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. She shares how she went from a predicted 88 ATAR in Year 11 to strategically rebuilding her Year 12 approach, finding a support system in leadership roles, and mastering a UCAT comeback that carried her into medicine.

In this episode we cover:

• JMP First Impressions: finding community in Armidale’s joint program
• JMP Structure & Day-to-Day: problem-based learning, anatomy, histology & PBL
• Application Strategy & Regrets: ATAR hurdles, UCAT thresholds & missing nationwide applications
• Year 12 Mindset: locking in, inspirational quotes & staying human under pressure
• Support System & Extracurriculars: parents, siblings, aunt/uncle and school captaincy
• Subject Choices & Study Methods: why challenging yourself matters—but don’t let scaling rule you
• Time Management & Self-Care: passive vs. active time, delegation and maintaining sanity
• UCAT Journey & Exam Day: catching the “UCAT wrath,” priming in the car, and clutching up after verbal reasoning
• UCAT Lessons: overcoming a 650 verbal score, mindset shifts & avoiding comparison
• MMI Adaptability: why letting everything go and “just being you” won on interview day
• Starting Med School: balancing “life” with lectures, placements & study moving forward
• Final Advice: “Do not wait for greatness—to get anywhere, you need focus, consistency and action”

Interested in joining Contour, or just want to see what we're all about? You can sign up for a free, no-strings-attached trial of our VCE or UCAT programs and see what makes Contour stand out firsthand!

Sign up at https://www.contoureducation.com.au/enrolment/

⊳ LISTEN HERE ⊲

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⊳ GET IN TOUCH ⊲

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⊳ SPECIAL THANKS TO ⊲

Host: James Blanch

Special Guest: Pania Paksa

Editor: SaoDigital

AV Technician: Will Alexander

Music by Projectify

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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 99.50 ATAR and 3310 on the UCAT. From moments of doubt to major breakthroughs, Rithika shares how she transformed VCE stress and UCAT stagnation into confidence, clarity, and success

In this episode, we cover:

• MacRob Realities: competition, camaraderie, and blocking out the noise in a selective school
• VCE Mindset: SAC setbacks, “gaslighting” yourself, and making mistakes work for you
• Subject Selection: why passion sometimes beats scaling—and can even lead to perfect study score
• UCAT Journey: from question spam to error logs and skill-building
• MMI Wisdom: soft skills, self-awareness, and the myth of the “perfect doctor”
• First-Year Med Life: simulated patients, practical learning, and the highlights of learning
• Why Medicine?: a personal story and reflection that truly changed everything
• Final Advice: resilience, kindness, and the long game of doing your best

Interested in joining Contour, or just want to see what we're all about? You can sign up for a free, no-strings-attached trial of our VCE or UCAT programs and see what makes Contour stand out firsthand!

Sign up at https://www.contoureducation.com.au/enrolment/

⊳ LISTEN HERE ⊲

Youtube

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

⊳ GET IN TOUCH ⊲

Website

Instagram

Facebook

⊳ SPECIAL THANKS TO ⊲

Host: James Blanch

Special Guest: Rithika Ramesh

Editor: SaoDigital

AV Technician: Will Alexander

Music by Projectify

Spotify

Youtube

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 99.50 ATAR and 3310 on the UCAT. From moments of doubt to major breakthroughs, Rithika shares how she transformed VCE stress and UCAT stagnation into confidence, clarity, and success

In this episode, we cover:

• MacRob Realities: competition, camaraderie, and blocking out the noise in a selective school
• VCE Mindset: SAC setbacks, “gaslighting” yourself, and making mistakes work for you
• Subject Selection: why passion sometimes beats scaling—and can even lead to perfect study score
• UCAT Journey: from question spam to error logs and skill-building
• MMI Wisdom: soft skills, self-awareness, and the myth of the “perfect doctor”
• First-Year Med Life: simulated patients, practical learning, and the highlights of learning
• Why Medicine?: a personal story and reflection that truly changed everything
• Final Advice: resilience, kindness, and the long game of doing your best

Interested in joining Contour, or just want to see what we're all about? You can sign up for a free, no-strings-attached trial of our VCE or UCAT programs and see what makes Contour stand out firsthand!

