First Day

Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
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I remember my first day.

I've already met some friends from orientation. Lecture Hall was packed. Professor was up front, saying his welcome, and then jump right into anatomy. Almost everyone took notes. Some were nervous, others excited.
Just think back to your first day of classes as a college freshman - everyone with a clean slate, even ground, fresh start - full of potential - all dreading the amount of material what will be dumped within the next few days
 
I honestly don't remember my first day at all. I remember the general idea, but it really wasn't all that different from any other day.

Hell, I barely remember my first year, and it isn't even over yet.
 
group_theory said:
I remember my first day.

I've already met some friends from orientation. Lecture Hall was packed. Professor was up front, saying his welcome, and then jump right into anatomy. Almost everyone took notes. Some were nervous, others excited.
Just think back to your first day of classes as a college freshman - everyone with a clean slate, even ground, fresh start - full of potential - all dreading the amount of material what will be dumped within the next few days
Click to expand...
Great... I can't wait for the morning anatomy lecture in Ginsburg 🙁.
 
Sorry to be a downer but it's just like every other day in med school (well the first 2 years anyways)...BORING
 
I'll agree with TT here. I can't remember the day itself but I do remember the general idea.

It's funny to think back to class back then. How everyone has changed, clicked up, etc...

I do remember trying to take notes on notebook paper undergrad style... That ended real quick. It was tough getting into the swing of things learning how you study (which is different from undergrad), but once you do life becomes a tad easier.
 
I started my first day with orientation last Tuesday and it is almost exactly like when you first started college. (We do anatomy/embryology/radiology and doctoring course in the summer) Everyone is searching around trying to find people they click with. The first orientation day was kind of a dream state for me. I was given so little notification and felt like it was a joke still, then I realized how boring it was. It is sitting...all day. Go get photo taken. Sit. Get laptop. Sit. Have lunch. Sit. Fill out more forms. Sit.


It is a whole lot of climax for what I suspect is going to end up being little surprise.
 
First day of actual classes.... walk in with laptop, paper, pens. Books. Quickly realize that you're absolutely FLYING, you have NO time to look at your book for reference, you can't write that fast, and holy crap you've gone through 4 chapters today. Go to anatomy lab, meet your table-mates. Unzip your body bag, wrap your cadaver parts as necessary, turn cadaver, quickly figure out who is squeemish and who isn't. Watch two people faint. Skin the body. Figure out that everything you eat somehow tastes like formaldehyde, but you're also strangely starving. Then your SO (if not in med school), bluntly tells you you REEK, even after two showers. You start reviewing all that material you went over in class today, realizing that you're already behind, you also need to read for tomorrow, you can't keep up, and you gotta figure out how the heck to manage this much information because it just isn't physically/mentally possible. Oh, and did I mention you didn't finish your lab and you have another tomorrow?

Welcome to med school.
 
Good Lord the last two years were a blurr......

First day I think we started with orientation in the morning and then jumped right into anatomy lectures in the afternoon. There was definitely that nervous excitement sort of energy in the room. With few exceptions, no one really knew each other so you're also trying to see what sort of personalities are there and who all is in your small group.

Overall, enjoy your first two years and soak in as much as you can. In my opinion, these first couple years absolutely suck, but, at least here, the people made it worth it. I've made some life long friends and the people you become close to will be VERY important (along with your sig other) in helping you maintain your sanity.
 
Thanks for the diarrhea guys.

Next question: how much different are you, academically speaking, after say, 3 months? A year?
 
MossPoh said:
I started my first day with orientation last Tuesday and it is almost exactly like when you first started college. (We do anatomy/embryology/radiology and doctoring course in the summer) Everyone is searching around trying to find people they click with. The first orientation day was kind of a dream state for me. I was given so little notification and felt like it was a joke still, then I realized how boring it was. It is sitting...all day. Go get photo taken. Sit. Get laptop. Sit. Have lunch. Sit. Fill out more forms. Sit.


It is a whole lot of climax for what I suspect is going to end up being little surprise.
Click to expand...


Dang Moss I didn't know you started already, thats crazy! I remember you posting years ago as a med school hopeful! I can't believe its actually beginning. I'm starting in August and getting a little nervous. I suppose most of you had some doubts going into it. I'm excited for the challenge.
 
goosedander said:
Thanks for the diarrhea guys.

