MD2 is halfway finished already. It is so hard to believe because it has gone so fast already. I would definitely say that the work load and the stress level have been higher this semester. I think I have finally gotten the swing of how I need to study for the classes that I am taking and what I need to do to be successful in them, but it’s been a tough go thus far. I am not sure if I mentioned in my last post, but my classes this semester are Biochemistry, Physiology, Neuroscience, Genetics, Research in Medicine, and Clinical Correlates in Basic Sciences. To be honest, I am enjoying my classes this semester a lot more than last. The material is a lot more conceptual rather than straight memorization and the information is a lot more practical. But, because it isn’t just memorizing, there is no jamming it all into your head and spitting it out onto the exam paper, and moving on. Understanding all of the concepts takes a lot of time. The professors (especially in physiology and neuroscience) have really stepped it up with exam questions as well, and overall, the exams are much more challenging. A lot of people are struggling, and we have lost quite a few classmates over the last couple of months.

The other big difference I have found this semester is that we have a TON of group projects and presentations. Last month, I had three presentations to do, as well as four group assignments, on top of our regular studying. When you are used to studying from 530 at night when you are finished with classes until midnight or so, and now you have to sacrifice 5 or 6 hours a week for group projects, it feels a little overwhelming. I totally understand the importance of these things though. Doctors need to have exceptional time management skills, need to be able to collaborate well with others, and need to be able to present information comfortably to large groups of people, and that’s what they are trying to have us do easily.

The social life and beach time have definitely declined from last semester as well. It’s really a crunch for time, all of the time. We have made time for a couple of beach trips. Usually right after we take a set of exams, we head to the beach immediately after to relax for a few hours. I try to take Friday nights off to relax with my friends when it isn’t too close to exams as well. The weekend after Block 1 exams, a whole bunch of us went to St Martin for a night to celebrate Birthdays of a bunch of people in our class which was a lot of fun.

St. Martin

The SGA Welcome BBQ

Post Block Beach Afternoon

 I am still working with the SGA, and my huge project since I took on the role of Historian in September was to get an SGA run school website going, and it is finally launched (although not totally complete). It is hard to put a ton of time into it because school has to come first but I have been plugging at it a little bit at a time. The link for the website is: www.sjsmsga.org if anybody would like to check it out! There are lots of pictures of the school campus on there, and pictures from various student events that we have held as well. I know a lot of people have no idea what the campus looks like or what to expect so I think I got a pretty accurate representation on there.

Despite being so busy, I have been missing the hospital SO MUCH lately. I guess this is good in a way, because I know that it is where I really belong. I will be sitting in class and so many things we are learning about will remind me of a patient that I have had or something that happened on a shift I was working, and I just miss the excitement and the interactions and how I always felt when I was there. Nursing was one of the biggest parts of my life for over 6 years and I am missing being there. I really can’t wait for clinical rotations to start. That should take care of that I suppose. You have to walk before you run.

The next couple of months here are going to be really nice for me! I have my Mom and Mike, my aunt and uncle, and my grandparents coming to visit in a couple of weeks(they are staying in St Martin) so I am going to be able to spend some time with them. I also have friends from Barrie that are staying in St Martin at the beginning of April who are going to come to Anguilla for a tour as well. It will be so nice to have some people from home here!

Anyways, I know it’s been awhile between posts, but there haven’t been too many exciting things happen and it has been incredibly busy!

XOXO