Sign up at https://www.contoureducation.com.au/enrolment/

⊳ LISTEN HERE ⊲

Youtube

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

⊳ GET IN TOUCH ⊲

Website

Instagram

Facebook

⊳ SPECIAL THANKS TO ⊲

Host: James Blanch

Special Guest: Rithika Ramesh

Editor: SaoDigital

AV Technician: Will Alexander

Music by Projectify

Spotify

Youtube

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 disciplined study system, a strong support network, and a major mindset shift helped him go from a 2700-point UCAT plateau to a 3260, excel in his ATAR—and walk into the MMI with confidence.

In this episode we cover:

• Monash Admissions Pathway: VCE, UCAT, MMI and the transition to medicine

• Year 12 Retrospective: Forest app routines, subject choices & friendships

• VCE Study Habits: flashcards, mock exams & mindful breaks

• Managing Exam & UCAT Nerves: support networks & long-term perspective

• UCAT Prep Journey: plateau, program guidance & consistency wins

• MMI Insights: practice, feedback loops & positive outlook

• The Power of a Support Team: teachers, family & peers

• Final Advice: do your best, never give up, and embrace the journey

Interested in joining Contour, or just want to see what we're all about? You can sign up for a free, no-strings-attached trial of our VCE or UCAT programs and see what makes Contour stand out firsthand!

Sign up at https://www.contoureducation.com.au/enrolment/

⊳ LISTEN HERE ⊲

Youtube

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

⊳ GET IN TOUCH ⊲

Website

Instagram

Facebook

⊳ SPECIAL THANKS TO ⊲

Host: James Blanch

Special Guest: Jared Lim

Editor: SaoDigital

AV Technician: Will Alexander

Music by Projectify

Spotify

Youtube

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, strategies, and pivotal shifts that have shaped his journey to medical school.

From a reflective approach to VCE revision, through overcoming the UCAT with a continually reflective mindset and navigating high-stakes interviews, Pranav shares how he’s learned to turn pressure into purpose. He explores with us why curiosity and reflection, not checklists and score hunting, is what really helps you succeed.

In this episode we cover:

• Life in Monash Medicine – Balancing lectures, anatomy labs, and Contour tutoring
• Making the Most of University Style Learning – Why studying in uni is so different from school
• From Clubs to Clinics – Leveraging extracurriculars for meaningful early clinical exposure and variety
• VCE Reflections – What he’d do differently, what he took on outside of study and were his keys to success
• Subject Selection Strategy – Why he chose methods, physics, and chemistry—and what he left behind
• Mindset Over Metrics – How “practice → reflect → improve” became his growth formula
• Handling High-Pressure Moments – Turning exam and UCAT nerves into performance fuel with “justified confidence”
• UCAT Strategy Deep Dive – Focusing on iterative progress, not just a target score
• Interview Habits That Last – Smashing the MMI and building a strong baseline so nerves don’t knock you off course
• Final Advice – Committing fully, avoiding regrets, and keeping curiosity at the core

Interested in joining Contour, or just want to see what we're all about? You can sign up for a free, no-strings-attached trial of our VCE or UCAT programs and see what makes Contour stand out firsthand!

Sign up at https://www.contoureducation.com.au/enrolment/

⊳ LISTEN HERE ⊲

Youtube

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

⊳ GET IN TOUCH ⊲

Website

Instagram

Facebook

⊳ SPECIAL THANKS TO ⊲

Host: James Blanch

Special Guest: Pranav Choudhary

Editor: SaoDigital

AV Technician: Will Alexander

Music by Projectify

Spotify

Youtube

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 journey into medicine filled with resilience, adaptability, and unexpected turns.

