Texas Academic Fresh Start Program

So,

A scribe who I saw in clinic the other day mentioned the Texas Academic Fresh Start Program

which basically allows you to scrub all courses 10 + years or older.  And you still get credit for having a degree

Unfortunately for me its not an option, because to use it for Texas medical schools you have to apply to an undergraduate under the fresh start Prior to October of the year that you are applying for.


It would have been super awesome for me, because only one of my pre-reqs were 10+ years old,  I would be willing to sacrifice that A and retake it to get those old scores out of my way. 

My GPA would go up to like a 3.75  if I was able to get rid of my first 2 years of college,

Anywho...

I figured I would post the TMDSAS link to the info for anyone who it may still be able to benefit from the program.

https://www.tmdsas.com/medical/texasAcFrshStrt.html

This is only applies to Texas residents and Texas School.

Mising Class

So I missed class on Wednesday...

I am usually the type of person that hates missing class because I feel like I get more from lecture and all that jazz...

Anywho clinic ran super late, and  I didn't not want to walk in close 30 minutes late, for one hour and then have to go back to the other side of town and get my little one.

So I didn't go. He said at the beginning of class he was going to record his lectures, however when I went to check there are none posted.

I am not concerned about the content, but mostly if he makes any changes.

The first test is only over 2 chapters and they are both topics I am generally familiar with. 

He has now moved the test from Monday to Wednesday, which happens to be the day that I am at clinic furthest away from school, and the one that often runs late.

I guess we will have to see how all this works. out. .

Do I want it bad enough?

So I have asked myself this a few times over the course of my journey.

Lately I have found that I have a concern that I either don't want this bad enough or I am incapable of making it happen.

This often comes when I am going from one job to another, thinking of how tired I am and how I wish I was going home.

Or when I am stressing over not having the resources for something that I used to acquire without a thought.

I think my biggest fears come when I pick up that freaking MCAT book or think about how much studying I have NOT done for the GRE.

I sincerely enjoy my classes and I am ahead in my pre-reading and lab work.  I am super pumped about doing gross anatomy and having class all day.   I am not afraid of the work that I have heard is attached to getting through med school.  I am just so worn out from this journey to just try and get there.


I think i could keep up the fight if I knew for sure I could get into a program this fall  But I don't know that I will
 I don't know that I can improve my score enough.
I don't know how to make more time to study for that test.

I keep thinking maybe I could just go ahead and go international, but I am afraid I would just make my journey even more difficult.

AAARRRGGG!!!!

Week one down the drain...

So I am practically at the end of week one...

I have maybe done 10% of the planned studying.  This is No Bueno.

Sat & Sunday are supposed to be my big ticket days.  Hopefully I can gain some ground there, however I am not very optimistic. 
Saturday

gym @ 10 am,
gotta finish a pc set up job @ noon,
J's out of dance early tomorrow @ 1pm
Finish up forms I am making for J's school @ 2

after getting her situated, if I do nothing else I can get in a good 8 hours 3- 11, ( only 2 in a library)

Sunday
@ 7:30 - 12  work
@12:30 J to dance ( till around 4) -- good study time here, just no where to go
@ laundry & hair 6 till -- potential study time if I can avoid the distractions of home.


I have to make this work. I am so concerned I am going to wake up 2 months from now with little to no progress.
I hope starting class helps.  I am really good at working on something specific.  But these big test that cover years of material.  I have not quite figured out how to mentally attack it as if it were a class that i enjoy.

Anywhoo... I hope to post progress soon.

I think I am going to tighty up my weely plan and print it on a poster board in a place that I have to see every day.

Give me something to mark off to show progress, or to Shame me into getting back on tract.

Week 1 progress

So I am halfway through week one...

according to plan I have should have done some pre-reading  for A&P & some MCAT ochem.

I am a bit off track.  I did get my book access, but I have found it is virtually impossible to study at home.   And unfortunately the school and local libraries have limited hours.

The school library close at 10 pm Monday - Thursday , close at 6 Fri & Sat, and are not even open on Sundays.

There are no libraries near me that have good hours. they are all closed between 6 - 7 with no Sunday hours.  This is going to be a problem.  Sunday I have the most time to make progress and I have to have a table and controlled environment to really make the most of that time.

