*******MCW Class of 2011*********

[Ashers]

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So a couple of you have mentioned living alone and liking it. Is it difficult to socialize and make friends in your class if you do?

Nah, its not like college where if you don't live in the dorm, you don't know anyone.

You have all the same classes with the same people, small groups you meet people. There's "get to know you" type events at the orientation where you go to the zoo or art museum or bars, whatever activities are planned. Then some classes break you up into small groups, so you meet other people that way that with whom you wouldn't normally socialize. So you get to know most people in the class.

It's nice to come home and be alone sometimes, but like I said earlier, at the Reserve, there are 50 million med students, so you can see people here too.

 

[Agent Splat]

So a couple of you have mentioned living alone and liking it. Is it difficult to socialize and make friends in your class if you do?

i agree with what Ashers said, and I shoulda mentioned this. I really do love living alone. I had 4 years straight of annoying roommates in undergrad...first one smelled bad, the second one was okay but didn't do dishes, the third one was kinda creepy but didn't wash his hands after going to the bathroom and then changed our Brita water filter, and the final one was just a hermit that didn't wash his dishes even LESS than roommate #2. That last roommate and I honestly spoke for about 5-10 minutes the first day and then maybe about 1-2 minutes total for the rest of the school year...I am NOT exagerrating how little we spoke. so much silent tension you could implode.

At any rate, school will offer you plenty of chances to make friends, and if you live alone you might actually come to cherish this quiet alone time like I do. It's very refreshing to just collapse at home and not worry if your music, choice of TV show, aroma of whatever you're cooking, or nakedness is upsetting someone else.

 

[45408]

Tax question - we're eligible for the lifetime education credit, right? I sure hope that the $14,541.50 I gave MCW last year counts.

 

[DoctorFunk]

Tax question - we're eligible for the lifetime education credit, right? I sure hope that the $14,541.50 I gave MCW last year counts.

Yessuh, we are most definitely eligible for one of those education credits (whichever one doesn't require you to be in your freshman or sophomore year of undergrad). Not sure exactly how much we can claim, but rest assured that the vicious bludgeoning that is our yearly tuition will allow you to claim the max.

 

[samenewme]

Tax question - we're eligible for the lifetime education credit, right? I sure hope that the $14,541.50 I gave MCW last year counts.

Lifetime learning, baby. With a typical glide year income, you ought to be eligible for the full $2,000 tax credit.

 

[akpete]

Of course you need to have paid taxes to get it back. 🙂 BTW, I love the Homestead credit and getting money I never really had.


Here's the Normandy Village website: http://www.nv.decadeproperties.com

I like it. I live here alone (like Splat) with my dog. It's a stretch on the med school budget, so I'm always looking for something cheaper. But I have a dog, and it's the larger, nicer, more expensive apartments that typically allow dogs. And closet space is very precious to me. I like the location most of the time. The only thing is nobody just stops by to hang out or something cuz it's in the opposite direction from school from where many other people live and from downtown. But I love living alone too, and won't give it up. And honestly, it's probably a good thing people aren't always coming over. I would never get anything done otherwise.

I like Milwaukee, but I'm also from farther North, and think it's pretty silly that the weather is the #1 news story right now. It may not have been this cold in 10 years, but that's because the last several years have been pretty mild compared to normal. There's usually a cold snap at some point. Coming from the OC though, you might think it's hell. But the cold is gone and done before you know it. And then it'll be nice again.

Oh, another tip. Many places here have heat included with the rent. Search them out. Normandy is one. Many of the smaller, privately owned places do too, but not all, so ask.

Some people live on the East side or downtown too, if that would suit you better. The school's out in the suburbs. There are lots of places to choose from and ranges of price and quality.

 

[Ashers]

Oh, another tip. Many places here have heat included with the rent. Search them out. Normandy is one. Many of the smaller, privately owned places do too, but not all, so ask.

The Reserve does not. Which is why my apartment is chronically cold.

 

[Gimlet]

I think my dog has Seasonal Affective Disorder. That, or she's just going stir crazy from only being able to stand going outside to do her business quickly and then dash back in. Either way, she's being even weirder than usual.

 

[Gimlet]

RhythmMD,

There's an SDN poster named Code Brown who is a SoCal (maybe OC??) transplant. He doesn't post on here much anymore, but you might want to try PMing him to get his perspective on the area as compared to what you're used to.

 

[indo]

The Reserve does not. Which is why my apartment is chronically cold.

my bathtub has ice formed in it. What the hell?

 

[Gimlet]

my bathtub has ice formed in it. What the hell?

That can't be good. I hope your pipes haven't frozen and burst.

 

[akpete]

I think it's funny how they have to put a clause into leases that says you have to heat your place enough to prevent the pipes from freezing. I think I would freeze before the pipes would.

