Go HARD or Go HOME???

[re4rMDlurker]

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I am returning to my 3rd year after a year off pursuing an MPH at my husband's school. I attempted to transfer, but there were no slots available...therefore I must go back to my home school😡 I am wondering if any of you have any advice about whether to do my "hard" semester(Med, Surg, Peds->I want to do Peds) of 3rd year first or last?

On one hand, if I am thrown into the thick of it will distract me from the misery of missing my husband. On the other hand, I could visit him/family and travel home more often in the beginning, when it will be especially difficult, if I do my "easy" semester first. Any advice?

 

[re4rMDlurker]

Thanks for not repsonding...

no prob I'll just go back to lurking...at least I get something out of it.

 

[TMP-SMX]

You wait 12 hours then get angry? 🙄

Anyway, I have no idea about any rotations as I'm just a first year, but why would you be angry you couldn't transfer? It's a huge rarity to transfer anyway.

As for which to do first, it probably depends on what you want to do. A lot of times the suggestion is to do your preferred specialty near the end and to do a similar field beforehand so you can hone your skills first.

 

[re4rMDlurker]

Angry is not a good word...for either situation!

Disappointed, since I just married my husband in june, and it would have been nice to actually LIVE with him, since that's usually how it works. I am going to miss him, but I love my med school, so in that regard it's good.

Oh, and I have to submit my request SOON, so I thought the "anger" would propel people to post😉

Thanks for your advice, but I pretty much know that, and am looking for more detailed advice from 3rd and 4th years...

 

[OddNath]

It's hard for us to give you any solid advice about this since this is ultimately a personal decision. We cannot figure out for you when you will need your husband the most. Nor do we know anything about your support structure at your home school.

The only 'objective' point I can make is that peds tends to be busier during the winter, which can be good if you're interested b/c you'll see more.

 

[re4rMDlurker]

It's hard for us to give you any solid advice about this since this is ultimately a personal decision. We cannot figure out for you when you will need your husband the most. Nor do we know anything about your support structure at your home school.

The only 'objective' point I can make is that peds tends to be busier during the winter, which can be good if you're interested b/c you'll see more.

That's the kind of practical advice I'm looking for...not "you will most likely need to to see your hubby in September, so..." Just practical tidbits that will help me make my decision.

Thanks!

 

[Tired Pigeon]

Schedule an easier rotation like psych (or a break) after your surgery rotation. A lot of people are pretty burnt out after surgery.

 

[haveaniceday]

I did surg/med/peds in the first 1/2 of 3rd year and felt that was a good way to go. The learning curve is steep with rotations that are all physically and mentally draining, but you will be well prepared for the rest of the year...and happy to have those 3 done.

However, don't underestimate the difficulty of ob/gyn, and I am not sure how your school is, but the other "easy" rotations like psych and neuro can be quite demanding as well. Honestly, there is no perfect way to plan things.

A lot of people have to do the long-distance thing during med school, and during 3rd year you might actually find it works out just fine sometimes...gives you more time to just crash when you get home and not worry about your husband feeling lonely, even when you're in the same house.

 

[MrBurns10]

I would do the hard semester first. It's always a good feeling when you finish the hard rotations, and you won't have that feeling of something looming. Besides, part of what may help you during the first semester is knowing that you'll get the "treat" of more weekend time to see your husband once you get through your first few rotations.

 

[smq123]

Thanks for not repsonding...

no prob I'll just go back to lurking...at least I get something out of it.

Just for future reference - the only people who can really answer that question are third and fourth years. If you ask it during the daytime, it may take a little while for people to answer - because we're actually at "work" during the day, and can't necessarily sneak off to use a computer for long periods of time. Sometimes we can, but not always.

I am returning to my 3rd year after a year off pursuing an MPH at my husband's school. I attempted to transfer, but there were no slots available...therefore I must go back to my home school😡 I am wondering if any of you have any advice about whether to do my "hard" semester(Med, Surg, Peds->I want to do Peds) of 3rd year first or last?

On one hand, if I am thrown into the thick of it will distract me from the misery of missing my husband. On the other hand, I could visit him/family and travel home more often in the beginning, when it will be especially difficult, if I do my "easy" semester first. Any advice?

