So It Has Been A While.....Forgive ME!

I would just like to ask for forgiveness for leaving all of you out there hanging on what is going on with my life.  I would just like to say that since the last time that I wrote, I have just been a busy little bee studying her life away.  Honestly, AICM just included a rotation for a minimum of two hours per week of various doctors that you essentially watch or talk about how to treat patients.  There were some doctors that were better than others but it is not my place to blast them on here.  My friends and I enjoyed each of our rotations and learned from them differently.  I would say the biggest things were the fact that everything was beginning to come together.

Honestly, while learning the material on the island, the information doesn't make any sense.  Talking with the doctors made us understand that all those little details matter.  Often, I have been told that I should be careful not to "over-study" but I beg to differ.  Is there a such thing as over-studying for the Step 1?  If anyone has an answer to that, I beg you to comment below so my friends can get some information from you.

So I am sure you are dying to find out what is going to happen next with me.  Well, right now, I plan to just study like crazy.  I honestly don't have anything coming up that is spectacular unless you mean my birthday in February and a cruise in March.  Plus, when I get back from that, I plan to take the qualifying exam to take the Step 1 with school.  I must agree that this is a really bad idea but it was something that was planned in advance and I didn't think that this would be how it worked out but unfortunately that is how my schedule is flowing right now.

Also, I am continuing to teach some BLS/HeartSaver courses here and there now that my partner in crime, James, is back around.  If you would like more information about some of the trainings we offer, just visit www.trainchicagoheart.org.  We are still working in conjunction with the Anguilla campus so you can expect some overlap.  We successfully turned the Anguilla program over to two other lovely students who are doing wonderful with the program despite also being responsible for their coursework as well.  I must say that I am extremely proud of them.  They are featured in the Newsletter featured on the SJSM website.

Also, not relevant, but I am pictured in the January 2017 newsletter on page 5 reviewing an exam with some other classmates.  I still remember that day and I must say that it was interesting to get my picture taken while discussing my exam with the professor.  To recap, the picture was during my third semester which is considered the most difficult semester for students to master.

But other than these tidbits, what else do I have to show for myself?   Umm.....would you like to see some of my Step 1 notes?  I'm just kidding but if anyone still has any questions about anything, I am still happy to answer.  I can take a 5-10 minute break every few hours to answer any burning questions that one would have about school.

Maybe before I end, I should explain what my hold up is right now so that people understand my path and where I am going.  So right now, I am studying for the USMLE Step 1 which is a test taken by foreign medical graduates and American medical students alike.  It is a test that determines your fate of what you are to become it seems like the good book does when we get to heaven.  (Give me props for that analogy if you can!)  My school has us (its students) take a qualifying exam (NBME) to determine if we are ready to sit for the Step 1.  Upon passing that, we are allowed to sign up for the Step 1 and write that exam.  The current passing score for the Step 1 is currently 192 with the average being in the 220s.  Of course me, being the overachiever that I am, strive to be a little above that.

I already mentioned before that I plan to take the qualifying exam at the end of March.  Based on the results of that exam, determines my next steps.  My ultimate goal is to successfully pass the Step 1 by August so that I am able to participate in Match by 2019.  So I asked for continuous prayers of my success in those endeavors.  I also don't want to have a never ending cycle of repeating learning the same things over and over which also explain my sense of urgency.  So if anyone is wondering why I am becoming a hermit, this should explain it all.  So peace and quiet it shall be!

I extend hope and prayers for all the students that are currently studying with me and pray they all pass with the scores that they desire.  Just know that my journey is far from over and it is continuing on.  I am just at a mountain currently but I am climbing and I have the equipment necessary to reach the top.  I will try to update you monthly throughout the journey with details of celebrating my birthday and going on the cruise plus the qualifying exam. Thank you all for your many well wishes.

Although Christmas has passed by a month, here's a family picture including my brother that was in the motorcycle accident on my iPad.  Please continue to pray for his recovery.

Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up.

Galations 6:9, CEB

The Infamous Block 4

Hello all!  I am really making a point to post very often because I know there is a lot I can answer questions for on this side of the program opposed to answering questions when I am gone.  So blocks are finished and everyone is just getting ready and planning for home.  I probably should've packed yesterday but I decided to catch up on some television shows.  Plus I went out for dinner to celebrate the fact that it is my last normal block.  I guess this is the part where I should be sad. Someone cue the tears.  Okay, I will stop laughing now.

So my block exams went fairly well I must say.  You can tell that I wasn't distracted by Walden courses and I truly studied a lot this block.  Since this block is only 7 class days, I really have to make this count!  And yes, you read correctly.  SEVEN days!  And we have 13 days until White Coat ceremony.  And I guess you can say I am a little excited.

So what have I been up to?  Nothing much.  Just studying like crazy.  Since there is no real method of standardized testing in medical school other than the Step 1, our school has implemented NBME exams everywhere.  Most classes have at two like my class has.  NBME stands for National Board of Medical Exams and they just hold onto old USMLE exams.  It's a company like the PSAT.  They hold on to old questions and sell them to people for them to simulate a real exam.  I would say it is a good business because a lot of people use it.

