intro & JMP First Impressions 00:01:41 – JMP Structure, PBL & Day-to-Day Life 00:03:53 – JMP Application Process & Regrets 00:08:22 – Year 12: Mindset, Subject Choices & Study Approach 00:12:47 – Support System & Extracurriculars Impact 00:16:59 – Time Management & Self-Care in Year 12 00:19:38 – UCAT Preparation, Practice & Exam Day Experience 00:32:00 – UCAT Lessons & Overcoming Low Scores 00:34:31 – MMI Adaptability & Interview Insights 00:37:43 – Starting Med School: Balance & Final Advice