Catching up is getting better with diligence!!!

Well I'm back in progress.... Whooooo that nasty bronchitis was a mess....so glad I'm finally feeling better.  I was sooo weak for a while though.  Anyway Physics and Chemistry are back in effect and moving strong.  Well sort of.  I am diligently working on a few concepts that allow me to comprehend more info and commit to memory as much as I can based on the reading material.  Also for I'm paying attention to things more this semester as I read and I thank God for a change in focus, alertness and comprehension....

I have learned to block out distractions at home and elsewhere.   The Library has been an absolute blessing and a home away from home....Cannot explain the pleasure of being able to get work done without distractions.  It makes a real difference when you can read and stay focused.  I'm just expecting great grades for every class.  Diligence makes the difference.  I study better at nite.  I'm really not a morning person but can stay up all nite to read and study.  I really enjoy night hours and the stillness when everyone is sleeping.  Seems so natural.

My chemistry professor is a mess...She is a little anal and really sort of demands a little too much.  It's a little crazy but she has this thing where she give .25, .5, and whole credit for assignments.  I don't know,  go figure....as long as I keep plugging away I'm expecting a good grade, especially when there are only two of us left in the class.....yep you read it right 2 of us left in the class....I'ts a little strange but what do I care.  Anyway, I turned in a few assignments and she actually critiqued every piece of it.  I thought that just having the answers correct meant more than anything....Oh well maybe it's me but some of them can demand so much....

The physics book we are using seems so inferior.  It really is like elementary reading.  I'm not sure if that is the most annoying part or the fact that the book itself has so much rambling in it that I skip most of that and get right down to the business of actual physics.  I was warned of some of the errors in the book and silliness.  The friend that I bought the book from took the class before me and said that it is not a good book...He actually bought other books to accommodate this one and learn more.  I just hope that I am not being short changed in the learning process because of this book.   I really do need physics for the MCAT and that's ALLLLLL....Medical School will not reflect on any of this science at all.  In-fact, during the basic science stage (first 2 years) the basic sciences do not include physics but advanced biochemistry and other medically related biomedical sciences.  Not basic physics...  Here is a list of typical 1st and 2nd year basic medical school sciences -

Typical Schedule for Basic Sciences:

First Trimester CODE DESCRIPTION LEC. HRS LAB. HRS TUTORIAL TOTAL CREDITS BMS100 Patient, Doctor and Community 20 10 30 02 BMS101 Gross Anatomy / Embryology 107 110 50 267 17 BMS102 Histology /Cell Biology 60 50 40 150 10 TOTAL 29

Second Trimester CODE DESCRIPTION LEC. HRS LAB. HRS TUTORIAL TOTAL CREDITS BMS201 Human Physiology 105 25 20 150 10 BMS202 Biochemistry /Medical Genetics 210 10 20 240 15 BMS203 Behavioral Sciences 120 30 150 09 TOTAL 34

Third Trimester CODE DESCRIPTION LEC. HRS LAB. HRS TUTORIAL TOTAL CREDITS BMS301 Neurosciences 105 35 10 150 09 BMS302 General Pathology 135 15 150 11 BMS303 Microbiology / Immunology 190 25 10 225 12 TOTAL 32

Fourth Trimester CODE DESCRIPTION LEC.HRS LAB.HRS TUTORIAL TOTAL CREDITS BMS304 Medical Jurisprudence 40 05 45 04 BMS401 Systemic Pathology 125 15 10 150 11 BMS402 Pharmacology 135 15 150 12 TOTAL 27

Fifth Trimester CODE DESCRIPTION LEC.HRS LAB.HRS TUTORIAL TOTAL CREDITS BMS403 Physical Diagnosis 90 75 165 10 BMS501 Introduction to Clinical Medicine 110 40 150 17 BMS502 * USMLE Step I Review 130 30 160 10 TOTAL 37

Back in Class and Loving It.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This feels natural and I am so ready to continue this semester.  I am doing everything possible to stay on track.  All was well except for this terrible bout of bronchitis the past two weeks.  My 5yr old was sick first and now me.  Well I am just grateful that I didn't get the full blast of strep throat and sinusitis and bronchitis like he did.  And all at once.  But believe me my chest was on fire for a few days.....whooo glad that part is over.

