A couple of friends from back home took some shots of the live recording of the Dean's list celebration from their laptops so I wanted to share. Let me enjoy this cuz I might not make it anymore haha #MedMicroIsABeast. Here ya go....
TTYL!
Monday, February 25, 2019
Celebration of Academic Excellence
Sak Pase!
A couple of friends from back home took some shots of the live recording of the Dean's list celebration from their laptops so I wanted to share. Let me enjoy this cuz I might not make it anymore haha #MedMicroIsABeast. Here ya go....
TTYL!
A couple of friends from back home took some shots of the live recording of the Dean's list celebration from their laptops so I wanted to share. Let me enjoy this cuz I might not make it anymore haha #MedMicroIsABeast. Here ya go....
TTYL!
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Either I'm an Egare or I Was Just Burnt Out
Sak Pase!!
Creole word of this post: "Egare" - Haitians use this word to call someone/oneself an "idiot" or "dumb."
Okay so it's been a while and I have no excuse, none whatsoever.
So far, third semester has honestly been a humbling experience for me. In my last post I explained a few things, including the classes I'm taking this semester, Dean's list, tutoring and Honoring courses. Last semester went great for me, so I got this wonderful idea you know...keep doing and being great. But this semester, third semester, is legit coming for my life. Kinda reminds me of my first semester struggles. As a reminder, I'm taking Pathology I, Medical Microbiology, Physiology II and ICM (intro to clinical medicine) III. During my first semester at AUC, ICM started around the middle of the semester. During my second semester, ICM started towards the end of the semester. This semester, ICM started right in the beginning. For this semester, we had physical exam checkoffs (heart exam, lung exam, abdomen exam, and peripheral vascular exam). We also had interview checkoffs and OSCEs. What the heck are OSCEs? I don't even know, let me google it....
"Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCEs) is a form of performance-based testing used to measure candidates’ clinical competence. During an OSCE, candidates are observed and evaluated as they go through a series of stations in which they interview, examine and treat standardized patients (SP) who present with some type of medical problem." I got this from the "oscehome.com" website. Take a look if you're intrigued.
Basically, we had 4 timed stations. One station was vital signs, one was a physical exam station, one was a focused interview station and the last one was heart exam/murmurs. I get nervous about the smallest things and let's just say I was a nervous wreck. I came in the first station sweating bullets and stuttering while talking to the standardized patient. I was a little off on the Blood pressure reading. During the heart exam, I turned the stethoscope to the bell side but forgot to rotate the head until I heard it click. In the focused exam station, I almost ran out of time, smh. Mind you, the OSCEs were literally the day after midterms so either I'm an egare or I was just burnt out
The interview check-offs and physical exam check-offs were the week before exams. Interview check-offs went great but physical exam check-offs was a freak show. I mean YOUR GIRL MESSED UP BAD. What's my excuse? Well, i have trouble feeling the ribs on the human body and counting them to find the correct intercostal spaces to listen to the heart sounds. When I think I'm on the 2nd intercostal space, I'm on the 3rd. My preceptor was not happy with me whatsoever. You have to make under a certain amount of mistakes I think to pass the check-offs and boy I was close. I passed it but barely. I cried...in the bathroom...like legit tears...red eyes, nose dripping, hiccups, boohoo crying. I cried not because my preceptor went innnnnn on me but mostly because I did so badly. Reason #144 why I always say med school isn't for me. But if the next person can do it, why can't I? I always have to remind myself that it's okay to mess up sometimes. As long as I learn from my mistakes. Plus I need to woman up and stop it with the tears. I won't make it through rotations and residency if I'm that sensitive. Shoot, ask me how I made it this far.
Now let's talk about my first midterms. I'm not sure if it was because of ICM, but I felt like I barely had time to study. I aced Path, did okay with Phys and BARELY passed Med Micro. FREAKING MED MICRO.... I mean, I studied my ass for that exam. Like I lived and breathed Med micro. I went to my professors office hours for an exam review and I was sooo angry. Most of the questions on there I was able to answer right away. So please tell me why I couldn't do the same during the exam? 😐
I need to get it together cuz this? This ain't it.
On a good note, the Celebration of Academic excellence is tomorrow and your girl will be in attendance because I made Dean's list last semester. I pray that my name can remain on the list for the next two semesters but the way med micro is coming for my life, we'll see! Wish me luck!
I should really re-read this post to check for mistakes but the laziness is real. So judge me not. Read and if you see a mistake, read my blog description at the top of this page haha.
TTYL!
Creole word of this post: "Egare" - Haitians use this word to call someone/oneself an "idiot" or "dumb."
Okay so it's been a while and I have no excuse, none whatsoever.