 

[45408]

The Reserve does not. Which is why my apartment is chronically cold.

Yeah, my college place last year was kept at a pretty chilly 65 or so all the time (and my bedroom had a balcony with a very drafty door), but Mrs. Prowler pays the bills, and she doesn't like the cold. So it's usually pretty balmy.

 

[45408]

Of course you need to have paid taxes to get it back. 🙂

A spouse of mine has a full-time job. We're getting a huge-ass refund this year.

I expected about $2000 less than we're getting, so our Europe trip is now fully funded. And so is the iPod we're finally getting, since we kept our credit card bill to our goal this month. I was VERY happy to see that....

Oh, and Missouri blows. She worked as a nurse there for 5 months, and her state refund is $72. Wisconsin gives us a $266 credit because she paid Missouri taxes though. Wisconsin >>>> Missouri.

 

[indo]

That can't be good. I hope your pipes haven't frozen and burst.

I'm not sure how it happened. Just the back of the tub formed ice and it only formed in a small area. I suspect that that part of the tub is exposed to air from the outside of the building. The rest of the bath tub was normal (32.01 degrees F). If the pipes break I'm moving. I never signed a lease or anything. I just pay rent.

 

[Agent Splat]

I'm not sure how it happened. Just the back of the tub formed ice and it only formed in a small area. I suspect that that part of the tub is exposed to air from the outside of the building. The rest of the bath tub was normal (32.01 degrees F). If the pipes break I'm moving. I never signed a lease or anything. I just pay rent.

if you need a place to stay in an emergency...and I really mean this, indo, please give me a call...Gimlet would be happy to let you stay with him.

 

[indo]

Cool, thanks man!

 

[Agent Splat]

Cool, thanks man!

my pleasure. he's always happy to serve.

 

[Gimlet]

Just bring your own toilet paper...sorry, it's a house rule.

Indo, how did you hook up that sweet deal where you didn't sign a lease. Your landlord must be really trusting. Either that, or a total *****.

 

[Agent Splat]

Either that, or a total *****.

not a very nice thing to say about me, jerk.

 

[akpete]

Just bring your own toilet paper...sorry, it's a house rule.

Indo, how did you hook up that sweet deal where you didn't sign a lease. Your landlord must be really trusting. Either that, or a total *****.

the place I just looked at the other week didn't require a lease either. It's a sweet deal ... but I'd rather have an actual kitchen.

 

[Ibn Sina]

Did you guys find that you had to change your studying style coming from undergrad to medical school? What is the "most effective and efficient" way to study in med school, assuming such a thing exists at all? Just wanting to know how big of an adjustment I have to undergo in terms of approach to studying. Thanks there.

 

[akpete]

Did you guys found that you had to change your studying style coming from undergrad to medical school? What is the "most effective and efficient" way to study in med school, assuming such a thing exists at all? Just wanting to know how big of an adjustment I have to undergo in terms of approach to studying. Thanks there.

Well, I didn't study in undergrad besides the night before an exam. So in med school, I've had some trouble, because I don't have any good study skills or habits that apparently other people have formed. I procrastinate a lot, and pay for it with grades that are not up to my potential (but still decent at least) and a few all-nighters.

I think the most important thing in med school is to try not to get too far behind. You will most certainly get behind since there's always so much to do, but if you can minimize it, life will be happier for you.

 

[indo]

In undergrad I'd go to all the lectures then cram before tests. That worked sorta well. In med school I study all the time, which isn't enough, then score slightly below the mean on almost every test.

You're going to find that Anatomy, biochem, physiology, and neuro all require different methods of studying. In anatomy your grade pretty much reflects how much time you spent in the lab. In biochem, your ability to memorize, not understand, will be tested. Same thing for neuro. Physiology actually requires some conceptual ability. It is a good change. It is just as hard but the material is a softer clay with which to mold.

 

[Agent Splat]

Did you guys found that you had to change your studying style coming from undergrad to medical school? What is the "most effective and efficient" way to study in med school, assuming such a thing exists at all? Just wanting to know how big of an adjustment I have to undergo in terms of approach to studying. Thanks there.

i pretty much had to go from "night before cramming" to "study ever day." Not that I stick to this very well...in fact my study habits are pretty horrible right now. But definitely be prepared to study more than you ever have. The most important thing is to try to stay on top of things and not get more than a couple days behind on material if possible (i'm currently about a week behind, which sorta blows). I think having a regular schedule and sticking to it whenever possible helps. I should try that.

 

[Gimlet]

(i'm currently about a week behind, which sorta blows).

Same situation here. I'm only on lecture 17 in Pharm and we just had #25. Waaaaa

I wouldn't worry too much about developing a new study style if you have already found one that works for you. Just apply it to medschool and adapt as necessary. In my case, I was like a blank slate so I had to form my habits from scratch. My slate is still mostly bare, I think.

