What would you do?

Came across this video today and got me thinking how a society would change if money wasn't a controlling factor in being able to survive...

Take some time out of your day, watch the video and then ask yourself: would you be working towards the same goal as you are now? Would you spend your day doing the same thing? if not, is there some way to incorporate that passion into your life now?

I know it isn't that simple, but just think about it.

Rumors

I haven't been back online in a while because of studying for Step 1 but I do continue to follow the activity on the blog as best as I can. Unfortunately, recent comments on this blog seem to be focused more on Saba's credibility rather than responses to my journey. This has led me to make the decision to monitor comments. I've been trying to let this space be an open forum and not delete any comments received however, this blog is supposed to be about sharing my experiences on going to medical school in the caribbean and hopefully help those who are in the same predicament I was two years ago. I do not want to be spending my time debating which rumors are true or how good of a school Saba really is.
I have decided that I will be deleting any comments regarding the credibility of Saba University or of any rumors going around... Everyone has their own opinion and experience. Sometimes a caribbean medical school is the only option you have left. And if that is the only way to do what you have dreamt of doing all your life, then that is the road you will have to take.

So, please, for any discussions on credibility, rumors, attrition rates etc go to medical school forums like valuemd.

I will still be happily answering questions about Saba, if they are appropriate. I'm sorry that it has come to this but I hope those of you who have been following my adventure continue to do so.

To end on a more positive note, here is a little inspiration for the rest of the week...

Conversations with myself.

How do you keep studying when all you have been doing for the past month is study 14hrs a day?

I find that by the time I get home I am exhausted. Drained of energy; my brain forgets the simplest things. I know it is time for a break. But how do I take a break without feeling guilty? without staring at the clock, without realizing I could have just read another 5 pages in the last 20 minutes I spent eating and catching up with the world around me. It becomes a viscous cycle. I want to study. No, I need to study. I must reach my goal. What happens if I don't? Have I failed? failed what? myself? I am not sure.  I know putting this much pressure isn't healthy. After-all it's JUST a test, but then I am reminded by my subconscious: it's THE test. If I don't get the score I want on the test would all my sacrifices count for nothing? All the energy spent, money consumed, shutting out my friends (and sometimes my family - I am sorry.)... All this for what?

A dream.
Is it worth it? ...Yes. It will be.

-----------------

I felt like sharing this self-battle as I hope I am not the only one whose felt so strongly about something, someone, a dream....or anything. It's not supposed to be a pessimistic post, just a glimpse of reality.


PS. Thank you to everyone who has been endlessly supporting me with this crazy dream without questioning it - especially my family.

Haaave you met TED?

Well, have you?

I'm talking about TED talks (but I am also a fan of the show How I Met Your Mother :) ). I was home for thanksgiving this weekend -- it was amazing by the way. nothing feels better than to be surrounded by family and food :) --- and my brother & his wife brought up a TED talk they recently watched on "power posing".
Sooo apparently 2 minute of power posing a day can boost your self confidence (via an increase in testosterone), lower stress hormones (like cortisol) and change they way you are portrayed by others... Although a little skeptical on how well this actually works, the idea of changing outward behaviour to shift the way your body works is still fascinating.
watch the talk below and next time you go on a date, go for an interview or take a test, try it ...it can't hurt!

Change

a little change in scenery on my new running route; at least the sunsets are still beautiful... although I don't know how I feel about running in the colder weather. I already miss not having to worry about what to wear when I go outside. The caribbean weather was always predictable: 30 degrees, sunny with scattered showers.

In other news my intense study schedule seems to be getting the best of me. It's been hard to be so focused all day, all the time - especially when I'm trying to fight off this cold that seems to be going around. Wish I could just take a day off to recuperate, read and not think/ feel guilty about not studying. Alright, I think I'm done venting, for now.  Ugh, back to work...

PS. Grey's Anatomy is back tonight. I'm a little excited even though I know thats not what real world 'doctor life' is like. At least I can make myself think that I am being somewhat productive since the show is about medicine; I'm sure I can learn something useful from it.

Space

Study spaces can make or break your flow of concentration and productivity... This is my new space :)

Another thought I wanted to blog about tonight sprung from another one of David Allen's post I read recently. (for those who are new to the blog and don't know who he is check THIS post).

Have you ever sat on a bus or were driving in the car when you randomly remember that you need to replace that one light bulb in the house? or that you really need to call up an old friend? This week David Allen brought up something he calls 'mindsweeping' - a way to de-bulk your mind of all short term memory tasks. 

so what is mindsweeping?

