Block 2 reflections

Block 2 ended about two weeks ago and the few weeks leading up to the end were really, really, really stressful. Instead of our finals being written by the professors - like how our biweekly exams regularly are - we were treated to boards-style questions. Now, I know this is good practice for when we actually do take the board exam next year, but it was nerve-wracking nevertheless. I knew I had a good buffer going into each exam, but I was still nervous. Thoughts about the classes this block -

Pharmacology - I absolutely loved this class. I love learning about the different drugs, classes, their mechanisms, etc. I find it so clinically useful and important, especially during clinic when I have to go through my patients' medication lists.

Microbiology - I admit, at first I was a little confused with this class. Based on the recommendations of previous years, the class was shifted to "self-study," with all of the lectures pre-recorded as online modules. Now I know that this shouldn't be so different from our regular coursework - just pretend that you didn't go to the live lecture and watched it online. But there were A LOT of online modules and on top of that, each week we had mandatory case discussions. It seemed very overwhelming at first and I did okay on the first quiz but not super hot. Then I figured out how to actually study for this class. Micro is a lot of memorization but if you understand some basic concepts, it makes things a lot easier. I ordered the Lippincott Microcards which were a godsend. I used the online modules as a guide on what to study and focused more on the microcards. I liked having everything about a bug on a single flashcard, instead of having to swipe through slides. Also, I realized that the key to Micro is repetition. I would spend 15 minutes everyday going through the cards and it really solidified the material for me. I'm definitely a believer in spending more time on something now to save time on it later.

ENRG - otherwise known as Endocrinology, Nutrition, Reproduction, Genetics, a 9.5 unit whopper of a class, the one everyone fears. I started out okay, then totally f*cked up on the second exam. Yes, I am keeping the expletive because it is so necessary. I had sort of a panic attack-like state after that. I was really frustrated at having messed up on that section of the test. It would be one thing if I hadn't put in the work and not studied, but I really had. So being me, I started catastrophizing (that's a real word btw) and was convinced that I was on the road to failing the class. I had to realize that my studying for that class was not necessarily efficient or correct and had to adjust accordingly. I quit going to lectures since I was not learning anything in class and was taking notes verbatim. Instead, I listened to them at home at 1.5x speed, but pausing every so often to look things up, take some notes, and really trying to actively learn the material at my own pace. And instead of just learning whatever was on the slide, I tried to ask questions and manipulate the material to really gauge my understanding. And it worked! Phew!

Immunology - not super exciting in my humble opinion, but I do have an appreciation for the subject. I just can't take it when the names of things give you absolutely no clue to their function. Difference between IL2 and IL6? Yah, go ahead and figure that out without memorization.

Pathology - OMG, I thought Histology was over??? Hahahhahahahah. One of my closest college friends is applying to Path residency later this year. I, however, will not be. ;)

Doctoring - this block was focused on interviewing skills and note-writing. I'm glad to say going to clinic biweekly makes this such a breeze. It's so fun to have actors come in and pretend to be real patients that you get to examine. They are so good and do provide useful feedback.

Overall - I've learned that I may not be such a classroom person after all, and watching the podcasts may actually be a better fit for me. And even though I am terrified of the boards in the back of my mind, I actually feel a little better about them after having done fairly well on all the NBME exams. I've come a long way since August and there is still plenty to learn. Everything will come in its own time. You just have to enjoy the present.

The other side

This week we had Rheumatology case presentations for our Immunology class. We were divided into small groups and each member was supposed to act out a part of the patient care team. My group was assigned Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (yes, sometimes it IS lupus!) and I happened to play the part of the patient.

So many times we provide diagnoses and treatment plans to patients - in Doctoring, in clinic, etc. - and may not think too much about them. We come to the conclusion based on the history, the physical exam, lab tests and values, and clinical judgement. It makes sense to us and we explain that as best as we can to the patient. But while I was pretending to the be the patient, I realized just what it's like to be on the other side. This wasn't just a regular PCP appointment, "Hey, you're fine! See you next year." kind of deal. SLE is pretty much a lifetime diagnosis. Yes, it can be managed, but I felt overwhelmed taking that in, especially when you are trying to make sense of these lab values even though you don't have any idea what they mean. You go to see your doctor, concerned about certain symptoms, and then are dealt this huge diagnosis as the cause.

Something to think about.

Do you cook?

As I rushed (why am I always 5-10 minutes later than I intend to be?) to take my usual seat next to A, she turned to ask, "Hey T, do you cook?"

My first thought was, I sure do! But I guess if you get down to the nitty-gritty of it, I still need my mom to make some staples for me that I can then incorporate into meals. Why, you ask? Well, I refuse to touch raw meat. I just...cannot. It doesn't help that we just finished the food-borne pathogens module in Microbio. I'm sure I'll get over it soon, but to quote TV-version Syrio Forel, "Not today."

But I digress. This week I worked on some pasta dishes.

Top with even more parmesan cheese if so desired!

Pesto sauce*
1 clove garlic
1/8 cup pine nuts (I usually add a little more, or throw in some walnuts too)
1/2 cup loosely packed basil leaves (dry works fine too, be sure to adjust measurement)
1/4 cup loosely packed Italian parsley (can substitute spinach or cilantro, too)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt as needed (I usually skip)

Blend in a food processor and that's it! I'll usually make double the recipe and keep the rest in the fridge.

My mom had made the chicken for me when she visited a few weeks ago. Basically, chicken breasts that she marinated with various spices like red and black crushed pepper, and baked. I heated them up in the pan and then combined the pasta, chicken, and sauce.

*Recipe taken from my awesome Williams-Sonoma Baking Book.

Since I had a lot of pasta left over, I also made some with meat sauce.

Meat sauce*
1/2 pound ground beef (or turkey)
1 can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons red pepper paste
Garlic
Salt
Black and red dry pepper
Oregano or Italian seasoning

Toss with pasta and done!

*Mom's recipe!

But lest you think I'm some kind of chef-in-training, I am also guilty of doing things that show exactly how much common sense (or as my brother loves to points out, "street smarts") I am blessed with. I had a few frozen meatballs in a tiny little plastic tupperware that I thought I could just stick in the microwave. FOR FIVE MINUTES. There was smoke coming out the microwave, the food, the container, everything. My little tupperware sure lost its brave battle.

 

I'll have to think of a better title later

Wow, sometimes I have to remind myself that I have a blog. When I started this, I had the goal of posting at least on a weekly basis. That has since dwindled down to monthly, yikes! New goal: biweekly? Baby steps.

Studying Microbio with my favorite mug by my side.

Yours truly made hummus from scratch.

HuGE Valentine's Week at school. Aka the best college to be part of :) LOVE these chocolate roses.

This week, I got to see college friend S who is in med school on the East Coast. It was so great catching up and seeing her. I think I hadn't seen her in person for at least 1.5 years. :) And I also learned you can tie individual challah rolls with a surgical knot (ha!). See below for beautiful result...not that I can take the credit, though.

Homemade brownies and challah bread. Thanks for such a great night!

Block 2 has actually been a little more stressful than I anticipated, especially with the added clinic responsibility. I really love some of the classes, but others have been a little more challenging and I've had to devote more time to study those and adjust my way of thinking. But I think I'm getting better and the material is much more clinically relevant so I actually feel like I am in med school and can go through cases. However, to combat that stress, I brought back some books (YA fiction, of course!) from home when I went for the long weekend and am trying to read at least a chapter every couple of days or so.