Lions, Tigers, and Bears! Oh MY! First semester of Med School FLEW BY! I can best describe my first semester experience of medical school as a rumble in the jungle. The chaos, turmoil, anxiety, stress, and headaches were like wild animals waiting to pounce on an un-expecting traveler. Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, I woke up one morning and quickly realized that I had been ripped out of my comfort zone by a whirlwind of classes, gross lab, executive board happenings, organizational meetings, block exams, responsibilities, and board exams (this is where I catch my breath….and...breathe...out…..ahhh). I had to personally find the strength to believe that I had the ability to make it to Oz. When I first arrived, the upperclassmen told me to follow the yellow ROCKY road to success. It took a great deal of planning, balance, and time management to ensure that I made it down the yellow rocky road to Oz. I must admit along the way I ran into some pretty ‘wicked’ witches that tried to prevent me from getting to the end of the road. Luckily, I had the assistance of newfound friends that made the journey much easier. Along the journey, I stumbled across courage. It is actually quite intimidating to step into a situation that really does seem like something out of a fictional novel. We faced challenge after challenge and often times we were met with defeat. However, it was those moments of triumph that pulled together the pieces of courage and self-confidence. Additionally, the support of my peers that were experiencing the same feelings was reassuring and motivating. And look here, I actually found my brain!!! The stress from medical school alone can make you feel like you are loosing your mind. The endless nights of studying, the un-interpretable lab manual, the never ending PPM small groups and articles, family, relationships, roommates, and the list just goes can make a person feel as though they are literally out of their mind (second breath catching….right….here…ahhh). As class president, I had a lot of added duties and responsibilities, and I found that trying to maintain that adequate balance of life, school, and extracurricular activities helped me better understand my limits and better hone my niche and helped me find my brain. Moreover, this semester helped me and some of my classmates find our hearts. Anyone that can survive first semester, is stronger, is more focused, and has a renewed passion to conquer the dreams of becoming a physician.
On another note, I realized that medical school is not for everyone. Only the strong will survive and make it through the jungle. One of my classmates once said that we are put through a lot of manure (synonymous with a four-lettered word that is often shouted when you drop something….especially your iPhone!) here in medical school. He was right! All this EXTRA manure is going to make us a more plentiful and ripe crop when the harvest comes MAY 2015! There are many things you always wish or think you could have done better or differently, but you respond to the best of your ability under pressure. First semester pushed me beyond my limits and stretched me beyond my capacity. In the end, it made me a stronger and wiser person. I was pushed to strive for excellence in everything that I participated in, and I am so grateful that I have been given the opportunity to chase after my dreams. These are the days that I will forever cherish.
Student Dr. Watson
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