 

[45408]

In anatomy your grade pretty much reflects how much time you spent in the lab.

Or with your Netter (the anatomy atlas, M0's 😉).

I must be slow or something, because I had to do more than just cram the night before in undergrad. 🙁 But I studied for 2-3 days beforehand, except for chemistry, which was a bit more intense, and now I try to study every day for 3-8 hours. The number gets larger on the weekends or as the exams approach.

 

[Ibn Sina]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

 

[indo]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

You should ask which classes make us question the whole "med school thing" the most!

 

[samenewme]

Did you guys find that you had to change your studying style coming from undergrad to medical school? What is the "most effective and efficient" way to study in med school, assuming such a thing exists at all? Just wanting to know how big of an adjustment I have to undergo in terms of approach to studying. Thanks there.

I tended to do some work every day, and worked pretty hard as an undergrad. I would have done the homework problems for gen. chem six times or more, for example, by the time I got to the exam. (It's not as anal as you think; it goes a lot faster with repetition and means you can just fly on the exam).

I have to do more memorizing and less practicing and it bugs me not to have the constant feedback that you get from getting homework problems right or wrong. But basically, my study habits are similar; I just had to ramp up a notch. Oh, and accept lower grades. I'm somewhere in the middle of the pack now.

 

[Ashers]

You should ask which classes make us question the whole "med school thing" the most!

OH OH OH! The organization of path, the whole CER course, the whole neuro course!

edit: ANYTHING related to psych.

 

[Agent Splat]

You should ask which classes make us question the whole "med school thing" the most!

hmmm...biochem, anatomy after the very first test, neuro, physiology, pathology, Clinical Exam and Reasoning, Medical Information Management, med ethics, microbiology. so almost everything except pharmacology and cell and tissue biology (only because i thought it was easy).

 

[Chulito]

Hey, guys. I'm coming out there in a week. Will I be OK in a t-shirt and Capri pants, or are you guys still reporting the temperature in Kelvins?

 

[Ashers]

Hey, guys. I'm coming out there in a week. Will I be OK in a t-shirt and Capri pants, or are you guys still reporting the temperature in Kelvins?

Still Kelvin range temp reporting. Bring warm clothes and many layers of them! Don't forget gloves and a beanie.

 

[Gimlet]

Hey, guys. I'm coming out there in a week. Will I be OK in a t-shirt and Capri pants, or are you guys still reporting the temperature in Kelvins?

Ashers is just joshin' ya. We're all in our summer speedos already.

 

[Chulito]

Ashers is just joshin' ya. We're all in our summer speedos already.

Oh fun! I'll wear mine to the beer-and-pie social on Thursday night. Will there be a hot tub?

 

[Ashers]

Ashers is just joshin' ya. We're all in our summer speedos already.

That's only the crazy people who like Ding Dongs instead of Ho Hos. Non-crazy people are still wearing many layers, just not ski goggles to walk from the parking lot to class anymore.

 

[Agent Splat]

Oh fun! I'll wear mine to the beer-and-pie social on Thursday night. Will there be a hot tub?

depends...did you send in your check? you gotta send the hot tub committee a check.

i am the hot tub committee. 50 bucks for hot tub privileges.

 

[Chulito]

That's only the crazy people who like Ding Dongs instead of Ho Hos. Non-crazy people are still wearing many layers, just not ski goggles to walk from the parking lot to class anymore.

Ding Dongs instead of Ho Hos, hmmmm.

I have to admit that we don't really have cold weather where I live, so I don't have a really warm coat. What if I wear 10 t-shirts and a scarf?

 

[Ashers]

Ding Dongs instead of Ho Hos, hmmmm.

I have to admit that we don't really have cold weather where I live, so I don't have a really warm coat. What if I wear 10 t-shirts and a scarf?

your forearms might fall off, but you could always use the scarf as a tourniquet.

Seriously, go invest in a coat if you don't have one.

 

[45408]

Ding Dongs instead of Ho Hos, hmmmm.

I have to admit that we don't really have cold weather where I live, so I don't have a really warm coat. What if I wear 10 t-shirts and a scarf?

um, do you have a hooded sweatshirt?

 

[Chulito]

um, do you have a hooded sweatshirt?

Oh yes. And sweaters, hats, and a medium-weight coat. But the way you all have been talking about the weather lately, I just didn't know what to expect. Like I've said, where I live now we only have a couple of days per year with temperatures below freezing (and just barely), and it's the coldest place I've lived, so I'm just not sure what it's like when the temperature is tens of degrees lower. It sounds as though I'll be fine, though.