Lunch from a restaurant at Shoal Bay

So with 3 class days left, what do I have to do to pass and move on with my life?  Two presentations, two quizzes, 4 exams, a research paper and Carnival.  I included the last one as a joke but I think you get the point that I have a lot of stuff to do.  Monday, we actually don't have school because it is August Monday also known as the first day of Carnival.  There is a parade and a beach party to go with that.  I really should study so let's see!

My group from my
Pathology poster presentation

In the past few days, I have presented a poster with some lovely classmates and I must say that we BEAST moded that presentation and it is reflected in our grade.  Also, this week we were to turn in research papers to our mentors of our research assignments that some students had the luxury of working on for the last three semesters.  My group has had to make a lot of revisions but I think we still did a great job.  And I have rewarded myself greatly this week!  Mostly because my exam grades were favorable and I am so close to getting out of this place.  Here's a few pictures to showcase how my week has been!
 I can only say that this week, I was blessed.  I was blessed enough to be around great people and have great grades.  As for a progress report on my brother, this week he has decided that he would move his leg in places to make it appear as if he would like to make a run for it.  Sorry little bro but you gotta stay put just a little while longer.  And of course there are some side jokes that come along with that as well.

Dinner with a highly regarded professor

Again, I appreciate all of the people who have helped me on my journey this far.  It has been a long road.  I have met a lot of great new friends and lost contact with a few but our relationships should surpass that.  I would think here would be a good point to ask if I have arranged anything so far for the future move to Chicago.  I signed a lease from here for an apartment in Chicago.  I know it is risky but I didn't want to risk not having a place at all because the area I am moving to is college town.  I think it was a great choice being that all utilities are included.  And I am still arranging what furniture and items that I am taking with me.

Since I only have a few weekends left, I am attempting to live.  For once in my life, I am having the opportunity to live.  I have always been a cautious person about spending and I must say that I think that I have done fairly well.  I really have not increased my debt as bad as I could have but I decided for my last few weeks, that I won't say no as much.  I just wanted to say that I experienced Anguilla versus just lived here.  I think all of my audience would like to hear that I did that as well.

Enjoying Shoal Bay

So what now?   I have almost learned all of medicine.  There is almost nothing else the teachers can teach me.  So now, it is time to put the absorbed information the teachers here have given me and study to take the Step 1!

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.  There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Proverbs 16:24-25, ESV

Honesty is Key*

Hello All!  I am sure you have been waiting anxiously to see how my semester ended and what exactly happened during MD3.  Well, .......Life happened.  I must admit that it was a very tough semester but I pulled through without letting it break me down.

It began with a peer and me working on a project to educate Anguillians in CPR but it didn't end that way.  There was some resistance from the community that we did not anticipate.  Luckily, we were still able to educate the students at school.  Because it was a student-run project, we were able to log some tutoring hours because the certification is a requirement for the AICM semester that is currently held in Chicago.  If you want to see a video I made about the project, you can look here.  Never mind the music.  It was my first one.  A better quality video is to be uploaded shortly.  The information about the project is also to be updated as well.

Also during MD3, I lived every moment in the library.  There were some naps, tears and laughing that may have occurred but mostly studying to say the least.  I say all this to assure you that although I did have my outlet by teaching CPR that I also made time to study.  And here's some proof!

I still ate well and lost some weight through the semester but I assure you that it wasn't stress.  I was supposed to be preparing for the annual 5K event that is held on the island by the Red Cross but that didn't exactly happen because I wanted to sleep a little bit.  But I can sleep when I'm dead right?  Plus sleep is overrated.

So even after all the studying and writing to memorize drugs and pathologies, it still wasn't enough.  I when I say that, this wasn't enough.  Yes this is as bad as it looks to learn.  But I  prevailed with this material.  Life was a juggling act and unfortunately two things fell out of place.

So what am I saying?  I am saying that I did not pass two classes during the regular semester.  I did not plan to put myself in that position but I must say that things happen beyond your control.  What could have contributed to this?  It could be many things.  It could be the added stress of having class until 5 pm each day and taking a break until 7 pm or it could be the time that I stayed up late to bake and eat chocolate chip cookies.  Or from having to write a 5 page paper for Walden University or completing my vRx assignment for pharmacology.  As you see, it could be a number of items.

So what now?  Well I went home for break after my exams.  My family and friends were very supportive and demanded that every moment be dedicated to studying.  Honestly, I did not want to study.  I was becoming content with the idea that if I had to stay a semester longer that I would be okay.  After some thought, I began to develop the confidence that these exams were to be conquered by me.  So here at Saint James, currently, there is an opportunity to "redeem" yourself if you fail the course during the regular.  So there is a cumulative exam that you have the opportunity to take.  In order to pass the course of which you must score a 70% and that allows you to pass the course.

So after the endless hours of being told to study, it is safe to say that.............


I PASSED!!! Woohoo!!!  I am now in my final semester of Basic Sciences!  So let me catch up on what I missed in the last 3 days.  So I will run now to study hard and make all of you proud!  Oh what can this semester bring?

