This weekend really isn't as busy as I thought it would be. Stayed up till 3am studying last night, got up at 8am this morning to go to a review session (GREAT!) and then managed to take a nap and lightly study the rest of the day...
Hmm... I feel like I should be more hardcore studying? Ah well, I guess I got a good deal done. One more week left till mini #2! Then working my way to coming home!!! Just mini #3 and the final 4 days apart and I am coming home the next day!!!
So excited!
-----------------
Fell asleep, its the 29th now, lol. What a pretty day today! Not much going on just looking over some histology slides for my exam on Thursday. Still a pretty lax weekend. Hahaha, I felt bad for not posting in a while but I really don't have much to say - haha. House marathon today though!!! I love it! I love it how I study day and night yet still watch medical shows. Ah well.
Well I am going to watch this and study today - not much time left before the test! :)
Miss you all very much!!!
Jess
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Coming to the end of October and into my last month of classes!!!
Well, tomorrow is October 25th one week away from the beginning of November. Why is this so great? IT'S THE LAST MONTH OF CLASSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 30th is our last day of class. After which we have some time off to study for our final but I am going to be so stoked when it hits November. I told my roomies this in August that when it hits November 1st I would start to get very excited - so I better! What is everyone at home doing for Halloween??? Any fun plans? :) Save some candy for me!!!
But yeah, this weekend we leave the 7 week range and head into 6! I can't wait. The more I think about it though the slower it seems to go lol. Tonight I found myself sitting on the balcony with some coffee watching the sunset and the water, but then turning to look at the road I took into this city from the airport and how much I couldn't wait to travel in the opposite direction heading back home. I probably going to cry on the plane I will be so excited!
I am watching the Tigers now... yeah, 0-2 so that's no good. Bottom of the 6th too. Hopefully we can pull something together. I took up some more studying tweaks so this will be interesting. I am a little nervous because I am not as busy as I was. I feel this way is more efficient that I was doing, which is good, but without being JAMMED with work it is hard to feel like I am doing enough. We'll see. It's only been a few days.
I also went to go talk to Dr. Grogan about what I can do for biochem. He is a very nice guy and I am going to go see him again before the second mini next Monday. But this one I am sure is going to go much better in biochem. This week is moving like a slug though. Alot of meetings, classes, studying, and labs. Ah well, only a couple more days till the weekend and then my countdown continues! Next week will fly because I will be studying for the exam the whole time lol.
Well back to biochem studying - more enzyme/cofactor memorizing to do... I hope all is well with everyone - you are never far from my thoughts!
Jess
XOXO
November 30th is our last day of class. After which we have some time off to study for our final but I am going to be so stoked when it hits November. I told my roomies this in August that when it hits November 1st I would start to get very excited - so I better! What is everyone at home doing for Halloween??? Any fun plans? :) Save some candy for me!!!
But yeah, this weekend we leave the 7 week range and head into 6! I can't wait. The more I think about it though the slower it seems to go lol. Tonight I found myself sitting on the balcony with some coffee watching the sunset and the water, but then turning to look at the road I took into this city from the airport and how much I couldn't wait to travel in the opposite direction heading back home. I probably going to cry on the plane I will be so excited!
I am watching the Tigers now... yeah, 0-2 so that's no good. Bottom of the 6th too. Hopefully we can pull something together. I took up some more studying tweaks so this will be interesting. I am a little nervous because I am not as busy as I was. I feel this way is more efficient that I was doing, which is good, but without being JAMMED with work it is hard to feel like I am doing enough. We'll see. It's only been a few days.
I also went to go talk to Dr. Grogan about what I can do for biochem. He is a very nice guy and I am going to go see him again before the second mini next Monday. But this one I am sure is going to go much better in biochem. This week is moving like a slug though. Alot of meetings, classes, studying, and labs. Ah well, only a couple more days till the weekend and then my countdown continues! Next week will fly because I will be studying for the exam the whole time lol.
Well back to biochem studying - more enzyme/cofactor memorizing to do... I hope all is well with everyone - you are never far from my thoughts!
Jess
XOXO
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Quick note then back to studying...
Just a quick note! I am taking off the 'comment' section to my blog. While I am so excited that many students who are applying to Ross and elsewhere find these blogs helpful - I have gotten a few comments that - well, yeah aren't necessary. Primarily this blog is for myself, friends, and family back home to know how I am doing - not for judgement. I got enough from that on ValueMD - hahaha.
So, thanks for the comments from all of you who found this helpful and feel free to IM me on AOL but this option will be taken off from this blog. Welp back off to studying!!! :) As for those who OBVIOUSLY find it more important to criticize me on my life here in Dominica than to study, might I suggest you do the same?
Love you all!
Jess
So, thanks for the comments from all of you who found this helpful and feel free to IM me on AOL but this option will be taken off from this blog. Welp back off to studying!!! :) As for those who OBVIOUSLY find it more important to criticize me on my life here in Dominica than to study, might I suggest you do the same?
Love you all!
Jess
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Sooooooooooooooooo excited!
Wow, this morning was great! So this meeting that I went to wasn't even a club. It was just an idea! But what an idea and I am so excited. This idea was so fresh that we (only 4 people showed up) thought of its name. Our focus is on Dominica and how to improve their healthcare. Hense, say hello to the Dominican Health Foundation! We still have to talk to Dr. Grell to get it approved but who wouldn't approve this?
I am so excited for what we can do for this country and not just for Portsmouth/Picard where the university is. So we are meeting again next week. I feel so great now! I am in now 5 clubs and hold postitions in at least two right now: SGA (student government), AMSA (med student association), OLAS (latin american club), PHR (physicians for human rights), and Dominican Health Foundation! I don't know why but I was aiming for 5 for my first semester. I want to be involved but I think I have a great balance. I have clubs where I can benefit like OLAS and AMSA by just having fun and learning new medical procedures/techniques, while also helping others! I better pass with flying colors here because I am just beyond excited about this!
