Is this how it starts? March 12, 2009

Most of my classmates and I will be taking the biggest test of our lives in June. Not the biggest test so far–pretty much the biggest test ever. Performance on the USMLE 1 pretty much is the last time you take a national test for the grade instead of a pass/fail certification. Now officially, your score isn’t supposed to matter, but lots of residency programs use your score compared to other 2nd year medical students to decide whether or not to even interview you for their program. I’ve been working like whoa the last month or so to start picking up all this knowledge I’ll need for the test.

Last week, this pretty much fell apart. How can I stay focused for 3 and a half more months, if I can’t even hack it the 7 full weeks leading up to our Comprehensive Basic Sciences Exam, which is basically a benchmark test for the school to see how prepared we are? I’ve been blaming my poor study habits lately on the windy weather (even my doctor said that I’m “allergic to Lubbock” and the best medicine for me would be to move away–believe me, I’m working on it) but I’m beginning to think that a big part of all this is just general burn-out.

I tend to keep to myself when I’m trying to be focused (I know, group study, blah, blah, better, blah –but this works for me–my grades have been improving!) and so I pretty much assume, constantly, that everyone else is always more focused, always working harder than I am, always handling things better than I do. Not so. Even holed up in my cave of an apartment the past few days, I’ve heard some stories about stress tantrums of other students. All night drinking/partying, fights with significant others, general non-productiveness and lots of focus on other projects (my email box has been filling up). So while I wouldn’t wish these kinds of problems on anyone, it is reassuring to know I’m not the only one who is dealing with burn-out.

Just chilling completely is not in my MO–I’m coming from lack-luster 1st year grades, trying to score in the 230 range for the residencies I want. If I had been doing my thing from the start of med school, this score wouldn’t be a problem, but it took me a while to find my groove, so I’ve got a lot of information to pick up before the 6 week cramming period.

My big fear is–should I just expect this every 4-6 weeks until Step? Should I expect it to get worse? Do I need to back off so I don’t freak out completely, or dig in to maximize my study gains and hope the knowledge that I’m doing all I can will help my confidence level? What do you do to handle all the stress?

With over 3 months to go, I’d love any advice I can get from the voices of experience…

Under God ≠ Under Christ January 23, 2009

The U.S. is not a ‘Christian nation’ – International Herald Tribune

An editorial written by respected historian Jon Meacham, this is worthwhile reading for all Americans.  He cites interesting quotes from our founding fathers that clearly support the idea of tolerance for Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Pantheic Greeks, and Christians in concrete (not abstract) terms.

To hear the man speak about his recent book and our newest president, see here:

more about "Jon Meacham | January 22nd | ColbertN…", posted with vodpod

Med School Quotes of the Week: End of Year Gems December 29, 2008

1) “There’s a lot of cool people in your class.”–KD

“Really? I thought our class was mostly made-up of the wrong kind of white people.”–MA

2) “Wait–who said that? Was it JG? Was it RB? Oh man, it wasn’t me when I was drunk was it?”–CW

~~

3) “What do you want to bet my phone doesn’t know how to spell that?”–KD

“What? It’s a common text:  ‘Chronic Idiopathic Myelofibrosis, lol!’”–PW

4) “First with water, second without water, third like water.”–RC, on how to drink whiskey

5) “See? It’s an awkward palm tree!”–VR

6)”Paul Farmer sucks and he hates your blouse.”–NV

And your West Texas bonehead-elementary school principal program-naming bonus:

5) “Yeah, the kids who failed their six-week tests have to take special [remedial] classes, and for the last two weeks, we keep hearing lists of names read over the PA system, and then the message, ‘These students should report to ‘Concentration Camp‘ immediately.”–MR, my lovely Jewish school teacher friend.

“The Nude Governor Series” December 21, 2008

For those seeking art and beauty, Chicago is full of richness in sights, textures, and sounds.  The Art Institute of Chicago and a boat or walking tour of downtown to experience the epoc of early twentieth century architecture are highly recommended.  And or course, there is good blues music almost everywhere.

