You've got this!

Sorry to disappoint, I'm just at Kalafong and not the Nan-an Buddhist temple performing. One could say if you were looking for me on the weekly update, it was the wong post. Okay I'm done with puns.

A HUGE HUG to everyone writing! Fingers crossed, toes crossed, and basically everything else crossed for you! You've got this!

On behalf of everyone in the circuit, we would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our seniors who have paved the way before us, especially those writing FCA 2 this coming Monday. Your guidance has been invaluable, and we wish each of you the best of luck!

We deeply appreciate all the seniors who have written before us, and who continue to offer their support—like lighthouses guiding a lost ship on its voyage. Your mentorship and wisdom mean the world to us.

As Robert Reffkin wisely says in his book, "No one succeeds alone." We have truly thrived because of the strong sense of community we’ve built together. As Llewellyn highlighted in the weekly update, we are fortunate to work alongside highly competent medical officers and registrars, a testament to the tireless efforts of our consultants.

Once again, we extend our deepest thanks to our consultants—both new and continuing—whose mentorship and dedication have been instrumental in shaping us into better anaesthetists. Your guidance and support have made all the difference in our journey.

While browsing through the internet, I came across some exam tips that serve as valuable reminders. It’s always helpful to refresh these strategies every now and then, as we can sometimes overlook simple tactics that could maybe make a difference.

During the Exam:

• Read Instructions Carefully: Take your time to read through the instructions at the start. Make sure you understand what’s being asked in each question before you begin.
• Scan the Whole Paper: Quickly go through the entire exam first to gauge how long each section might take. Tackle questions you feel most confident about first to build momentum.
• Time Management: Allocate time for each question based on its weight or difficulty. Keep an eye on the clock, but don’t rush. If you're stuck on a question, move on and come back to it later.
• Answer the Easy Questions First: This helps you get into the flow and boosts your confidence. Save the more difficult or time-consuming questions for later.
• Structure Your Answers: Organize your thoughts before writing your answer, especially for essay or long-answer questions. Start with a brief outline in your head or on the paper if needed. For multiple-choice, eliminate obviously incorrect options before making a decision.
• Stay Calm: If you get stuck, breathe and move on. Panicking will only waste time. Return to the tough questions when you're done with the others.
• Review Your Answers: If time permits, review your answers to ensure you haven’t missed anything or made any careless mistakes.

After the Exam:

• Don’t Overthink It: Once the exam is over, let it go. Obsessing over the questions will only add unnecessary stress. Focus on what you can control moving forward.

Remember, if you're looking for a quick laugh, our WhatsApp statuses always have random videos to cheer you up!

Also, in the spirit of "we listen & don't judge" - should anyone have any inputs or would like to write an article, please alert us 🫶🏻