The Faculty of Medicine of Charles University in Pilsen, founded in 1945, is another subsidiary of Charles University. So if you are not drawn to the capital of the Czech Republic or you are directly from Pilsen, LFP is the obvious choice. The faculty is a modern institution that is constantly evolving to provide quality education and be a centre of innovation in the healthcare sector.
The history of the faculty spans the period after the end of World War II, when it was established in response to the need for qualified doctors in the region. Since then, the Faculty has expanded its activities considerably. One of the faculty's distinctive features is its focus on interdisciplinary collaboration. Students have the opportunity to participate in projects that combine medical skills with technological and scientific research. This provides graduates with a broad perspective on modern medicine. There is also the possibility of an international internship or Erasmus.
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The faculty actively invests in research, focusing on areas such as genetics, oncology, neuroscience and infectious diseases. The university includes a Biomedical Centre, whose main focus is on developments in organ replacement and regeneration. The Centre is open to all students and graduates. If you are attracted by a career as a scientist in the medical field, do not hesitate to send your application to Pilsen. This drive for innovation and discovery strengthens the faculty's position within the national and international scientific community.
Teaching at the Pilsen faculty emphasizes practical skills and clinical experience. Students have the opportunity to work in modern clinical facilities and engage in community projects, preparing them for the challenges of modern healthcare. Credits and extra study points can be earned in subsequent years as part of the SPCP elective. The course involves creating teaching materials, assisting in full-time teaching or carrying out your own projects. The study campus has a modern spirit, with a new study room and library, and further afield a canteen and café, which you will appreciate especially during exam period.
Overall, the Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen is a centre of excellence, combining a rich tradition with a modern approach to research and teaching. Its contribution to the development of the medical sector and patient care is undeniable. Let's take a look together at how Erik evaluates his studies at the faculty.
What led you to study medicine?
My high school days were spent in a medical school, which was a major influence in my choice of further studies. Although I don't remember the pivotal moment for deciding to go to medical school but I was terribly fascinated by the human body, how everything works and we also had a bit of a clinic to diversify and I still wanted to help others. I consider high school to be one of the best times in my life even though it wasn't exactly easy near the end. I was very worried about the entrance exams because we only had subjects like biology, physics and chemistry for the first 2 years of our studies. That's why I didn't underestimate my preparation at the beginning and I started my preparation in the 3rd year. It wasn't the easiest or the hardest, but I made it through.
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Why did you choose the medical faculty in Pilsen?
I applied to 3 medical faculties in Košice, Ostrava and Plzeň. My dream faculty was in Košice because I wanted to stay at home in Slovakia. Overall distance was not taken into account. The first place I applied for admission was in Ostrava, where I was accepted, but it was my last chance. Then I went to Plzeň, where my admissions also went well, and my last admissions were in Košice, where I honestly didn't even want to go anymore because I knew that I had been accepted to the LFP UK and I would start there. I always had the Pilsen faculty in the back of my mind that if they took me there, I would join, and that's what happened. It was more of an intuition that came out in my choice and I don't regret that choice, quite the opposite.
What do you like most about the faculty?
We are a smaller faculty, we mostly all know each other in the class and we have about 16 people in the circle. The different institutes are mainly located in two buildings that are right next to each other. We have a lot of student societies that students can get involved in. In the first year we have a course called Fundamentals of Clinical Medicine where we are required to visit a hospital in a department of our choice for 16 hours. I really appreciate the communication with the faculty, the study department and all the lecturers, they are terribly nice and know how to accommodate. When we have a problem or don't understand an issue that is discussed in class we can easily find a solution or compromise. The faculty has a family atmosphere and students help each other. We share materials with each other and give each other advice, it rarely happens that someone has nothing to learn from but rather still has a choice.
What do you want to know before freshman year? Any hints and tips on what to prepare for and what to avoid?
Try to learn how to plan your time. Find a balance between school and your personal life, and most importantly, don't compare yourself. Certainly don't study before starting freshman year, rather invest your free time in relaxation. You won't spend much time in school on average there are 1-2 mandatory practicums a day and of course lectures, which at our school are optional. Don't buy textbooks in advance, try to borrow it, try to learn from it and then buy it. A lot of resources and books are in pdf form as well. For me the biggest help has been the iPad. Over the course of the year most of my classmates purchased it. It allows you to take notes by hand straight into presentations or the textbook. Try not to neglect the material because it will catch up with you very quickly and there will be more to come. Grades are irrelevant, what matters is that you have an exam. One last piece of advice, study continuously so that you don't cram, it causes unnecessary stress.
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What's the biggest scare of freshman year and what's the thing you're least afraid of?
I'm sure everyone is worried about the amount of learning that needs to be mastered. With proper time management, it's definitely manageable. Personally, I found time for friends, family, hobbies, and relaxation. Some may worry about classmates, teachers, etc. But it doesn't have to be, everyone's awfully nice here. For me, it was the least of my worries, I knew there was always someone to hold me up.
How did you prepare for the exams? What helped you the most in your preparation?
Definitely to plan things ahead, to give myself a reserve of at least half the time I have planned. Figure out ahead of time what resource I'm going to use. To link the questions to each other. When learning anatomy, drawing pictures or diagrams and looking at blind pictures, 3D atlases and looking for structures helped me. The Anatomy Institute at LFP allows students to use the premium version of Complete Anatomy, many students have praised this. Don't stress when your exam gets a bit long, everyone has their own pace.
For the entrance exams as I mentioned I studied 2 years ahead but it's not necessary. I found a course that helped me a lot. For the LFP, the tests from previous years are important and the model tests especially chemistry and physics. In my opinion there is no point in looking at biology from old tests. In this case an overview of it is needed.
How do you rate the faculty facilities? What do you like the most?
What I like most about the faculty is the modern campus, which is full of gadgets and modern equipment. My 2 favourites are definitely the café with excellent coffee and the rooftop with a view of the whole Pilsen, I recommend a visit :). I also use the study rooms either individual or 24/7 study room.
How would you rate your first year of medical school?
The transition from high school to university was not bad for me. I got up to speed with the university system pretty quickly. I was quite used to a lot of the curriculum and I was able to plan my time. Studying in the Czech Republic taught me a lot of independence, for which I am very grateful.
What would I change? Probably nothing, everything happened the way it was supposed to.
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What would you say to future students of the faculty?
If you get the chance to try out for PE or exams, give it a try so you don't stress unnecessarily, I speak from personal experience :). In my second year we are starting to sign up for electives where there is quite a big offer. If you're interested in a schedule that isn't public yet, try looking at schedules from past years (most of them are inherited). You need a Pilsen card to travel by tram and public transport, I recommend getting one for discounted fares. Materials can be purchased on the LFP UK FB group Exchange (textbooks/scripts), there is also a new LFP UK Housemates group. Attend faculty events, enjoy student life so that you don't regret missing out and have something to remember. Most friendships are made here and when new ones aren't being made they are certainly being strengthened. Follow the social media accounts of the various institutes and societies, there is useful information there.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Do medicine with your heart.
Are you tempted by the new campus in Pilsen together with the Biomedical Centre? If so, definitely don't hesitate to send in your application. If you don't have your favourite yet, don't despair, next time we have a trip to Brno at MUNI MED.
@eriikdrobnak
article written by: Jana and Daniela