So after this meeting I went to a review. Wow, it was suppose to be an hour, turned into 3! But it was a fantastic review so I am glad I went - thanks for inviting me Sana!!! Our leader-guy is unreal. He is only a 2nd semester but not only does he do his own work, he watches 1st semesters lectures, makes reviews, tutors, etc.!!! How does he have the time? But he gave me a great idea for next semester to not really tutor so much as to stay with the 1st semester and their lectures. After next semester I have to take my first shelf exam (this exam is an exam put on by the National Board of Medical Examiners NBME) and I must pass in order to be "promoted" to my 2nd year of medical school. But this method would be a fantasic way to prepare!
So, I think I will do that. I am also done with packets now. On the week - its all about the lectures - weekend explaining it to people, myself, imaginary people - whoever! I finally realized that reviewing only takes you so far - the surface. You can spit out the facts but questions never come this way. They come from 5 angles at once and you have to pick out everything that they are saying, go back and recall each of these 5 factors/topics and connect everything together (connecting histology to physiology to anatomy to get a diagnosis). It is so thrilling to being asked ACTUAL medical questions and "Patient presents with..." PATIENT PRESENTS WITH! Hahaha, even that excited me.
Okay, I need to calm down. Matt is getting so fresh and so clean then we are going to make "breakfast" (1:30pm) then we are going to talk it all out!!! I never thought that I would get attached here as much as I am. It is hard to explain because I don't want to give the impression that I don't miss home - that's a given and I still cry about that. But I am going to miss it here when it is time to leave. 16 months here - that's it. Already down to under 14 months to go - how crazy is that?
All my love to the family and ttown crew!
Jessica
I am so excited for what we can do for this country and not just for Portsmouth/Picard where the university is. So we are meeting again next week. I feel so great now! I am in now 5 clubs and hold postitions in at least two right now: SGA (student government), AMSA (med student association), OLAS (latin american club), PHR (physicians for human rights), and Dominican Health Foundation! I don't know why but I was aiming for 5 for my first semester. I want to be involved but I think I have a great balance. I have clubs where I can benefit like OLAS and AMSA by just having fun and learning new medical procedures/techniques, while also helping others! I better pass with flying colors here because I am just beyond excited about this!
So after this meeting I went to a review. Wow, it was suppose to be an hour, turned into 3! But it was a fantastic review so I am glad I went - thanks for inviting me Sana!!! Our leader-guy is unreal. He is only a 2nd semester but not only does he do his own work, he watches 1st semesters lectures, makes reviews, tutors, etc.!!! How does he have the time? But he gave me a great idea for next semester to not really tutor so much as to stay with the 1st semester and their lectures. After next semester I have to take my first shelf exam (this exam is an exam put on by the National Board of Medical Examiners NBME) and I must pass in order to be "promoted" to my 2nd year of medical school. But this method would be a fantasic way to prepare!
So, I think I will do that. I am also done with packets now. On the week - its all about the lectures - weekend explaining it to people, myself, imaginary people - whoever! I finally realized that reviewing only takes you so far - the surface. You can spit out the facts but questions never come this way. They come from 5 angles at once and you have to pick out everything that they are saying, go back and recall each of these 5 factors/topics and connect everything together (connecting histology to physiology to anatomy to get a diagnosis). It is so thrilling to being asked ACTUAL medical questions and "Patient presents with..." PATIENT PRESENTS WITH! Hahaha, even that excited me.
Okay, I need to calm down. Matt is getting so fresh and so clean then we are going to make "breakfast" (1:30pm) then we are going to talk it all out!!! I never thought that I would get attached here as much as I am. It is hard to explain because I don't want to give the impression that I don't miss home - that's a given and I still cry about that. But I am going to miss it here when it is time to leave. 16 months here - that's it. Already down to under 14 months to go - how crazy is that?
All my love to the family and ttown crew!
Jessica
Friday, October 20, 2006
Yet another week done...
Hi everyone! It's about 8:30pm on a Friday and I am all snug in my bed with all my books. No joke I have like 3 piles of books around me, haha.
Well, I checked my grades finally and they turned out alright. Didn't do as well as I wanted in Biochemisty but all others went pretty well! So that was a relief! I'll do alot better on this next one - this one I guess just got everyone used to how exams are. But hey, mini #2 is just around the corner - two weeks from this Monday!
Tomorrow morning it will officially be under 8 weeks till I come home! I am soooo happy!!! Just as long as I kick butt on the rest of this semester I can't imagine how stoked I will be when I get home!
I know I had alot of things to say but now, of course, I cannot remember!!! Argh.
This week's material was UNREAL. I have about 10 packets to look over and that is just from the packets that the professors were nice enough to print! LOL. THERE'S MORE!
But I feel pretty organized now, a little more like I am getting an idea of how things work around here with exams. Tomorrow morning I am actually going to another review. Even before that I have another meeting.
Today's PHR meeting was good! I am really looking forward to working on this PANZI project! We are collaborating with other students in Canada and just to start out we are going to be putting together a presentation about our cause as well as having a movie night hopefully depicting the issues we are talking about in the Congo - such as a documentary or Hotel Rowanda. This is a brand new project and we all agreed we don't just want to be raising money for this clinic but to spead awareness and hopefully one day become involved with Doctors Without Borders to travel to this and hopefully other locations where medical attention is needed. The meeting tomorrow is for another club. Not sure which it is but I was just interested because they are always telling us here to get involved with the island because their heath care system, while it has come a long way - still needs alot of work. We will be figuring out ways to raise money for the Portsmouth Hospital to get them a second ventilator. There are many children that have died because they only have one for all the patients that they see so we are going to be brainstorming I suppose.
But I am so glad to get involved! It really puts in perspective of what my goals are - this! Being with people! Even when my biochem grade didn't turn out how I really wanted - how can that compare when I will be working to help people here in Dominica, who have been so kind and welcoming to all of us, and even people as far away as in the Congo? No matter where the people are it would really be great to expand these projects while I am here - becoming more creative to do something big! I think it is just going to get more exciting! :-D
Anyway, I have to get going! I have some stuff I still want to get done tonight but I will write again tomorrow!
I love you guys! XOXO More to come!
Jessica :)
Well, I checked my grades finally and they turned out alright. Didn't do as well as I wanted in Biochemisty but all others went pretty well! So that was a relief! I'll do alot better on this next one - this one I guess just got everyone used to how exams are. But hey, mini #2 is just around the corner - two weeks from this Monday!
