So I found out that I did indeed Pass the First Block of medical school which means that I Don't have to repeat the semester and Can continue as a medical student. Hooray!
I don't know if I will ever get used to the fact that "Passing" is an achievement in medical school. I miss having B's and A's...those are much more gratifying than high C's :(
Hopefully eventually I will be able to start pulling my grades up. I think it will take some time to figure out how best to prepare for exams here, especially since testing is my greatest weakness.
Time to go celebrate mediocrity! Tomorrow is "Splash Bash" an awesome all day/night event held on the beach by Ross. They provide food, entertainment (kayaking, boating) and at night there is a beach bonfire! Of course there are a few parties afterward. We will see how burnt out I am by the end of this week. We all got pretty crazy after the last mini on Monday night :)
I am starting to miss Austin, my family and friends more and more. On the other hand I'm missing the conveniencies and luxuries of the U.S. less. Although I'm still bitter about how much stores rip us off for chocolate here.
More soon! Ta!
Male Iguana on Campus
He stopped by the Anatomy Labs for a brief photo-op.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Still alive!
Yes! I am still alive!
Right now I'm just trying to keep my head above the water.
Between classes and labs and problem-based learning sessions I barely have time to feed myself before studying until I'm too exhausted/mentally-wasted to stay awake. Then I wake up the next morning, hurl myself out of my apartment, catch the shuttle (hopefully) and start all over again.
It's been very rainy/stormy here and I'm finally getting a chance to use all my gear; full-length raincoat and boots. Umbrellas are useless here.
Classes are held in the "Annex" which is prob. about a mile away uphill so shuttles are preferable but I've had to walk on a few occasions that I overslept my alarm (not fun in the heat, even at 9 am).
Food is...well it's taken me up till now to find food that is healthy and won't upset my stomach.
I buy overpriced vegies from small shops and stands and try to cook (when I have the time) pasta or chinese food for the week. I supplement these meals with food from "the shacks", the string of shack restaurants on campus run by locals. Chicken is the main meat (no dairy cows or fresh milk here) and I've started to find tofu in select grocery shops. It's rough.
Classes are insane and I'm still in awe about the amount of information we are expected to retain, memorize and apply on a weekly basis. We have major exams (called Minis) every two weeks and this week I get a special treat: Friday I have histology lab practical, Monday I have my 2nd Mini followed by my first Anatomy practical. Kill me now.
Basically if I survive this semester it will be a miracle!
More later!
Right now I'm just trying to keep my head above the water.
Between classes and labs and problem-based learning sessions I barely have time to feed myself before studying until I'm too exhausted/mentally-wasted to stay awake. Then I wake up the next morning, hurl myself out of my apartment, catch the shuttle (hopefully) and start all over again.
It's been very rainy/stormy here and I'm finally getting a chance to use all my gear; full-length raincoat and boots. Umbrellas are useless here.
Classes are held in the "Annex" which is prob. about a mile away uphill so shuttles are preferable but I've had to walk on a few occasions that I overslept my alarm (not fun in the heat, even at 9 am).
Food is...well it's taken me up till now to find food that is healthy and won't upset my stomach.
I buy overpriced vegies from small shops and stands and try to cook (when I have the time) pasta or chinese food for the week. I supplement these meals with food from "the shacks", the string of shack restaurants on campus run by locals. Chicken is the main meat (no dairy cows or fresh milk here) and I've started to find tofu in select grocery shops. It's rough.
Classes are insane and I'm still in awe about the amount of information we are expected to retain, memorize and apply on a weekly basis. We have major exams (called Minis) every two weeks and this week I get a special treat: Friday I have histology lab practical, Monday I have my 2nd Mini followed by my first Anatomy practical. Kill me now.
Basically if I survive this semester it will be a miracle!
More later!
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