Next question: how much different are you, academically speaking, after say, 3 months? A year?
Click to expand...

Good question. I'd like to hear thoughts on this too.
 
It's hard to answer with any objectivity, but my husband complains often about how fast I read, how fast I flip through channels/reading the TVGuide, my lack of patience with anything slower than I'm comfortable with... he stated he was rather in awe that someone can actually absorb this much information this fast. you get used to it. You figure out quickly what's important, how to pick out what you really need to know, what you can let go, and what you're willing to settle for if you have a life outside of med school.

Academically speaking, a 21 credit semester where I took Pchem, biochem, real analysis, and linear algebra II all at the same time (yes, I really did) looks like grade school in terms of workload.
 
nlax30 said:
Good Lord the last two years were a blurr......

First day I think we started with orientation in the morning and then jumped right into anatomy lectures in the afternoon. There was definitely that nervous excitement sort of energy in the room. With few exceptions, no one really knew each other so you're also trying to see what sort of personalities are there and who all is in your small group.

Overall, enjoy your first two years and soak in as much as you can. In my opinion, these first couple years absolutely suck, but, at least here, the people made it worth it. I've made some life long friends and the people you become close to will be VERY important (along with your sig other) in helping you maintain your sanity.
Click to expand...

Congrats on getting your boards done nlax. I hope you did well
 
Cp22kjer said:
Dang Moss I didn't know you started already, thats crazy! I remember you posting years ago as a med school hopeful! I can't believe its actually beginning. I'm starting in August and getting a little nervous. I suppose most of you had some doubts going into it. I'm excited for the challenge.
Click to expand...

Its an odd feeling for sure. I've met some solid people here and everyone seems equally nervous. There are a few of the people that want straight A's or whatever, but most of us just want to survive and try to find a spot for fun.

It is amazing to think back 2+ years when I first started reading these boards and thinking how the day will never come. My examkracker books freshly purchased while taking gen chem I. It is also going to be amazing in the next 4 years when I think back to these first days and all of my fears. We meet our "first patient" tomorrow and start dissection on Monday. They start early to kind of crescendo the work so it isn't like getting hit on the head with a large boulder....just a small one.
 
MossPoh said:
We meet our "first patient" tomorrow and start dissection on Monday. They start early to kind of crescendo the work so it isn't like getting hit on the head with a large boulder....just a small one.
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Right on bud. I'm pumped for you. Let the craziness begin.
 
VERY CHILL. I remember what I was doing at that time: checking out girls in my class😀.
 
Plenty of that is going on too. Especially since our class is like 53 or 54% female and about 7 or 8 guys are married while only 1 or 2 girls seem to be.
 
First Day of Class for us was a breeze. We dont have anatomy the first 6 weeks. The universal " OMG" came the first part of MSK when we got heavy doses of anatomy. Then instead of studying, to calm your fears, they kept us in lab till 5.
 
MossPoh said:
Plenty of that is going on too. Especially since our class is like 53 or 54% female and about 7 or 8 guys are married while only 1 or 2 girls seem to be.
Click to expand...

Dang that sounds like a pretty young class. For some reason I thought there would be more married/engaged/couples.

Goodluck scoping. I hope you find something pretty to look at. Artwork always creates a better environment....
 
Bacchus said:
I'll probably fall asleep during lecture the first day... great.
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No way, you'll be too stressed out if you start anatomy and if its anything like ours was. It pretty much felt like being sat down in front of a fire hose and they said start drinking.

Its funny though because as my studying habits have changed and I've gotten better at absorbing the material I've found myself studying less for the same grades. And I've also realized that having some fun and keeping my sanity and getting B's and the occasional C is infinitely better than busting my nuts all day every day and getting A's. Grades just arent that important to me, and the amount I would have to try to get the A just isnt worth it to me coming from a non-science background. Its crazy to think that after two days I can be 14 lectures behind and not care at all anymore. Its much easier to get through the lectures and pull out the important info now, but it took most of the year.

I've also found that if i really keep up with things the few days before the exam the night before it really helps to head off to the next town and go grab some dinner and a drink or two and relax and review with a few friends. Sounds crazy I know, but I did better on the last two exams that we did that. So its what I'm sticking with 🙂.
 
The "oh my god" moment still hasn't hit me. Looking at the first powerpoint lectures, I'm not sure it will until the stuff builds up a little thicker. They are just much kinder to us here since we start in the summer I think.