Tomorrow morning it will officially be under 8 weeks till I come home! I am soooo happy!!! Just as long as I kick butt on the rest of this semester I can't imagine how stoked I will be when I get home!
I know I had alot of things to say but now, of course, I cannot remember!!! Argh.
This week's material was UNREAL. I have about 10 packets to look over and that is just from the packets that the professors were nice enough to print! LOL. THERE'S MORE!
But I feel pretty organized now, a little more like I am getting an idea of how things work around here with exams. Tomorrow morning I am actually going to another review. Even before that I have another meeting.
Today's PHR meeting was good! I am really looking forward to working on this PANZI project! We are collaborating with other students in Canada and just to start out we are going to be putting together a presentation about our cause as well as having a movie night hopefully depicting the issues we are talking about in the Congo - such as a documentary or Hotel Rowanda. This is a brand new project and we all agreed we don't just want to be raising money for this clinic but to spead awareness and hopefully one day become involved with Doctors Without Borders to travel to this and hopefully other locations where medical attention is needed. The meeting tomorrow is for another club. Not sure which it is but I was just interested because they are always telling us here to get involved with the island because their heath care system, while it has come a long way - still needs alot of work. We will be figuring out ways to raise money for the Portsmouth Hospital to get them a second ventilator. There are many children that have died because they only have one for all the patients that they see so we are going to be brainstorming I suppose.
But I am so glad to get involved! It really puts in perspective of what my goals are - this! Being with people! Even when my biochem grade didn't turn out how I really wanted - how can that compare when I will be working to help people here in Dominica, who have been so kind and welcoming to all of us, and even people as far away as in the Congo? No matter where the people are it would really be great to expand these projects while I am here - becoming more creative to do something big! I think it is just going to get more exciting! :-D
Anyway, I have to get going! I have some stuff I still want to get done tonight but I will write again tomorrow!
I love you guys! XOXO More to come!
Jessica :)
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Determination
Well, it is 1:30am and I am still up studying. Not really an often thing for me to do, but I just have alot that I wanted to get done so I figured - why not? Haha. I just sad outside on the balcony for about 10 minutes to watch the sky. Not storming but there is the heat lighting going on. With my view you have an awesome sight of this lighting just lighting up the Caribbean Sea. So beautiful.
Finishing up reviewing 7 hours of neurophysiology lecture. Woopie! But I am ready to finish this week. Monday and today were hard, long days but I got through it alright. We had dissection today, only 3 left for me this semester! Today was the anterior and medial thigh. 5 hour long dissection. Yikes. But I think my group, as always, does a great job. I am really lucky to have such a great group.
The rest of this week shouldn't be too bad. Just classes and studying mostly. This Friday I will have a meeting with PHR (Physicians for Human Rights). They were hoping people might want to come out for a cause in the Congo in Africa. Here is a small part of what I was sent, in case you are curious:
"The Panzi clinic in the Bukavu region of DROC is set up to treat the medical needs of women who have lost everything. They have treated girls as young as two to women in their eighties, offering a variety of surgical, pharmacological and mental services. While nothing can extinguish the emotional pain that must be endured, the physical needs of such patients are met to the degree that the hospital is able. Of course, such an endeavor is only made possible by generous contributions. This is where RUSM PHR can create a tangible difference! I have found a group of medical students in Canada who, like us, are committed to the practice of medicine in the light of basic human rights. The Canadian Students for Medial Reform, has started a project that they have entitled SAFER (Social Aid For the Elimination of Rape). Through this project they are in constant communication with the Panzi clinic and have been able to raise money for sutures and other medical supplies that are desperately needed. Our collaboration with this group is an exciting prospect and they are waiting to hear if RUSM will answer the call the help PANZI."
This might sound a little dumb, but after watching an episode of ER (Ma, you know about this), there was one about the horrific issues going on in the Congo. Those episodes in a small way opened my eyes and have been interested in it ever since. Well after coming to hear about this cause I thought it would be a good starting point to getting a better understanding. So this Friday I will be attending that meeting to see what could possibly be done.
I am really watching not to overdo it with extra things besides studying but sometimes I just can't help it! This is all such a great experience though.
Well, kind of a boring, serious post but I am going finish up my work tonight and get some rest. Tomorrow is yet another day :-D!!!
I love you guys and am starting to feel the end coming for the semester! Miss you more than words!!!
Jessica
P.S. I just saw the countdown on this blogpage and just got so happy!!! Sooooo soon!
Finishing up reviewing 7 hours of neurophysiology lecture. Woopie! But I am ready to finish this week. Monday and today were hard, long days but I got through it alright. We had dissection today, only 3 left for me this semester! Today was the anterior and medial thigh. 5 hour long dissection. Yikes. But I think my group, as always, does a great job. I am really lucky to have such a great group.
The rest of this week shouldn't be too bad. Just classes and studying mostly. This Friday I will have a meeting with PHR (Physicians for Human Rights). They were hoping people might want to come out for a cause in the Congo in Africa. Here is a small part of what I was sent, in case you are curious:
"The Panzi clinic in the Bukavu region of DROC is set up to treat the medical needs of women who have lost everything. They have treated girls as young as two to women in their eighties, offering a variety of surgical, pharmacological and mental services. While nothing can extinguish the emotional pain that must be endured, the physical needs of such patients are met to the degree that the hospital is able. Of course, such an endeavor is only made possible by generous contributions. This is where RUSM PHR can create a tangible difference! I have found a group of medical students in Canada who, like us, are committed to the practice of medicine in the light of basic human rights. The Canadian Students for Medial Reform, has started a project that they have entitled SAFER (Social Aid For the Elimination of Rape). Through this project they are in constant communication with the Panzi clinic and have been able to raise money for sutures and other medical supplies that are desperately needed. Our collaboration with this group is an exciting prospect and they are waiting to hear if RUSM will answer the call the help PANZI."
This might sound a little dumb, but after watching an episode of ER (Ma, you know about this), there was one about the horrific issues going on in the Congo. Those episodes in a small way opened my eyes and have been interested in it ever since. Well after coming to hear about this cause I thought it would be a good starting point to getting a better understanding. So this Friday I will be attending that meeting to see what could possibly be done.
I am really watching not to overdo it with extra things besides studying but sometimes I just can't help it! This is all such a great experience though.
