BACK AND READY!!!!

Hi all,
Sorry for the delay.... Went through some crazy family trials. Family is first and you can't neglect the reality of this as a non-trad mom and wife.  Trials make you stronger and change is a blessing too.  Sometimes it's only your attitude that changes, nevertheless, it's CHANGE!!!

Well getting geared up to complete all of the part 2's this summer, A&PII, G-ChemII and Micro.  would have been done and taking Orgo II this semester, but had to withdraw last summer.  Anyhoooo! I am taking Orgo I and Physics II in the fall.  TALK ABOUT EXCITED.  THIS MEANS THAT I AM THAT MUCH CLOSER TO MY GOAL OF APPLYING TO MED SCHOOL IN 2014.... YAYYY!!!.  Of course my goal was to apply much sooner, but life just get's in the way or your plans.  I believe that God is the author and finisher of your plans..... Rather he gets into your plans and FINISHES THEM..... Right that's it!!.

I am really narrowing my search in terms of med schools.  Well I live in the north east.  No shortage there! But still, I am primarily considering schools that are family or non-trad friendly.... IF YOU DON'T VALUE ME, .... THEN I DON'T WANT YOU EITHER!!! LOL.... hahah.HELLOOOO.. Well afterall it is my destiny and I am in control of it not a school or it's reputation. Does nothing for me in the end. I just need that one break. Can only attend one school at a time.  I am even considering carribean schools, but the only problem is that my son is only seven and he needs his mama.  I would have to make a big adjustment and take him with me.... NOT!!!

Anyway, I was checking out some schools in the carribean and wandered across a intro commercial online and guess what?  I saw a friend that I just met 3 years earlier at a med school open house. Wow!!! it's a small world isn't it?  You never know... I mean never.  We she is a single mom and dared to persue her dreams of being a physician after her divorce.  I said "go head girl" I see you.... MOVE FORWARD MY SISTER!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!.  NO SHORTAGE HERE!!!! HAHA... Sorry for the venting.  What's crazy is that she was just telling me her situation and why she actually got divorced and why she tranferred from a previous carrib med school.  Then "BAMMMMM"  I see her in an online med school commercial... I'm not mad at yah!!!!. YAHOOOO!!! DO IT, DO IT , DO IT!!!.. By the way she works at the NIH... HELLOOOOO!!  GOD WILL OPEN UP A DOOR FOR YOU!!!!  BLESS YAH!!!

Gotta Keep Movin On! But if you knumb the.area first it.wont hurt as bad after!

I think that God helps you overcome pain and devastation sometimes by numbing the area. Grateful to the Lord for his love and guidance and healing virtue. Glad about this blog and you ladies....really helps to ease some of my burdens..... My Idea of perseverance is when you get hit with a shovel.... Scoop up the mess and attack with a machete.  That's what I will be doing to protect my goal of becoming an MD.....

On another note, I have a (B+) in Anatomy and Physiology down from an (A) average.  Even after all of the trauma and loss this year.  Nevertheless, I WILL MAKE IT THROUGH... GOD HAS BEEN SO MERCIFUL TO ME.  He really gave me favor with the right people.  Blessed me in the face of adversity. David said in " Psalm 23:5 (KJV) - Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me." Selah! (peace)

God Has it All Worked Out For My Good! - Change is Good and Sometimes Better!

Well it has certainly been a while since I have literally had a moment to sit and write something in the way of progress.  I am back and in the swing of things! But with a twist! Had to transfer to another school but it is in my town and a better facility than I was already enrolled at.  Ahhhh such is life.  I was having a nasty financial aid problem at the other school, but God fixed all of that.  Sometimes it is JUST time to move on.

Well I'm still getting situated and feeling very excited and optimistic about my future..... Haven't been able to see it that way in light of the summer events that were so difficult that I was just feeling very stuck.. But as usual God has it all worked out for my Good.  Now back on to my schedule, I am juggling 4 classes. 2 of which are extensions due to extenuating circumstances.  I am determined with all of my might to pass them all.  Under a little pressure but I have my MOMENTUM BACK.... When I learned what momentum was in physics, I never wanted to lose it or forget it.  It is extremely valuable all the way through this journey....

I am really excited about Saturday because I will be attending a Minority Med School Recruitment Seminar at my number one choice school in the north east.  I'll fill you in about that later.

Well I am preparing to and determined to take the MCAT this summer before they change it.  I downloaded a review manual of the proposed changes and structure for 2015.  It actually doesn't look that bad at all.  I have always believed in not listening to the crowd and verify things for yourself.  Well off I go..... I need to pack up and drive home from the school library now.  It's late and I don't like to drive at night unnecessarily.  Take care all and thanks or your words of encouragement.. .... I'M STILL STANDING AND MOVING FORWARD!!!!!

