First Mini Done...

Well we had our first Mini today and the grades are out.

Unfortunately my grad was less that stellar.  I was below the class average not by a whole lot, but enough to be scary.

I knew going in that it was going to be the small things that got me.  I just did not get it all in effectively.

So while my classmates are off at the beach or having a drink I am trying to do some soul searching.

I have been looking up different successful study habits.  

Here is an article that basically sums up the major options for medical school.

http://www.medicalschoolsuccess.com/studying-in-medical-school/

When it comes down to it, you have to do what works for you. (what everyone says)  But when you are not sure what that is, its kind of scary.

Class vs. No Class
I have considered not going to class and just watching them online and studying on my own.  Some people swear by this route.   I kind of prefer class though...  I am afraid to try because I am afraid to get behind.

I know for sure I am going to start just going home as soon as I can and studying there.

Being on campus I have to listen to music in my headphones to help with distractions.  At home I can just study in quite.  The only problem is it really runs up the electric bill and I would have to shop often for food.  Which I hate doing here.

Note Taking
I am also going back and forward on paper notes vs. electronics notes. 

It seems like it takes forever to make electronic notes. 
Paper notes are quicker but my drawing is garbage. 
Its easier to access digital notes, vs caring around binders.
I think writing helps it get into my brain.

Group vs. Individual
I have been mostly studying alone.  I tried studying with someone the other day but it was not productive as I hoped. 
They have "peer group" sessions.  But its not like a group session. An upperclassman who made good grades is just there to help you if you have a question.
I would like to find a group to at least go to once a week. Just to make sure I am covering everything.

I think the biggest improvement I can make right now is to put in more time.  Just buckle down and put in more time.

On a different note. 
I have been going to the gym pretty regularly.  Even though I think my main motivation is the hot water, not really the working out.   Taking cold showers at my place is No Bueno.  So I kind of use it as a punishment for not going to the gm.

I will just say that medical school is no joke.  I don't even know if hard is the correct word for it.  Its a lot of things that you have to put in your mind and be able to recall for for years to come.

I will get through it.  I am going to keep pushing and adjusting where I need to.

Week One Finished

So I have completed the first week of medical school.

I would love to say how amazing everything is and how I am ahead of the game.


My reality...

Its a lot of information.
I am still trying to find the right study strategy to retain and integrate all the material.
Living in a foreign country with resources and ways I am not accustomed is taking a while to get used to.
I miss my baby, and she never calls me :(
I am a little stressed that I am not where I want to be.
  - I have not started working out.
  - My anatomy recall is not good
  - I am in a less than ideal mental space.

But...

I have adjusted my study strategy after meeting with some of the resources on campus.
I am going to pack some work out clothes and put them in my locker @ school and when I am ready I will hit the gym (hopefully tomorrow)
My landlord has fixed some of the problems at my apt and I have tried to make it as homely as I can. 
I want to try and go to the beach maybe for lunch next week. Get a chance to appreciate the beauty of where I am not just the challenges. 

I am super surprised that I am feeling so stressed this early in the game. 
I think I am just hard on myself. 
I am going to focus up. And if I don't do as well as I want on the first test. I will know that I worked my hardest. 

Almost there...

I had a couple of friends reach out to check on me.   Thank you so much for thinking of me.  

What's the haps?

I flew out of DFW 8/28 and the last leg from Puerto Rico to Dominica was canceled due to the damage done to the area by hurricanes Danny and Erika.  

I have been in San Juan since Friday, but the school has been amazing.  They are paying for hotels and giving a food allowance.  There are over 200 students here and some on 3 other nearby islands. 

The school campus is not damaged and as of 8/31 all electricity, water, and communication has been restored in the school and near by areas.  

The airport is not opened yet and the roads are not consistent.  

But the school will start as planned on 8/7.  The plan so far for us in Puerto Rico  is to fly to Guadalupe starting Today (I leave Thursday) and then take a Ferry to Portsmith where the school is.  

It was nice to have a basically free mini vaycay , but we are missing orientation and that week we had to get settled and acclimated.   

It was a chance to meet other students. But to be homest as kind of a quite non-traditional career changer, some of these folks are a bit much.  So much competition and the need to feel superior or awesome in conversation is kind of annoying.  I spent a lot of time in my room.  Unfortunately the Wifi in the hotel is inconsistent so no Netflix or Internet. Just reading and TV.  

  

Any who. That's were I am at now.  Hope all is well with anyone who stops by to read this.    

Here are a couple picks from walking around old San Juan, PR

4 days left !

well.. actually really only 3 because I have to be at the airport at like 3 am on Friday.

My head is spinning.  Every time I mark a few things off the list new things pop up.

There are also so many things I have to do when I get to the island.  I need to start writing some things down.

I think one of the main things to realize about going international, especially to a school that has so many people is  you have to be responsible and independent.

Starting any major program and moving is a lot of work.  But you throw on top of that international visas, travel arrangement, planning orientation and registration a 2000 miles a way.  Its a lot of WORK.  And no one does it for you, they help as much as they can and send emails.  But you have to make sure it gets done.

I personally do not have a problem with the work, but I am super paranoid about missing something or something going wrong. 

I read all these stories of bags not getting there for 3 weeks, the lack of this product or that product, and all these things you should be bringing with you...  ::internal scream::

Anywho.
  this week will be filled with "closing the loop"
    - getting J completly packed and moved ( about 74% done)
    - purging "stuff" and packing the rest for me (20% done)
    - Getting all J's administrative & health done. ( 84% done)
          -- dentist appt on Wed & getting school physical notarized as soon as the call me to pick it up)
    - My medical stuff ( 90% done)
          -- got my years worth of Rx script done, dentist appt today)
    - shopping (80 % done)  
          -- still need to get J a few incidentals and some random things for me if my suitcase allows.
    - Good byes, 
         -- I have like 5 lunches/breakfast/dinners  planed with friends to say good bye.
    - mental preparedness.  
        -- I think I need to print off of checklist of all the things I need to have to get into the country     and all the task I need to complete on the island prior to registration ( a lot)

Everyone keeps asking me "Are you excited"   I should just say "yes" and leave it at that.  But I never can.   I know I should be excited, and maybe I am excited.   But I think I have other dominating feelings like stress, fear, and guilt that are tugging at me.

I know this is a great opportunity.  And I am pretty sure my kid is ok with it.  I know she is going to a good place.  Its just all these decisions that are coming up for her, that I usually help her make and follow through on, I am giving them to someone else.    She is a great kid and has done pretty well with all my/our craziness.  And she wanted to stay.  So I just need to make my peace with it and move forward.

I spent extended periods away from my mom as a kid and it shaped who I am .  There are many mothers who have to spend time away from their kids to serve our country (not that I am comparing my story to theirs)  and their kids do well.

But I digress... 

To sum up my rant.
 -- 4 days left
 - things are moving forward and I am for the most part on tract.
 - looks like Hurricane Danny has been downgraded to a tropical storm and should be passed the island by Thursday 8/27. ( I am leaving the US 8/28)

And so it begins indeed.....

Happy Birthday to Me!

So today is my 36th Birthday.... What the what what???

I cant believe how the time continues to fly by me.  That is still a lot of time so I am not complaining.

I read a cool little article about multiple women who did great things after the age of 40.  I am looking forward to all the adventures and accomplishments I will add to my life list.


10 MORE DAYS LEFT....

still have not made much progress on getting my stuff packed. I think its something I am going to knock out in a day.

I thinking should I try to make my blog into a helpful blog instead of just ramblings inside my head...

Maybe I can do one helpful blog a month and then the rest just randomness.. :-P