Hello from London again! Finally, a little extra sleep! For the first time in what feels like forever, the lecture at RGS began at 9:30 AM today which meant a slower morning start. Although I’ve been lucky enough to be living in a hotel (huge win), there’s a catch! RGS and Imperial are both around a 25 minute walk away, so early wakeups are still a must if I want to make it on time. In fact, my fitness app has been left awestruck too, it’s been sending me daily notifications about smashing record-breaking step counts (20,000 steps every day). Who needs a gym when you’re at LIYSF?
Well, Today’s format was slightly different and very exciting. Based on each student’s specialist lecture selection, we were divided into groups and headed into different lecture halls. I had chosen the one that focused on rewiring the brain after critical illness and WOW, it was incredibly insightful. The session explored the human science of survival, detailing how trauma and stress linger in the brain even after physical recovery. The discussion on patients’ neurological responses post-ICU was particularly moving. It wasn’t just about biology; it was about humanity.
But here’s the twist and trust me, it was SO AMAZING! After a 2.5 hour long lecture followed by a hot lunch, each group was tasked with presenting what they’d learned on stage at RGS, in front of everyone. This was part of a plenary session where 8 groups shared highlights, insights, and reflections from their chosen lectures.
Each group had two hours to prepare their performance. We could pick any format – roleplay, mime, musical performance, TED Talk style presentation or even interview-based dramas. It was so much fun ! The energy during prep time was electric, with people running around scripting, designing slides and props, coordinating visuals and getting into character. The creativity? Unreal.
When evening rolled around, every student gathered for the plenary session. The room was buzzing. The professors were clearly as excited as we were, maybe more. Each group brought something unique to the stage from powerful performances to hilarious reenactments. And then came the showstopper: a group that presented their learning through a rap about AI, styled like Barbie. It was equal parts genius and hilarious, one of the most unforgettable moments of the forum so far!
Some students wrapped the night with optional theatre visits, while others just utilized the time to rest. And with that, Day 8 came to a close !!