SINCERELY
NJDR2B!!!!!!

POSITIVE PRESSURE BREATHING!!!!

Hi all,
Been away recuperating for a while.  Had to ONCE AGAIN...regroup. This is critical to keep the pace and momentum... While my husband and I have been battling some serious financial trials, (the fire has been turned up recently). I am still standing on the word of GOD THAT SAYS " HE WILL SUPPLY ALL OF YOUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES" through Christ Jesus.. Not my riches, but his....

Now moving on to better things. I have gone to a few open houses and am really excited about a few Medical Schools that I have visited recently.  Also there is one particular school that I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the Midwest.  But that may be a REAL DREAM because of Dear Hubby.  He is so stuck on the North East.... GRRRRRRR!!!! Anyway I will make it work anywhere I go.  Also I have been looking at homes in the vicinity of the Schools I have visited.

I am really packing it on this summer with 4 Science classes.  Yikes....I know but after the health scare that STRESS GAVE ME LAST SEMESTER I HAD TO DOUBLE UP ON CLASSES TO KEEP FROM FALLING TOO FAR BEHIND AND HAVING TO RECOVER FROM A MAJOR BLOW TO MY GPA, all because of STRESS.....I will make it through with much prayer.  I have found that ADVERSARIES jump out of the woodwork when you are PERSEVERING....Well gotta get back to studying..... I wish everyone the best and hope you have a great summer.... TRY TO ENJOY IT...

Oh I almost forgot, I just returned from Florida. My brother just graduated from Med School and is starting his Orthopedic Surgery residency in June... He was chosen among thousands and we are really excited for him....

FAST FORWARD TO REWIND!!!!!!!!

The closer I get to my goal the more I tend to press FAST FORWARD TO REWIND!!  Was recently having some symptoms attributed to exhaustion.  I am so glad that I listened to the Lord..... God sends warnings in a variety of ways to prevent BURN OUT, ILLNESS, DEATH.... I have been blessed to recover with my a renewed sense of STRUCTURE WITH DIRECTION. 

I realized a few things recently: 

• I'm not 25 anymore.
• I need to take breaks in between studying to minimize STRESS. (sometimes for at least a week)
• I need to do something that makes me happy and relaxed (starting Aqua-aerobics on Tuesday)
• I need to study daily for 2-3 hours per day maximum not 8-10 as usual.
• Not focus on a completion date because this journey is a long winding road that can only move one day at a time
• HAVE FUN DURING THE STRETCH...
• Separate from all NEGATIVE PEOPLE AND NEGATIVITY....

I will surmize to say that pressing fast forward always puts stress on the cassette tapes in the tape deck and will also do the same to my life.  So I relinquish all control over the timeline and completion date and follow the leader of my destiny!!!!

APPRECIATING THE PROGRESS ALONG THE WAY....

I have been away for a while because of the hectic stuff that life throws in the way when you are determined to persevere..... Hellooo. Can I get an AMEN SOMEBODY? Well as usual I will plow through this season with the help of the LORD..... He IS and HAS BEEN my rock through it all.  God helps me in so many ways I can't even count them. He is my whole life.  

I am excited about the steps that I am making in this journey.  I decided to rejoice and celebrate each milestone instead of looking at the whole picture and checking for progress because that can be very DIM.... Also I did get to see my brother who is also graduating in May from Med School. He was in my neck of the woods interviewing for an Orthopedic Surgery Residency.  Yayyy Brother Go Forward.  God really blessed him to have favor in alot of his interviews.

This semester of G-Chem, Anatomy and Physiology has its own challenges altogether.  Not so much difficulty but in volume. The G-chem calculations are what I am reeling over..... and Anatomy and Physiology is very simple compared to G-Bio and Bio-Chem.  I guess because it is very fundamental in it's overall concept and limitations.  However, I don't mind at all and besides it is a requirement for the 2nd degree in Respiratory Therapy that I am pursuing while preparing for the MCAT.  Just Organic Chem and I am all set.  Some folks have taken the MCAT without it but I'm not sure that is wise.  The MCAT has alot of O-Chem on it and besides that I don't want to rush through it.  My next goal is to take an immunology class also.  I don't want any shock once I get into Med School (this was also suggested by a friend that is graduating and starting a FPM residency in July.  Thank God for good friends along this journey.....

