by Stefanie | Oct 28, 2014
We survived our second sequence!! Cells and Tissues was sans training wheels and we certainly felt the difference. We also experienced our first anatomy practical which, while scary in its novelty, was not all that bad in retrospect. This additionally entailed planning our class’s first practice practical immediately prior to the real thing. Along with Joey, my Component Representative partner-in-crime, I spent many hours in the anatomy lab both planning and actually setting things up. Our classmates were awesome about expressing their gratitude for our time. There’s nothing quite like having a horde of medical students personally thank you for your hard work.
**We’re not allowed to take pictures in the anatomy lab, but I’ve included a dramatic reenactment for you to get a taste of Practice Practical Pandemonium.
1. Identify the nerve that innervates the tagged structure. (The correct answer here, of course, is c) These aren't the droids you're looking for.)
Following the end of Cells and Tissues we had a week focused around CFM, the Clinical Foundations of Medicine. We each had three visits organized for us that included a traditional clinic shadowing experience, a health disparities experience, and an alternative medicine shadowing experience. There was already a great deal of diversity just among our own three visits, but we then gathered together to discuss our visits with each other to gain even more perspectives. Our experiences sparked some insightful discussions, both about the good and the bad things that we saw. We also had some lectures scattered throughout the week about topics that aren’t traditionally well-represented in medical school curricula. I personally found our lecture on health policy very enlightening as this is a topic that I’m relatively ignorant about.
We’re currently in the midst of our Cardiovascular and Respiratory sequence. In terms of content, we’re really starting to delve into what you’d typically think of as medical school “stuff.” I’m largely bewildered by graphs of cardiac function. Many of the things we’re discussing nowadays sound dangerously akin to physics. (Physics and I are not on good terms.) Even so, it’s exciting because it seems more readily relevant to patient care. Our two main lecturers also happen to be particularly lively individuals; all bets are off when these two are in a room together. The title of this post is the catchphrase of one of these gentlemen and is now our collective answer to any question ever.
I can’t wait to see what adventures await in November and December!
by Stefanie | Sep 14, 2014
It’s amazing how quickly time has passed and how many things have happened since school started!
I was elected to one of two Component Representative positions for our class. The big ticket items that we’re responsible for are compiling student evaluations at the end of each sequence and presenting them to the big wigs (who, to the best of my knowledge, do not actually wear wigs) and organizing and holding anatomy practice practical exams. We haven’t even really gotten into the major part of our jobs just yet, but we’ve already had some cool opportunities to get involved and meet both students and faculty members who serve important roles in the medical school. I’m beyond excited to get to help my classmates be successful and make sure their voices are heard. (That’s pretty much the cheesiest thing ever, but it’s true! Cheesy as charged.)
I recently auditioned for and was accepted into Choral Union, an ensemble that is part of the University Musical Society here at UM. Quick background note about me: I actually started out as a Choral Music Education major so I’m hardcore when it comes to choral singing. My first rehearsal is tomorrow and I can’t wait to get singing again!!
The M1 class has officially started learning anatomy, a rite of passage for medical students. It’s been a bit of a surreal experience thus far. I’ll readily admit to the fact that I’m a pretty big wimp when it comes to working in the anatomy lab, but I’m doing my best to become acclimated! Thank goodness my team members are awesome. Anatomy study habits are a bit rough around the edges as well; I think everyone is still working out what methods are best for them. I ordered myself a color atlas (containing real pictures as opposed to just illustrated diagrams) and so far it’s made me a happy camper. It has not, however, revealed the secret to memorizing all those nerves and blood vessels, ugh…
Interview season has officially begun as well and it is similarly surreal to find myself on the other side of things. I hosted an applicant this past week (who was awesome; rooting for you, girl!!) and served as a source of answers for the very same sorts of questions I could have sworn I was JUST asking. It was mind-blowing. I’m sure it will start to feel more normal as the year continues, but right now it’s pretty much shenanigans.
We’re kept relatively busy and there are certainly times when things get stressful, but I’m having a fabulous time here. I’m surrounded by awesome people who are all genuinely grateful for the learning opportunities we have. In summary, life is good!!
(Fun fact: In addition to copious amounts of studying, I’ve played through most of the Assassin’s Creed video game series in the past month. Soooooo goooooood.)
by Stefanie | Aug 12, 2014
Greetings from Ann Arbor! I still find it hard to believe that I’m actually here, but vivid memories of The Trailer Incident (which we don’t speak of), the long drive from Florida with aforementioned trailer, and the always arduous task of moving in assure me that this is the real deal. I’m living in an awesome place called Phi Chi, a medical fraternity. I have my own 1-bedroom apartment as well as access to a lovely clubhouse area that is shared by all of the students who live here. The Huron River is literally in our backyard and the VA hospital is right in front of us. It’s a pretty sweet deal!
Shortly after moving in, my family was able to come into town for the weekend of the White Coat Ceremony. We sampled a few of the tasty restaurants that Ann Arbor has to offer and spent some serious time stuck in traffic due to the Man U/Madrid soccer (football?) game. The ceremony itself was an inspiring way to mark the milestone of starting medical school. It was also an epic photo opportunity. So. Many. Pictures. Additionally, it was the first time my class had all assembled together. There are a LOT of us!!
We spent the following 3 days in orientation, participating in a variety of activities and presentations aimed to familiarize us with the school and give us several chances to get to know each other. We did some extremely cool stuff, including taking a trip out to Zingerman’s Cornman Farms where we went through a leadership workshop and got some yummy goodies. (Have you caught on that I’m really into food?) It was an exhausting few days, but it was definitely a lot of fun. The M2s who planned everything did a fabulous job!
Now that it’s been about a week since classes formally commenced, I feel like I can consider myself a “legit” med school student. That isn’t to say, however, that I have any idea what I’m doing. I’m still lost pretty much all the time. No one mentioned that I would have to learn statistics (yuckers). Even so, I’m loving every second of it. It’s incredible to FINALLY be starting this journey!
