1st Week of Medical school

August 15, 2009

Well, one week down and a bunch more to go! This week school started with a heaping helping of biochemistry with a side of OMM thrown in for good measure. Again I found myself in awe of what God has done for me as I looked around the large lecture hall where it all started 4 years before. The best thing is that my mind is so much clearer and engaged now that the alcohol is gone I am actually enjoying the material and understanding it. There is alot to digest in a short amount of time, but so far it has been a blast to be doing this again. Our first test is in 4 days.

I have made it a point to not let myself get behind this time. What I have been doing is reviewing the lecture handouts and power points before going to class so that by the time I am in the lecture I have already been exposed to the material. I note specific points during class and then try to review my notes and handouts as soon after class as possible making it 3 times through the material. I then review what has been presented so far at night. This seems like it is working for me so far but the real proof will be after I take the test on Wednesday. I hope to continue like this as additional classes are added to the mix later this month. It will be interesting to see how I am doing when we are in the middle of biochemistry, gross anatomy has kicked in and OMM is in full swing.

I have also made it a point to do the majority of my studying at the school library. Last time out I tried to study at home (in fact all through undergrad I would study at home with the TV on and did well) and we all know how well this worked. I have found that now I really need to have a quiet environment to be able to truly focus so that means getting my butt away from the TV, out of the house and over to the school. The down side of this is that it means I spend more time away from my wife but she has been so supportive of me and is such a blessing. She is excited for me (and us) and says she can tell I am more excited and happy to be in school this time. She really is my biggest cheerleader and my best friend.

I also had a 12 hour night shift in the ER this week (7pm-7am). This was an exercise in endurance as that night in the ER was unusually busy and I had class the following day until 3:00pm. Needless to say by that afternoon I was wiped out and I did not get much studying done. As a matter of fact as I sat in the biochem lecture I was struggling to even comprehend the words of the professor. I was so tired it was sounding like a foreign language! Luckily I was able to review that lecture this morning and it all came together pretty well and I feel like I have a good grasp on it.

I am still working on the Navy application to the HPSP. Everything is in except two pieces of information that I will hand carry to their office on Monday and a couple of letters of recommendation. I hope to have this completed and done this week and then they will send my packet to the board. I am praying that they view my application in a positive light and accept me as this would be an answer to alot of things. But ultimately the Lord is in control and He knows what is best for my wife and I and where He wants to take us. I just need to follow Him. That really takes the pressure off!

On to week 2!