Hey guys:)
Its lunch time here in SK, and I just ate. I have 30 mins before class, so I figured I would try to write something here.
We just finished blocks yesterday, and I am very happy about that! Block three is in the books, and next up are exams. I should start studying for em today, but I just cant build up the strength to do that right now. Last weekend was really rough, and the last thing I want to think about is studying again.. I changed up the strategy this weekend to try to give myself more time. Reduce the pre block stress a little bit. I woke up at 545am Saturday and Sunday and studied right through until 11pm.. It really did change the vibe of the weekend. The extra few hours meant a lot. Also the school is very very very quiet at 6am. I was the first person at school both days. I learned that they don't open any of the classrooms until 7am, so I was stuck studying outside for a bit when I first got to school. It was nice to be honest. You get to watch the sun come up over the hills and brighten up the caribbean a bit.
Blocks themselves were quite tough. I was most nervous about Biochem, as the material was pretty dense. Once again however I was saved by my professors excellent exam making abilities. He writes really good questions, not the type that requires you to needlessly remember random facts. If you understood the material, you would do well. Both immunology and genetics were to be expected.. Not my favourite exams but you get through them if you study well. The strategy to get a good mark is a little different from biochemistry however, and I think that is a big reason why I didn't do well first block in immunology. Physiology was really tough this block. It was the first time that being in Med has really disadvantaged me. The time I have to devote to each class is far less, and I found this block that it showed. The current EBS 3's that I am taking most of my classes with only have three classes this semester. I have 5. They also only had two block exams because we finished epidemiology last week.. So if you are doing Med and decide to stick with it, you have to learn pretty quick that getting the same grades as people with half the exams is pretty tough. Don't let it get to you. As for Physio, my marks were decent, but I was one the verge of breakdown half way through:P When I looked at the time and saw that I used up half of it and only completed 1/3 of the test, I was a little worried. It doesn't help that the question I was answering at the time was about a panic attack victim in respiratory alkalosis.. Made me feel a little bit like the patient haha. As always, you get through it.
Once I get back all my marks I can asses how blocks went. So far so good. We continue to learn new material for the next week and a bit, so I will have to start budgeting in some time to go over previous material. The nice thing is that biochemistry will be done by Friday most likely, and we will have the week to study. We have an NBME for biochemistry this semester, so it will be nice to have the extra time. First exam is in just over a week!! Time to buckle up. But I think I will be doing the buckling up tomorrow..
Last night was a typical post block relaxation night. I did some errands in town, then headed to a friends in frigate. Didn't do too much, but it was a good night. On the way down to frigate I met two families on vacation who were heading in the same direction. They were all very interested in what I was doing here and had a lot of questions for me. They were super friendly. They even said they would have never guessed I was a Canadian because they didn't hear me say "eh". Im actually kind of surprised that in the 10 minute conversation it didn't slip out. I ended up running into them again when me and a few friend were out to grab a bite to eat last. They came over and had a chat and told us about a medical scare that one of them had not too long ago, and how much the doctors made a difference. They thanked us for our will be future contributions and ended up covering our bill. It was very unexpected, but we were very grateful.
Today we are back at it. Just handed out some freezies with the SGA since its student appreciation day. I might be going out to dinner tonight with the SGA as well, but Im not sure whats happening quite yet. That reminds me!! Next semester I have been voted in as an SGA executive:) I will officially be the treasurer starting next month. It will be an exciting time. Ill keep you posted with how that all goes when it comes!
As for the island, it has been good. It will be nice to take a break from it though. Just 16 more days!! Its a quick break this time, but it will still be good. I leave the island on the 21st, head to Ottawa for the night then I am going to Michigan for a few days. Looking forward to the time off. Well getting pretty close to class time so I will stop it there. Have a great day!
Things Ive learned recently
- I need new shoes. The ones I am currently using are almost sandals at this point.
- I just saw a snap chat from a friend at "The Works", and now I really want a hamburger.
- I haven't gone snorkelling yet this semester.. terrible
Sorry about the lack of things I've learned. Ill be better next time.