Well, kind of a boring, serious post but I am going finish up my work tonight and get some rest. Tomorrow is yet another day :-D!!!
I love you guys and am starting to feel the end coming for the semester! Miss you more than words!!!
Jessica
P.S. I just saw the countdown on this blogpage and just got so happy!!! Sooooo soon!
Saturday, October 14, 2006
WE ARE IN THE WORLD SERIES - HOW SWEET IS THIS?!?!
TIGERS ARE GOING TO THE
WORLD SERIES!
YEAH DETROIT!
I wish I could make it to a game - at least I can see them here! I got chills watching the highlights! Definately going to take some time off studying to enjoy this!
Time to re-live 1984! :-D Man D-town is going to be cRaZy!!! You all at home better go to some games - I know I would if I was home!!! Someone get me a t-shirt or somethin' - I'll pay ya back! :-P
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=261014106
WORLD SERIES!
YEAH DETROIT!
I wish I could make it to a game - at least I can see them here! I got chills watching the highlights! Definately going to take some time off studying to enjoy this!
Time to re-live 1984! :-D Man D-town is going to be cRaZy!!! You all at home better go to some games - I know I would if I was home!!! Someone get me a t-shirt or somethin' - I'll pay ya back! :-P
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=261014106
Been far too long...
WOW, it's been a while. But believe me I saved you all. I just have been in a funk from my exam (still haven't checked my score) hahaha, but I will soon I promise!
So much has gone on so I will try to make this not too long but hey, at least it will be interested!
Hmm, where to begin. Okay the test. Well, everyone has checked their scores mostly. Some are happy some aren't. I guess I won't make this into that big of a deal because there are more tests to come and this semester is only worth 45% of our 1st year final grade and plus the test is the reason I haven't been posting so let's move on, haha.
I think though if it goes well I will be on cloud nine. I feel so good here, excited to be here. I am talking crazy medical jargon which I can't believe I am actually doing. Everyday I get a smile on my face because it makes me laugh to know I am doing what I always dreamed of doing. Even last night I learned how to do three different kinds of sutures! Suturing! As a first-year medical student! I learned how to do disconnected (one at a time), connected (multiple), as well as interal sutures (for facial or plastic surgery to minimize scarring). I couldn't believe it. I even learned the different kinds of suture materials and knotting tricks too! I am going to practice today - if you want to learn I'll show you (it honestly isn't that hard but we will pretend like it is so I feel smart) hahaha. Wow, I feel like I have so much to say because this is sort of like my diary and I haven't posted in about 5 days! I hope this doesn't happen after every exam!
It is really raining today! It is funny how now it can be sunny but I can hear the rain coming from miles away sounds so quiet but then it comes toward the apartment and you can hear it banging off the aluminum roof! It sometimes, like today, rains so hard it seems like the rain is actually moving slow! So peaceful though and definate studying whether.
I can't believe I am onto week 7! I can feel the end coming even though I still have to get though a good amount. But it is coming! After this week I will have been here 2 whole months!
I went to the BodyTracker thing again. Went down another 2lbs to 117.6lbs! I was like yikes! We'll see what it is in another 2 weeks but I don't need anything less than that so I am going to have to find some food down here! Hahaha. I wonder if I look teenier? Anyhoo, so I am just working on reviewing the past week as usual. I am switching up my game a little. Everyone is doing their little "tweaks" after this mini to their studying. I am still doing all my reading but as far as practice question, I am waiting to do that till before the exam. The practice exams I did (6) were a joke compared to this test. So I am not sure if I will be doing many of those again but I will be taking both Saturday and Sunday to review now and hopefully watching lectures over again. I realize how much time this will take up but I think it is something I should do so I will (of course watch it on 2X speed lol). I am reviewing alot slower too to make sure I understand. I think that was my problem. I have been reading and stuff to stay ahead - and I was - but I think I was doing all that just to rush and get it done and not really going through it like I should have, so - more time for reviewing.
I am feeling pretty good - even now I am going back and forth about checking my scores but I will soon enough. Actually went out on the town last night! Okay, I went to classroom 6 to watch a movie - but hey - I had fun! I saw The DaVinci Code finally! It was put on by the club I am in, OLAS, to raise money for the Portsmouth Hospital. We packed the house! It was great! The movie was good but nothing as good as the book. The book actually had you on the edge of your seat but the movie figured out all the puzzles too quickly and killed the suspense. Ah well, I just loved being able to watch A WHOLE MOVIE! Don't get to do that too often. How sad.
Well, I am going to get back to it - nice talking to you all and I'll be sure to keep up with my posting... Until the next mini - hahaha, just kidding.
I love you all and REALLY miss you! But the end of semester one is coming!!!
Love, Jess
XOXOXO
So much has gone on so I will try to make this not too long but hey, at least it will be interested!
Hmm, where to begin. Okay the test. Well, everyone has checked their scores mostly. Some are happy some aren't. I guess I won't make this into that big of a deal because there are more tests to come and this semester is only worth 45% of our 1st year final grade and plus the test is the reason I haven't been posting so let's move on, haha.
I think though if it goes well I will be on cloud nine. I feel so good here, excited to be here. I am talking crazy medical jargon which I can't believe I am actually doing. Everyday I get a smile on my face because it makes me laugh to know I am doing what I always dreamed of doing. Even last night I learned how to do three different kinds of sutures! Suturing! As a first-year medical student! I learned how to do disconnected (one at a time), connected (multiple), as well as interal sutures (for facial or plastic surgery to minimize scarring). I couldn't believe it. I even learned the different kinds of suture materials and knotting tricks too! I am going to practice today - if you want to learn I'll show you (it honestly isn't that hard but we will pretend like it is so I feel smart) hahaha. Wow, I feel like I have so much to say because this is sort of like my diary and I haven't posted in about 5 days! I hope this doesn't happen after every exam!
It is really raining today! It is funny how now it can be sunny but I can hear the rain coming from miles away sounds so quiet but then it comes toward the apartment and you can hear it banging off the aluminum roof! It sometimes, like today, rains so hard it seems like the rain is actually moving slow! So peaceful though and definate studying whether.
I can't believe I am onto week 7! I can feel the end coming even though I still have to get though a good amount. But it is coming! After this week I will have been here 2 whole months!
