So, how's the first week going new MS1s?

[MorningGlory]

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Wanna dish to those of us who still have a month of vacation to go? 🙂 Any fun anatomy stories or orientation bonding experiences? 😉

 

[shiraz84]

I agree - I'd like to hear some stories as well.

Two weeks until orientation for me. 😱 😀

 

[epalantequevoy]

it's been very, very busy for me. 7 hours of class on monday (3 molbio+4 anatomy), 5 on tuesday (1 mol bio, 1 embryology, 3 histology), and 7 more today (same as monday). today we had a cool small group discussion about the ethics of offering genetic testing to at-risk persons and it was quite fun. first quiz is on monday, and now that we're done with the back and most of the spine, there is a decent amount of information.

the thing that surprised me was how well our class is getting along and how we all seem to share common interests.

make sure to go out during orientation week, because now even on day three, there is lots of studying to do.

 

[UCLAstudent]

I've had a great time so far at orientation. It has been really hectic, so I haven't been on SDN too much. 🙂

 

[OrnotMajestic]

Just finished day four and I already feel like I'm a week behind. I have my first anatomy exam next Wed. and it covers the back. What kills me are the smaller classes that tend to dump busy work. But so far, I love it. The information itself isn't difficult, just the sheer volume of it. My class rocks, and we get along really well.

All I can say is....PARTY TOMMORROW!! :-D

 

[Topaz]

Bump

1st class 12 hours away. Here's hoping everyone starting tomorrow has a good week 😎

 

[latinfridley]

Its the begining of week 2 and I'm already overwhelmed with the volume of info. Its gonna be a challenge adjusting. Other than that med school rocks.

 

[Medikit]

Just starting week 2 tomorrow. It's better than I expected but my adjustment to school in addition to more material that really isn't all that interesting has been disappointing. But I'm definitely looking forward to the courses I will be taking in about 3 months.

 

[Soup]

Just starting week 2 tomorrow. It's better than I expected but my adjustment to school in addition to more material that really isn't all that interesting has been disappointing. But I'm definitely looking forward to the courses I will be taking in about 3 months.

I second that. I feel like I've got to do the time before I taste the wine.

 

[deuist]

I start class tomorrow as well. I've been feeling like a kid on Christmas Eve. I'm waiting anxiously for the day to finally begin. The past four days of orientation has been long enough.

 

[Soup]

It's almost the end of the week for those who started Aug. 8. Let's hear how week has been.

 

[Topaz]

I expected to work really hard this week and be ahead the game. Instead I have a quiz tomorrow and I haven't started studying. How did this happen? I think I got dumber over the summer because the sun melted my brain.

Sorry, I can't post more because I have important procrastinating to do.

 

[chopper]

I expected to work really hard this week and be ahead the game. Instead I have a quiz tomorrow and I haven't started studying. How did this happen? I think I got dumber over the summer because the sun melted my brain.

Sorry, I can't post more because I have important procrastinating to do.

Ah, I feel the same way. Quiz tomorrow and I can't force myself to study. Damn TNT. I keep telling myself "I'll start studying when Law and Order is over". Then, as soon as one is over, It starts all over again.

 

[fun8stuff]

i think i am just about over the shock factor. all this info might just be managable... 😱 all i have to do is pass, right?

 

[Freakingzooming]

I just keep thinking, everyone is in the same boat with me, everyone is in the same boat with me... but then I look over my shoulder and everyone seems to be studying every second of the day and I'm off, watching a seinfeld marathon.

Anatomy is pretty cool, other than the fat and grease.

 

[CaliforniaBound]

I am attending LLU. They completely changed their curriculum this year, and as a result we get to spend the first two weeks of freshman year in the hospital following around a M4 or a resident. It's been a wonderful experience! I got placed in the Emergency Dept. I've gotten to see some really cool things! I got to gown in for a trauma and I got to help with suturing. We start our classes the 22nd of August. I will let you know how those are when we start!

 

[jcoola]

Just finished my first week and I must say that it totally rocked. Lots of info, but of course that was to be expected. Anyway, if you work hard, you can play hard... thus I'll be jet skiing this weekend 😀 . Hope those who haven't started have good first weeks and those already working, have good 2nd, 3rd, whatever weeks.

 

[fun8stuff]

I just keep thinking, everyone is in the same boat with me, everyone is in the same boat with me... but then I look over my shoulder and everyone seems to be studying every second of the day and I'm off, watching a seinfeld marathon.

Anatomy is pretty cool, other than the fat and grease.

yeah, i know. i think it's crazy how much people study!