WE AIN'T CALLED NON-TRAD STUDENTS FOR NOUGHT

Well HAPPY NEW YEAR to all......belated of course.... I hope everyone has been having a great new year so far.  I am gearing up for G-Chem and Anatomy and Physiology 1. That's right going part time this term.  Still excited but a little burned out. It may not affect my schedule to apply to med school that bad but I NEED A SERIOUS BREAK.  Sometimes we take for granted that we need to rest and regroup.  All of the anxiety of last semester, in conjunction with REAL LIFE ISSUES (having a family and bills), can really wear on your ability to keep going full time without part time breaks in between.

And this summer I will be taking (by the grace of God) Anatomy and physiology 2 and Microbiology.  Why condense them you ask?  Why deviate from the pre-med track at all? Well my plan is to get a 2nd degree in Respiratory Therapy because:

1. I am so desperate to get back into the hospital doing meaningful work and get in some great patient interaction  along with the required MD shadowing for my Med School App.
2. I am interested in Pulmonary Medicine, Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine along with the desire to teach Academic Medicine.
3. I'm busting at the seams with previously acquired on-the-job-knowledge which says it all and that is a whole separate blog... (have worked in the Clinical Laboratory and been a Surgical Tech in the OR in a past life)

Let's just say "We AIN'T CALLED NON-TRAD students for nought..." Some of us have held 10 different jobs, changed careers out of necessity, changed majors a thousand times and all this while raising children and without a stitch of support from family at times...(most of the time). 


So it has been a wild roller coaster ride until this point.  From a scientific major and career focus to an abrupt change into Software Development Management and then into Corporate Recruiting.  So as you can see, I have never had the luxury of NOT WORKING.... Don't get me wrong Software Development was good for a while. I made alot of money in a very short time and the company perks were more than anyone could ask for.  Pre-911, making a 6-figure income was nothing.  Then the rest of us realized that there were enemies among us.  So then industry suffered and so did salaries and entire corporations downsized.  And once again it was time to regroup and re-strategize.  I have also had my own recruiting firm.  Still have it now but not active. So there it is in a nutshell.  My roller coaster ride called life....  Which is why my favorite scripture is Habakkuk 3.19 - He makes my feet like hinds feet and sets me on my high places...Thank God for resilience.....God bless all of your endeavors....

ANOTHER GREAT SEMESTER....GETTING CLOSER TO MY GOAL ONE SEMESTER AT A TIME!!!!

Thank God for another great semester of hard work and rewarded effort. I cannot believe its over. I am having a hard time adjusting to just a few hundred things to do without studying. Well not really. I do have some things to complete. I will be preparing for my next set of classes with (yep u guessed it) reviewing concepts and reading ahead of the class start date. Looking for A's if I can get them. Shooting for the top. Well I will only be taking 2 classes in the spring semester.  I have come to realize that ....drumroll please.....I am not as young as I used to be and with a family, there must be breaks in between from as fulltime schedule. Also with my other responsibilities, 2 classes are much easier to handle, even three but not 4 and higher. Too much with working in between and a family equals BURN-OUT.  NO MORE BURN OUT PLEASE!  Besides I'm sure my family would appreciate a happier, kinder, gentler me......

OKAY....NO MORE FRUSTRATED, ANGRY, OVERWHELMED MOMMY AND WIFE......I love them too much and they r important too. My 6 yr old will never be 6 again.  I don't want to miss any of that. I love my family and want it to work for all of us collectively.  I don't always have the support from DH but I also won't let him stop me either.  Alright I pray that everyone have a blessed holiday and restful, well deserved break.  Don't rush it....don't do anything of u don't have to......just do it later.....HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL IF I DON'T UPDATE AGAIN IN 2011.

HAS ANYONE SEEN MY VACATION AROUND HERE????

Not sure what is going on but I have been ready to finish the semester and get into real vacation mode..... Why you ask?  Well, I just want to get a good nap.  Nothing fancy just some sleep without all of the associated stress and anxiety of what I need to do next.  Major responsibilities of a household and family in conjunction with school are not easy to contend with unless there is a break in sight.  I decided to make a major change in what I will be doing leading up to med school app season for 2013/2014.   So glad to see the end of the semester near.  I am doing fine, just need to catch up a few assignments.  Next semester I will be busy until the beginning of August.  Wow.... But it is worth it.  I will reveal the rest of my plan for shadowing, direct patient interaction.  Getting prepared to take G-chem, A&P and Micro in the spring.  Why A&P you ask?  Well it is a requirement for my plan for direct patient interaction that starts in the fall.  It can be very daunting to not have any patient interaction until 3rd and 4th year rotations.  That's why I am so excited about my plan.  Stay tuned the reveal is soon to come......