I went to the BodyTracker thing again. Went down another 2lbs to 117.6lbs! I was like yikes! We'll see what it is in another 2 weeks but I don't need anything less than that so I am going to have to find some food down here! Hahaha. I wonder if I look teenier? Anyhoo, so I am just working on reviewing the past week as usual. I am switching up my game a little. Everyone is doing their little "tweaks" after this mini to their studying. I am still doing all my reading but as far as practice question, I am waiting to do that till before the exam. The practice exams I did (6) were a joke compared to this test. So I am not sure if I will be doing many of those again but I will be taking both Saturday and Sunday to review now and hopefully watching lectures over again. I realize how much time this will take up but I think it is something I should do so I will (of course watch it on 2X speed lol). I am reviewing alot slower too to make sure I understand. I think that was my problem. I have been reading and stuff to stay ahead - and I was - but I think I was doing all that just to rush and get it done and not really going through it like I should have, so - more time for reviewing.
I am feeling pretty good - even now I am going back and forth about checking my scores but I will soon enough. Actually went out on the town last night! Okay, I went to classroom 6 to watch a movie - but hey - I had fun! I saw The DaVinci Code finally! It was put on by the club I am in, OLAS, to raise money for the Portsmouth Hospital. We packed the house! It was great! The movie was good but nothing as good as the book. The book actually had you on the edge of your seat but the movie figured out all the puzzles too quickly and killed the suspense. Ah well, I just loved being able to watch A WHOLE MOVIE! Don't get to do that too often. How sad.
Well, I am going to get back to it - nice talking to you all and I'll be sure to keep up with my posting... Until the next mini - hahaha, just kidding.
I love you all and REALLY miss you! But the end of semester one is coming!!!
Love, Jess
XOXOXO
Monday, October 09, 2006
Overwhelmed. Yes, it finally happened.
Mini is over. Jessica is unhappy.
Coming out of that test felt like coming out of the MCAT - both times. Since we know what that turned out like you can expect how I did on this test. Maybe I am overreacting. But wow, this test was nothing but detail, nothing like the practice exams, nothing like I expected.
I don't even know how to change my studying from here. I tried to make it out of the exam without talking to anyone but that, of course, didn't work. Everyone is talking about how they need to get studying and stop having fun. What do I do? I already don't have fun and have worked harder than I ever have in my life. I even thought I changed my studying very well. I guess I should wait until I get my scores back.
I talked to the president of OLAS, Vanessa about it. She was really nice to talk to me about it. The class average will become the MPS - minimum passing score. If you get this you are 'good'. If you get higher that is great. If the average was a 60% - yeah - pretty hard to pat myself on the back if I get the average. Wanting to get As doesn't seem that easy. Well I didn't expect it to be, but I thought with all my hard work I could swing it.
Leaving the exam I even though about what if I failed and I had to come home. I thought about packing. Doing poorly on this exam doesn't mean that I can't do well in the class but it is such a blow to my confidence.
I don't even know how everyone else did. I want to think if I wasn't happy mostly everyone isn't but there are people here that just have that 'thing' that get them to do well on these things. Maybe medicine was a bad choice in terms of finding a career where I wouldn't have to worry about my test taking strategies lol.
So, I came home did a million situps, squats, pushups anything to wear me out a little. About to hop in the shower then relax for most of the day until tonight when I am somehow and somewhere going to find motivation to work towards mini #2. The OLAS boat party got cancelled due to the weather so I guess I won't be leaving the apartment to help with checking people in there. I guess that is good because I need time to myself. I don't think I will even talk about this with the roomies. Sorry guys if you are reading this but unless you feel as bad as me (even if so) I probably won't be talking much tonight.
Alright enough wallowing in my own pity - haven't even gotten the scores back. I guess that is a reason to be positive but false hope to me is just as hard to deal with as bad news.
Sorry for not being my optimistic self. Hoping for some good news so I can get back to how I was about 5 hours ago. Without it, it is going to be pretty hard to trudge on and feel like I can make it through here successfully.
Crossing my fingers and hoping for a miracle,
Jessica
P.S. Alright, one smile... :) Love ya'll.
Coming out of that test felt like coming out of the MCAT - both times. Since we know what that turned out like you can expect how I did on this test. Maybe I am overreacting. But wow, this test was nothing but detail, nothing like the practice exams, nothing like I expected.
I don't even know how to change my studying from here. I tried to make it out of the exam without talking to anyone but that, of course, didn't work. Everyone is talking about how they need to get studying and stop having fun. What do I do? I already don't have fun and have worked harder than I ever have in my life. I even thought I changed my studying very well. I guess I should wait until I get my scores back.
I talked to the president of OLAS, Vanessa about it. She was really nice to talk to me about it. The class average will become the MPS - minimum passing score. If you get this you are 'good'. If you get higher that is great. If the average was a 60% - yeah - pretty hard to pat myself on the back if I get the average. Wanting to get As doesn't seem that easy. Well I didn't expect it to be, but I thought with all my hard work I could swing it.
Leaving the exam I even though about what if I failed and I had to come home. I thought about packing. Doing poorly on this exam doesn't mean that I can't do well in the class but it is such a blow to my confidence.
I don't even know how everyone else did. I want to think if I wasn't happy mostly everyone isn't but there are people here that just have that 'thing' that get them to do well on these things. Maybe medicine was a bad choice in terms of finding a career where I wouldn't have to worry about my test taking strategies lol.
So, I came home did a million situps, squats, pushups anything to wear me out a little. About to hop in the shower then relax for most of the day until tonight when I am somehow and somewhere going to find motivation to work towards mini #2. The OLAS boat party got cancelled due to the weather so I guess I won't be leaving the apartment to help with checking people in there. I guess that is good because I need time to myself. I don't think I will even talk about this with the roomies. Sorry guys if you are reading this but unless you feel as bad as me (even if so) I probably won't be talking much tonight.
Alright enough wallowing in my own pity - haven't even gotten the scores back. I guess that is a reason to be positive but false hope to me is just as hard to deal with as bad news.
Sorry for not being my optimistic self. Hoping for some good news so I can get back to how I was about 5 hours ago. Without it, it is going to be pretty hard to trudge on and feel like I can make it through here successfully.