 

[virilep]

i've been an SDNer for a good time now, but i'm pretty swamped and we've only had one week of class. it's tough not because of the concepts but because of the sheer volume of info they throw at u. like i could have a whole test of the stuff they've fed me. but we have 3 more weeks of class and then there's a test. so it's kinda tough in that aspect. but other than that, u just gotta rock and roll. keep on top of the game. and hence, i haven't been on SDN as much. especially in the pre-allo forum

 

[superdevil]

a glimpse of what my life is like:

first day of school was today. after triple-checking my bookbag the night before, i STILL manage to bring books for the wrong subjects. no matter how old i am or how much of this 'education' business i go through, i'm just as awkward now as i was the first day of kindergarten. typical.

 

[freaker]

I am attending LLU. They completely changed their curriculum this year, and as a result we get to spend the first two weeks of freshman year in the hospital following around a M4 or a resident. It's been a wonderful experience! I got placed in the Emergency Dept. I've gotten to see some really cool things! I got to gown in for a trauma and I got to help with suturing. We start our classes the 22nd of August. I will let you know how those are when we start!

That's an awesome way to start school. Wish we did the same. That's got to give a nice perspectve on what you're working for over the next two years, and as part of a team (v. just shadowing).

 

[UCLAstudent]

Yesterday morning, I got run over by a bus named "Embryology."

 

[Jambi]

Ah, I feel the same way. Quiz tomorrow and I can't force myself to study. Damn TNT. I keep telling myself "I'll start studying when Law and Order is over". Then, as soon as one is over, It starts all over again.

the worst part is that you've probably seen the episode already but just can't turn away. 😀

 

[OrnotMajestic]

Yesterday morning, I got run over by a bus named "Embryology."

AYE!! I can relate. At my school it's called Human Developmental Biology and Genetics. We all call it "Heebee GeeBee"...I call it "SNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE". I swear, I catch up on sleep in that class. My first exam in it is next Monday, and I can smell a "D" from here. Argh.

 

[Kazema]

We're almost done with our first course, "Medicine and Society" which is basically statistics with some epidemiological stuff and ethical considerations thrown in.

Everything's great so far, though I'm about ready to be done with stats and move onto the real stuff. I'm sure I'll regret saying that soon enough; Anatomy starts on Friday 😉.

Funny thing at UB: the company that supplies our white coats sent a bunch of residents' coats by mistake. So we all (well except for like 3 people) got cloaked in long white coats at the White Coat Ceremony. MD in 1 week! 😀

 

[BaylorGuy]

i think i am just about over the shock factor. all this info might just be managable... 😱 all i have to do is pass, right?

At this point in the game, there is only one equation that you really need...P=MD 😀 😀

Good Luck all

 

[OrnotMajestic]

We're almost done with our first course, "Medicine and Society" which is basically statistics with some epidemiological stuff and ethical considerations thrown in.

Are you block schedule? Our biostat/epidemiology class is 4 weeks long, but we have it along with anatomy and all that. I guess you could say we are traditional mixed with block.

 

[getunconcsious]

I think med school is really hard and definitely a big adjustment. It's hard to be in the same room with the same people every day, all day. I guess we'll get used to it. I've been studying some but not a lot, I just go over whatever we did that day and then read stuff for the next day. Hopefully it won't be *too* bad. Good luck everyone.

 

[Wiggy73]

I wish all of med school could be like our orientation! I feel like I went out more last week than during some semesters of undergrad. But first day of anatomy today...'nuff said.

 

[Kazema]

Are you block schedule? Our biostat/epidemiology class is 4 weeks long, but we have it along with anatomy and all that. I guess you could say we are traditional mixed with block.

We're kind of block schedule I guess. We have that class alone, then we start anatomy and "Foundations" which is all the traditional first-year stuff along with clinical practice of medicine at the same time.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

Funny thing at UB: the company that supplies our white coats sent a bunch of residents' coats by mistake. So we all (well except for like 3 people) got cloaked in long white coats at the White Coat Ceremony. MD in 1 week! 😀

hahaha

 

[Dr Who]

Im in my second week and started the structure and developement block (Anatomy, embriology, histology). We have had gross anatomy lab since last friday and already we have dissected the thorax, back and abdominal muscles. Its a hell of a lot of material. Just when we stopped complaining about the workload of anatomy and histology they threw embriology at us. Man that is a boring subject. The lecturer tried to make it as interesting as he could, but it was all in vain. We have out first test August 29- 30. Already stress levels are going waaay up.