I would agree with MrBurns, and do the hard semester first. Even if you do the "easy" semester, you may not be able to travel as much (depending on how far away you are). OB/gyn is often very physically demanding, and travel will make that worse. Even with psych (which is an easy rotation), I still had weekend call on occasion. Plus, even though psych was so easy, I was trying to adjust to the new schedule of third year, and I was tired all the time. (Sounds weird now, but I was.) I also had a hard time learning how to balance rotation duties with studying, and things like that. I doubt that I would have been willing to travel very much, even during the "easy" rotations.

 

[joe6102]

I did the long-distance thing with my wife for most of 3rd year, and in the beginning it was tough, but the hardest part was that January through March period when I was on Medicine q4 call and didn't even have enough time to call her some nights. We both kind of ran out of energy and had a hard time - we never thought about splitting up, but we fought a lot for the first time in a 6+ year relationship. So based on my experience, I'd say do the hardest rotations first, then you'll have free time at the end when it gets really hard being apart. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Blade28]

Thanks for not repsonding...

no prob I'll just go back to lurking...at least I get something out of it.

You've got to be a little patient! As stated above, many people don't check SDN until they're done for the day...which may be around 6-7 pm. Many new threads that arise late at night won't be addressed until the next afternoon.

Additionally, we had to move your thread from the Allopathic forum (aimed at MS-I and MS-II issues) to the Clinical Rotations forum (MS-III and MS-IV issues) since it dealt with rotation scheduling.

 

[re4rMDlurker]

Just for future reference - the only people who can really answer that question are third and fourth years. If you ask it during the daytime, it may take a little while for people to answer - because we're actually at "work" during the day, and can't necessarily sneak off to use a computer for long periods of time. Sometimes we can, but not always.



I would agree with MrBurns, and do the hard semester first. Even if you do the "easy" semester, you may not be able to travel as much (depending on how far away you are). OB/gyn is often very physically demanding, and travel will make that worse. Even with psych (which is an easy rotation), I still had weekend call on occasion. Plus, even though psych was so easy, I was trying to adjust to the new schedule of third year, and I was tired all the time. (Sounds weird now, but I was.) I also had a hard time learning how to balance rotation duties with studying, and things like that. I doubt that I would have been willing to travel very much, even during the "easy" rotations.

Again, I understand this, but the form is due tomorrow, and I wanted people to post ASAP, and I knew my getting defensive would accomplish this. AND...IT..WORKED! I definitely understand the fact that you people work and are crazy busy (I am a medical student), so I apologize for my methods, if they seemed insensitive.

Anyway, the advice was great, and I have decided to do the more challenging rotations first. Thanks for helping me with my 1st SDN post! You'll hear more from me in the future 🙂

 

[smq123]

Again, I understand this, but the form is due tomorrow, and I wanted people to post ASAP

In that case then:

a) Why the he** didn't you post it earlier? If the form is due tomorrow, and people aren't answering fast enough - then, sorry, you'll have to make the decision on your own. (The horror, I know. 🙄)

I know this wasn't your intention, but you came across as sounding very entitled. And there's no faster way to torpedo your grade as a third year than to sound entitled.

I knew my getting defensive would accomplish this. AND...IT..WORKED!

<Slamming my head repeatedly into walls.> Jesus Christ.

I definitely understand the fact that you people work and are crazy busy (I am a medical student), so I apologize for my methods, if they seemed insensitive.

b) You are a medical student, but not a med student on rotations yet. So while you may be busy, your schedule is STILL YOUR OWN. A third year student's schedule is not.

Just to be clear - it's not because people were ignoring you.

A lot of MS1s and MS2s (like yourself) have no idea about the pros and cons about rotation scheduling. You were clearly looking for answers from MS3s and above.

However, as mentioned, MS3s and above are in the hospital. And our time is usually spoken for.

* If they were on surgery or GYN, you have almost ZERO down time from between 5 AM and 1 PM. You're rounding on patients, running the list with the team, seeing the patient in the holding area, scrubbed in on surgeries, or escorting the patient to the PACU. No time for internet stuff then - even if there is, email (setting up research electives, setting up away electives, setting up appointments to talk about career counseling) comes first.