Also, the one hour for pre-read is not going to be enough time, but I am not sure where I am going to get the extra time.  I am thinking of just asking for Monday & Wednesday off instead of going to work after class.

I also need to look into finding supplemental material from the Biochem/Psych section.  I am going to try to just use the MCAT topic guide  in conjuction with Khan academy & google to look up things up that I do not know.

With all theses things in mind, I need to update my detail plan.
We do not start class until 1/20/15,
I mis-labeled my GRE sections,
and I need to add Biochem to MCAT study

I also don't think I like my week starting with Sunday.

Overall some progress has been made but not nearly enough.  I am going to have to step my game up and learn how to disengage and buckle down.

I am going to pack my GRE math in my bag and hit some of that up during work tomorrow evening.  I need to find a way to measure progress on my studying.  I think I will use the official testing guides of both test and count the topics, split them evenly, and track completion that way.

Day 1 & 2

So my schedule kicked off this week.

I ran into a couple of challenges.

I could not start pre-reading for class, because they did not give the link to the book with the digital package I bought and there was no link on the syllabus.

I did a little MCAT studying, but not much.   J had a school program last night and I volunteered from 3:30 - 6:15 and her show was from 7 - 9. 

When we finally made it home I did the regular routine and went to bed.

I did hit the gym this morning so that was good.

So I guess I am basically about 78% on track :). 

I emailed the professor and asked for the link, hopefully he will respond. 

Now to get through this day at work.

Up and at it...

So I got up this morning and got a bit done..

Went to the bookstore to get my books.  And even saved myself 50 $
 - there was one used lab manual with only the first couple of sections done in pencil (saved 20$)

-  Went with the e-edition of the lecture book instead of the hard copy ( saved 30 ish $)

I am hoping I can still do pretty good with the digital book. Between my Ipad and laptop I think it will help with my study flexibility between work II and lunch at work I.

Not only did I mark off that milestone, but I worked on my detailed study plan.

Now to print them and follow them... :)

Only one more thing left on my agenda today.
Check out the Texas Fresh Start program... 

Random note.
I stopped at the store for a protein bar and sugar free Red Bull, instead of the Wataburger breakfast on a bun, that I really wanted.

And this chatty old dude, proceeds to  ask me questions about what protein bar I am looking for

Him : blah blah protein bars
Me : yea.... that's interesting (not really)
Him : I am working on my doctorate
Me : Awesome, In what
Him : Radiology
Me : O_o  , o cool
Him : yea, I just finished my Masters in November
Me : Hmm.. cool congratulation'  Have a great day :)

Is there such a thing and a PhD in radiology? I am not familiar with it but it doeskin mean it does not exist.

so the point in this whole diversion, I have added this to my list of things to look up on the "Da Google" today... I'm not interested in it, just curious if this dude is just making shit up in his head.. :P

Houston We Have a Problem.

Sooo...

I completed a first draft of my schedule for next few months...

I need to find a way to have less work and More MCAT & GRE...
I am pretty confident I have a good amount of A&P time.
My work II is a bit flexible, but not really a good study environment.

This kind of ties back to my first lesson learned...  Go all in..  trying to fit in all this work is seriously going to effect my study potential.

Hmmm...

I take progess anyway I can get it.

So as I mentioned in my last post I tend to get a little unproductive when I have a lot of things going on.

So I originally planned to have a detailed plan ready to post today.

However I only ended up with some high level written steps.

I tend to be a visual person...  And when I have this big ball of stuff it helps to just start at the top and break it down.

Here is one of my mind maps...

My next big task is to create a detailed study plan for this semester.

I did get some things done
- Got a GRE study book
- Submitted a request to consolidate my latest student loans, I was paying about 550 between the two, and it is killing me.
- I went to go get my A&P books today, but the books store was closed by the time I got off work. ( going back tomorrow)

I am pretty confident I will have a plan by Monday, a rough draft at the least.

Okay back to trying to be productive.  :)

Lessons Learned #2 --- Organize and conqure.

Lesson : Plan
take the time to sit down
1. identify goals/milestones
2. determine what needs to be done to complete the milestones
3. write down due dates
4. write down resources.
5. MOST IMPORTANT 
  - Track your task
  - Complete your task
  - hold your self accountable.