Never the less.  I will be moving forward this week by the grace of God.  I am behind in a few written and reading assignments in physics and chemistry. All is well though.  I have been really trying to solidify my math for physics and chemistry skills.  Sometimes it all looks like pure gibberish.  But I keep plugging away and not paralyzed in fear of "math failure".  After all it is only math right?...huh?

Thank God my husband is becoming more supportive of me going to school and finishing up these dreaded pre-reqs.  I'm sure that everyone would like to bypass this stage of preparation.   I believe that this only solidifies your science skills and knowledge.  I have come to have a great appreciation of things that I have come to master in science by sheer repetition.  The ability to recall concepts in your mind and make examples of them makes all the difference in learning.  My concept of learning is comprehension not memorization. Don't get me wrong, some people are great at memorizing.  I just believe that it has it's limits. If you are able to learn a concept then you will automatically commit it to memory.  Comprehension is better than memorization.  Less stress on the mind is less stress on my time and body.

Spring Course Count Down.....School is just around the corner......

Hi all,
I am patiently anticipating doing a great job this semester.  With a renewed determination.  I can hardly wait to get going.  THIS IS YOUR LIIIIFFFEE......Remember that show from the 50's or 60's (can't remember).  I used to be a person that had low self esteem and a bunch of insecurities.....ALL GONE....Praise the Lord....Just because of his grace and nothing more.  No work of my own.  


When I was younger, I used to think that Medical Education and the process leading up to med school was a long tedious one.  This at first seemed daunting.  But as an adult, I am glad that it 
is not a quick process because I can gage my progress with milestones along the way. And as an adult with real life professional experiences, I have so much more to offer as opposed to someone fresh out of college.  I think the kind of determination that is required is solidified along the way as you continue on this process to MD and beyond. 

2 Weeks away from Spring 2011 classes

2 more weeks and back to studying.  I'll admit that I feel the most empowered to study when I'm at the library though.  I have found that being in an environment conducive of studying feels natural.  I read something interesting on mommd.com regarding the decision to stay on campus a few days a week in med school and a few days a week at home.  I think it is a great idea.  There was a med student who was a wife and a mom.  She saw that the time she required to study in med school was limited at home so she was smart enough to take extra loans to pay for on-campus housing that she used 4-5 days a week.  Let's just be frank....MED SCHOOL IS NOT A JOKE.  Study time required is enormous....It's been said that the work its self is not hard but the sheer volume is what makes it challenging.  I can only imagine that coupled with the fact that they are advanced science concepts that require more uninterrupted concentration.  Given my current situation...SOUNDS LIKE A DEAL FOR ME.....INFACT, I LOVE IT....  The thing that makes school hard as an mom and wife is the NEVER ENDING RESPONSIBILITY......I also know that anyone serious can do well if they have adequate time to study and less outside pressure and stress.  


 I really enjoy my quiet time at the library because it helps me focus on me and restrategize when necessary.  I have learned a few things about myself last year.  I require additional time to study for things that may take longer to comprehend or things that are new or may present challenges... This may require more planning.

Okay...Time for a Science talk...Biology and G-Chem or Physics and Organic-Chem

I believe that taking G-Chem and Physics works better and Bio and O-Chem.  It has been debated whether Bio and G-Chem have a more natural flow....My experience with physics seems more closely knit to GChem as opposed to GChem and Bio.  That's just my humble opinion.  I am really working on math weaknesses right now.  I have felt crippled at times by math in the past.