And once you’ve taken that in…well, there’s the Old Town Ale House, where Bruce Elliot intends to hang the second portrait in his Nude Governor Series, “The Cavity Search” (featuring Rod Blogojavich) as soon as he finishes it.  He’s already completed a full length Sarah Palin, complete with red heels and an automatic rifle as attributes.  In the article by the Chicago Trib, he compares himself to some of the artists featured now in the AIC: “I guess I fit right in with van Gogh and those guys…who were not appreciated in their lifetime.  I can live with that. I never sell pictures.”  Elliot is supported by his wife, who owns the bar where his artwork hangs, and they do sell poster prints of some of his paintings. You can see the photos included in the Chicago Tribune articles below, or click on the links for the complete stories with video interview.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-sarah-palin-nude-0930,0,273867.story

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/arts/chi-talk-ale-artdec19,0,5136319.story

For other things to do while you’re in Chicago, see THIS LIST. It’s a pretty good starting point if you don’t have any ideas of your own.

Thanks again, Fox News, for your fair and balanced viewpoint. December 20, 2008

Because apparently Palin needs to be defended even when no one is attacking her. Or, maybe she’s just a convenient counterpoint, the way every bigot has that “one” gay/black friend they are always talking about.  In the article linked below,

If Caroline’s Last Name Was Palin « FOX Forum « FOXNews.com

Andrea Tantaros points out that Democrats are huge hypocrits because they are okay with a Kennedy senate appointment when they disliked Palin for Vice-President of the US.  Her main argument is that the two are equally plagued by scandal and unqualified for the positions for which they were(are) being considered.

It is ridiculous to watch the media all fall over Kennedy. I’ll give you that, but come on! Lack of experience when being considered for a senate seat is a little different from lack of experience when running for Vice President of the United States behind the man who would have been the oldest president ever elected. [Ahem, never mind that in her previous post, she talks about how having a "thick resume chock-full of political gravitas" isn't important.]

Also, it’s not like Kennedy is an unknown entity the way Palin was in early August. Most Americans knows who she is. Certainly most New Yorkers. It’s clear where she stands politically. She’s co-authored two books that showcase her political viewpoints–she’s ON THE RECORD.

And why, Tantaros, would you expect Couric or Gibson to interview a senate candidate? I’ve never seen them even interview someone who was running in a gubernatorial race. The fate of the country does not hang in the balance of who fills Clinton’s senate seat.  I mean, I’m not sure she’d be my favorite choice, if I had any stake at all in the New York Senate Seat appointment, but like most Americans, I DON’T. I know New Yorkers get confused sometimes and think NYC=United States of America, and of course it does, but not all of it. Get over it, Andrea.

He probably wasn’t much fun at holiday parties. December 16, 2008

“God is dead.” –Friedrich Nietzsche

“Everything unconditional belongs in pathology.”–Nietzche again.

“Don’t be a Debbie Downer!“–Corinne Ulrich

Although Fred certainly is thought provoking from a philosophical and social perspective, Corinne’s practicality wins me over every time.

May the tidings and trappings of the Season bring you warmth.

(and Merry Christmas, C)

Med School Quotes of the Week: Xmas/Finals Edition December 10, 2008

1) “I couldn’t take any more of that lecture. I left halfway through.”–KD

“Did she put any of her bikini pictures in? Yep, they’re at the back. Oh, and the nude painting on the first slide.”–EL

“I don’t think that’s her.”–KD

“Come on–like she’d put in nude paintings of anyone else.”–EL, on one our slightly less-than-professional-professors.

2) “She did have…an unusually strong affinity for the gay men.”–KD

“There’s a word for that, K“–SW

3) After stacking small trashcans to trap me in a study carrol: “It’s a granuloma!”–SW

4) On Obama the smoker in a smokeless White House: “You know, Hillary Clinton was the one who made the White House smoke free.  I just wonder what those cigars were doing in the Oval Office.”–RT

“Well, he wasn’t smoking them, R.”–KD

5) “You’re going to come in here, invite CW to your party and not me?”–RB

“I invited you a week ago, on Facebook.”–KD

“So you did. –Pause– Well, I won’t be coming. I scheduled a ‘blue collar work night.’”–RB –So glad we could clear that up.

