Jean Adams shares a typical day A Saturday in June

0800 hrs - Woken by alarm set unusually early for a Saturday. In fact, pretty unusual to set alarm on a Saturday at all. Have sleepy debate with self re necessity for early rising that seemed so imperative last night in order to get a full day of revision in. Conclude that deserve at least a little lie in on a Saturday. Turn over. Resume slumbers.

0834 hrs - Woken, again, by flatmate clumping up stairs and relieving self with bathroom door open-jealous re obvious satisfaction that must be gained from making that much noise on such a regular basis. Presume this can only mean that others are getting up early to work. Turn over but can no longer sleep given guilt re assumed occupation of others in house. Drag self out of bed.

0850 hrs - Stumble into kitchen aware spectacles are not conveniently perched on nose as per usual. Observe that both flatmates are currently drinking very strong coffee and reading the Independent. Conclude that there is obviously no need to begin studies this early. Boil kettle, reach for section of newspaper, and establish patch of table for self.

0854 hrs - Reconsider dislike for self righteous Fergal Keane. This week he seems to have something to say that I might just agree with. Snigger at Howard Jacobson-again.

0920 hrs - Impress on flatmates seriousness of my need to finish the quick crossword but receive only useless help in return. Reflect on inability of such highly intelligent and well trained people to think laterally. Never mind. We'll be doctors soon and will have much more pressing things to occupy our minds.

0937 hrs - Toast and Marmite, twice.

1000 hrs - John Peel's dulcet tones replaced by 10 o'clock news. Jolted into realisation that the day's nearly over. Panic. Dress. Make cup of tea. Urinate. Brush teeth. Discuss plans for day with flatmates on way past their rooms to mine.

1032 hrs - Settle at desk.

1037 hrs - Check email-no new messages.

1040 hrs - Decide on music choice for morning. Resettle at desk.

1052 hrs - Awake from short lived dream and decide to concentrate on ophthalmology. Revise examination of the eye.

1059 hrs - Awake from second short lived dream. Rerevise examination of the eye. Examine teddy bear's eyes. Poor direct and consensual light reflexes noted.

1130 hrs - Not enjoying complexity of ophthalmology. Decide never to be an ophthalmologist -reinforced by memories of fainting in ophthalmology theatre. Flatmate appears to ask the stages of hypertensive retinopathy. Smugly recite and revel in own cleverness.

1140 hrs - Depression re ophthalmology resumes.

1142 hrs - Check email-no new messages.

1200 hrs - One hour of serious revision completed. Break.

1214 hrs - Phone call from friend inquiring re possibility of doubles badminton match this afternoon. Refuse with excuses of revision desperately needed.

1217 hrs - Consider lunch potentials.

1220 hrs - Resume ophthalmology revision. Decide must now know enough ophthalmology-only took three and a half days of five year course. Choose to move on to antibiotics.

1223 hrs - Mull on fairness of making self revise antibiotics on a Saturday.

1230 hrs - Phone call from second friend pointing out it is beautiful day (do you think I hadn't noticed?). Inquires re possibility for walk in country this afternoon. Point out problems due to foot and mouth disease. Jointly come up with convoluted plan for country walk which avoids all possible sources of foot and mouth. Decline invitation to execute plan due to need to revise.

1242 hrs - Start antibiotics.

1302 hrs - Disturbed by faintly audible sounds emanating from kitchen suggesting lunch is under way. Investigate. Join lunch party.

1336 hrs - Phone call from third friend inquiring re possibility of visit to photographic gallery followed by coffee and cake in town. Decline due to need to revise.

1340 hrs - Discuss many interruptions with flatmates and conclude that some activity this afternoon may be well deserved. Decide to take up the badminton offer. Phone friend number one to assess continuing availability of original offer.

1359 hrs - Emerge from large round of phone calls having eventually coordinated availability of both badminton court and players.

1400 hrs - Rest.

1415 hrs - Consider sense in returning to work now when have to leave house for badminton in 30 minutes. Play with pens. Look around room to assess other possible distractions.

1417 hrs - Decide to read novel until 1445.

1445 hrs - Throw sports things about. Run out of house in shorts and trainers carrying badminton racquet and bottle of water. Receive curious glances from passing neighbours. Dive into flatmate's car before confirming acceptability of assumption that he will drive. Receive frown and grudging agreement to drive.

1612 hrs - Return from badminton. Shower. Drink juice, eat cake, and read paper to recover from intense exercise.

1703 hrs - Eventually decide to resume work until antibiotics thoroughly known and understood.

1706 hrs - Check email-no new messages. Remember cost of checking email is 4.2p per time. Resolve to stick to resolution to check email only twice a day.

1800 hrs - Realise futility of earlier plan re antibiotics. Resolve to learn a few names maximum.

1823 hrs - Flatmates wander in to discuss supper plans. Consider. Deposit pen on book and potter downstairs thinking may return later in evening. Know highly unlikely.

1856 hrs - Berate self for complete lack of work today. Ignore self. Settle to relaxing evening with food, novel, and telly.

2012 hrs - Idea for article for studentBMJ re today's events enters head. Exasperated re lack of time for own interests due to need to revise. Decide to reward self for exceptional hard work with two hours at computer in near future writing amusing essay.