Good Times: Keeping Your Head Above Water, Making a Wave When You Can!!!

Well the title says it all.  Remember Good Times? That sitcom from the 70's.  It was about a poor black family that faced many adversities while struggling to maintain a normal life in the Ghetto.  The funniest thing is that life is just that way.  While learning to pace myself, and keep from having anxiety   over small things, I have made some correlations to this reality.  While studying and overcoming setbacks, financial, household, parenting, marriage, etc. you will encounter times when you need to really persevere.  I have learned in this race, it is either do or die, pass or fail, flex your muscles or be taken down.  God is really my only provider and strength in this journey.  An he reminds me when I am preparing for an exam or when I am just covering tons of material because maybe I'm behind in my reading (which is most of the time).  The word are simple: CAST ALL OF YOUR CARES UPON ME BECAUSE I CARE FOR YOU....(1st peter; 5:7) And finally my favorite scripture: He makes my feet as hinds feet and sets me on my high places. (psalms 18:33)

MASTERING YOUR COMMITMENTS - FULL-TIME WORK AND SCHOOL!!!

Okay so I had to really prioritize my commitments....My goals are to complete my prereqs for Med School and earn money if possible along the way.  Here is the full-time job update......HAD TO LET IT GO......COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED AND WAS BEGINNING TO DEVELOP ANXIETY.  After careful consideration of the EXTREMELY BUSY RECRUITING CONTRACT that I was on.  I realized that I am better suited for a contract role that has breaks in between. i.e. - a 3 month assignment and pause to get another one.  I can hardly articulate what I want to say right now without the thoughts of EXTREME STRESS creeping on my mind.  PHEEEEWWWWW!!!!  Folks I was actually suffering anxiety attacks because of the (recaptured slave) mentality of the team that I was working with.  NEVER AGAIN...  I will work hard on my goals and God will supply our needs as he always does by faith.....  Right now school is the main career until a less stressful option appears.....  I will not be defeated.  I HAVE THE VICTORY, AND AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR THROUGH JESUS CHRIST......

Strengthen the Weakest link - I.D.E.N.T.I.F.Y THE ROOT CAUSE

I am so glad that God has allowed me to identify the weakest link in my journey.  MATH!!!   When I was a child I used to love math until one day my growth was stunted by a negative statement or blow from a teacher of all people.

How many times have we been scarred in life and had no idea where the scar came from, when it originated or when the scar tissue formed at all.  Well, while doing some soul searching as I always do.  I was able to identify the weakest link in the pursuit of Med School acceptance.

Math problems have always caused me to cringe and feel immediate fear and anxiety because that little voice of discouragement that would creep back into my hearing.  Well being a Pastor's daughter, I decided to silence that hindering voice by confronting the areas that caused the most pain.  I have prayed and am led to do more math classes to combat those feelings of vulnerability and anxiety that has plagued my life for so long.  So now I have added another algebra class to my schedule this term.  When I do the 2nd half of (algebra based physics and G-chem) in the spring, I will not clam up like the first time.  I have learned that some of the things that you hated to do, you now rely on to make it to the next level.  Thank God for being on my side.  I am determined to make it....I'm praying for all of us to make it...

FALL 2011 - Excited and Ready!!!!!

Hi all,
Guess what..... I am soooo ready to take the plunge into Fall 2011 classes. 

• Get financial aid in place - check
• Register for classes - check
• Order books - check
• Excited about my progress - check
• Grateful to the Lord for his Mercy and Love during this journey - DOUBLE CHECK.....

Jobs update - God has blessed us again!!!! My husband and I have both started working.... Now I am in another league.  "The I work fulltime and am a fullltime student" league.  Folks I think that the key is to take 1 (one) science class (yep that's right) at a time when you are working fulltime.  It is better to do well than rush all the pre-reqs and do poorly.  I think I have the right concept in my mind now.

Well the summer is over and I am just putting the last few touches on getting my 5 (soon to be 6) year old's supplies in place.  That's right the dreaded supplies list.  WHAT IN THE WORLD IS A BOOK SOCK ANYWAY???? when I was little we called it a BROWN PAPER BOOK COVER.  I hated the one's that people bought from the store.  I could never get the folds to line up properly when covering the book.  I was secretly jealous of others that did it really well.  It was as if everyone else could do it but me .  It really needed instructions that began with (TAKE YOUR TIME AND YOU CAN DO IT).  This is how I feel about Pre-med prereq's for the "NON-TRADITIONAL WORKING OR UNEMPLOYEDM MARRIED OR SINGLE PARENT).  Our lives are so different. 