 

[yellowcat322]

Finishing up first week of class (we had orientation all last week) and I could say, I see where the whole drinking water out of a fire hydrant analogy comes from. The stuff we're learning is mostly review but I feel like every day in med school is like the day before the exam in college. You come home from lecture and gotta put in at least 2-3 hours studying. Our exam is not for another 9 weeks and that means A WHOLE LOT of material! Yikes. I feel like if I don't keep up every day I'll be screwed for the exam. But on the upside--my classmates are a blast and orientation was a whopping good time. Overall, I'm pretty excited. Let's see how long this lasts.

 

[EvoDevo]

First week was like being run over by a big mack truck.

Second week was, "Dude, I've got this."

This week was like, "Holy smokes! Exams in two point five weeks! 😱"

Pucker factor is definitely on the rise 'round here.

 

[Childe]

First week was like being run over by a big mack truck.

Second week was, "Dude, I've got this."

This week was like, "Holy smokes! Exams in two point five weeks! 😱"

Pucker factor is definitely on the rise 'round here.

Try exam next friday 🙁

 

[Medikit]

Try exam next friday 🙁

Exam next Monday 🙁

 

[epalantequevoy]

Exam next Monday 🙁

yup, same for me with our histology midterm also scheduled for thursday.

 

[drguy22]

med school is freakin awesome...haha...we had our anatomy/embryo lecture yesterday, just the basics, then we had 2 biochem/genetics lecture, then we had anatomy lab. it was fun! im wondering how long that will last... 🙄

 

[Topaz]

med school is freakin awesome...haha...we had our anatomy/embryo lecture yesterday, just the basics, then we had 2 biochem/genetics lecture, then we had anatomy lab. it was fun! im wondering how long that will last... 🙄

I can relate. After 6 hours of mind-frying lecture, I think, "Wow that was fun. Like watching a movie of somebody reading the encyclopedia." And then I smile when I remember that I get to do this practically every day for two years. To think, I thought skiing or traveling in Europe was fun. THIS is the definition of fun. 😎

 

[Sureshot83]

Yeah, for the first three days of classes, things were going great. There was obviously a lot of information in Anatomy, but with a bit of effort I could learn all the back muscles and components of vertebrae, etc. Biochem was also ok...our lecturers have been moving at a fast rate, but their notes are great and with some review it all becomes quite clear.

Then today we had our first embryology lecture. WTF!?!?

Why do we have to know this? What use could it possibly be? (Actually, that is a good question for a lot of the stuff we will bea learning.) There is so much detail in embryology and it all seems so hard to relate to it. What's so complicated about sperm, egg, uterus, amniotic sac, 9 months, BOOM! You have a baby! Why do we need to know about bilaminar and trilaminar embryos, primary and secondary yolks, and the cortical effect?

Does anyone (MS IIs maybe) have any idea of how much detail we need to know our embryology? We're using Langman's book - all the information in it CAN'T possibly be tested, so how do we know what's important?

I think some second years have said that for every class they took, they just studied using the prof's lecture handouts, their own notes from lecture, and review books like BRS or High Yield Anatomy/Biochem/Embryology/Physiology/etc.? Does this work? For what classes?

 

[GonnaBeAnMD]

I'm really glad to see other people are feeling the way I am with only 2 weeks into it... ( I am a bit more excessive though (feelings of dropout) )

Thanks for sharing tho... it relieves some stress that this is "normal"

 

[EvoDevo]

Yeah, for the first three days of classes, things were going great. There was obviously a lot of information in Anatomy, but with a bit of effort I could learn all the back muscles and components of vertebrae, etc. Biochem was also ok...our lecturers have been moving at a fast rate, but their notes are great and with some review it all becomes quite clear.

Then today we had our first embryology lecture. WTF!?!?

Why do we have to know this? What use could it possibly be? (Actually, that is a good question for a lot of the stuff we will bea learning.) There is so much detail in embryology and it all seems so hard to relate to it. What's so complicated about sperm, egg, uterus, amniotic sac, 9 months, BOOM! You have a baby! Why do we need to know about bilaminar and trilaminar embryos, primary and secondary yolks, and the cortical effect?

Does anyone (MS IIs maybe) have any idea of how much detail we need to know our embryology? We're using Langman's book - all the information in it CAN'T possibly be tested, so how do we know what's important?

I think some second years have said that for every class they took, they just studied using the prof's lecture handouts, their own notes from lecture, and review books like BRS or High Yield Anatomy/Biochem/Embryology/Physiology/etc.? Does this work? For what classes?

Embryo is worth it. Lots of defects that present in adults and which (may) cause disease come from errors in the developmental program.