While your in the thick of it, its hard to see the end of the tunnel, but if you lay your obstacles down, end to end, you build a track to get you through to the other side.

And sometimes it just helps to look back and see what you have accomplished.


So one of my big challenges is the getting things done.

I feel sometimes I have so many things to do I end up doing nothing.

Especially when you are busy with work and life.

I feel like working this M - F, 8 - 6 in a clinic  and evenings at the studio are my worst time yet.   I don't really have time to sit down and plan,

Working a desk job  I  was always in front of a computer or writing something down, ( and looking for a distraction) so I had time to make list and organize and check stuff off.

Now, I am only home in the evenings and usually by then its dinner, baths, then bed.

I am starting class on the 20th, and have not developed a schedule to integrate MCAT, GRE, & homework.   Before I know it, the time for application submission will be upon me..

So it looks like I need to sit down and take my own advice..

I will have a plan here tomorrow..

Lessons Learned Part One - All in

Hi there..

So today is kind of a crappy day at work.
So instead of thinking about how much I want to quit, I will start my lessons learned page.
I wanted to make this really organized and release it in parts...

But "aint no body got time for that" lol   jk ( kind of)  

But I do want it to be clear, concise, and organized. ( not sure that happened here)


First Lesson Learned :  If you are going to Do it.  DO IT 100%

This is a crazy journey and if you want to be successful at it you have to go all in.

I tipped my toe in and tried the safe route and now I regret not just going for it from the begning.
I feel that the part-time approach put me at a great disadvantage and extended my attempt far longer than it should have.

Group 1: Ideally, If your young and about to start college
- establish a relationship with your advisors and/or premed committee
- take advantage of reputable student pre-health organizations
- follow your degree plan
- Shoot for the best possible grades
- build relationship with your professors
- build a good relationship with a few good community organizations, find something you love and really give it 100%
- find interesting ways to gain exposure to medical field
- study diligently for the MCAT, take lots and lots of practice test
- start writing Personal Statement early, and let as many people critique it as you can.
- apply early & turn in secondaries early
- practice interviewing ( professionalism, communication, concise answers, etc)

Group 2 : For late entries, with no major hindrance
- come to terms with your decision and be certain it is what you want
- then say good bye to the old life and start your new one
- basically just get in there with the "ideal" crowd and kick A$$

Group 3. For late entries with major challenges like families, little to no support, financial constraints, etc
- See Group 1 & 2
- get in there with the other two groups, and do WHATERVE you have to do to kick even MORE A$$



When I started writing Group 1 I thought I would write something different for each group, but as I was writing the list for the ideal group, I thought WE ALL have to do that.  But sometimes as a non-traditional students we let our "real lives" keep up us from being just as diligent as others.

If I would have applied those principles when I first started this journey in 2005, I would be blogging about surviving residency by now.

Why didn't I? 
I think some of the things I allowed to hinder me were

1. being a parent.
- I felt I needed to stay employed for money, insurance, and to be responsible.
- so I drew my basic preqs out over 2 years (2 per semester in the evening)
- working jobs, volunteering, taking classes, and studying for MCAT while still trying to be a good mom I did not give school and MCAT 100%. 

 ----  I feel like I would have been better off, If I would have just resigned at that time, went back to school full time and just focused on being a mom and getting into medical school.


Unfortunately I have to go back to work.

In conclusion

If you happen to be reading this and you KNOW that you want to be a doctor. Really consider going all in.  Part-time half-hearted attempts are a waste of time and money.

Good article...

So I had this plan to update my blog with some lessons learned over my 4 days off.

However my charger stopped working on my laptop, so I couldn't type it up. :(


However at work today I found this pretty good article on SDN that I thought I would share.

The 10 Lessons Every Pre-Med Must Learn


I plan to stop by Best Buy today between jobs today to get my charger replaced.
I think I have a 3 year warranty, but I don't have my box ( its in storage somewhere)


This was also a good response on the forms to the question.
"Is anyone on SDN actually happy with their decision to go to medical school?"

Response to question : Is anyone on SDN actually happy with their decision to go to medical school?