I did get a bunch of my books today. I spent 30 minutes just staring at pictures in Rohens. They are purty.
 
Do you know what's scarier (or more anxiety inducing) than first day of medical school?

First day of residency :meanie:

BEEP BEEP BEEP

"Hi, your patient in room 26 has chest pain. His pulse is 140, and he is only sating 85% on a nonrebreather. What do you want me to do?" 😱:scared:
 
This is the best post I've read in a month...
 
group_theory said:
Do you know what's scarier (or more anxiety inducing) than first day of medical school?

First day of residency :meanie:

BEEP BEEP BEEP

"Hi, your patient in room 26 has chest pain. His pulse is 140, and he is only sating 85% on a nonrebreather. What do you want me to do?" 😱:scared:
Click to expand...

Yea. One of my profs was talking about her first day in residency and how she would think, "This guy needs a doctor. Oh crap, I am the doctor!". She talked about some of the nurses holding her hand through the stuff at first.
 
First day of school was really just a giant pissing contest, where everyone is assessing all the other people in the class, you're trying to make sense of your schedule, and they're throwing 80 million papers at you to fill out. You'll also get the typical "this is medical school, you will be physicians, come prepared to learn" talk. Then some kind of lunch/social activity thrown in.

You'll be fine.
 
rose351 said:
No way, you'll be too stressed out if you start anatomy and if its anything like ours was. It pretty much felt like being sat down in front of a fire hose and they said start drinking.

Its funny though because as my studying habits have changed and I've gotten better at absorbing the material I've found myself studying less for the same grades. And I've also realized that having some fun and keeping my sanity and getting B's and the occasional C is infinitely better than busting my nuts all day every day and getting A's. Grades just arent that important to me, and the amount I would have to try to get the A just isnt worth it to me coming from a non-science background. Its crazy to think that after two days I can be 14 lectures behind and not care at all anymore. Its much easier to get through the lectures and pull out the important info now, but it took most of the year.

I've also found that if i really keep up with things the few days before the exam the night before it really helps to head off to the next town and go grab some dinner and a drink or two and relax and review with a few friends. Sounds crazy I know, but I did better on the last two exams that we did that. So its what I'm sticking with 🙂.
Click to expand...

You've summed up my first-year experience as well. If we were at the same school, I would want to put off studying and go get a drink with you.
 
group_theory said:
Do you know what's scarier (or more anxiety inducing) than first day of medical school?

First day of residency :meanie:

BEEP BEEP BEEP

"Hi, your patient in room 26 has chest pain. His pulse is 140, and he is only sating 85% on a nonrebreather. What do you want me to do?" 😱:scared:
Click to expand...

Yeah dude. Im so excited for July 1. Wait, no:scared:
 
3shtr said:
You've summed up my first-year experience as well. If we were at the same school, I would want to put off studying and go get a drink with you.
Click to expand...
Tell you what, if you're ever 'round these parts we will. 🙂. I had some tonight, and I'll probably have some tomorrow too lol. CAGE??? Naaahhhhhhhhhhhh O=)
 
ShyRem said:
It's hard to answer with any objectivity, but my husband complains often about how fast I read, how fast I flip through channels/reading the TVGuide, my lack of patience with anything slower than I'm comfortable with... he stated he was rather in awe that someone can actually absorb this much information this fast. you get used to it. You figure out quickly what's important, how to pick out what you really need to know, what you can let go, and what you're willing to settle for if you have a life outside of med school.

Academically speaking, a 21 credit semester where I took Pchem, biochem, real analysis, and linear algebra II all at the same time (yes, I really did) looks like grade school in terms of workload.
Click to expand...



Well put.

I do everything....FASTER...now. My wife will often get mad at me because of my impatience. I need to work on that. Hell, I even get bored watching sports now...that NEVER used to happen.


rose...i'm glad to see you've come to your senses. 😉

That being said...89's really, really suck.



As for the first day of school...just go in with the knowledge that you're already about 2 weeks behind....and that will be a good start.

I still remember how freaked out we were about the Brachial Plexus. Good lord that's funny now.
 
Hahaha, the Brachial Plexus. That would be a welcome relief right now.
 
I'm doing it now and don't think it is bad. It is just drawing it over and over again. I have a bigger issue telling what the hell is what in a cadaver.
 
