Finding a good mentor...

Today I had one of the best experiences I've had yet. I was talking to one of my professors. It was only a general discussion about medicine, but I really felt like I was a med student. Learning the material from a person who has been practicing it for years, one on one. Much better than all of the larger group stuff we usually do.

So there I was, sawing away...

The phrase "sawing away" definitely has new meaning for me. Think anatomy lab, and we'll just leave it at that.

The block is starting to pick up pace for me. Material is piling up, but I think I'm doing okay keeping up. All I need to do is commit it to memory, right?

I had the great fortune to spend this past weekend in northern Wisconsin. It was good to get away, even if I still had to study a bit while I was there. It was definitely a much prettier venue for hitting the books.

At any rate, things seem to be going well.

For now, back to metabolism.

From the need to get out more department...

I was told it stormed in Milwaukee today. I had no idea. It was completely dry when I finally made it outside, and there was no sign that any sort of storm had passed by.
I had absolutely no clue, as I was deep inside of the building, with my head planted firmly in a book.

I really need to make a point of taking a walk over the noon hour or something.
Before I know it, I'll have that pale look you see in Wisconsin residents around January.

Oh wait, I already look that way, dang it.

Enough complaining, today was actually pretty cool. Anatomy is turning out to be my favorite course, despite how I smell when I get home. It is really valuable information, and it is easy to see how this will be put to use when I finally get to do some medicine.

Here we go...

This week I start getting into the meat of the next block of material here. I feel a lot better than I did before the first exam. It's a good feeling to have a reference point to go from. I know that I am studying in a way that works... even better, I know I can handle the volume and detail of the material.

Today is a bit of a break, and I actually get to be outside a little bit during daylight hours. It's good, because I know in a few weeks the stress levels will be climbing a bit as the exams approach.

Relief

Block one exams are over. Finished.
And I did well.
It is a relief to have them behind me, yet there is a big gloom on the horizon.
That would be the Block II exams of M1 year, which are mythic here at MCW as being the most difficult.
One step at a time.
For now I'm going to bask in the glow of having finished the first unit. I am officially 1/36 of the way through med school (block exam wise).

I was really hoping that today would be nice, weather wise. I have spent so much time cooped up studying the past few weeks, I need to get in some outside time.

Maybe tomorrow.

Later.

Doomsday

Okay, so it's not doomsday, but my first set of exams is coming up soon (too soon). I really don't know how to feel. Sometimes I feel pretty confidant, but then there are times I feel like I don't know anything.

I guess that's just how it goes.

At any rate, this week has been good for me. There seems to be a bit more time to study, and I'm actually making good use of it. Now I just have to stay away from this darned internet. It just sucks me in and doesn't let go.