After seeing firsthand the power of medicine through his family’s experiences, Isum set his sights on becoming a doctor early on. But his path was anything but easy – from UCAT disappointment to unexpected rejections and the difficult decision to move interstate, Isum shares candid insights about his experiences and shows us the path to medicine is rarely linear, requiring flexibility and openness to different opportunities.

Isum dives into:

• Why he moved from Melbourne to the Gold Coast to pursue his dream

• How balancing sport, leadership, and academics helped build resilience

• What he changed after realising his study strategies weren’t working

• Why applying interstate — and not just to your “top choice” — can be a game-changer

• His honest take on UCAT disappointment (and how it taught him more than success ever could)

• Day-to-day life at Bond University and what it’s really like living on campus

• His work now with Contour MedPrep, helping other students navigate their journey to med

Isum's story highlights the importance of adaptability, reflection, and maintaining perspective when pursuing challenging goals. Whether you're preparing for the UCAT, choosing Year 12 subjects, or facing your own uncertainty, this episode is for anyone who needs a reminder that the road to medicine doesn’t have to be perfect — just persistent.

Interested in joining Contour, or just want to see what we're all about? You can sign up for a free, no-strings-attached trial of our VCE or UCAT programs and see what makes Contour stand out firsthand!

Sign up at https://www.contoureducation.com.au/enrolment/

⊳ LISTEN HERE ⊲

Youtube

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

⊳ GET IN TOUCH ⊲

Website

Instagram

Facebook

⊳ SPECIAL THANKS TO ⊲

Host: James Blanch

Special Guest: Isum Malawaraarachchi

Editor: SaoDigital

AV Technician: Will Alexander

Music by Projectify

Spotify

Youtube

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 inspiring journey into medical school.

From growing up in Bendigo, being the only one from his school to pursue medicine, to thriving in his clinical rotations, Samrath shares the strategies, lessons, and mindset shifts that helped him succeed. His reflections offer practical guidance and applicable insights for students aspiring to achieve their goals.

Samrath dives into:

• his experience as a rural student navigating the medical school application process on his own;

• the unexpected joy of his surgical rotation after initially dreading it;

• his approach to clinical placements and building relationships with healthcare teams;

• how reflection and consistency became cornerstones of his success;

• balancing professional development with personal well-being and interests;

• the challenges and inequities in regional healthcare systems;

• his work as Head of Sales at Contour MedPrep;

• and much more!

Samrath's story highlights the importance of self-starting, reflection, and balance in achieving both academic and personal success. Whether you're preparing for medical school applications, transitioning to clinical years, or interested in rural healthcare, this episode provides valuable strategies and inspiration to help you navigate your own journey with confidence.

Interested in joining Contour, or just want to see what we're all about? You can sign up for a free, no-strings-attached trial of our VCE or UCAT programs and see what makes Contour stand out firsthand!

Sign up at https://www.contoureducation.com.au/enrolment/

⊳ LISTEN HERE ⊲

Youtube

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

⊳ GET IN TOUCH ⊲

Website

Instagram

Facebook

⊳ SPECIAL THANKS TO ⊲

Host: James Blanch

Special Guest: Samrath Tiwari

Editor: SaoDigital

AV Technician: Will Alexander

Music by Projectify

Spotify

Youtube

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 Queensland. Having moved from Melbourne to Bundaberg, Sithuli shares her inspiring journey into medicine and reflects on her experience transitioning into regional life. She discusses the benefits of regional medicine, including greater hands-on experience, exposure to diverse cases, and the personal growth that comes with stepping out of your comfort zone.

Sithuli dives into -

• adjusting to life in Bundaberg after growing up in Melbourne;
• the distinctive opportunities in regional medicine, such as earlier patient contact and diverse medical exposure;
• the importance of resilience and adaptability in a new environment;
• strategies for excelling in medical school applications, from UCAT preparation to interviews;
• balancing academic pressures with mental well-being and self-care;
• building closer connections with mentors and peers;
• and so much more!