* If you're in the hospital on medicine or OB - most hospital computers actually censor which sites you can see. My hospital doesn't allow SDN or CNN - only sites where the address ends in .edu or .org. So, no SDN for me in the hospital, generally speaking.

* If you're on outpatient clinics, you often have a steady stream of patients. The only chance that I get to wrestle away a computer from a nurse is if I'm looking up labs or x-rays - but I can't sit there and do extraneous stuff (if I value my life, that is).

So this is what we're doing when we're not answering your pressing questions. (And what you have to look forward to next year.)

Thanks for helping me with my 1st SDN post! You'll hear more from me in the future.

c) If we hear more from you in the future - please post earlier if you're looking for an answer to your question. And please be willing to wait more than 12 hours when looking for an answer.

Good luck with rotations.

 

[re4rMDlurker]

Lord have mercy!!! It really isn't that serious people. I JUST found out on Tuesday that I had to turn the form in on Friday. It was a shock to me...both that I didn't get accepted and that I have to turn this in so quickly...most people get WEEKS. On top of all the stress regarding leaving my husband.

And since it was my FIRST POST, I don't know how quickly people respond normally...I just looked the next day and no one did, so I used some cynicism to get people posting. Now I know better.

I do not feel ENTITILED (I love how people make sweeping assumptions and generalizations about ones character and future potential based off of one post!)at all, but since this is is a message board where people espouse to help you with situations involving choices in medical school, I thought I'd ask for help...you people want more people to post and contribute, but when they do, you rip them to shreds.

I'll try to brush it off and move on and keep posting...but man, this is why 30,000 people will view, but only a few actually post. You have to have some thick skin apparently...

That's good though...getting used to some criticism is what I'll need for 3rd year right??? So it's all good.🙂

 

[smq123]

Lord have mercy!!! It really isn't that serious people. I JUST found out on Tuesday that I had to turn the form in on Friday. It was a shock to me...both that I didn't get accepted and that I have to turn this in so quickly...most people get WEEKS. On top of all the stress regarding leaving my husband.

And since it was my FIRST POST, I don't know how quickly people respond normally...I just looked the next day and no one did, so I used some cynicism to get people posting. Now I know better.

I do not feel ENTITILED (I love how people make sweeping assumptions and generalizations about ones character and future potential based off of one post!)at all, but since this is is a message board where people espouse to help you with situations involving choices in medical school, I thought I'd ask for help...you people want more people to post and contribute, but when they do, you rip them to shreds.

I'll try to brush it off and move on and keep posting...but man, this is why 30,000 people will view, but only a few actually post. You have to have some thick skin apparently...

That's good though...getting used to some criticism is what I'll need for 3rd year right??? So it's all good.🙂

I'm sorry if my post was harsh. I know that choosing third year rotations is a stressful time. And yes, I know that other people have more time to munch this decision over. (And I'm sure that it was stressful realizing that you were going to be apart from your husband for a prolonged period of time.)

But, in medicine as in real life, sometimes you have to make quick decisions based on the choices presented to you - and do so with as much grace as possible. I've had to, many of my classmates have had to. It's a part of growing up and entering a difficult career path.

And I did not say that you were entitled. I said that you came across as entitled. There's a difference. 😉

Part of the reason for my frustration is that, during rotations, I have been taken aback at how many of my classmates still expect to have their questions answered right away, and don't seem able to look things up or make decisions on their own. I have been scutted out by fellow 3rd year students who, unable to deal with it on their own, have dumped chores and problems into my lap and told me to "help deal with it." 😕

I have had internal medicine rounds prolonged by a student who was unable to look things up on her own, and asked the residents to explain everything to her. I mean, when your question is "What is Augmentin?", then I think that a reasonable third year student would know enough to look it up online...

And it all seemed to come down to this basic unconscious sense of entitlement - that they're entitled to have things spoonfed to them. That they're entitled not to have to be too stressed about things. That they're entitled to have their needs addressed quickly. That they're entitled to do things at their own pace - even though it's clearly much too slow in relation to the number of things that they need to get done.