Crossing my fingers and hoping for a miracle,
Jessica
P.S. Alright, one smile... :) Love ya'll.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Ready for Mini 1
Just about time to take my big mini. It is over 36 hours away and I feel just about ready to kick its butt! I'm still studying but really casually. Watching a movie right now actually - Castaway... You know, the movie where he gets deserted on some island? Why does that sound so familiar??? ;) Hahaha.
MSU lost to Michigan I see... I'm not even going to comment, lol. State will always rock so whatever, I'm not worried:-P.
Nothing much new as usual but feeling good about Monday. I'm ready to get back in the routine of class and getting ready for mini #2 on November 6th! That's only 4 weeks from this Monday! Yay! Haha, not too often you hear of people EXCITED to study - but that is me!
I'm just wondering what is going on in Ttown. I wish I was home to celebrate Al's big 21st! I am sure you all are going to have a blast! HAPPY BIRTHDAY AL!!!
Sigh, I'm too lax right now - I should get productive, lol. Less than 10 weeks now till I'll be home - so pumped! Still may seem like a while but 9 weeks and 6 days seems alot better than 16 weeks!!! Realizing it is a Saturday night now and everyone is probably out now so I will get back to studying and watching some tv! I'm so glad I worked so hard to be ready for Monday and not stressed at all.
Hope I can keep this up for another 3.5 semesters! (Hey, I am just about 1/2 way done with this semester... :-D).
Talk to you tomorrow! Sleep tight!
Jessica Lynn
MSU lost to Michigan I see... I'm not even going to comment, lol. State will always rock so whatever, I'm not worried:-P.
Nothing much new as usual but feeling good about Monday. I'm ready to get back in the routine of class and getting ready for mini #2 on November 6th! That's only 4 weeks from this Monday! Yay! Haha, not too often you hear of people EXCITED to study - but that is me!
I'm just wondering what is going on in Ttown. I wish I was home to celebrate Al's big 21st! I am sure you all are going to have a blast! HAPPY BIRTHDAY AL!!!
Sigh, I'm too lax right now - I should get productive, lol. Less than 10 weeks now till I'll be home - so pumped! Still may seem like a while but 9 weeks and 6 days seems alot better than 16 weeks!!! Realizing it is a Saturday night now and everyone is probably out now so I will get back to studying and watching some tv! I'm so glad I worked so hard to be ready for Monday and not stressed at all.
Hope I can keep this up for another 3.5 semesters! (Hey, I am just about 1/2 way done with this semester... :-D).
Talk to you tomorrow! Sleep tight!
Jessica Lynn
Friday, October 06, 2006
Goodbye first exam jitters!
Well hello, hello, hello!
Alright so my lab practical exam is over! Finally have one test under my belt. In my opinion, I feel like I did well. There were 40 questions and after it was over I had about 5 "iffy" checkmarks on my scantron thingy. I am sure there were a few others I was iffy but by I am hoping it is no more than that. People are talking about the answers already and then I am now starting to second guess things but I am trying to stay positive. I started thinking 'oh what if they are right' now and I just need to stop!!!
After I left I felt really good though. Good enough to get errands done in town instead of storming home lol. But on the way home I had a thought. I thought to myself, "First test down! ...sigh, this is going to be part of my GPA... uh oh, this contributes to what all the hospitals are going to see for my residencies!" After that I swear I felt myself throw up in my mouth a little bit. Hahaha.
So now I am just finishing up relaxing and am about to continue studying for the mini on Monday which is a TON bigger than today. So - back to it!
I'll talk to you all soon!
Jess
P.S. I loved talking to you today Tim - it was great to hear your voice! Miss you and love you and Ma tons!!!
Alright so my lab practical exam is over! Finally have one test under my belt. In my opinion, I feel like I did well. There were 40 questions and after it was over I had about 5 "iffy" checkmarks on my scantron thingy. I am sure there were a few others I was iffy but by I am hoping it is no more than that. People are talking about the answers already and then I am now starting to second guess things but I am trying to stay positive. I started thinking 'oh what if they are right' now and I just need to stop!!!
After I left I felt really good though. Good enough to get errands done in town instead of storming home lol. But on the way home I had a thought. I thought to myself, "First test down! ...sigh, this is going to be part of my GPA... uh oh, this contributes to what all the hospitals are going to see for my residencies!" After that I swear I felt myself throw up in my mouth a little bit. Hahaha.
So now I am just finishing up relaxing and am about to continue studying for the mini on Monday which is a TON bigger than today. So - back to it!
I'll talk to you all soon!
Jess
P.S. I loved talking to you today Tim - it was great to hear your voice! Miss you and love you and Ma tons!!!
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Tomorrow it begins...
One more day then the gross anatomy practical exam is here. Not too nervous, me and Matt went over alot of practice things yesterday and I think I really have a handle on it. Really when looking at the body you have to stop, orientate yourself on where you actually are in the body then figure out the answer. So often in the practice I wanted to just jump in there and figure it out. But waiting like 10 seconds to see what they are tagging and what muscles it goes through, etc. really helps.
Not sure what time I take it tomorrow. We are all sequestered in Classroom 6 and are pulled out randomly on a draw. Hopefully I can just go first. Everyone is going to be cramming, but I don't know if you can even bring books or even speak in there! Oy, I just want these 'first exam' jitters gone! The big exam is coming up quick to - Monday!
Starting my 3rd practice exam today - I tend to get one done a day. In class today I will probably go over more material I was iffy on yesterday. But I was starting to feel a bit worried yesterday though but I shook it off.
Today is the last day of dissection and it will be my group, group B, dissecting the forearm. I don't think it should take too long because the group before us already took off all the skin and pretty much all we have to do is identify the muscles/vessels/nerves. Not too bad. So I'll hopefully be out quick! Tonight though a few of us are thinking of going to the gross anatomy lab at 1am. I'll be back at home after lab but I am thinking of going with everyone. I say I will go, but we'll see. 1am is kinda pushing it for me. Although I stayed up last night till 1:30 and got up around 5:30/6 this morning. Oh well.