6) Five minutes into cookie decorating: “Remember, we’re giving them to Ronald McDonald House, so you have to eat any that are anatomically correct.”-KD

“Aw, man!”–GB

“Really? I’m going to have to re-do all of mine then.”–JL

Med School Quotes of the Week: Turkey edition December 4, 2008

Over-indulgent, over-stuffed quotes to start your holiday season right:

1.) “Squares are like women.  If they’re thirteen or under, just do them in your head.”–CS

2.) “Do you see those muscles?” –PW playing wingman as DC carved turkey

“Yeah, it must be all the yoga he’s been doing.”–HS (aka unimpressed female)

3.)  “The LOL cat picture you sent was funny, but it was a tortoise-shell.  I’ve always thought of you as more of a Russian blue.”–SH

4.)  “The Wilderness Medicine Club could sponsor your conference poster contest…”–SW

“With what, cash prize $6?”–AY

“Yeah, that sounds about right.”–SW

5.) Speculation on one mismatched couple’s ability to perform a complicated sexual positon: “So kind of a Tea Leoni-Adam Sandler-in-Spanglish thing?”–KD

“Oooh, I’m so jealous of Tea Leoni…because she’s married to David Duchovny.”–CS

“The sex-addict?”–KD

Squinting at CS’ boyfriend: “I can see it.”–GB

6.)  “Emotional trauma is not a free card.  [If your brother thinks taking Lamisil to treat his toenail fungus will help his chances in the post-divorce dating market], it’s your job to tease him. Just give him a hug every now and then.”–SW

7.)  “So that’s how I met Harry Connick, Jr.’s mother-in-law.”–DC

“Who is he married to?”–PW

“Jill Goodacre, the Victoria’s Secret model.”–DC

“Wait–you’re telling me you’re ONE DEGREE AWAY from a Victoria’s Secret model but you’re excited because now you know someone related to Harry Connick, Jr. by marriage?”–HS

8.)  “Oh great. Well, now it’s official.”–KD, as coffee spilt all over her hospice clinic office form.

“Is that your hospice completion form? You should draw an arrow and write ‘Poo‘ on it. No, no–Write ‘Coffee or Poo?‘ question mark!”…pause…

“That’s the kind of thing they’re going to cite on the list when they kick me out of medical school for unprofessional behavior, isn’t it?”–SW

Probably, Stew. Probably.

Look forward to the AMSA Regional Conference/X-mas edition–coming soon.

Don’t you need to know? December 1, 2008

If we are attacked by 5 year old terrorists, how useful will you be to your country?  Take

this quiz and find out. Apparently, I’m worth 25 of the little boogers.

http://www.howmanyfiveyearoldscouldyoutakeinafight.com/

Words to Live By. November 22, 2008

Those who know me personally can undoubtedly confirm that I have trouble keeping my mouth shut. At least I’m aware of it.  As a consequence, I tend to collect advice on how to stay quiet.  Two of my favorites:

It’s so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say, and then don’t say it.–Sam Levenson

Think before you speak. Read before you think. This will give you something to think about that you didn’t make up yourself-a wise move at any age, but most especially at seventeen when you are in greatest danger of coming to annoying conclusions.–Fran Lebowitz

For wisdom less witty, but certainly just as practical, four questions generally attributed to His Holiness the Dalai Lama:

1. Is it TRUE?
2. Is it NECESSARY?
3. Is it KIND?
4. Is it HELPFUL?

I find these to be excellent checkpoints in conversation, whether the “should I or shouldn’t I?” question applies to a juicy bit of gossip or a difficult business/academic matter. I’d probably fare better if I used them more often.

For Amanda (roll over for captions):