A Longer Awaited Update

Since my last blog post I've completed an entire semester's worth of academic and professional work. To be honest, I probably did myself a sincere disservice by such neglect for this blog. It is thoroughly true that I do function better when my ideas are written out, and moreover it gives me the opportunity to start conversation with any who dare read the ramblings of this "non-traditional" medical journey.

That said, here is the last semester recap.

General Chemistry at NIU proved an enjoyable class, though the lab lacked challenge and creativity. The professor's strict application of his syllabus left little room for error, which I liked. Tests were challenging, but the homework was lacking... I may be the only NIU student ever who longed for more homework. All in all this course was a great refresher, and I now know more about molecular geometry than I ever had.

General Biology started with a pretty tough exam, then lightened up quickly. It was the first semester the professor had taught which meant she was trying to find a happy medium for difficulty and number of people who passed the class. Unfortunately I felt that the course lightened up too much. Biology lab did fulfill my need for legitimate course work though. The labs were relevant and really had me spend additional time with material that I had breezed past before.

This semester has brought a new set of challenges: General Chemistry II and Microbiology. Microbiology will prove much more challenging considering it is a 300 level course and the grade is solely based on performance in the lab and 3 exams... General Chemistry is already looking even more informative than the first semester. Our homework is more consistent and really forces us to know the chapters inside and out. Nailed the first exam yesterday.

With my new schedule in place I'm hoping to start volunteering at the hospital again. Not being there to serve in the hospital on a weekly basis has definitely has taken a toll on me because when I'm there it feels just right.

More updates to come. Until then, know that I haven't fallen off a cliff and that I'm still going strong.

A Long Overdue Update

If this blog were a library book, I'd be concerned about my overdue fines...

This past month has been eventful, to say the least.

Firstly, I finished my physics II class. I made the mistake of calculating the minimum score required for my final to guarantee an A. Had I remained oblivious I would have studied harder... In any case, I was pleased with the outcome.

The weekend after I finished my final, I attended a wedding of Golden standards. (Yeah, that's the pun telling you my friend's last name is Golden.)  It was tremendous fun supporting my friends, visiting with others I haven't seen in well over a year, and of course hitting the dance floor.

After a few tremendous days with my family it was back to work. Not even a week after my final I was in training to kick off the new school year. In full earnest, training is delightful the second year around due to its brevity. :)

The following weekend I found myself at another good friend's wedding that had Constant class and energy.(Hooray for continued last name puns!) With Erlenmeyer flask center pieces and a dance floor inhabited by friends, I had nearly forgotten that I'd be receiving my first batch of students at IMSA in less than12 hours.

This led to a blur of a first week back at work. Though I worked at least 90 hours (not all recorded), the week still flew by. I met my new sophomores (all of whom are quality young men), welcomed back all of the returning students, and tried to get a grasp of what this new year will be like.

Before I knew it I was back in the fabled state of Michigan to attend a wedding for the third weekend in a row. This wedding unfortunately did not lend itself so easily to last name puns... (Believe me, you'd boo if I typed the one I was thinking) In any case it was tremendous getting to spend time with many friends in celebration, especially after such a long work week. It was especially great catching up with my gracious hosts and two of my best friends Nicole and Justin Rieth.

After attending this fifth wedding of the summer, Monday the 22nd brought my first day of regular semester classes. This semester I have General Chemistry, Biology, and their respective labs before me. The first week transpired and I felt underwhelmed to say the least... I know the classes will pick up soon, but relearning significant figures for a full week feels like a joke after two full semesters of college physics taken over an 8 week period.

My initial impressions of the professors is good, though I will say that sitting in a class of nearly 200 people is much different from any of the Hope College lectures I was used to. I've already introduced myself to each of my professors to be sure that I'm known, and I sit in the front third of the classroom to make the lecture seem a bit more intimate. I will say the enlarged format isn't daunting, but it is distracting. If I had a nickel for every text that was sent in either of the lecture halls I frequent, I'd be a thousandaire in a disturbingly short period of time.

I'm looking forward to the busyness that draws near. Working full time and taking 8 credit hours will truly be a gift. That said, I will be sure to update sooner next time!

With Level One Vanquished, Our Protagonist Has Reached the Point of No Return

Today marked the end of my first class on track to medical school. I awoke early to do some final studying before downing some oatmeal and hitting the highway. With 10 minutes to spare I made my way into the frigid NIU lecture hall. Our final began. From 9am to just after noon I pounded away at the keys of my trusty TI 84 Plus and scribbled diagrams and formulas with my purple mechanical pencil (the likes of which I've grown irrationally attached to). As the test came to a close our professor started making rounds to the few of us who were left. When he came my way he asked me why I was still focusing so hard considering I'd already secured my "A" for the course... I casually replied, "thermodynamics has always been my nemesis."

What I really wanted to say however was something along the lines of "I want to be as prepared for the MCAT as possible, and I will feel more secure in my preparation if I answer each of the questions on this test to the best of my abilities." *Insert nerdy mannerism here (ie. the classic Steve Urkel glasses fix, etc.)

That said, I'm questioning if this class has truly prepared me in the best way possible for the MCAT. I know that my classmates struggled quite a bit in this course, but my ease has actually put me in a state of unease. I'll be taking some MCAT physics prep this weekend to test the waters, and hopefully I'll be reassured.

In any case, it has been tremendous getting back into the classroom again! It really feels like home, and that in and of itself reaffirms my doctoring pursuit. With one class down, I'm already excited for Physics 2 to start on Monday (though I will thoroughly appreciate my homework free weekend).

I'm officially that much closer to becoming a physician. I think some ice cream is in order  :)