By Anna Bedford-Shaw
Starting the year, I think we were all apprehensive about what lay ahead. I had little idea of what my life would look like over the next year. Our time in undergrad had been so predictable: lecture, tutorial, practical, repeat. Honours has offered us far less routine, but far more freedom to branch out into the areas that interest us most.
During our first two weeks, we had our general techniques lectures. It was a gentle introduction to what would eventually become a rather gruelling six months. It was so lovely seeing familiar faces from undergrad and catching up on everyone’s holiday adventures. We then embarked on our practical block, getting back into the swing of pipetting and labelling tubes, before moving into our theory blocks, complete with the field trip, immunology debates, posters, and presentations. The care and effort our module convenors put into the content and schedule were integral to making those 12 weeks as fascinating as they were.
It was around this time that I also began early lab work for my project, starting by learning mammalian tissue culture in preparation for the experiments to come.
As our theory blocks drew to a close, exams quickly approached. It was an odd and somewhat melancholic experience. For the past three years, studying for exams had always been a group activity. For the first time, I found myself studying alone, without my undergrad friends to take study breaks with or talk through difficult concepts.
Exams came and went, and life in the lab finally resumed. Jumping straight into full-time lab work was challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. I already feel confident and comfortable with the progress I’ve made so far, and I’m looking forward to finishing the year strong.
The best part of the year thus far has truly been the people who have supported me along the way. My IDI peers are definitely some of the smartest and funniest people I know. Spending time with them during and between lectures, or working alongside them in practical sessions, has been one of the highlights of my year. Our lecturers and demonstrators have been fascinating to learn from and engage with, and it has been such an honour to be taught by such passionate people. And finally, my supervisor and co-supervisors. I feel incredibly lucky not only to have been given the project that I have, but, more importantly, to have worked with the people that I have. They have taught and supported me with so much care and enthusiasm. There has truly been no such thing as a silly question, and reassurance has always been there in the moments I needed it most. I genuinely could not have asked for a better cohort, faculty, or lab group.
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