Exams, exams, exams..

Today marks the 9th day of the 2-week examination period for the first year of medicine and I'm darn exhausted. Except from the fact that it did helped me lose some lbs, I hate exams. Who wouldn't?? After the torturous series last week, I should be out in the mall looking for the next bargain or at home reading some really fun stuff except medical textbooks. But I'm sulked here on my chair with an 8-page Physiology trans on my lap, gathering strength to get this over with. I still haven't let go of Monday's Biochemistry horror. Yes, I might have redeemed myself on the long exams (6 for the whole year) but I'm not quite sure if I can fix this one dreaded finals. It's like trying to fit a 120G info on some 4G memory. Lately, I've been very religious. Calling on to God for guidance. Like now. God help us..

How to Survive Med School Tip #13: Prepare For Some Gory Things To Happen

And then there's this.

Upon entering med school, you'll likely (definitely) do some of those stuff you see on thriller films like Saw, The Chainsaw Massacre, Hostel, etc. Except, you're the psycho killer and the victim is a cold, hard, preserved corpse rather a live, moving one. So if you're one of the faint-hearted, better be ready for this.

Prepare to do some cutting, slicing, dissecting, peeling, breaking, marinating, sauteing, crunching, munching, sweating and a whole lot of grimacing. You'll get to do this in your Anatomy lab.

How to be a Master Slicer:

You'll need:
- pair of gloves
- face mask
- laboratory gown
- dissecting set
- teamwork
- tibay ng sikmura
- brain (this is important)

1. First, uncover the body
2. Focus on the area to be studied (e.g. upper limbs)
3. Open your Anatomy Manual
4. Follow isntructions on the manual (sometimes we don't even bother to do this. *wag tularan*)
5. Start by making an incision on the skin. Not too deep so you don't cut the muscles underneath.
6. Be careful not to cut the important nerves and blood vessels. It is important that you identify them, their collateral branches and which muscle they innervate.
7. Remember to cut the muscles on its belly (middle part) and only after you have identified them.
8. After working on it, give it a nice formaldehyde bath so it would last long enough for you to learn everything there is to learn.

WARNING: During this period, there will be professors making "ronda" in the laboratory (yes, just like the MMDA hiding behind a bush near the stoplight waiting for their next victim). So unless you and your groupmates want to get some fun-loving "boljak", be sure to read ahead before every topic is discussed in the lecture. Cause there'll surely be some question and answer portion (Again, just like being pulled over by the MMDA).

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Of course, being a medical student isn't just about books, exams, nerdiness, and everything in between. One must also think that that day will come when those diseases you read on books will actually be experienced by a patient. That the patients you will meet won't just be people with diseases but people who have real lives. And that the cadaver lying on your lab table was once a part of a family, a son/daughter and a friend just like you do.

At times, I would randomly think: "I wish I had known this guy (our cadaver). What was he like when he was still alive? Did he had kids? A job? What kind? No one knows but at least we all know he's going to be a huge help to our future patients. Hell, he's one of the most important person in our med school life. Now isn't that superb?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-

¹ For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
² A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.

How to Survive Med School Tip #15: Learn a Different Language

Yes, those words above are in English. This is a slide presentation taken from Biochemistry class, one of the major subjects in the College of Medicine curriculum.

If you're planning to enter med school, be sure to choose a pre-med course that has a medical background / subjects such as chemistry, biology, anatomy or in other cases take some science program of the course beforehand. Or else, be ready to bleed out (more like, hemorrhage) when you start your med school.

I never did get along with Chemistry when I was in my BS Nursing, all the more with Biochemistry right now. So how do I cope? Simple. Milk some guy who knows more about the subject and let him teach you. OF COURSE I'M JOKING! (Never do this, they might find out) :D

In med, you cannot thrive if you're lazy. Lazy reading, lazy studying, lazy eating and yes even lazy partying (You read that right, partying). You really have to read your books and allot time on studying. Another factor is a sharp mind and memory. This is your armor for battle. It isn't necessary to memorize everything, what's important is that you get to know the how-why-when-what mechanism of the subject being discussed, and of course not forget about it.

Psalm 37:30

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.