He describes it as making 'to do' lists of things you need to get done - those things you always say you are going to remember to do when you get home... but in all seriousness we ALL forget to replace that one light bulb. I tend to always forget those things that aren't of persisting importance and they don't really affect my immediate life. However, they 'bulk up' your mind of short term memory jargon that you could really do without. solution? Making lists according to a time line (not when to get them done but how long the action will take to do) it is supposed to clarify and organize your mind... that way you can stop reminding yourself of all the little 'to dos'. I've actually been doing this as part of my studying routine without knowing what it was termed; but I think David Allen was referring to do this in all aspects of life. Yes, you MAY end up with 20 post it notes on your wall, all categorized and colour coded. And, yes, you MAY look like a crazy person when people come and visit ... BUT I think you will feel organized and mentally "lighter". At least that is the goal.

I'm going to start this on the weekend; dare you to do so too - and then leave a comment to let me know if you found it helpful.

"rule your mind or it will rule you" - Horace

A little studying pick me up :)

Great song on a thursday evening! From one friend's blog to another...

Can't take credit for it, but its awesome. Hope you enjoy it too

If you like this, check out my friend's blog for more - she's just amazing when it comes to finding new music... I may be a little bit biased :)

Goodbye Saba, hello Step 1.

I haven't posted in a while. The last month has been a whirl wind. We studied like crazy for the final comprehensive exam, wrote it AND, most importantly, passed it!!!! I have officially graduated from the basic sciences program :)

Currently sitting in St. Maarten airport one last time awaiting my flight home. I have spent the last week on St. Maarten as a mini-vacation with my parents who came to visit Saba and attend my graduation. I am ready to go home... Even though I am typing this I don't think I have realized that I will not be returning to Saba. I have gotten so used to leaving the island, going home, and coming back. This time, there's no coming back. weird. Leaving Saba was bittersweet mostly because I will not be seeing some of my close friends for a while - being hopeful to  bump into them during the clinical rotations. The island is beautiful but it was time to move on.

__________________________

Aaannd that was proof that I attempted to post like 3 weeks ago.
I now have finished my vacation, moved to Hamilton and began studying for the USMLE step 1 for the next 2 months.

the fun begins.

long days of hours of studying once again... just the library and weather has changed. Not sure I like the weather change but I sure like the library! we are even allowed to have coffee and non-smelly food at our desk - makes studying so much easier when you have caffeine and sugar by your side. Oh and of course some healthy snacks...kinda. By the way, did you know there is now caffeinated chocolate bars to help you stay awake? Best of both worlds.

My study schedule is a little bit insane. I realized today that I will need to tweak it and add some nights off because I am already tired. I will definitely burn out if I study 12+ hours a day.

for those of you interested how I am studying here is a quick breakdown of my day...
7am - run (the reason why I am excited to wake up; I found a nice trail in hamilton :) )
9am - arrive at library
10am - finish 46 set of Uworld questions
10-7 - Doctors in Training course or pathoma. Lunch is somewhere in here...
7-8 - go home, make dinner, eat
8 - review the material covered that day
10-12 - review answers to question set from that morning.

sleep. wake up. repeat.
I am hoping to write by early November so keep your fingers crossed it all works out! ( I would also love to hear from those readers who have taken the Step 1. Any advice? how did you study?)

apologies for falling off the face of blogworld. I am back and have promised myself to post weekly - or at least not at 2 month intervals.

PS. September is childhood cancer awareness month. Dr. David made a great quick post - see it here and make sure you watch the video!

"Play me, I'm yours"

Ahhh! Such a cool idea!
If you haven't heard about it here is the short version...
41 artist painted pianos are placed in random spots around Toronto as a engaging art exhibit!! It is to mark the countdown to the 2015 Pan American Games and to celebrate art from various cultures. Each piano is designed by an artist picked to represent the 41 countries participating in the games.

Nicaragua, Paul Conlan

 I am so jealous I am not in Toronto to witness it but I hope people take advantage and start outdoor concerts. It would be so uplifting and awesome to witness everyday people sitting down and showcasing their talents.

here is the link to the article. If you are in Toronto, go searching for these pianos!

Cayman Islands, Paul Chin

- I wish they would do projects like these more often... it could get kids inspired (and away from video games :) )

Last!

today is the start of the end.

the last weekend I will be studying for block exams!
the countdown until the final exit comprehensive exam has begun.
34 days!! how's that for an update?

We are officially done learning new material in a classroom. I can't believe that I am finally in the spot where I can say that :).  It's so exciting (and a bunch of other mixed feelings - but I am only focusing on the excitement). I cannot wait until monday after exams!!

so here we go, one last time. studying for block exams....