It has been surprisingly rare that I question my decision to attend medical school. The rigors of the preclinical years (these first two years) are certainly manageable. Stressful at times, but I think my classmates and I cope pretty well.

Enter Behavioral Sciences II. An intro to psychology and a smattering of topics that are important but don't fit in elsewhere in the year. Some of the cheerful topics included the high rates of physician suicide, drug and/or alcohol abuse. It was no secret to me upon starting this process that medicine is generally a high-stress field. However, these alarming statistics combined with horror stories from residents and upper level medical students about life, or lack thereof, down the not so distant road for the first time left me wondering what the hell I got myself into. Clearly not everyone copes in the above mentioned ways, but a life in any way resembling those things is not what I have planned for myself, nor my dear friends and colleagues.

Luckily, there was a light at the end of the tunnel: spring break! I got to spend an entire week visiting with family and friends, catching up on some Board review, and some much needed me-time.

Transitioning back to life in Richmond and school wasn't easy, but I am now feeling back in the swing of things and enjoying the Women's Health course. And now that we are back, it's full speed ahead. No rest until the Boards are over (more or less). Woo hoo!