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 

And then there was Block 3....

Hello all.  I hope you haven't missed me too much.  Just kidding!  I'm sure you missed me much.  I have been off attempting to save the world as usual.  For the past month, I have honestly been studying my tail off to get grades that I approve of.  My friends, Aqsaa and M, conveyed their thoughts on what Anguilla is for them and I think you figured out that they are Muslim.  I must say that on this campus, you are exposed to many different religions than what one may be used to.  I grew up in the south where almost everyone was Christian and if they weren't, they were "spiritual."  So being here is a big difference for me.  Learning about prayer 5 times a day that Muslims take part in as well as Hindu holidays and Buddhists' ways of life.  Pretty much this experience alone may add to why here was a good option because it is helpful in learning what's offensive to some may not be offensive to others and vice versa.

So now you wanna know the juicy stuff right?  Well, this semester, I have a change of scenery since I live on my own this time and I shouldn't move anymore.  I promise.  I live close to the ferry and about 10 minutes to school which is further than my 7 minute drive that I used to have.  It is just nice to pack a fridge as full as you would like without any restriction.  Currently, the weather is not "hot" yet because it does get a lot warmer.  It's a nice comfortable temperature.  It is still a part of the rain season so some extra humidity is expected.

Seriously, so about the classes.  Honestly, THIS SEMESTER SUCKS!  That's the nicest way I can say that so I am sorry grandma for not doing what you taught me.  To help with the semester, I am participating in Lent (no, I am not Catholic; associated with church of Christ).  I am fasting from sweets.  I must say that it has helped because my grades have improved but it just feels like this is the semester of impossible and I now see why it is a commonly failed semester.  The courses included this semester include: Microbiology, Pharmacology, Pathology I, Psychology, CCBS and RHM.  Yes you just read right.  I did have all these courses and a Walden course but that is now over for now.

As the names tell you, yes each of those classes are hard.  This semester is challenging by the workload and time management.  Class is everyday from 8 am to 5 pm.  Kind of like a full time job.  I have to admit that very rarely at stayed at my last job for the full 8 hours sometimes so this is killer!  By the time 5 pm rolls around, there is no motivation to study although you know that if you don't study, you won't be able to get to every subject in a night of studying.  Then on top of it all, a classmate and I are trying to save Anguilla and I have my research project that has fortunately has not started yet.

I will admit that the classes are a lot more interesting these days. The only complaint I really have is that their are too many classes and extra assignments.  If at least one class was taken away and all the "make you pass" assignments were gone, this semester could actually be an enjoyable learning experience.  The results of it now seems to be see how much I can memorize to pass this semester.  It didn't help with the added stress of taking a NBME for pharmacology either.  A NBME is retired questions from the USMLE Step 1 which is taken after Basic Sciences or as most know it, after you leave the island.  A lot of students stress about them and take typically 6 months to study for it.  You could guess that we, my class, didn't think we were prepared for such a test but some beg to differ.  Pharmacology shouldn't be taught in one semester is my only argument.  I wish it were two but that's life.

So besides learning drugs, bacteria, the immune response and how cancer is developed, my life has been incorporated into living in the library.  It's pretty disappointing but I have still managed to live a little and get some good pictures of cool spots around the island.

Pelican Bay, Anguilla

Pelican Bay, Anguilla

Depressing library life

 













I will admit that I sent the last picture to my mom for pity but she didn't fall for it.  (Insert another sad face here)  I also celebrated my birthday studying in the best method possible.  I had a pathology quiz the next day.  But great friends surprising me with chocolate mousse was great.  That is the only day I have had "sweets" so I think my fasting is still sufficient.  I have also been reading the Bible more and more and back to learning more about myself in the process.  Just look out for it!

Lastly:
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4, NKJV

Busy Bee in MD3

I must say that I know why all the upperclassmen were running around like their heads were cut off.  This semester has things constantly due and quizzes to always study for.  And then, when you think you studied enough, you haven't at all.  Then you go back to the slides to review the same material you may have reviewed 15 times before.  And sometimes even after that, you must reread them again.

I can honestly say that this semester will be more of an isolation type deal.  I think I have communicated with my family less than I have in previous semesters.  Mainly communication is about the upcoming big day or White Coat.  Although it isn't until next semester, it is still something to look forward to and be excited for.  Plus it is a mechanism for keeping my eye on the prize.  So far, it looks as if it will be August 13th which is the week after Carnival.  Talk about a bit of excitement.

I will mention that this semester has challenging classes but it may only be considered challenging because class is everyday until 5 pm.  Yes, we have class from 8 am to 5 pm.  Monday through Friday.  Three of my five classes are five days a week as well.  It sounds worse than what it actually is.  At the end of the day, you want a doctor knowledgeable in diagnosing infections, knowing the drugs to treat the condition and if there should be any other conditions to consider.

This is also going on while my friend and I are trying to accomplish a project of educating community members on CPR (this is the undisclosed project I mentioned in my previous post).  We have had everything come together at this point and it is really looking like we will be great at what we are doing.  We have our school's support and students leaving this island will have one item on their AICM checklist completed.  In case you are unaware of what AICM is, it is the fifth semester in which students have review for the USMLE Step 1 and preliminary rotations at the hospital in Chicago, Jackson Park.  From what I hear, they are trying to move the fifth semester to the island but rumors aren't true until it becomes reality.

By training the students for a reduced fee, we are saving the money to train community members.  This project is a very large commitment and more than what I expected but it is really making me rethink a lot of decisions.  The fact that I have the ability to educate others in something they need makes me want to make a life long goal of educating people of this gift that I have.  So that may be an introduction for a program I may want to execute in the future.  Or maybe one day call Anguilla home.  Who knows what the path of life will bring?

Not to mention that I am also involved in a research project of glaucoma prevelance on the island.  A professor had an idea to potentially pinpoint the amount of people that would be living on the island with Glaucoma.  There is no research about it thus far but we should have information regarding this eventually.  Although it may appear to be a lot, it is still what I think I am called to do.  I am greatful for the opportunity to participate in all of these lovely activities.  After attending church yesterday, I can only end with this:

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13, NLT

Later this week, I have an assignment to visit a senior citizen's home.  If I am allowed, I will try to take a few pictures and get a few good stories to give readers some entertainment.  If you would like to help me with my project for educating Anguilla on CPR, please do not hesitate to email me.  To all, stay blessed and I appreciate your prayers for greatness!  Have a blessed week!