Semester 1

CSB520 - Disease Processes

General Tips:

Focus on the Learning Objectives (LOs).

  • The lecturer, Christine, explicitly states which information is assessed. If the course structure remains the same, she would tell you guys in the introduction: All exam questions are based on the Learning Objectives, given at the end of each lecture slide.
  1. Before attending the lecture or watching the recording, jump straight to the last slide of the presentation. This is where the Learning Objectives (LOs) are listed, usually in the order they appear in the lecture. 
  2. Use the LOs to guide your attention. When attending the lecture (in-person or recorded), you can passively listen to content that isn't directly tied to an LO.
  3. At the end of each lecture, Christine typically reviews the LOs and provides the answers. 
  • All exam questions (mid-sem and final) are based almost literally on the LOs. If you can confidently answer and explain every single learning objective, an HD is practically guaranteed.
  • I used Quizlet, with one side of the card showing the learning objectives and the other side the answers. While the content is quite straightforward, make sure to revise consistently, as leaving things to the last minute can easily snowball.

Other Assessments:

  • Assignment 1: Clinical Skills: This assignment takes place during your practical sessions. This is fairly new as back in our days we just had quizzes at the end of each practicals.

OPB352 - Ocular Anatomy & Physiology 1

General Tips:

  • Super content heavy subject. A large portion of this subject is rote memorization (names/locations), but a large portion is understanding how structure relates to function, how the anatomy allows the physiology. Always stay on top of your lectures and revise regularly, leaving it to the last minute won't be a good idea.
  • Use image occlusion in Anki or use Quizlet/Powerpoint slides to study. For a given ocular structure, occlude the structure name, features & functions. Also, I personally found drawing diagrams of structures useful in consolidating my understanding of the structures & made it easier for me to remember them long term.

Practical Sessions (4 Sessions):

  • Group Presentation: You will lead one practical session with your friends. Don't be too stressed about having to know everything; demonstrators will help out. Just be ready to answer questions when demonstrators ask you about the content. They will usually ask you something very simple.

Slide Exams:

  • You will be identifying structures and occasionally functions presented on slides. Your Image Occlusion flashcards will be your best friend here

Final Exam:

  • “The way to do well is to recognize that a portion of this subject is just rote memorization. The specific names and facts are crammable but only if you've been consistent.”
  • “The larger portion of the subject is understanding how structure relates to function. How the anatomy allows the physiology. “
  • “The concepts relate many ideas, thus revising this often or at least understanding it thoroughly once during the semester makes final cramming much easier. If you leave the conceptual understanding until the final week, you will struggle.”

OPB353 - Ophthalmic Science 1

General Tips:

  • Not a content heavy subject, however it may take some time to understand the theory part and to master the calculation. I found DA’s explanation a bit difficult sometimes, and found using the Jalie textbook very helpful. It also has extra calculation practice questions. Lots of later on concepts build on the foundational concepts such as prisms & ray diagrams, so master them early to make your life easier. You might find concepts such as bifocals, prismatic effects & decentration difficult if you lack the foundational understanding of prisms.

Practicals:

  • Read through the practical worksheet & revise relevant contents before attending practicals to make sure you know what’s going on and to work efficiently. It just makes your life easier and less stressed during pracs. 

Slide Exam:

  • Expect the unexpected and memorise anything with a diagram in the lectures. Also having a good understanding of the prac contents, such as using a geneva lens measurer and a vertometer may be very helpful. DA also loves ray diagrams.

Final Exam:

Consists of the Calculation & Theory Sections, with most being theory.

  • Theory: Be able to memorize any random information, especially from Modules 13-17. Even if something is given as one line in the lectures, DA can put a 5-mark question on it.
  • Calculations: Keep up with your contents and make sure to practise & review them regularly. Keep reviewing them even though you think you know how to do  them as you might forget them and have to teach yourself all over again later on.
  • Try teaching the calculations to your friends. This helps build upon your own understanding, especially when your friends ask questions that invite discussion and highlight your own knowledge gaps.

QUT You

General Tips:

  • You guys are the first cohort to go through this! Identical to what you guys did in first year, this is a Pass/Fail unit so gives you the opportunity to focus on other content heavy subjects (OPB352 & OPB353).

There are two assessments across the semester:

  • Reflective Journal:  for the Seeing Me, Seeing You core unit
  • One additional assignment: depending on the QUT You option you choose

TIP: Choose your QUT You option wisely. Each one has a different assessment format — it could be an in-person verbal pitch, portfolio, reflection, or video recording. Pick a unit that interests you and has an assessment style you’re comfortable with (or one you think will take less time), so you can dedicate more focus to your other subjects.