From Medical School Rejection to Redirection

Author: Hodan Bashir

Hodan had dreams of studying Medicine, but after four rejections she found herself lost. Luckily, she found out about gap-year tutoring with Yipiyap, and bagged herself a Medical School offer following the experience,

Four medical school rejections and no backup plan. A tough time in which I was feeling disheartened, with my dreams of becoming a doctor suddenly seeming out of reach.

However, everything changed when my teacher told me about Yipiyap, a tutoring company giving a presentation at our school.

Although I was initially unsure, I attended with a friend, not realising how this opportunity would end up shaping my gap year - and my future - in ways I never expected.

Gaining Life Skills That Will Last a Lifetime

At first, tutoring was a challenge. I quickly learned that teaching isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. Initially, I tried explaining concepts the way I understood them, only to find that each student learns differently. This required me to adapt my style, which in turn strengthened my communication skills.

I introduced new tactics, like incorporating review questions to reinforce past topics and using blank slides to encourage students to work through problems themselves. This allowed them to actively participate, improving their ability to retain information and build confidence. The experience of adapting my teaching methods to suit each individual was invaluable - and similar to what I imagine treating patients will be like as a future medic.

Tutoring taught me patience, the importance of clear communication, and how to adapt under pressure. These skills are vital for any profession, especially medicine, where each patient will require a tailored approach, just like students require different teaching methods.

Balancing Gap Year Work with Resits & UCAS

During my gap year while working at Yipiyap, I hadn't really planned on what else I was going to do. Many people had suggested that it was a time for me to relax and enjoy myself, but my experience turned out quite differently. I did manage to go on a nice holiday with my family during the summer, which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, when I returned, I had to retake my UCAT exams, and then shift my attention to my application and personal statement for medical school.

After an anxious wait, I finally received an offer in May, and I couldn’t have been happier - all my hard work had paid off! I had the rest of summer ahead of me, and I knew time would be tight once I started medical school, so I decided to spend my time wisely. I saved up as much money as I could, got my driving license and spent more time with my family. I accomplished a lot and it was great to be able to balance all of this alongside my work with Yipiyap.

Advice for Gap Year Students: Focus on Your Journey

One piece of advice I would give to anyone taking a gap year is to not compare yourself to others. Whether you’re working, learning new skills, or taking a well-deserved break, your gap year is a personal journey. Everyone has different life situations, and we should not compare our lives to others, but rather ensure that we are grateful and content with ourselves.

If you do take a year out, jut use your time wisely in ways that benefit you personally. It’s not about fitting into a specific mold but about growing and preparing for the next chapter of your life.

Shaping Lives

What I loved most about Yipiyap was how us tutors, having recently completed our GCSEs or A-levels, could relate to the students we were helping. We had fresh perspectives on exams and could share tips that were still relevant. I really enjoyed helping my students and I was lucky enough to receive messages that I did make a difference to their grades and that they felt that they could not have done it without me, even though I know that they were very capable!

More than anything, Yipiyap showed me that making an impact on someone’s life - whether through tutoring or, eventually, in medicine - is what truly matters. That’s something I’ll carry with me throughout my career.