The Last Stretch: 2 Weeks Left

There are two weeks left until the first year of medical school is done. That means two more exams until I am 1/4 an official MD.

Unfortunately, there are two exams left and my motivation has plummeted so much I would be at E on the fuel gauge if I was a car.

This is what I have to look forward to...

The last RSA consists of all 5 blocks we have learned this year (Foundations, Musculoskeletal, Respiratory, Hematology, and Cardiology). It will be approximately 5 hours long and consists of two papers.

The last Anatomy exam will consist of anatomy and histology from the last 3 blocks.

Mostly, my aim is to pass so pray for me. xx

Studying as an IMG

One of the best things about my medical school is the mentorship programs that are offered either though the medical society or state medical society. It has been wonderful getting advice on literally ANYTHING from upper years and I am so appreciative that they were able to guide a lost lamb like me. In an effort to pay it forward, here is what I learned if you are an IMG trying to get back to America.

1. USMLE is king. This means disregard literally anything else because nothing else matters when you are trying to vye for a position back in the states. Yes, they will look at research and other extracurriculars but honestly, how could they judge on your preclinical grades when each school is different? This is the key to standardizing for them and as such, you should also be focusing on that. I think a lot of the times, medical students are wired to focus on their grades and are really disappointed when they do not achieve as they have in the past, but it is important to remember that trying to go back is a marathon, not a sprint.

2. Research is queen. As previously mentioned, the other thing that is really important is research. If you look at the outgoing research as well as the most prestigious medical journals, they are often from the states. This is not coincidental. It is important to understand that this is where medicine is heading and to stay ahead of the curve so try to reach out to faculties and get involved as soon as possible.

3. Make connections. It is soooo important to have connections so that you can take an elective back in the states in different hospitals as well as get recommendation letters. How do they know you can speak to patients in their own language or how would they know if you are a capable doctor if no one vouches for you? So make the effort to be friendly, but also yourself so that you aren't a fake beeech that no one wants to vouch for.

4. Make a schedule. For me, I know that my first preference is the states so I am making a loose schedule of my next four years based on certain goals and tests I have to take in order to go back. If you want to take an internship year and then go back that is also a really viable option and should be penciled into your schedule.

5. Don't worry. I know it seems impossible not to as we are all Type A robots, but it will all be okay. We are all smart, capable beings and regardless of where we are, we will succeed. I believe in all of you :)

So good luck and god speed!

Hematology: A Vampire's Heaven

4/5 blocks have been completed and we are now onto one one of the most critical parts of the body (and what most people are squeamish about): blood.

For my medical school, hematology can be either heme hell or heme heaven depending on the clinical school that you are allocated to. For me, it is heme heaven. That means that while we are still getting an education and learning to differentiate between microcytic and macrocytic anemia, we are also finally able to breathe and catch up for what is ahead.

So what is ahead?

We have OSCE's in two weeks which is a song and dance where we get 6 stations and 10 minutes each to perform a physical exam, take a history, or do a procedural skill. Initially I thought this would be my most hated exam, but I have grown to love it. I love the idea that without being too aggressive or too invasive, we are still able to gather enough clues and diagnose a patient. It is honestly the backbone of medicine.

After OSCE's, we will be having a week off and then a pathology exam. This will consist of us looking through a microscope to diagnose patients based on their slides. Hopefully, I can get the hang of things beforehand...

Then in two months, we will be have our third RSA. This one is a doozy and will consist of material from all 5 blocks. What can be worse than that? Well, we will be having another anatomy exam a day after.

So I guess there truly isn't a holiday after all.