No class though tomorrow - so technically week 5 ends today! I can't wait until our second mini in week 10! After that things are going really fly! We are done with classes next month (I love saying that!), on November 30th and then we have about 10ish days off to study for our final! So once the second mini is over I will be all amped to study because that will be the last thing I'll have to study for!
Sigh, always looking to December - but whatever, that's what keeps me happy!
Class is starting! Talk to you soon!
P.S. Neeman Marcus came out with their Christmas catalogue!
Okay byeeee :-P
Not sure what time I take it tomorrow. We are all sequestered in Classroom 6 and are pulled out randomly on a draw. Hopefully I can just go first. Everyone is going to be cramming, but I don't know if you can even bring books or even speak in there! Oy, I just want these 'first exam' jitters gone! The big exam is coming up quick to - Monday!
Starting my 3rd practice exam today - I tend to get one done a day. In class today I will probably go over more material I was iffy on yesterday. But I was starting to feel a bit worried yesterday though but I shook it off.
Today is the last day of dissection and it will be my group, group B, dissecting the forearm. I don't think it should take too long because the group before us already took off all the skin and pretty much all we have to do is identify the muscles/vessels/nerves. Not too bad. So I'll hopefully be out quick! Tonight though a few of us are thinking of going to the gross anatomy lab at 1am. I'll be back at home after lab but I am thinking of going with everyone. I say I will go, but we'll see. 1am is kinda pushing it for me. Although I stayed up last night till 1:30 and got up around 5:30/6 this morning. Oh well.
No class though tomorrow - so technically week 5 ends today! I can't wait until our second mini in week 10! After that things are going really fly! We are done with classes next month (I love saying that!), on November 30th and then we have about 10ish days off to study for our final! So once the second mini is over I will be all amped to study because that will be the last thing I'll have to study for!
Sigh, always looking to December - but whatever, that's what keeps me happy!
Class is starting! Talk to you soon!
P.S. Neeman Marcus came out with their Christmas catalogue!
Okay byeeee :-P
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
A little game of cat and mouse...
I have made a new friend! I now have a rat in my apartment:-P, I think I will name him Herman. LOL. Wow what a night. I thought I saw something earlier in the day run by me in my room but then I looked around, saw nothing and ignored it. Yea, all day long that thing was in my room. I went to bed and then I started hearing the little gnawing bites of what I though was termites! Then I heard sounds from behind my dresser! What was going on? Even though I am getting better with killing bugs (alot better) I just couldn't do this one by myself. Inside my little, bug-netted bed I text messaged Matt and said "Something is in my room!"
With his gross anatomy latex gloves, a bag in one hand and a broom in the other - wow did he chase this thing for me! It was so nice of him!!! Thanks Matt! Unfortunately, we ended up getting him out of my room but we forgot to shut the apartment door. So now it is in the kitchen. SIGH. Hahaha. We though he was in the stove and waited a while but then I just ended up going back to bed after carefully surveying my room.
I woke up this morning happy it wasn't at least in my room only to find a note from Matt saying "I saw the mouse and hit it with the broom. Unfortunately Jess, I think it ended up back in your room." Hahaha. Why do I think this is so funny? Oh well. I honestly think it was a mouse not a rat, but it was a good foot long!
We'll deal with it when we get home today after class which should be around noon.
It makes me laugh to type this out though so I guess that is good. Most of my "studying" is done. I did my first mini yesterday but not sure what to think of it. There were alot of questions about topics we aren't covering for this first mini. I have noticed that I do second guess alot which makes me get them wrong. I think I had a good 7 or 8/90 that were second guessing errors. So I'll be working on that today for the practice mini today. I learned possibly some good topics to cover, like more details about diseases such as more technical issues such as the beta-chains of Sickle-cell patients is disrupted and inceasing the gamma-chains may be a form of treatment. Yada yada.
I think from now on it is going to be hard to figure out what to study. It is mostly taking these exams which I think I am ready to start doing but if I have any doubts about it whether I get it right or not I still look it up. So hopefully that will be effective. Our gross anatomy practical is in 2 days so I hope that goes well too. I think I have done all I can do and might look over some prosection videos again, but that's about it.
Whew, what a 24 hours! Well I better get going - class is starting!
I'll try to write again later today.
Love, Jess
With his gross anatomy latex gloves, a bag in one hand and a broom in the other - wow did he chase this thing for me! It was so nice of him!!! Thanks Matt! Unfortunately, we ended up getting him out of my room but we forgot to shut the apartment door. So now it is in the kitchen. SIGH. Hahaha. We though he was in the stove and waited a while but then I just ended up going back to bed after carefully surveying my room.
I woke up this morning happy it wasn't at least in my room only to find a note from Matt saying "I saw the mouse and hit it with the broom. Unfortunately Jess, I think it ended up back in your room." Hahaha. Why do I think this is so funny? Oh well. I honestly think it was a mouse not a rat, but it was a good foot long!
We'll deal with it when we get home today after class which should be around noon.
It makes me laugh to type this out though so I guess that is good. Most of my "studying" is done. I did my first mini yesterday but not sure what to think of it. There were alot of questions about topics we aren't covering for this first mini. I have noticed that I do second guess alot which makes me get them wrong. I think I had a good 7 or 8/90 that were second guessing errors. So I'll be working on that today for the practice mini today. I learned possibly some good topics to cover, like more details about diseases such as more technical issues such as the beta-chains of Sickle-cell patients is disrupted and inceasing the gamma-chains may be a form of treatment. Yada yada.
I think from now on it is going to be hard to figure out what to study. It is mostly taking these exams which I think I am ready to start doing but if I have any doubts about it whether I get it right or not I still look it up. So hopefully that will be effective. Our gross anatomy practical is in 2 days so I hope that goes well too. I think I have done all I can do and might look over some prosection videos again, but that's about it.
Whew, what a 24 hours! Well I better get going - class is starting!
I'll try to write again later today.
Love, Jess
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
CrAzY time!!!
Hi!!! How is everyone today? :)
I'm alright. Today was a good day - well it is not even close to being over at 6pm lol but so far so good. I am very relaxed lately this week, which is surprising. Everyone and I mean everyone on campus is freaking out but I haven't felt stressed yet still! I'm just wrapping up my reviewing now and just about done. I have 5 old mini exams waiting right next to me. I just can't seem to pull myself away from reviewing. I don't want to take these exams if I am not ready but I have to start moving along soon. So tonight I will start those up!