 

[liverotcod]

Embryo is worth it. Lots of defects that present in adults and which (may) cause disease come from errors in the developmental program.

"Cromulent." I love it. Seeing as you are the inventor of KLESHH, I am expecting you to come up with the keys to med school success for us all.

Almost one week in, I'm loving it, but sensing the storm on the horizon.

 

[vhawk]

I think you guys with the tests coming up are TOTALLY misreading your situation. Sure, it sucks that you have a test, but med school is binge and purge. Think about this...we dont have our first exam until September 28! Think how brutal that exam is gonna be? I would KILL to have exams every two weeks, if only because there can only be so much material in two weeks. Our prof explained to us why we don't have two embryo exams, but only one at the end..."When we had two exams, mean was like 93, so 91 was Low Pass and people were failing with 89s. With one exam we can kick that mean down a bit." Are you serious? One month of this embryo minutia and people were AVERAGING 93? This gunner factory is gonna eat me up...

 

[Psycho Doctor]

I think you guys with the tests coming up are TOTALLY misreading your situation. Sure, it sucks that you have a test, but med school is binge and purge. Think about this...we dont have our first exam until September 28! Think how brutal that exam is gonna be? I would KILL to have exams every two weeks, if only because there can only be so much material in two weeks. Our prof explained to us why we don't have two embryo exams, but only one at the end..."When we had two exams, mean was like 93, so 91 was Low Pass and people were failing with 89s. With one exam we can kick that mean down a bit." Are you serious? One month of this embryo minutia and people were AVERAGING 93? This gunner factory is gonna eat me up...

wow, they really use a bell curve and fail those with 89s??? that totally sucks!!

reading all this is totaslly freaking me out and i haven't even started. i'm so afraid i can't do it 🙁

 

[UCLAstudent]

I think you guys with the tests coming up are TOTALLY misreading your situation. Sure, it sucks that you have a test, but med school is binge and purge. Think about this...we dont have our first exam until September 28! Think how brutal that exam is gonna be? I would KILL to have exams every two weeks, if only because there can only be so much material in two weeks.

I agree with this. We have exams every eight weeks. That's it. Nothing in between. After two weeks, my notes already fill up a binder. It's going to be one heck of a test. 😱

 

[NPursuit]

wow, they really use a bell curve and fail those with 89s??? that totally sucks!!

reading all this is totaslly freaking me out and i haven't even started. i'm so afraid i can't do it 🙁

No, that doesn't just suck. It's ******ed and antithetical to the whole idea of medical school. Are we or are we not entering a professional school? And is the aim of professional school not to instruct us and prepare us for a profession? So what good does it do to fail those who have mastered the material?

I just lost a lot of respect for Georgetown there. You would think a Catholic school would get that more than most (especially a Jesuit school), but it's not like Georgetown has done much to beef up its Catholic identity as of late.

It really annoys me to hear schools say that being on the waitlist is a sign that you're capable of being a strong physician and med student but the class is full, and then you see schools like Georgetown grading on the curve and failing people who were supposedly good enough to get in, be great physicians, and who performed up to their potential but didn't score the highest in some backwards, superficial game.

Lame.

 

[vhawk]

Well, they dont do it like that any more. I was saying that that is what my embryo prof said, referring to years past when they had two exams instead of one. Currently, as far as I know, it isnt like that. He said that the mean now is around 85, and gives a much better distribution.

That being said, school policy is, two SDs below mean is failing. This is why, if all 190 of us are clustered around 93, the SD is gonna be real small, and 89 is probably failing. With the distribution more even spread around 85, I would assume failing is somewhere around 70 or so.


I dont know if I made it sound better or worse! Don't hate on Gtown just because of my confusing interpretation...

 

[vhawk]

So, its not a curve in the sense that "the bottom 10% fail." But it is still definitely a curve.

 

[markboonya]

Well, they dont do it like that any more. I was saying that that is what my embryo prof said, referring to years past when they had two exams instead of one. Currently, as far as I know, it isnt like that. He said that the mean now is around 85, and gives a much better distribution.

That being said, school policy is, two SDs below mean is failing. This is why, if all 190 of us are clustered around 93, the SD is gonna be real small, and 89 is probably failing. With the distribution more even spread around 85, I would assume failing is somewhere around 70 or so.


I dont know if I made it sound better or worse! Don't hate on Gtown just because of my confusing interpretation...

i think the damn smp kids are pushing up the mean at g'town. they are sitting on 50k and a year's time of investment so they all bust their asses like there is no tomorrow.