But nobody's entitled to any of these things. And part of what distinguishes an excellent third year student from an average third year student is how gracefully you can deal with the added pressure and uncertainty of third year. As my classmate says, "S*** will happen to everyone. How YOU react to it determines what kind of a doctor you become."

And if this is the worst kind of scolding you get in third year, then you have ***** cats for residents. Geez, I got my head bitten off for not correctly pinching off the suction hose in the OR and "making too much noise."

 

[re4rMDlurker]

I'm sorry if my post was harsh. I know that choosing third year rotations is a stressful time. And yes, I know that other people have more time to munch this decision over.

But, in medicine as in real life, sometimes you have to make quick decisions based on the choices presented to you - and do so with as much grace as possible. I've had to, many of my classmates have had to. It's a part of growing up and entering a difficult career path.

During rotations, I have been taken aback at how many of my classmates still expect to have their questions answered right away, and don't seem able to look things up or make decisions on their own. I have been scutted out by fellow 3rd year students who, unable to deal with it on their own, have dumped chores and problems into my lap and told me to "help deal with it." 😕

I have had internal medicine rounds prolonged by a student who was unable to look things up on her own, and asked the residents to explain everything to her. I mean, when your question is "What is Augmentin?", then I think that a reasonable third year student would know enough to look it up online...

And it all seemed to come down to this basic unconscious sense of entitlement - that they're entitled to have things spoonfed to them. That they're entitled not to have to be too stressed about things. That they're entitled to have their needs addressed quickly. That they're entitled to do things at their own pace - even though it's clearly much too slow in relation to the number of things that they need to get done.

But nobody's entitled to any of these things. And part of what distinguishes an excellent third year student from an average third year student is how gracefully you can deal with the added pressure and uncertainty of third year. As my classmate says, "S*** will happen to everyone. How YOU react to it determines what kind of a doctor you become."

And if this is the worst kind of scolding you get in third year, then you have ***** cats for residents. Geez, I got my head bitten off for not correctly pinching off the suction hose in the OR and "making too much noise."

While I appreciate this post, and what you are trying to show me, let me explain something about myself, and you will see that I IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM exhibit entitlement.

I am the product of single family upbringing. I grew up in South Central LA. I have been shot at in a drive-by shooting. I have worked since 16. I worked sometimes 3 jobs in college. I came out, and could not apply to medical school right away...instead I took a year off-not to study for the MCAT, but to work full-time. I submitted my AMCAS application in stages, because of the money. I entered my #1 medical school, and struggled with financial issues throught. I NEVER GAVE UP. I married my high school sweetheart, moved to do the MPH. Thought life was getting "easier." My father died a week after I took Step 1. About 2 weeks after that, I had to stop school, because I had to have emergency surgery to remove a tumor from my ovary. I recovered in record time, in order to get a 4.0 in all of my courses.

Oh, and I'm black.

Please do not lecture me on dealing with stress, and being spoon-fed. I have not been spoon-fed anything IN MY LIFE. Don't even know what that spoon looks like.

Not that you deserve to know my life story, but since I have dealt with so much, I don't appreciate being lectured on dealing with one decision after asking for advice.

I have chosen my rotation order this week...I gathered input (and I appreciate ALL who posted) and made a decision. Let's all move on.

 

[smq123]

While I appreciate this post, and what you are trying to show me, let me explain something about myself, and you will see that I IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM exhibit entitlement.

I am the product of single family upbringing. I grew up in South Central LA. I have been shot at in a drive-by shooting. I have worked since 16. I worked sometimes 3 jobs in college. I came out, and could not apply to medical school right away...instead I took a year off-not to study for the MCAT, but to work full-time. I submitted my AMCAS application in stages, because of the money. I entered my #1 medical school, and struggled with financial issues throught. I NEVER GAVE UP. I married my high school sweetheart, moved to Columbus to do the MPH. thought life was getting "easier." My father died a week after I took Step 1. About 2 weeks after that, I had to stop school, because I had to have emergency surgery to remove a tumor from my ovary. I recovered in record time, in order to get a 4.0 in all of my courses.

Oh, and I'm black.

Please do not lecture me on dealing with stress, and being spoon-fed. I have not been spoon-fed anything IN MY LIFE. Don't even know what that spoon looks like.

