Real Med School

That is how our current module, I2, was described to all of us, the wee-little first years, by a few of the M2s. Sadly, three weeks into the module (with the test looming on this coming Wednesday) it seems they are correct. Evidence of this? My lack of blog posts. Inflammation and Immunity, while great for a person's well-being, seems to be decidedly bad for any free time I might have had this month.

That being said, what have I been doing for the past half an hour?

Not I2.

After finishing my review of this morning's lecture and review (that's right, a review...of...a...review...) I felt like a break was in order before a student panel here in a few minutes. As some of you may or may not know, I have one blood sibling, an older sister, who also writes a blog. Now, while she is a great sister, loving mom, and probably caring wife, she also exploits her children for blog-hits. I thought, If she uses my nephews, why can't I?

So! Behold! I present photos that my sister took in an attempt to capture the spirit of her children. Sadly, where she fails, I succeed. She captured their expressions; I have revealed their true thoughts.

*Note*: As my sister was the photographer, the thoughts of the subjects naturally reference her.

Series 1!

Series 2!




This is all. I must study. Again.

Until next time.

The First Reprieve

This weekend has functioned as the first real "break" of my medical school career. The School of Medicine teaches its Basic Science years with a module plan. For 4/6/8 weeks, we students learn about a specific subject or system (such as Genetics or Inflammation and Immunity) and everything involved with it (such as Biochemistry, Cell Biology, etc) instead of having individual lectures over each traditional science subject. It seems as though the module system produces the same scores (if not higher) on board exams and presents the material in a manner that is more intuitive to the students being able to assimilate it with how it will be used in practice.

These modules culminate in a final exam (or a midterm and final for longer modules) that accounts for the overwhelming majority of a student's final grade. This results in a very cyclical life for students, as they go from feeling good at the beginning of a module to being increasingly more stressed until, as one lecturer stated, their eyes explode with stress right before the exam. Post-exam, assuming one's scores are passing (that's what we shoot for in med school. Not high grades, just passing), the system resets and we're not longer stressed.

This past week we had our first exam and the past few days have been wonderful. No longer do I view time as studying/should-be-studying, but I can view it as busy/FREE, if only for a few days.

So, in honor of the first exam being out of the way, I leave you with a few (humorous?) mnemonics that helped along the way:

Can I Keep Selling Sex For Money, Officer?
(Citric Acid Cycle Intermediates)

High Profile People Act Too Glamorous, Picture Posing Every Place.
(Enzymes of Glycolysis)

Val Raced Harry Through Walmart For MILK.
(Essential Amino Acid Abbreviations)

Until next time.