Sithuli reflects on the importance of taking opportunities, learning from challenges, and staying focused on long-term goals. Whether you’re considering regional medicine, preparing for the UCAT, or looking for inspiration to navigate your own medical journey, this episode is packed with valuable insights to guide and motivate you.

Interested in joining Contour, or just want to see what we’re all about? You can sign up for a free, no-strings-attached trial of our VCE or UCAT programs and see what makes Contour stand out firsthand!

Sign up at https://www.contoureducation.com.au/enrolment/

⊳ LISTEN HERE ⊲

Youtube

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

⊳ GET IN TOUCH ⊲

Website

Instagram

Facebook

⊳ SPECIAL THANKS TO ⊲

Host: James Blanch

Special Guest: Sithuli Mendis

Editor: SaoDigital

AV Technician: Will Alexander

Music by Projectify

Spotify

Youtube

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 medical school applications, admissions, and embracing the full university experience.

Drawing from his own journey, Eoghan reflects on the highs and lows of high school, extracurriculars, and leadership roles, while highlighting the wide array of opportunities awaiting determined university students.

Eoghan shares practical advice and personal insights on tackling a demanding Year 12, moving interstate for medical school, overcoming UCAT challenges, study tips, and maintaining balance as a tertiary student.

With a rich experience in academic, musical, creative and leadership pursuits, Eoghan shares with us his insights into –

• making the most out of Year 11 and 12;
• pursuing success beyond academics;
• managing School Captaincy and the responsibility of leadership;
• preparing for medical school applications locally and interstate;
• his role in Medical Admissions at Contour
• balancing aspirations for medicine and the military

Eoghan’s experiences speak to the importance of seizing opportunities, persevering through challenges, and using life lessons to inspire and guide future students. Tune in to this episode for invaluable insights, regardless of where you are in your school, study, or career journey. Few embody determination, resilience, and the courage to embrace every opportunity better than Eoghan!

Interested in joining Contour, or just want to see what we’re all about? You can sign up for a free, no-strings-attached trial of our VCE or UCAT programs and see for yourself what makes Contour stand out! Sign up here.

⊳ LISTEN HERE ⊲

Youtube

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

⊳ GET IN TOUCH ⊲

Website

Instagram

Facebook

⊳ SPECIAL THANKS TO ⊲

Host: James Blanch

Special Guest: Eoghan Kuiper

Editor: SaoDigital

AV Technician: Will Alexander

Music by Projectify

Spotify

Youtube

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 journey into medical school. From navigating the challenges of VCE and underperforming in his first UCAT attempt, to excelling after a transformative gap year, Pranav shares the strategies, lessons, and mindset shifts that helped him succeed. His reflections offer practical guidance and applicable insights for students aspiring to achieve their goals.

Pranav dives into:

• managing the demands of VCE studies while maintaining a social life and extracurricular commitments;
• developing confidence and resilience after setbacks;
• rethinking his UCAT preparation after his first attempt and crafting a winning strategy;
• how his gap year reshaped his approach to studying, mindset, and self-care;
• the challenges and growth that came from living independently during university;
• the importance of consistency, a strong support network, and a balanced approach;
• and much more!

Pranav’s story highlights the importance of adaptability, perseverance, and self-awareness in achieving both academic and personal success. Whether you’re preparing for VCE, UCAT, or transitioning to university life, this episode provides valuable strategies and inspiration to help you navigate your own journey with confidence.

Interested in joining Contour, or just want to see what we’re all about? You can sign up for a free, no-strings-attached trial of our VCE or UCAT programs and see what makes Contour stand out firsthand! Sign up at http://www.contoureducation.com.au/enrolment

⊳ LISTEN HERE ⊲

Youtube

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

⊳ GET IN TOUCH ⊲

Website

Instagram

Facebook

⊳ SPECIAL THANKS TO ⊲

Host: James Blanch

Special Guest: Pranav Praveen

Editor: Wazif Deen

AV Technician: Will Alexander

Music by Projectify

Spotify

Youtube