Study, Study, Scuba!!... Study, Study

Scuba diving was amazing!! I don't have much time to write tonight but I thought I would post some pictures tonight and tell you all about it when I become fully certified on Saturday! I can't wait to go back... only way I have gotten off the island and its a wonderful feeling to get away from school :)

with no more anticipation, here they are... it was an amazing day! I'm hoping to get a water proof case for next semester so I can capture the amazing world under water. Did I mention I kneeled on the bottom of the Caribbean Sea and was at an arm length from nurse sharks?! Incredible experience. So if you ever have the chance DON'T hesitate!  Do it!

Part of the gang hitching a ride down to the dock after a half day training session in a freezing cold pool! We couldn't wait to get into the warm caribbean water.

back of the truck

My scuba diving buddy and I :) We could also become puzzle buddies in the near future! Yes, we were both those nerds that LOVED puzzles as a kid. Had the sticky roll-up mat and everything. Seriously.

Scuba gear ready to go

'The Rock' that I live on... 1 more year.

Scuba buddies! Right before our first dive.

Back to the books - too soon!

One more block over and another one began. The scheduling for second semester, well, sucks! We’ve had 4 exams and 2 new lectures within the last 30 hours. 3 exams in one day and then go home to study for the fourth. Wake up at 8am for a new lecture in biochemistry, take exam at 11-12, lunch for 45min and go back for a 2 hour lecture in physiology!

Apparently this next section is the hardest of the 5 from second semester. We are learning renal and respiratory physiology in 2.5 weeks plus THIS for biochemistry!

Or at least this is what our yesterday's lecture opened up with! remind me again why I want to do this?!

Guess I should be getting ready for lots and lots of "fun"!

But all joking aside, I am super excited about the coming weekend. As I briefly mentioned before, the medical students hold an annual health fair for the community where we get a chance to interact with the locals and practice simple skills like taking blood pressure and administering/reading ECGs. I think it will be a great way to get some hands on experience and to do something different for a change.

AND Sunday I will be starting my scuba diving certification J Can’t wait! The first half of the day will be in a pool learning simple techniques/ procedures and after lunch we have 2 open water dives scheduled.

Look forward to some pictures being uploaded from both events.

PQRST...UVWXYZ?

hahaha. for those of you who don't know, we learned how to read ECGs in my physiology class for this section of exams. Today is my physiology day to prep for the upcoming exam on monday. I have been staring at ECGs all morning trying to distinguish between all the different PQRST segments for various diseases! - at least I know my alphabet really well by now :)
I have to say this is one of my favourite things I have learned in medical school. It's so applicable and important to be able to do on the spot. (It is a little scary though. Reminds me that I am actually going to become a doctor and people will depend on me to diagnose these correctly. Good wake up call!)
Referring to my post below I am definitely at the Q wave stage...

Exams are around the corner and its crunch time again. The past week went by as a haze; everyone is anticipating this block to be a good one. I hope they are right.
Go block weekend!

PS. The upcoming week is going to be crazy busy (in a good way!). Exams monday and tuesday. Health fair preparations wednesday and thursday -- I will fill you in on the health fair next week when I have more time to write --. Health fair Saturday AND Scuba diving certification on sunday. So excited :)

PPS. I will be home 2 months from today

PPPS. Over 5000 views. Thank you!

Knowing when to stop

Part of medical school and learning is to know when to stop.
to stop studying.

*picture taken from our physiology TA review. 

I think it's pretty accurate :)

Forcing yourself to study when you are mentally tired from 6 hours of class every day and then studying at night is not productive!! AND it makes you more tired. Knowing your limits is important in getting through medical school. Most students feel guilty sleeping 8 hours a night... because you can get by on 5 hours of sleep and gain 3 extra hours of studying right?
Sleep is crucial. Unproductive studying is a waste of time and energy. So tonight, a friday night, I will not feel guilty that I am taking the rest of the night off to hang out and have dinner with some friends. I will wake up early and be productive all day tomorrow. - I hope.


Stress gets to all of us, but being able to control it and clear your head is as important as passing medical school. (at least in my opinion)

signing off for the night,
IDL