Not that you deserve to know my life story, but since I have dealt with so much, I don't appreciate being lectured on dealing with one decision after asking for advice.

I understand that. And I did not call you entitled. And I was trying to make it clear that I wasn't lecturing at you specifically - just venting a little bit about some of the crap that my classmates have dealt me. And hoping that maybe, just maybe, 2nd years who are reading this can be prepared for what goes on during rotations, and be prepared for the other even more stressful, uncertain decisions that must be made further on down the road. But I obviously didn't make that very clear. I apologize if that wasn't made clear.

It's impressive that you've managed to deal with so much adversity so far. Keep it up, and you'll do very well in third year.

Good luck on rotations.

 

[Ypo.]

You have a lot to learn about how to correctly post a thread. And manipulating others is hardly a mature way to get a response.


And just for future reference, writing a page about how great you are is not the best way to show that you don't have an entitled attitude.

 

[re4rMDlurker]

You have a lot to learn about how to correctly post a thread. And manipulating others is hardly a mature way to get a response.


And just for future reference, writing a page about how great you are is not the best way to show that you don't have an entitled attitude.

Moving On. Next???

 

[Ypo.]

Moving On. Next???

I'm sure you can just ask for a few weekends off to go see your husband. If that doesn't work, you can always get all defensive about it.

 

[re4rMDlurker]

I'm sure you can just ask for a few weekends off to go see your husband. If that doesn't work, you can always get all defensive about it.

Touché😉

 

[Ypo.]

🙂

Best of luck.

 

[theraball]

While I appreciate this post, and what you are trying to show me, let me explain something about myself, and you will see that I IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM exhibit entitlement.

I am the product of single family upbringing. I grew up in South Central LA. I have been shot at in a drive-by shooting. I have worked since 16. I worked sometimes 3 jobs in college. I came out, and could not apply to medical school right away...instead I took a year off-not to study for the MCAT, but to work full-time. I submitted my AMCAS application in stages, because of the money. I entered my #1 medical school, and struggled with financial issues throught. I NEVER GAVE UP. I married my high school sweetheart, moved to do the MPH. Thought life was getting "easier." My father died a week after I took Step 1. About 2 weeks after that, I had to stop school, because I had to have emergency surgery to remove a tumor from my ovary. I recovered in record time, in order to get a 4.0 in all of my courses.

Oh, and I'm black.

Please do not lecture me on dealing with stress, and being spoon-fed. I have not been spoon-fed anything IN MY LIFE. Don't even know what that spoon looks like.

Not that you deserve to know my life story, but since I have dealt with so much, I don't appreciate being lectured on dealing with one decision after asking for advice.

I have chosen my rotation order this week...I gathered input (and I appreciate ALL who posted) and made a decision. Let's all move on.

You sound pretty darn entitled to me. You think you have the right to post your edgy, angry comments and not have anyone come back and poke your thin skin with them. And anyone who disagrees with you deserves your wrath. That's entitlement.

To survive your rotations, your internship, and later on to mollify angry patients and avoid lawsuits, you're going to have to get your own anger under control. Good luck with that.

 

[re4rMDlurker]

You sound pretty darn entitled to me. You think you have the right to post your edgy, angry comments and not have anyone come back and poke your thin skin with them. And anyone who disagrees with you deserves your wrath. That's entitlement.

To survive your rotations, your internship, and later on to mollify angry patients and avoid lawsuits, you're going to have to get your own anger under control. Good luck with that.

*singing* This is the thread that never ends...😀

Ok, I'll do EXACTLY what you say. Thanks!!!

(Oh, and I feel I am entitled to basic respect, but nothing else really...you're post sounds really angry actually, mine is just matter-of-fact)

Anyone else, or can I actually move on now???

Well who cares...post whatever you want, but I am done responding. Have a great day everyone!

 

[Jack S]

Good. No one wants to hear your sob story. Next.

 

[vtucci]

If you are interested in peds, I would suggest doing medicine first then peds and then surgery. I know I was exhausted after surgery and would not have wanted to do rotations in the specialties I am interested in pursuing after it.

Best wishes.