And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.

-1 Kings 2:3-4, KJV 

Again, Another Look to See Changes in Culture

Hello readers, I am a classmate of Ariel’s and I will be telling you my perspective on our current situation.

The clear sky above me, the silky white sand gliding between my toes, the salty cool breeze that passes through me, and the sun rays that warm my skin. Those are all the elements that collectively paint a vivid image of what life in this tropical paradise may consist of. And to be honest none of the above is exaggerated. Anguilla is actually one of the most beautiful places on this planet. I’ve done my share of international travel and so far no place has compared to the serenity that is felt here in nature’s utopia.

That being said, it’s so unfortunate but living here brings upon a set of burdens otherwise not endured. This could be due to the fact that all of us medical students are from the United States or Canada and we have become conditioned to a certain lifestyle. Fast internet, reliable electricity, a home free of lizards and centipedes, drinkable tap water, and proper traffic laws are just the basics that we are accustomed too. Establishments such as shopping malls, movie theaters, or even fast food chains that once upon a time were part of our everyday lives are now luxuries we must do without. All of us students have become extremely adaptable and over time have adjusted to everything like champions. Initially, the lifestyle change was brutal but like the saying goes, out of sight out of mind.

Mentioned above are the tangible compromises one must make when living in the Caribbean. Believe it or not but that isn’t even the most challenging part about being here. The part that will break you down and keep you up at night is actually an internal struggle. Living on this island and dedicating all your time to learning the art of medicine dominates all aspects of your life. While you are spending all your time in class, at the library, in lab, at review sessions everyone else is going through human experiences typical of their age. For example, I can not tell you how many holidays, birthdays, weddings, funerals, baby showers, graduations, and seasonal changes I have missed by being here. It feels as if everyone else is truly living and we are merely existing. We wake up and go through all the same motions, our routine never changes, and we start to seek pleasure in our work such as getting an A on an exam or presentation. We become so indulged that we forget to reply to texts or return phone calls and then our loved ones become accustomed to our absence as an inevitable consequence.

So you see, being a Caribbean medical student is not for the fickle. It takes all mind, body, and soul to be successful in this lifestyle. You must be so dedicated to the Medical Sciences that you willingly sacrifice life’s precious moments that can never be earned back. No one truly knows what to expect until they themselves actually experience this chaos of holding on and letting go, accepting and adapting. On the bright side, time waits for no one; good or bad it will pass and one day it will all be worth it. So while living here brings about the essence of summertime sadness it does so with a view. And all you can do is stare out into the various shades of blue ocean and see the bigger picture, you will be a doctor and you will save a life.

Xoxo

- M

“It is not the eyes that are blind, but the hearts.” – Qur’an 22:46

Mead's Bay at Sunset

A Different Perspective

Hello guys. My name is Aqsaa, and I am one of Ariel’s classmates. She offered me the opportunity to write for her blog this week, which I thought I would take a crack at.

I would like to start with a little bit about myself. I grew up in the states, specifically in Maryland, and lived there until I graduated high school. I then moved to Philadelphia and attended Drexel University, from which I received a Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences. I continued to live in Philly after graduation, and worked as a Leasing Assistant, which had nothing to do with my degree, but it helped pay my bills. At this point my parents were quite frustrated with me, and wanted me to get to medical school as fast as possible, or move back home. After living on my own for five years, moving back in with my parents was not something I wanted to do. So I began my search for the right medical school.

I honestly never thought I would attend medical school in the Caribbean, but after about a month of researching schools, I decided to go ahead and apply. This began my journey here at St. James School of Medicine. From Ariel’s previous posts, you all probably already know the basics about SJSM, so I won’t bore you with the same information again. Other than the fact that she has mentioned that some of her classmates have moved as many times as she has. This is true. I have moved four times since coming to Anguilla last May. And it’s not due to the fact that I have bad experiences with landlords. It has given me the opportunity to experience different parts of the island which I now call home.

Everyone who attends school here has a very strong opinion about the school, which seems to be on the extreme. Either they like it, or they have an abhorrent hate for it. My personal take on it is that it is like any other university or school. There are professors that are amazing and have a passion for teaching, and there are others who probably are better off not wasting the time of the students. I will say that the first two semesters, which are technically considered the first year of medical school, were not too horrible. Anatomy was a tough class the first semester, and then Physiology was a challenge the second semester. But nothing could have prepared us for the rude awakening which is MD3. I truly believe that having spent one month in MD3, I finally feel like I am actually in medical school. I am sure many of my classmates will agree with me. Being tired and headaches are a perpetual part of my being. But there is hope that if I can make it through this semester, I can survive anything.

However, even though this semester has been off to a rocky start, I still try to take some time to go out and have fun, or spend time doing something I enjoy. I recently went home for winter break, and brought my camera back with me. I have not made too much use of it, but hopefully I will be able to take a break every so often and take some pictures. It is really important to take some time off from studying as well.

And say: "My Lord, increase me in knowledge." (Quran 20:114)

Viceroy Beach