Where, oh where, has this summer gone? Yesterday I was on a cruise in the Baltic Sea, gallivanting through Copenhagen and frolicking about St. Petersburg. The day before that I was studying Anatomy and Physiology in the Health Sciences Library, wishing I was gallivanting and frolicking. And the day before that I was waiting with bated breath as I first embarked on my medical school journey (after, of course, gallivanting/frolicking around the world). Now? I wait again, this time with a nervous excitement for the beginning of a new year. No longer one of those icky first years, Nay. I'm a second year, a confident MS2 (puffing my chest out) who knows the ways of the world, or at least the classroom. I don't have "off-weekends" or "free time." I have "the Boards" and "grades that actually count." It's a scary year, but I do look forward to classes focused on disease and the mythical "patient" (whatever that is). However, there is much to do before the new year begins. Much to do.
I promised myself that I would cut down on my extracurriculars next year. So far this has proven unsuccessful, but I have planned much better (planning? doing things ahead of time? Mother must be so proud). By far the most time consuming activity of my MS1 career was the 5 Star Nerve video, the YouTube sensation of spring 2010. With that I publicly ended the career of White Lightning. But after much reflection, and time spent throwing the old pigskin around Hattiesburg, Mississippi with some local high schoolers, I've decided to make a comeback. Dr. Bashford has called upon me to help with the making of the UNC-SOM Admissions Video (this is indeed a scary thought, I recognize that; but I will not be filming or doing much of the editing, just organizing and consulting). Also, Gary Burke and Eric Golike have requested White Lightening to return to the entertainment industry in order to help make the most dynamic Orientation video of all time. The incoming MS1s need some kind of guidance, right? This coming from Mr. Golike (the King of Finley Forest Wine Pong and "the Bear Claw"), Mr. Burke (who I believe failed the Brachial Plexus exam and looks like he "got Ingersolled, again"), and Yours Truly. Not the group who really should be disseminating advice, I think.
Nota bene, however, both of these projects should be done before the year begins. One has to be (the Orientation video), and the other I assume will not be extremely time intensive on my part. The admissions video needs to be ready for the interviewees in the fall, so there is a particularly pressing deadline for that as well.
I also was hoping to take a step back as the co-President of the Health Policy Interest Group (HPIG), but I ended up having to step forward to fill a void. We are in fantastic hands with Matt McNeill at the helm though, and we are already putting together our first two events and poster display for the Activities Fair. So much more organized this year. As for EMS, I have always hoped to continue this for as long as possible, and I have already signed up for my three August shifts to take place before the 13th. The more I learn in the classroom, the more relevant being an EMT becomes (and I remain semi-sane). Thus, HPIG and EMS will be my two major extracurricular activities, and (I pray) nothing else.
But am I ready for the school work to begin again? I am behind in my summer review. I was hoping to do a full review of Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and Embryology this summer, but I probably will only get through the first two. I can review A&P before each systems block this year - the block structure is pathophysiology for every organ system: GI, neuro, cardio, etc. And Micro/Immuno we just covered. All I can do then is hope I'm ready.
Almost exactly a year ago my post was entitled, "And So It Begins!" Back from my trip abroad, I couldn't wait to begin a life long journey.
Most of my past has been spent living in the future, and finally this summer I've spent it all in the present. The weight on my shoulders is off... A physician once told me, "Only become a doctor if you can't see yourself doing anything else. And I mean anything else." Well I can't, and I couldn't. So now it has finally set in that yes, I will be a doctor.
Those words were written knowing that it would be 5 years before I could claim that title, and then years after that before I could practice on my own. It was such a distant future, and it still is, but this first year has gone by way too fast. If one whole year felt like it past in 2 days, then I am a week away from graduation. It's a scary thought as it passes in the blink of an eye. I just want it to all slow down.
After the Boards that is. Let's hurry up and get that over with!
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