All I remember is that growing up, I really enjoyed math and one day a teacher (the great discouragers) really made me fearful of math by discouragement.  I don't know it's crazy.  Anyway I am determined to make it my strength as opposed to a weakness.  I am in absolute love with biochemistry and Biology.  But Biochemistry makes me feel empowered ( I secretly enjoy analytical things).  I love to think on the functionality and complex flow of metabolic pathways....AWESOME.....


Biochem makes me want to do academic medicine one day.  Or if I could just teach a class at the undergrad or grad level that would be great.  I think that's why I enjoyed software development so much.  It was always interesting because of the analytical skill that is required to compile code and write software programs...Still love it today even though I am pursuing medicine.  I NEED CONSTANT INTELLECTUAL STIMULATION TO STAY INTERESTED.......HELP IS THAT ADD?????

New Motivation to complete Med Schoool Prereq's in 2011

Well 2011 is finally here..... My expectation are real.  I am soooooo excited about what this year has in store..I wil be much further along this year....I needed to learn how to minimize stress and anxiety in 2010.  I figured out what my hinderances were.  


Hinderances can do alot of harm to your progress.  They can work on your self esteem and injure your hope..... I have found that they come in the form of people most of the time.  Better to shed off the dream killers and go forward.  It is better be with people of like mindedness.  


Most people don't understand the passion associated with being a doctor or going back to school at the age of 40plus to get into Medical School.  Many people see the hard work and dedication and think, that it's not worth it or it is too expensive or it is too late.  But infact, the sacrifice is well worth it.  I feel like it is an amazing time and I am privileged to be apart of this time.  Can't relive the last 20 years but I can make the next 20 better and accomplish more.


I was a person that had many obstacles to overcome when I was younger and yet God made it possible to accomplish my greatest goal of becoming a doctor.  Well Gotta take my son to school now....I promise to write more later.  I really like blogging my thoughts..

Ahhhh the beauty of Pre-med PreReq's

In February 2011 I will continue my PM PR's.  I am so much more focused at 40.  Sheer age and experience does something that youth could not do.  Something about being focused.  The ability to actually retain what you have read........PRICELESS!!!!!  I will continue with physics and chemistry and then move on in the summer to GBio1 and GChem1. 


When fall comes around, I will do GBio2 and GChem2.  (by the grace of God.)  After all let's face it, I do have a 5yr old son and a 40yr old. (husband). LOLLOLOL.  I am also interested in adding a Biochem class as it is required at some med schools now.  I really enjoy biochem and the metabolic pathways that provide answers to metabolism.  I think that I fell in love with biochem when I was introduced to the citric acid cycle (kreb's cycle).   Yes I'm a little weird, I enjoy intellectual stimulation that is mostly analytical.  I get bored really quickly with mundane subjects.  Not that I am so intellectually superior, but I need to keep things interesting.

New Years Eve 2010 - Medicine The Calling (not really but it sounds good.)

I am very passionate about medicine. It has been calling me since I was 4 years old.  I see medicine as a calling not a career.  Almost as if your not really supposed to get paid for it.  I know, I know that sounds really corny.  


When I was 4 my mom gave me a doctors case.  It included a stethoscope, the shot and a little hammer to check reflexes and a tool to check your ears. ( the 70's were a different time)  I was so proud of that case and really felt like a real doctor. Now that I am 40 it is no different.  I am still a doctor at heart. By the time I was 19 and a freshman in college, my love for science only blossomed.  The irony is that I attended a very poor high-school and was told that I would never be a doctor and that I needed to choose another career.  Coming from a very dysfunctional home and under verbal, sexual and mental abuse, I could have just believed that and said okay, I'll just get a trade and never pursue my real dreams.  


Well there was someone on the inside that just kept pushing me forward. Not my family or friends, but someone that loved me from the beginning.  I now know that it was God that was pushing me along.  My true source of strength. When Life was so difficult to navigate.  He healed all of the wounds that life left behind.