So many people though are believe they are going to fail. Some people I know aren't even going to be buying plane tickets to come back here in January yet until they get their scores back! I feel bad for those people. I feel confident but I know how iffy I can be on taking tests so hopefully I can pull it together.
I gotta say that I am so excited thought about everything! I really feel so fortunate to be here. I might as well say this before I get my exam score back but I am surprisingly so happy here. I think after the mini especially but even now I really feel like I am 'in' med school and I am loving every minute of it! I love waking up in the morning still to learn all of this stuff, loving all the studying - what is wrong with me?! LOL, just kidding. I don't think anything is. I know I am doing something that I really love. I really do feel lucky to be here even though I can't wait to get home.
Oh and FYI, growing my hair back out lol. At least a little bit! :-P It is bugging me!!! Grow hair grow! I can't wait to see everyone and go out but also to just be able to dress up and look decent for once! Everyone here sees pics of me from home and are like "That is you?" I guess I just look like a dork here with all my focus on the books and my four-eyes :-P. Oh well!
I have alot more I want to type out but I really need to get back to starting these minis! I'll write more tomorrow for sure.
Thanks fam and friends for keeping in touch with me so much! You are all such a HUGE part of why I am so happy here and feel like I can make it! All of you are the best family anyone could ever ask for and I am so grateful. Love you all so much!
Jessica
I'm alright. Today was a good day - well it is not even close to being over at 6pm lol but so far so good. I am very relaxed lately this week, which is surprising. Everyone and I mean everyone on campus is freaking out but I haven't felt stressed yet still! I'm just wrapping up my reviewing now and just about done. I have 5 old mini exams waiting right next to me. I just can't seem to pull myself away from reviewing. I don't want to take these exams if I am not ready but I have to start moving along soon. So tonight I will start those up!
So many people though are believe they are going to fail. Some people I know aren't even going to be buying plane tickets to come back here in January yet until they get their scores back! I feel bad for those people. I feel confident but I know how iffy I can be on taking tests so hopefully I can pull it together.
I gotta say that I am so excited thought about everything! I really feel so fortunate to be here. I might as well say this before I get my exam score back but I am surprisingly so happy here. I think after the mini especially but even now I really feel like I am 'in' med school and I am loving every minute of it! I love waking up in the morning still to learn all of this stuff, loving all the studying - what is wrong with me?! LOL, just kidding. I don't think anything is. I know I am doing something that I really love. I really do feel lucky to be here even though I can't wait to get home.
Oh and FYI, growing my hair back out lol. At least a little bit! :-P It is bugging me!!! Grow hair grow! I can't wait to see everyone and go out but also to just be able to dress up and look decent for once! Everyone here sees pics of me from home and are like "That is you?" I guess I just look like a dork here with all my focus on the books and my four-eyes :-P. Oh well!
I have alot more I want to type out but I really need to get back to starting these minis! I'll write more tomorrow for sure.
Thanks fam and friends for keeping in touch with me so much! You are all such a HUGE part of why I am so happy here and feel like I can make it! All of you are the best family anyone could ever ask for and I am so grateful. Love you all so much!
Jessica
Sunday, October 01, 2006
~One weekend left till Mini 1~
Good evening, lol. I am still up studying, well reviewing. Things are going really well so I am hoping to be on the mini exams by tomorrow or Tuesday. I am actually just finishing up a group study and realized it was October 2nd. I was all amped to post on October 1st! Oh well, at least time continues to fly. I finally flipped the month on the calender and realized too that next month I am done with classes! Classes finish 11/30 but they give us about 10 days off to study before the final. So that gets me excited too! Next month!
I can officially call myself a MS 1.5 when I come home in December! (MS1 is first year med student - so I'll be half done with my first year when I come home - you get the idea) I felt really good about reviewing today. Answered a ton of questions that didn't even phase me. Of course I learned alot too so that helps all the more. I have this great friend that I study with from time to time named Gino. He is wicked smart and really like studying with him because we have similar styles.
Ooooh, also - pics are up guys on Facebook! Not a ton but a good amount. I am definately going to start using it more. This blog and facebook I think are going to be my two big things to keep in touch with (besides AIM of course!). Matt is walking Gino back home, it is about 12:30am and I am just about ready to go to bed. I let myself sleep a little last night because I woke up and it was pouring. I sleep so great when it rains I just let myself go back to bed. Tomorrow (well, today) I will probably get up around 5:30. I can sleep after my exam next week, haha.
Trying to think of what else happened today. Nothing too much, just prepping like woah. All week long our lab TA is doing practice sessions/review/etc to help our table out. I am so lucky. Even though I don't want to be on campus AT ALL (too stressful lately to be around everyone) I know it will be extremely beneficial.
I hope all is well with everyone - I miss you all terribly and am so ready for next month to come (hey, it's close enough to me coming home :-P)
I love you! Sleep tight!
Jessica
XOXO
I can officially call myself a MS 1.5 when I come home in December! (MS1 is first year med student - so I'll be half done with my first year when I come home - you get the idea) I felt really good about reviewing today. Answered a ton of questions that didn't even phase me. Of course I learned alot too so that helps all the more. I have this great friend that I study with from time to time named Gino. He is wicked smart and really like studying with him because we have similar styles.
Ooooh, also - pics are up guys on Facebook! Not a ton but a good amount. I am definately going to start using it more. This blog and facebook I think are going to be my two big things to keep in touch with (besides AIM of course!). Matt is walking Gino back home, it is about 12:30am and I am just about ready to go to bed. I let myself sleep a little last night because I woke up and it was pouring. I sleep so great when it rains I just let myself go back to bed. Tomorrow (well, today) I will probably get up around 5:30. I can sleep after my exam next week, haha.
Trying to think of what else happened today. Nothing too much, just prepping like woah. All week long our lab TA is doing practice sessions/review/etc to help our table out. I am so lucky. Even though I don't want to be on campus AT ALL (too stressful lately to be around everyone) I know it will be extremely beneficial.
I hope all is well with everyone - I miss you all terribly and am so ready for next month to come (hey, it's close enough to me coming home :-P)
I love you! Sleep tight!
Jessica
XOXO
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