The third week of school is half way through and I am starting to settle into a routine, like most medical students here. On one hand, I do wish for more hours in a day so I could study more and learn more concepts. On the other hand, I like that I am pushed to learn how to learn, again. Medical school does seem impossible most of the time - given the amount of information loaded upon you daily, you have to know it all. I have been studying for 12 - 14 hours a day, precisely. Most of the time it is 13.5 hours. Now this may sound crazy to you (and it is), but many medical students here do a similar study marathon. I am exhausted by the end of the day and do nothing else but goto bed right when I step through the door of my apartment. It is challenging. I am being challenged to learn more than what I think is reasonable, challenged to have an amazing amount of self discipline, challenged to rest and sleep (relatively) enough, challenged to take time to exercise, challenged to stay calm, composed, and relaxed, challenged to not listen to what other students say (complaints, fear, stress etc), challenged to continue to have faith in myself and my abilities, and challenged to be strong inside and out and all over. And this list could go on... but my main point is that these are challenges I face every single day from the point I wake up to the second I pass out in my bed with my clothes on. Or maybe in my dream too... But learning about these challenges is what made my respect for doctors out there grow just that much more.
I have not had any coffee yet and I don't think I will (knock on wood). But I did have to drink a few energy drinks last week to stay alert and efficient. My purchase was driven by fear of falling behind in studying hahaha. However, I am creating a NEW challenge for myself this week (another one?.. see what I am talking about?). I am going to try to stay off of energy drinks unless it's around exam times. That way when I really need to stay alert it will work beautifully! Or, perhaps I won't need them at all if I learn how to stay awake on 6 hours of sleep per night without any stimulants!
Anyhow, I let myself loose during my study hour for a few minutes to just write this entry. Now I am going to get back to Histology! Love you all! The picture below is a photo I took (before school started) of Scotts Head in Dominica. It separates the Atlantic ocean and the Caribbean sea and I dipped wet my feet in both on the same day!!! ;)
Wow, I love the geography! That's amazing. Looks like someone's got a sun burn too. ;)
ReplyDeleteI hope those 13.5 hours a day include being in class!;) Good to challenge yourself with staying off energy drinks though. :)
-coos
It is amazing here... the nature itself is full of wonder! I am not burnt! But I am definitely more than just a few shade darker. And I am staying inside most of the time studying!! How crazy!
ReplyDelete14 hours does include lecture time. These are all the hours I spend chewing up my books everyday hahaha I hope things are going well coos.
wow! defintely challenging! But I'm glad to hear you are combatting all challanges, despite the hardship. Good job, Alexis. You make me proud! :)
ReplyDeletesounds like a beautiful place that i have to come visit!! gotta love the island life..it's the best =) Stay sane and don't let the stress get to you and you'll make it through the school year..just remember in the grand cosmic scheme of things even if one test doesn't go well it's not a big dea in the end! miss you~ and also very jealous
ReplyDeleteThanks Iran :) Med school is such a mental game! No joke. It reminds me of endurance sports...
ReplyDeleteJulia - I will be waiting for you my love ;)
Hi, my name is Rex and I am from Vancouver too. I found your blog through google. I am currently thinking seriously about going to Ross too. I think your blog is very useful to me. Please keep up the good work and good luck! BTW, did you go to UBC? I ask you this because I want to know how is the academic life there compared to undergrad at UBC. If you could answer, that would be very helpful. Thank you and good luck.
ReplyDeleteHey Rex! Good for you for starting to plan things ahead. I will try to keep the updates as informative as possible. If you have any questions regarding the school feel free to ask me.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, I did goto UBC and graduated last May (2008). Did you or are you going to UBC? I find that, so far before any exam evaluations, UBC has prepared me pretty well in terms of familiarity with course content. But that may lie in the specific degree I did. What degree did you complete?
After my first Mini, I will tell you more about what I think. Good luck!
I just found this page as I was searching for information about Ross and am really glad you started it! It has been very informative. I do have one question though. What did you put in your additional information part of your application?
ReplyDeleteStefanie =)
Hi Stefanie :)
ReplyDeleteI am glad you find it somewhat informative. As for the additional information section (which I can only vaguely remember), I think I just put in my extracurriculars and some research projects. Just add general information about yourself that you were not able to talk about in the previous sections. They are really relaxed about the applications. Don't worry and good luck!
Thanks Alexis! When's your test? You've been studying so much that you'll probably do great!
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