So far, third semester has honestly been a humbling experience for me. In my last post I explained a few things, including the classes I'm taking this semester, Dean's list, tutoring and Honoring courses. Last semester went great for me, so I got this wonderful idea you know...keep doing and being great. But this semester, third semester, is legit coming for my life. Kinda reminds me of my first semester struggles. As a reminder, I'm taking Pathology I, Medical Microbiology, Physiology II and ICM (intro to clinical medicine) III. During my first semester at AUC, ICM started around the middle of the semester. During my second semester, ICM started towards the end of the semester. This semester, ICM started right in the beginning. For this semester, we had physical exam checkoffs (heart exam, lung exam, abdomen exam, and peripheral vascular exam). We also had interview checkoffs and OSCEs. What the heck are OSCEs? I don't even know, let me google it....
"Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCEs) is a form of performance-based testing used to measure candidates’ clinical competence. During an OSCE, candidates are observed and evaluated as they go through a series of stations in which they interview, examine and treat standardized patients (SP) who present with some type of medical problem." I got this from the "oscehome.com" website. Take a look if you're intrigued.
Basically, we had 4 timed stations. One station was vital signs, one was a physical exam station, one was a focused interview station and the last one was heart exam/murmurs. I get nervous about the smallest things and let's just say I was a nervous wreck. I came in the first station sweating bullets and stuttering while talking to the standardized patient. I was a little off on the Blood pressure reading. During the heart exam, I turned the stethoscope to the bell side but forgot to rotate the head until I heard it click. In the focused exam station, I almost ran out of time, smh. Mind you, the OSCEs were literally the day after midterms so either I'm an egare or I was just burnt out
The interview check-offs and physical exam check-offs were the week before exams. Interview check-offs went great but physical exam check-offs was a freak show. I mean YOUR GIRL MESSED UP BAD. What's my excuse? Well, i have trouble feeling the ribs on the human body and counting them to find the correct intercostal spaces to listen to the heart sounds. When I think I'm on the 2nd intercostal space, I'm on the 3rd. My preceptor was not happy with me whatsoever. You have to make under a certain amount of mistakes I think to pass the check-offs and boy I was close. I passed it but barely. I cried...in the bathroom...like legit tears...red eyes, nose dripping, hiccups, boohoo crying. I cried not because my preceptor went innnnnn on me but mostly because I did so badly. Reason #144 why I always say med school isn't for me. But if the next person can do it, why can't I? I always have to remind myself that it's okay to mess up sometimes. As long as I learn from my mistakes. Plus I need to woman up and stop it with the tears. I won't make it through rotations and residency if I'm that sensitive. Shoot, ask me how I made it this far.
Now let's talk about my first midterms. I'm not sure if it was because of ICM, but I felt like I barely had time to study. I aced Path, did okay with Phys and BARELY passed Med Micro. FREAKING MED MICRO.... I mean, I studied my ass for that exam. Like I lived and breathed Med micro. I went to my professors office hours for an exam review and I was sooo angry. Most of the questions on there I was able to answer right away. So please tell me why I couldn't do the same during the exam? 😐
I need to get it together cuz this? This ain't it.
On a good note, the Celebration of Academic excellence is tomorrow and your girl will be in attendance because I made Dean's list last semester. I pray that my name can remain on the list for the next two semesters but the way med micro is coming for my life, we'll see! Wish me luck!
I should really re-read this post to check for mistakes but the laziness is real. So judge me not. Read and if you see a mistake, read my blog description at the top of this page haha.
TTYL!
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Third Semester, Let's Go!
Sak Pase!!
Merry Christmas everyone... I mean, Happy New Year. See the thing is I started this blog post on Christmas day and I meant to post this then but...life. I have been wanting to update for a while but ever since my final exams last semester, I've had an aversion to my laptop, it reminded me of school and torture and sleepless nights. I'm soooo dramatic 😂 So, I got back to the island yesterday and I admit it was a bit difficult for me. It felt good being back home in the States and around friends and loved ones but the grind don't stop so I need to suck it up right?....
So as you all know, my first semester at AUC didn't end too well for me. I did great on my midterms but once finals rolled out I messed up baaaad. I ended up with less than mediocre scores. Anyway, this past semester I wanted to prove to myself that I can do better. I had two goals in mind for my second semester. Goal #1 was to make Dean's list and goal #2 was to get an 89-90 percent in Physiology so I can be eligible to be tutor. I used to hate physiology, I used to be afraid of it actually but mindset is everything guys. I came into my physio class this past semester with a goal. To prove to myself that PHYSIO will not own me this time. And y'all...I DID IT! I made Dean's list this semester and I got the invite to tutor physiology. Are y'all proud or nah? I pray to God that I can do the same this semester and the rest of my time here at AUC.
I wanted to talk a bit about Dean's list and about honoring a course here at AUC. I think I've mentioned it in a previous blog but for the wonderful overachievers out there, here's a little more info. To honor a course and get a big "H" on your transcript instead of a "P" or Pass, you need a 90 percent or more. It's not easy to honor a course so it is a wonderful achievement if you do end up honoring one. However, don't make it something you obsess over that it ends up affecting you negatively. Med school is hard, very hard, but don't let honoring a course drive you crazy. To be honest, I think it's more important to try your best to not fail one instead....bite me.