How to Survive Med School Tip #28: Know How to Reward Yourself

Starbucks. One word comes in mind - coffee, a med student's daily dietary supplement wouldn't be complete without this. But besides having coffee, coffee shops can be a relaxing place to unwind for some of us (I meant for myself). Although I don't really drink coffee on a regular basis and maybe that's why I never finish reading a darn chapter in Anatomy, I go here when I need to reward myself after a hard day's "work", to take a moment and reflect on action potentials, carbohydrate metabolisms, hamstring muscles and of course, to relax :)

And what other way to pamper myself but to order their sweet waffle topped with whipped cream and chocolate syrup - Chocolate Belgian Waffles ^_^

Being someone who nearly has their life cycle broken down to an eat-study-read-sleep process (wait I forgot, there is no sleep, again, eat-study-read-read process) allows you to appreciate the simpler things in life - in my case, a piece of sweet bread and the company of a friend.

After more than a month of going to med school, you begin to finally realize that riding a public jeepney was more fun than driving/taking a cab, that eating street foods and having a laugh with friends is better than a 15-minute lunch in a resto and that sleep is way priceless than any other high profiled party or event you're invited to.

Mark 6:31

And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

Freshmeat Orientation

When you get into a new place, you tend to adapt/adjust and try to "blend" in with your environment. Moreover going to a new school, with new people, new curriculum (note: hardcore curriculum) and doing it with lesser sleep and more fatty build up.

Yes you read that right. F-A-T. As in thicker, richer and fluffier adipose tissues :)

Going into med school requires and sets you to change and accept a new kind of lifestyle. That is, weekdays would mean studying at least 3-4 hours a day (in your own time) and weekends would be spent preparing for the weekdays. Although, note that Fridays should be allotted for rest / chill / past time / party (if you still have the energy for it).

Disclaimer:
Statements shown above are just mere opinions I came up with in these early weeks of my freshman year. It may or may not change by the time I reach the 2nd year or thankfully graduate.

Yet it is very important that you chip in some time to exercise, go malling with friends, watch movies or just have something to do that has nothing in relation with medicine or studying. Because good guys need a break.

And in order to survive in this tough med world, you have to learn how to fight hard despite all the gruesome wars. Fight = study. War = exams. Of course studying and actually learning, wouldn't be a bit easier if you don't have efficient resources and facilities.

This was taken at the Nursing Auditorium of UERM @ Physiology Orientation.

They had it built by the same contractor who did MOA's iMax theater. This room caters 400 students of our batch, is fully air conditioned, sound proof, and has chairs with built in arm tables cascading upwards for better visualization of the lecturer's presentation.

hmm... very conducive indeed.
(for sleeping?)

Vain Jane goes to Med School

Lately I've been busy working on my time management skills in preparation for the coming school year. And what's the best way to prepare for it? PRACTICE. And so, I had to get my things ready for school from books to pens, bags to shoes.

Sometime in mid - end of May, we dropped by C&E Bookshop for a quick run down of the school books on my list. I got all 12 medical books that's worth a hyping P27,000. It wouldn't probably be the best way I would have spent 26 grand, but I think it was worth it in the long run.

This is part I


This is part II

Haven't covered 'em up with plastic yet. Doing it a couple a day :)
It makes the whole med school idea sink in in a subtle-friendly-petiks way. I also try not to stare at my bookshelves. Just couldn't imagine reading 2-inch thick books plus 2-3 others in just one sitting.

Hopefully, I could once and for all arrange my "study room/business lounge/pantry area" here and get a feel that it is finally happening. A calling or should I say, a dreaded calling worth taking the risk.



Proverbs 11:14
“Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances.” (The Message)


Credits:
C&E Bookshop
www.cebookshop.com

Back to School Again (hello, bankruptcy!)

It's been more than a couple of years since my days in college. Who knew, I would be doing it
all over again? And this time, it's 10 times the nerdiness :D (Good luck to my peepers for that)

Here are some updates for the incoming freshmen this year in UERM College of Medicine.

Tuition Fee Breakdown for UERM SY 2011-2012

Mode of Payment for Tuition and Other Fees

*More updates to come!