Pursuing a childhood dream
To pursue her dream career as a dentist, Holly McLean moved her life 956 kilometers north to Cairns from her hometown of Emerald in 2021. Growing up, she experienced firsthand the challenges rural communities face in health service delivery and she’s passionate about making a difference.
With one year down, she shared with us some of her reflections and highlights from 2021 and her top tips for our new dentistry students…
I wanted to become a dentist… because smiles make me happy! It’s something I’ve been pretty set on doing since I was in grade 10. I did work experience at a dental practice in my hometown. Everyone was so nice, and it looked like a very rewarding job!
I chose to study at JCU… after hearing a lot of JCU Dentistry graduates say they really enjoyed it. Plus I like the lifestyle up here more than I would in a big city like Brisbane.
My favourite thing about studying here so far… is the simulation clinic sessions. It’s hands-on training and a taste of what we’ll be doing as dentists. I love that JCU has such a strong focus on practical learning and getting us job-ready. We get plenty of time to practice fine motor skills. The sim clinic professor Dr Kevin Ang certainly keeps things interesting. He is always very cheery and bubbly and shouts ‘dingle!’ every time something drops on the floor.
Scholarship brings balance to university life
I’ve been surprised by… how much of our foundational learning is in anatomy and chemistry. It’s all quite new to me and there is a lot of information to take in, but I know it will set me up well for what is to come.
The biggest challenge for me… has been keeping on top of the workload. It’s manageable but you can feel stressed at times, particularly when it comes to exams.
My initial thoughts on the JCU Dentistry cohort… is that it’s a very close-knit community! Before starting, I thought everyone was going to be ultra-competitive and unfriendly, but it’s not like that at all. I feel like people are here to help each other out, particularly the higher-year students. On many occasions they would check on us first-years and give us study tips and advice based on what they learned when they were in our position.
My study advice is… you’ve got to take care of yourself to keep on top of the workload. Sometimes you just have to step away from the desk and go out for a walk or have dinner with friends. Maintaining a good work-life balance is very important. Also, keep on top of taking notes during the week and then review and consolidate them during a bit of quiet time on the weekend.
I make the most of uni life by… getting involved! The JCU Dental Students’ Association (JCUDSA) hold a lot of events where you can get to know your own year level and other Dentistry students as well. Everyone has been super welcoming to me as a first-year and I’ve met a lot of great people.
Helping me make the most of uni life is a scholarship from the QCoal Foundation. I couldn’t imagine not having it because I think I’d be a lot more stressed about money and balancing work and study. The scholarship covers day-to-day expenses and things like travelling home to visit family. If you’re studying, or about to commence study, I recommend checking out the list of JCU Scholarships.
I’m interested in working in a rural or remote community… because I’ve seen the need. Coming from Emerald in Central Queensland I have noticed that there are fewer opportunities to access health care services in rural areas. I had friends who had braces and they would have to travel three hours to Rockhampton just to get them checked. It highlighted the need and has definitely made me interested in working in a town after I graduate.
My reflections on the learning experience one year in… JCU is a really good place to study dentistry! There is a fantastic clinic here, the course is set up well and the professors and other staff here just want the best for you. It is a relaxed lifestyle here in Cairns so you can focus on your studies while still enjoying your time here as well.
My top tip for exploring Cairns… is to check out the Earl Hill walking track at Trinity Beach. It’s really nice to do in the afternoon and has a beautiful spot to watch the sunset.
JCU Dentistry’s focus on practical work skills is producing in-demand and work-ready graduates, like Lovjeet Kalkat. You can read more about her rural placement experiences and her defining moments in becoming a dentist.