How about Dean's list!? To make Dean's list you need a cumulative average of an 87 percent in all of your courses combined. If you make dean's list for a semester, there will be a "Celebration of Academic Excellence" held the following semester to celebrate your achievements, along with everyone else who also made the list.
Let's talk about tutoring. If you make an exceptional mark in a class, professors will email you an invite to be a tutor for the following semester. Not only does being a tutor look good on your resume but it also helps you retain the knowledge so it can stay fresh on your mind for when the monster Step I exam comes around. Oh and you also get to help other students like yourself who might benefit more from your help than they would from the professor! Three birds, one stone :) To be honest, if it wasn't for tutors, I'm not sure how I would do in some of my courses.
Finally let's talk about my schedule for this semester. If you remember, I am still the Treasurer for AMSA and now I am a peer-to-peer tutor for Phys I. I am taking Pathology I from 8am-9:20am. Physiology II from 9:30am-10:20am and Medical Microbiology from 10:30am-11:20am. I am also taking Intro to Clinical Medicine III but that course doesn't last the whole semester. I'm excited and scared at the same time because a lot of the upper semesters expressed to me that this semester was the most difficult semester for them. I haven't figured out my study schedule for this semester yet but I do hope I figure it out soon. I need to get back to the grind. THIRD SEMESTER, LET'S GO!!
I think that's all for now folks!
TTYL and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Merry Christmas everyone... I mean, Happy New Year. See the thing is I started this blog post on Christmas day and I meant to post this then but...life. I have been wanting to update for a while but ever since my final exams last semester, I've had an aversion to my laptop, it reminded me of school and torture and sleepless nights. I'm soooo dramatic 😂 So, I got back to the island yesterday and I admit it was a bit difficult for me. It felt good being back home in the States and around friends and loved ones but the grind don't stop so I need to suck it up right?....
So as you all know, my first semester at AUC didn't end too well for me. I did great on my midterms but once finals rolled out I messed up baaaad. I ended up with less than mediocre scores. Anyway, this past semester I wanted to prove to myself that I can do better. I had two goals in mind for my second semester. Goal #1 was to make Dean's list and goal #2 was to get an 89-90 percent in Physiology so I can be eligible to be tutor. I used to hate physiology, I used to be afraid of it actually but mindset is everything guys. I came into my physio class this past semester with a goal. To prove to myself that PHYSIO will not own me this time. And y'all...I DID IT! I made Dean's list this semester and I got the invite to tutor physiology. Are y'all proud or nah? I pray to God that I can do the same this semester and the rest of my time here at AUC.
I wanted to talk a bit about Dean's list and about honoring a course here at AUC. I think I've mentioned it in a previous blog but for the wonderful overachievers out there, here's a little more info. To honor a course and get a big "H" on your transcript instead of a "P" or Pass, you need a 90 percent or more. It's not easy to honor a course so it is a wonderful achievement if you do end up honoring one. However, don't make it something you obsess over that it ends up affecting you negatively. Med school is hard, very hard, but don't let honoring a course drive you crazy. To be honest, I think it's more important to try your best to not fail one instead....bite me.
How about Dean's list!? To make Dean's list you need a cumulative average of an 87 percent in all of your courses combined. If you make dean's list for a semester, there will be a "Celebration of Academic Excellence" held the following semester to celebrate your achievements, along with everyone else who also made the list.
Let's talk about tutoring. If you make an exceptional mark in a class, professors will email you an invite to be a tutor for the following semester. Not only does being a tutor look good on your resume but it also helps you retain the knowledge so it can stay fresh on your mind for when the monster Step I exam comes around. Oh and you also get to help other students like yourself who might benefit more from your help than they would from the professor! Three birds, one stone :) To be honest, if it wasn't for tutors, I'm not sure how I would do in some of my courses.
Finally let's talk about my schedule for this semester. If you remember, I am still the Treasurer for AMSA and now I am a peer-to-peer tutor for Phys I. I am taking Pathology I from 8am-9:20am. Physiology II from 9:30am-10:20am and Medical Microbiology from 10:30am-11:20am. I am also taking Intro to Clinical Medicine III but that course doesn't last the whole semester. I'm excited and scared at the same time because a lot of the upper semesters expressed to me that this semester was the most difficult semester for them. I haven't figured out my study schedule for this semester yet but I do hope I figure it out soon. I need to get back to the grind. THIRD SEMESTER, LET'S GO!!
I think that's all for now folks!
TTYL and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Sunday, December 2, 2018
Talent Show
Sak Pase!
I promised that I would let y'all know how the talent show performance went. I think it went great. There was a sax player, a Bollywood performance, singers, keyboardist, guitarists etc, Lots of wonderful talent.
Here are some gorgeous pictures and at the end, a video of my performance. I performed "Love on the Brain" by bad gyal Riri (Rihanna lol).
I promised that I would let y'all know how the talent show performance went. I think it went great. There was a sax player, a Bollywood performance, singers, keyboardist, guitarists etc, Lots of wonderful talent.
Here are some gorgeous pictures and at the end, a video of my performance. I performed "Love on the Brain" by bad gyal Riri (Rihanna lol).
TTYL!
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