I'm not Ross O'Carroll-Kelly in Manolos

FRESH START:I got it. I finally got it. After four years of striving towards my goal of getting into medicine, I was offered the chance to study medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI). You'd think I wouldn't even consider the offer - I was just days away from starting dentistry in Trinity. In fact, in my previous column, I was positively evangelical about dentistry.

However, when I was offered medicine, I was forced to re-evaluate everything I had been telling myself for the past six weeks. I knew nothing about RCSI. Everyone I spoke to offered the same advice; dentistry gives a better quality of life, fewer and more flexible working hours, more money, at least initially, better opportunities to have a social life, family etc, whereas medicine is extremely tough, yet occasionally very rewarding. For me, it came down to a conflict of head and heart.

I had five days to prepare for the big switch, which included withdrawing from Trinity, transfer of fees, orientation in RCSI, and most importantly, mentally adjusting to the idea that my dream was finally coming true. I also had to give up a week of work, as RCSI lectures started a week earlier than Trinitys. This may seem like a minor inconvenience, but for a student's tightly planned budget, it can be the equivalent of the Wall Street Crash of '29.

So Freshers' Week began in RCSI, and I didn't know a soul in the place. Thankfully, a warm friendly atmosphere prevails in "Surgeons", and within minutes I had made friends. The students are thoroughly diverse in culture, from all corners of the globe, but our reasons for being there are similar. As the Royal College specialises in the medical field, everyone there was entering a course in medicine, pharmacy or physiotherapy, and looking around, we could all appreciate how hard our fellow students had worked to get there.

I've been busy since, from Sports Day to a treasure hunt around Dublin (with €1,000 cash prize), to nights out and a "White Coat Ceremony" to mark the start of our foray into the medical world. I've opened two new student bank accounts. I didn't need another one, let alone two, but they were offering so many free goodies that I couldn't resist. All students are also provided with laptops at registration, but I m still fiddling with mine, trying to get used to it.

I've stayed away from the internet in recent months - too busy getting here - but I'm aware that there's been a bit of discussion about my diary on the boards. Perhaps I'm not the typical student. Perhaps most people don't take the Leaving three times. I know Ive been accused of being Ross OCarroll Kelly in Manolos. Perhaps I did become the in-joke for the Class of 2008 with my shoe fetish and my iguana (poor Romeo - never asked for the exposure).

However, I was just doing what a hassled student does, giving myself the occasional treat and perhaps being too honest about it. As I walked down Grafton Street the other day, I heard a group of students whispering (loudly) about how they got their 580 points quicker than I did. I envy them. I wish I could have done it sooner, but I've done it now and I feel I'm on the cusp of something very special.

If my Leaving Cert diary didn't have all the humility that some readers might expect, believe me I face the next six years with humble heart. I know what a privilege this is.

• Laura Brady was this year's Irish TimesLeaving Cert diarist