 

[Ashers]

Oh yes. And sweaters, hats, and a medium-weight coat. But the way you all have been talking about the weather lately, I just didn't know what to expect. Like I've said, where I live now we only have a couple of days per year with temperatures below freezing (and just barely), and it's the coldest place I've lived, so I'm just not sure what it's like when the temperature is tens of degrees lower. It sounds as though I'll be fine, though.

I hate cold. MAKE IT STOP!

The coldest place I had lived before here was London, and before that in Tucson where it can snow sometimes, and at 3700' on a volcano where I'd have frost on my car in the morning.

 

[Ibn Sina]

You should ask which classes make us question the whole "med school thing" the most!

I guess from reading the threads that that honor goes to Biochem. But, why does pathology also have a bad reputation there? Is the way the courses are structured at MCW a source of concern?!

 

[Agent Splat]

I guess from reading the threads that that honor goes to Biochem. But, why does pathology also have a bad reputation there? Is the way the courses are structured at MCW a source of concern?!

well, my opinion is that path is horrible simply because it's hard. they've made the test questions very case based (but usually they still end up boiling down to some minute detail), and will HOPEFULLY prepare us for Step 1, but we're just not used to that style of questioning and they aren't always teaching us from an angle that helps us to think our way through those kinds of questions. so for path i guess it's a mix of simply the material AND the structure, but I think it's getting a bit better. There was some turmoil with change of leadership right after the course got started and I think that has contributed to some of the complications.

as for CER...it's the structure. But with trying to fit 200 students into a schedule where everyone can get ample time practicing full physical exams with supervision, I can understand why it's not easy. Still bitter about it though.

Biochem is only hard for the workload. The course itself was fairly well run, but it's a pain in the ass to memorize fifty thousand different enzymes and their regulation and everything else.

 

[Ashers]

I guess from reading the threads that that honor goes to Biochem. But, why does pathology also have a bad reputation there? Is the way the courses are structured at MCW a source of concern?!

I agree with Splat. Biochem is a very well organized class. The horrible classes tend to be poorly organized where you resent going to class, resent their existence, etc. Biochem was just a lot of work to a subject that I didn't want to dedicate much time. I didn't like it much in undergrad, and I didn't like it much here.

1st semester M2 year, Micro is the well organized class. Anything associated with Dr. Krippendorf is run well (neuro lab -- not the class, Anatomy, CTB).

Oh, I also hated med ethics, but I hate required small groups.

TBL is no longer going to be required for path according to liason cmte members, but they can still take questions from it. Stupid path.

 

[acjgoblu]

Hey guys, I'm a potential MCW Class of 2011er with a few random questions...first of all, when I came to interview in the middle of January, the guys I stayed with lived in a nice 3 bedroom house in the neighborhood just over the bridge...do a lot of people live around there? Is it possible to find a house over in that neighborhood for rent? Or, if not, are there ever people who have bought houses in that area advertising for roommates (either online somewhere or at the school bulletin boards)?

Also, I heard a few of you mention that you have a dog...I'm really hoping to be able to get one when I start med school, but I'm worried that I won't have a lot of time to spend with it (especially when the M3 and M4 years roll around)...is this a problem or do you find that your dogs adapt well to the tough med school schedule?

Thanks for any info, I look forward to joining the community in the fall!

 

[Agent Splat]

TBL is no longer going to be required for path according to liason cmte members, but they can still take questions from it. Stupid path.

that's ridiculous. i'm still not going anyway.

 

[DoctorFunk]

I guess from reading the threads that that honor goes to Biochem. But, why does pathology also have a bad reputation there? Is the way the courses are structured at MCW a source of concern?!

It really depends on what your style of learning is. I attended most lectures last year and have stopped going to lecture completely during my 2nd year and I find that the best classes are (like Ashers said) those that are well-organized, and especially those that have well-done lecture notes. It is much easier for students to learn the material and for lecturers to write relevant exam questions that were actually covered in class if the material is spelled out in detail for everyone. It can be really annoying when I open our notes to a path lecture and all I have staring at me are slides with a disease name on it (without explanation for what it is) followed by a whole bunch of pathological slides.

The good news is that we have a note-taking coop here that you can join. They charge some money for the cost of copying (I think I've probably paid a total of $100 over the two years) and you have to write notes for about 4 or 5 lectures/year but they are really good for helping you flesh out incomplete lecture notes.

Overall I think the curriculum here is pretty good (especially first year with the exception of neuro) and compares favorably to those found in other schools. The M2s in this thread are probably just as burnt out on the basic science years as I am and find the seemingly inessential parts of the courseload right now (human sexuality course and clinical exam and reasoning) quite grating.

 

[DoctorFunk]

that's ridiculous. i'm still not going anyway.

Not like we'd even get those questions right anyways. I'll spend the time with my Baby Robbins and Robbins Review questions, thankyaverymuch.