The Contour Podcast

How do you navigate a small cohort where no one’s gone to med school in 30 years? What happens when your UCAT verbal reasoning crashes on exam day—and yet you still score a 3280? And why “not applying everywhere” quickly became Pania’s biggest regret? In the thirteenth episode of the Medical Student Interviews Series, we’re joined by Pania Paksa, a first-year JMP student based at UNE in Armidale....

How do you navigate a school where half the cohort wants to do medicine? Can "gaslighting" yourself through SACs actually work? What if the real secret to UCAT success isn’t doing more questions, but doing them differently? In Episode 12 of the Medical Student Interviews series, we sit down with Rithika Ramesh, a first-year Monash Medicine student, UCAT tutor, and MacRob graduate who scored a 99.5...

How do you navigate a school where half the cohort wants to do medicine? Can "gaslighting" yourself through SACs actually work? What if the real secret to UCAT success isn’t doing more questions, but doing them differently? In Episode 12 of the Medical Student Interviews series, we sit down with Rithika Ramesh, a first-year Monash Medicine student, UCAT tutor, and MacRob graduate who scored a 99.5...

What does it take to break through a UCAT plateau when nothing seems to work? How do you stay consistent when Year 12 feels like it’s falling apart? And what mindset actually gets you through the MMI doors? In the eleventh episode of the Medical Student Interviews Series, we’re joined by Jared Lim, a first-year Monash Medicine student and Contour MedPrep UCAT Live Mock Invigilator. He shares how a...

What are the keys to success for a 99.95 scorer? How do you beat the UCAT and come out in the Top 1%? How do you manage all your pursuits while still prioritising academic success? In the tenth episode of the Medical Student Interviews Series, we sit down with Pranav Choudhary, a second‑year Monash Medicine student with a perfect 99.95 ATAR and 99th percentile UCAT, to unpack the mindset, strategi...

How do you bounce back from setbacks on your path to medicine? What role does balance play in academic success? What happens when your UCAT doesn’t go to plan? How important is exploring all your options when applying to medical schools? In Episode 9 of the Medical Student Interviews Series, we sit down with Isum Malawaraarachchi, a first-year Bond University medical student, to explore his journe...

How do you navigate the path to medicine when you're the first from your school to do it? How do you succeed in a competitive field without guidance? How do you balance ambition with well-being in the demanding world of medical education? In the eighth episode of the Medical Student Interviews Series, we sit down with Samrath, a fourth-year Monash University medical student, to explore his inspiri...

What’s it like to make the leap from a big city to a regional town for university? What are the challenges and opportunities unique to studying medicine in a regional setting? How can you embrace big changes and thrive in a new environment? In this episode of the Medical Student Interviews series, we’re joined by Sithuli, a first-year medical student pursuing the regional medical pathway in Queens...

What does life beyond the structured routine of medical school look like? How can you balance work, military commitments, and a social life alongside rigorous tertiary studies? How can you get the most out of your years in university? In the sixth episode of the Medical Student Interview Series , we sit down with Eoghan, a third-year medical student, to delve into key topics such as navigating med...

How do you build confidence and thrive in high-pressure environments like VCE and UCAT preparation? How do you stay motivated when things don’t go as planned? How do you bounce back from setbacks and use them as stepping stones to success? In the fifth episode of the Medical Student Interviews Series, we sit down with Pranav, a first-year Monash University medical student, to explore his inspiring...

What’s it like to move to a new country for university? How do you manage the transition from high school to university life? How do you prepare for the UCAT, navigate the medical school application process, and excel in interviews? In the fourth episode of the Medical Student Interviews Series, we chat with Jonty, a second-year Monash University medical student from New Zealand. He highlights his...

How do I develop effective habits and avoid burnout in Year 12? How do I handle the pressures of leadership, extracurriculars, and study? How do I transition smoothly from high school to university? These questions are familiar to anyone navigating the high-pressure world of VCE and preparing for a career in medicine. In this episode, we’re joined by Aksharan, a first-year Monash medical student a...

How do I manage my time effectively? How do I maintain my mental health in year 12? How do I keep up with the workload needed to get into medicine? As the start of your final year of high school and the time to start UCAT preparation draws closer and closer, these questions become increasingly relevant. So, today we’re talking to Ethan — one of Victoria’s most successful year 12 students of 2023 —...

How do I choose my VCE subjects? How do I stay motivated throughout Year 11 and Year 12? How do I balance my studies with my social life? These are all common questions that might be running through your head as you approach your final years of high school. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, we’ve sought out one of Victoria’s top achievers to give us his perspective on these shared struggl...

Welcome to The Contour Podcast , where top students and tutors share their journeys and strategies for academic success. Our first series features interviews with medical students from Contour MedPrep , offering real-world insights into getting into medicine. Whether you're aiming for medicine or looking to excel in school, this podcast is packed with actionable advice to help you succeed.