The brachial plexus is easy. I don't know why everyone makes such a big deal about it. The hardest thing for me was keeping everything straight with cords/divisions/trunks/roots and all that ****, or whatever the hell it was.
 
The hardest part for me was picking out all the crap surrounding it.....so far. Haven't been tested on it, so maybe some weaknesses will pop out.
 
ShyRem said:
brachial plexus reminded me of waffle fries when I was dissecting it.
Click to expand...
Yeah. Those sound good right about now. Stupid formalin always made me so hungry. I would just walk in the lab and see a big deltoid or glut max laying there and start thinking about pot roast and be starving.

What did the fat remind you of?




(runny scrambled eggs??) hahaha 😀
 
I went to a south american grill with all you can eat meat. Half the stuff they brought out looked like deltoid or pec.
 
rose351 said:
Yeah. Those sound good right about now. Stupid formalin always made me so hungry. I would just walk in the lab and see a big deltoid or glut max laying there and start thinking about pot roast and be starving.

What did the fat remind you of?




(runny scrambled eggs??) hahaha 😀
Click to expand...

Yahhhh...I'm happy I'm a vegetarian. Unless there is something in a cadaver that looks like broccoli or wheat toast that I'm not aware of yet...
 
I wanna eat a case of white castles minutes before my death, so at least the people dissecting me will have something to snack on.
 
maldabrroc777 said:
Yahhhh...I'm happy I'm a vegetarian. Unless there is something in a cadaver that looks like broccoli or wheat toast that I'm not aware of yet...
Click to expand...

Hmm... Well, brain can be a little like tofu, at least in consistency.
 
rose351 said:
that sounds delicious.
Click to expand...

Oh it was.

I have to say, nerves and arteries do look kind of like pasta for you vegetarians. Fat looks like scrambled eggs sometimes. Some of the fascia comes off in thin sheets and looks like the paper they use to roll sushi in. There are plenty of things you can make look like vegetarian food.
 
First day of medical school? Well, we're on a systems based program so we had our cell science class which is a mix of biochem, cell biology and a bit of Robbins thrown in for good measure (at least chapters 1-4).

So the first day we start off with first year orientation for an hour and the phase director takes a class picture of Luibel hall with all of our bright, smiling faces.

First lecture is on the carbonic anhydrase reaction and the basics of amino acids. Having never had biochem, I'm thinking,"Do I really need to memorize the pH levels at which all of these begin losing things? Should I be able to draw all those 20 structures?"....Quickly realized that we had covered about two chapters in one hour, an entire year of undergrad chemistry in the next hour and an entire year of ungrad orgo chem in the next.

In the first two weeks, we had covered my entire ungrad semester long genetics course while increasing the detail level by an order of magnitude. I aced it in undergrad but pulled a high C on the exam over that section.....

After about 3 months you learn to memorize the PPTs, backfill with whatever reading you need or if you're really a masochist (like me) you continue to do all the reading and sleep deprivation after 2.5 months of 4-6 hrs qpm sets in.....You learn to live from exam to exam, what food joints deliver and what it takes for you to do well.....

It's an awesome experience and yeah, the brachial plexus would be gravy right about now.....

You'll do fine.Stockpile sleep.....
 
We had a week of nearly full day orientation. It was incredibly boring. They polled us the next year about orientation, and most people stated "Shorten it!", but they extended it to 10 days. You will have so much wasted time throughout the first two years. OMM in general, BS psych and multicultural classes. I spent more time on ebay browsing than listening the first year during class. You will have required clerkship orientations 9 months in advance taking up your lunch/free time with which you will gain nothing from.
 
We had a 4 day long orientation and it was painfully long. Can't imagine 10. The lunches started out awesome and slowly became less as the week progressed. We get assigned laptops, so day two was kind of fun in that we got some electronics, but that was killed by the 2 hours of tech lectures on how to use it.
 
And the tech lectures are usually so ridiculously boring and basic that its a waste of time. At least if you have any computer knowledge AT ALL.
 
Well, I never knew that microsoft could make adding a calendar from the intranet so friggin complicated. I figured it out but it made me feel better to have my macbook at the end of the day. I am not bad with tech at all but I just never used vista for much of anything. I never had a reason to. Man, I just feel angry every time I have to take 20 steps to do something basic.
 
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