Saturday, August 29, 2009
Second week down and our first block exam as well!
All of our exams are in blocks, so whatever classes we are taking at a given time, usually 2 (that is, 2 core classes, not including some that run through the year which are not included on these exams), are both tested on the exam. They are really easing us in, giving us ample time to finish, but I heard a rumor that they gradually shorten the amount of time we are given per question. All of this is, of course, in preparation for the boards next year.
I am thrilled with my score and now I have a taste of what I should expect and how to stay on top of the material! It's a great feeling to know that I can now tuck away those 300 pages of syllabus (not burn them, as I heard one classmate suggest) and move on to the next round.
Just as a reference of how fast we move here, I believe in undergrad we spent somewhere around a week studying the lac operon in bacteria. In this course we covered approximately the same depth of material in 2 syllabus pages, or around 6 powerpoint slides! The material is really condensed and I do feel lucky to have taken biochemistry and molecular biology classes before. Some of my classmates are not so lucky!
I'm off to enjoy my last free weekend until October. These rare and special weekends after Friday exams are termed "golden weekends" because we essentially have no new material to learn over the weekend!
All of our exams are in blocks, so whatever classes we are taking at a given time, usually 2 (that is, 2 core classes, not including some that run through the year which are not included on these exams), are both tested on the exam. They are really easing us in, giving us ample time to finish, but I heard a rumor that they gradually shorten the amount of time we are given per question. All of this is, of course, in preparation for the boards next year.
I am thrilled with my score and now I have a taste of what I should expect and how to stay on top of the material! It's a great feeling to know that I can now tuck away those 300 pages of syllabus (not burn them, as I heard one classmate suggest) and move on to the next round.
Just as a reference of how fast we move here, I believe in undergrad we spent somewhere around a week studying the lac operon in bacteria. In this course we covered approximately the same depth of material in 2 syllabus pages, or around 6 powerpoint slides! The material is really condensed and I do feel lucky to have taken biochemistry and molecular biology classes before. Some of my classmates are not so lucky!
I'm off to enjoy my last free weekend until October. These rare and special weekends after Friday exams are termed "golden weekends" because we essentially have no new material to learn over the weekend!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
I now have one week of medical school under my belt. This week they eased us in with just our first two classes, Medical Biochemistry and Population Medicine. Next week Foundations of Clinical Medicine is thrown into the mix as well as our first exam covering the first two weeks of Biochem and Pop Med. Time is already flying by!
I am already noticing an improvement in my study habits. My ability to focus has increased over the week and I am able to cover more material in a shorter amount of time. It's been over three years since I was in school, so this is a huge relief. Still, I'm not quite ready for the added classes and demand for my time. So it goes.
Other than school, I am working hard to achieve a good balance of working out, eating and sleeping. So far so good! Outside of that, well, there isn't a whole lot outside of that. I guess that's what I signed up for! Work, eat and sleep. That is my life now!
I am already noticing an improvement in my study habits. My ability to focus has increased over the week and I am able to cover more material in a shorter amount of time. It's been over three years since I was in school, so this is a huge relief. Still, I'm not quite ready for the added classes and demand for my time. So it goes.
Other than school, I am working hard to achieve a good balance of working out, eating and sleeping. So far so good! Outside of that, well, there isn't a whole lot outside of that. I guess that's what I signed up for! Work, eat and sleep. That is my life now!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Well folks, orientation week is about to wrap up. Meeting my 200 new classmates throughout the week has been exhausting and fun, but next week this gets real. No more 'for fun' quizzes or lectures about dealing with stress--on Monday at 9am we crack our phone book of a biochemistry syllabus and there's no turning back!
Yesterday, my classmates and I were cloaked in our first white coats in front of 1,000 of our parents and friends. I felt the pressures of being a pre-med melt away as the new pressures and responsibilities of being a student doctor and future physician were literally placed on my shoulders. During the ceremony we took the Oath of Hippocrates:
I do solemnly swear by that which I hold most sacred,
That I will be loyal to the profession of medicine and just and generous to its members.
That I will lead my life and practice my art in uprightness and honor.
That into whatsoever house I shall enter, it shall be for the good of the sick to the utmost of my power.
That I will hold myself aloof from wrong, from corruption, from the tempting of others to vice.
That I will exercise my art solely for the cure of my patients and will give no drug, perform no operation, for a criminal purpose, even if solicited, far less suggest it.
That whatsoever I shall see or hear of the lives of men and women which is not fitting to be spoken, I will keep inviolably secret.
These things I promise and in proportions as I am faithful to this my oath, my happiness and good repute be ever mine, the opposite if I shall be forsworn.
Yesterday, my classmates and I were cloaked in our first white coats in front of 1,000 of our parents and friends. I felt the pressures of being a pre-med melt away as the new pressures and responsibilities of being a student doctor and future physician were literally placed on my shoulders. During the ceremony we took the Oath of Hippocrates:
I do solemnly swear by that which I hold most sacred,
That I will be loyal to the profession of medicine and just and generous to its members.
That I will lead my life and practice my art in uprightness and honor.
That into whatsoever house I shall enter, it shall be for the good of the sick to the utmost of my power.
That I will hold myself aloof from wrong, from corruption, from the tempting of others to vice.
That I will exercise my art solely for the cure of my patients and will give no drug, perform no operation, for a criminal purpose, even if solicited, far less suggest it.
That whatsoever I shall see or hear of the lives of men and women which is not fitting to be spoken, I will keep inviolably secret.
These things I promise and in proportions as I am faithful to this my oath, my happiness and good repute be ever mine, the opposite if I shall be forsworn.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
I am finally home (away from home) in Richmond! The road was long, but the trip was well worth it. My mom and I traveled over 3,000 miles, got to attend my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary, visit my aunt in Spearfish, SD, see Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands, the world's largest ketchup bottle, and Santa Claus, IN (among other things). What an adventure! I will post more pictures and things when I have time to upload them and/or have a good internet connection.
Today I finally got to see my house and meet my roommate and landlord for the first time. The house has great character, is in a great neighborhood, and I look forward to getting to know my roommate better. The next few days will be busy buying, well, everything! I moved all my stuff in a Mini, for crying out loud! Orientation starts Monday and classes the following Monday. By the looks of our calendar, life is about to step into high gear. Goodbye lazy days of summer, hello doctor training!
Today I finally got to see my house and meet my roommate and landlord for the first time. The house has great character, is in a great neighborhood, and I look forward to getting to know my roommate better. The next few days will be busy buying, well, everything! I moved all my stuff in a Mini, for crying out loud! Orientation starts Monday and classes the following Monday. By the looks of our calendar, life is about to step into high gear. Goodbye lazy days of summer, hello doctor training!
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