Cheers,
Mike
Its lunch time here in SK, and I just ate. I have 30 mins before class, so I figured I would try to write something here.
We just finished blocks yesterday, and I am very happy about that! Block three is in the books, and next up are exams. I should start studying for em today, but I just cant build up the strength to do that right now. Last weekend was really rough, and the last thing I want to think about is studying again.. I changed up the strategy this weekend to try to give myself more time. Reduce the pre block stress a little bit. I woke up at 545am Saturday and Sunday and studied right through until 11pm.. It really did change the vibe of the weekend. The extra few hours meant a lot. Also the school is very very very quiet at 6am. I was the first person at school both days. I learned that they don't open any of the classrooms until 7am, so I was stuck studying outside for a bit when I first got to school. It was nice to be honest. You get to watch the sun come up over the hills and brighten up the caribbean a bit.
Blocks themselves were quite tough. I was most nervous about Biochem, as the material was pretty dense. Once again however I was saved by my professors excellent exam making abilities. He writes really good questions, not the type that requires you to needlessly remember random facts. If you understood the material, you would do well. Both immunology and genetics were to be expected.. Not my favourite exams but you get through them if you study well. The strategy to get a good mark is a little different from biochemistry however, and I think that is a big reason why I didn't do well first block in immunology. Physiology was really tough this block. It was the first time that being in Med has really disadvantaged me. The time I have to devote to each class is far less, and I found this block that it showed. The current EBS 3's that I am taking most of my classes with only have three classes this semester. I have 5. They also only had two block exams because we finished epidemiology last week.. So if you are doing Med and decide to stick with it, you have to learn pretty quick that getting the same grades as people with half the exams is pretty tough. Don't let it get to you. As for Physio, my marks were decent, but I was one the verge of breakdown half way through:P When I looked at the time and saw that I used up half of it and only completed 1/3 of the test, I was a little worried. It doesn't help that the question I was answering at the time was about a panic attack victim in respiratory alkalosis.. Made me feel a little bit like the patient haha. As always, you get through it.
Once I get back all my marks I can asses how blocks went. So far so good. We continue to learn new material for the next week and a bit, so I will have to start budgeting in some time to go over previous material. The nice thing is that biochemistry will be done by Friday most likely, and we will have the week to study. We have an NBME for biochemistry this semester, so it will be nice to have the extra time. First exam is in just over a week!! Time to buckle up. But I think I will be doing the buckling up tomorrow..
Last night was a typical post block relaxation night. I did some errands in town, then headed to a friends in frigate. Didn't do too much, but it was a good night. On the way down to frigate I met two families on vacation who were heading in the same direction. They were all very interested in what I was doing here and had a lot of questions for me. They were super friendly. They even said they would have never guessed I was a Canadian because they didn't hear me say "eh". Im actually kind of surprised that in the 10 minute conversation it didn't slip out. I ended up running into them again when me and a few friend were out to grab a bite to eat last. They came over and had a chat and told us about a medical scare that one of them had not too long ago, and how much the doctors made a difference. They thanked us for our will be future contributions and ended up covering our bill. It was very unexpected, but we were very grateful.
Today we are back at it. Just handed out some freezies with the SGA since its student appreciation day. I might be going out to dinner tonight with the SGA as well, but Im not sure whats happening quite yet. That reminds me!! Next semester I have been voted in as an SGA executive:) I will officially be the treasurer starting next month. It will be an exciting time. Ill keep you posted with how that all goes when it comes!
As for the island, it has been good. It will be nice to take a break from it though. Just 16 more days!! Its a quick break this time, but it will still be good. I leave the island on the 21st, head to Ottawa for the night then I am going to Michigan for a few days. Looking forward to the time off. Well getting pretty close to class time so I will stop it there. Have a great day!
Things Ive learned recently
- I need new shoes. The ones I am currently using are almost sandals at this point.
- I just saw a snap chat from a friend at "The Works", and now I really want a hamburger.
- I haven't gone snorkelling yet this semester.. terrible
Sorry about the lack of things I've learned. Ill be better next time.
Cheers,
Mike