It has been three years since I placed RC001 at the top of my CAO list and I have never looked back. The decision was made after hours of contemplation, discussions with family members who studied business, literature and medical sciences, skimming through blogs between study sessions and reflecting on my future.

Start by asking yourself, “What course do I visualise myself in on a random Tuesday? What are you reading, creating, building or caring for?” If you do not like your imaginary Tuesday, you are unlikely to enjoy five years of it either.

To help understand which environment suits you best, engage in volunteering opportunities in various settings. For example, I spent several weeks observing different work environments, including a dental clinic, a GP clinic and a local creche. This gave me a realistic picture of each line of work and helped me decide where I could see myself in 10 to 15 years. Volunteering at a local nursing home made the choice of medicine clear; spending time with elderly residents, listening to them and caring for them made me realise how much I enjoyed those connections and how rewarding it felt to help.

If you are still unsure whether this course is right for you, attending open days can help demystify the college experience. Students and faculty showcase the facilities and resources available and offer insight into the curricula of various courses. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the information, so I recommend noting what you find appealing. Most importantly, enjoy your open day – chat with peers, ask questions and take your time.

Another tip is to reach out. Ask friends, family and neighbours about their careers and journeys and listen to their guidance. Speak to college students as well; ask what a hard week looks like, what surprised them about their course and why they chose it.

I chose to study Medicine at RCSI because it felt like the right fit for who I am and how I want to work. As a Leaving Certificate student, my confidence wavered during exam weeks and amid others’ opinions, but volunteering in local care homes kept me steady. Sitting with residents, listening and doing small, practical things made me realise how much I value those bonds. I briefly considered other courses, such as astrophysics after watching Interstellar or chemistry, but when I pictured my “Tuesday” five years on, I always returned to real people, real clinics and real impact. I wanted rigorous science with human meaning – to learn, to serve and to contribute research in medicine.

RCSI stood out as a healthcare-focused university with teaching, culture and facilities built for clinicians and researchers. The modern infrastructure at 123 and 26 York Street signalled that my study and skills would be supported from first principles to final-year preparation. That combination gave me confidence that even the hard days would feel purposeful. Since then, my plan has been simple: work hard, ask for help early and keep sight of the patients behind the pages.