Well I am not working in the lab or anything medically oriented.  I am working in corporate america.  Yep you gotta do what you gotta do to feed your family.  In due season God will give me that research position that I desire.  (maybe I really don't).  Anyway, my true desire is to get through all of the sciences that I will be taking and take the MCAT asap after that.

To think that I was actually going to apply to 2013. That has now changed to 2014 or whenever God will bless me to finish the preliminaries (sciences - MCAT - LOR's etc.)  Sometimes I feel like a secret premed student TRAPPED IN CORPORATE AMERICA..... No one knows, No one there understands my true desire to be a physician,  No one would probably really be able to relate if told anyway.  That's why I am grateful for other NON-Trad friends that share the same DREAM.....Dream on future Doctors...... We will all make it with perseverance....

CAN YOU SAY "A" IN PHYSICS AND A "B" IN CHEMISTRY???? - I CAN...

PART ONE - PREREQS - CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS DONE - FOR SUMMER 2011!
HALLELUJAH TO GOD....I am soooo glad to have a "B" in summer accelerated Chemistry class  and an "A" in Physics 1 for summer 2011.  Whoooo Hooooo.....this was a very challenging but God has done it again for me.  His Daughter....

I am just ecstatic.  I can't even begin to explain the kind of obstacles that I encountered this past semester.  From having to double up on classes and take an extension to get things done.  Wheeewww.... glad that is over with.  Through it all, I can truly say that the Lord has been my entire strength and help in this trial of faith X 2.....One of my favorite scriptures are: "he maketh my feet like hinds feet, and set me on my high places"  Psalm 18:33.  Well until next time...  I'm trying to finish some chicken alfredo because it is my 9th wedding anniversary today...Will update real soon....

Finally Back to the Business of getting things Done...SUMMER CLASSES ARE HERE!!!!!

Whoever said that SUMMER CLASSES ARE FUN IS CRAZY.  Anyway we are picking away at summer sciences.  I am so glad that they are almost over.  This has been by far the most trying semester (that I am actually focused and determined without constant distraction) to date.  I had to pray more this semester and study harder than ever.  Here is the line up:

1. husband laid off
2. i'm unemployed
3. major source of income ---gone
4. husband started new job in NYC---PRAYER STILL WORKS...
5. threat of eviction----gone thank God
6. need money for commuting costs
7. need money to keep going for now
8. need more midterm and final review time.
9. ACTUALLY COMPREHENDING IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY, INSTEAD OF MEMORIZATION AND THE ABILITY TO PERSEVERE THROUGH TRIALS.....PRICELESS!!!!!

LADIES TREAT YOURSELF TO SPA TREATMENTS FOR GOOD MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

Hi Ladies,
I am now an Avon representative/ Pre-med Student.  We have a HUGE SALE GOING ON RIGHT NOW FOR SUMMER ITEMS.... FRUIT FLAVORS AND PLEASANT MUSKS AND MUCH MORE.  Sophisticated fragrances too...Here is the link to get the best discounts on Avon.


Get in on some great SPA TREATMENTS FOR MOM AND FATHER'S DAY GIFTS AT AVON - go here to check out the deals - www.youravon.com/marvamcintosh then select shop
now to get started.  GIFT IDEAS STARTING AT $10.99 AND LESS.www.youravon.com/marvamcintosh

Delayed but for the best....

Hi All,I'm back.  Well here is an update.  NEVER TAKE ACCELERATED SCIENCES IF YOU CAN HELP IT.  Okay just had to vent there for a minute.  When I took these classes, I figured oh well it will be great to get things over with sooner (NOT)!!!! Take a lesson from me DONT DO IT.  All science classes require the full semester to complete.  I am just grateful to God for getting me through them.

Also I have extended 2 of my classes until the end of June to complete them with high grades.  Anyway, it will work out for the best.  I only need to complete the 2nd half of physics accelerated and then I'm done with accelerated sciences of any sort.  I know that others do it every summer but anything shy of 12 weeks is just a DEATH TRAP.  But I digress.

The main reason for this sentiment is because I didn't take into consideration how many HINDERANCES CAN PRESENT THEMSELVES WHEN YOU ARE in desperate need of additional study time.  Severe financial trials don't help either.  When I endeavored to complete all the pre-med prereq's, the original plan was to GO TO SCHOOL ONLY.  Not an option in this market.  My husband was always hassling me about money from the beginning, but I would reassure him that it would be worth it in the long run to let me just finish this last year and we can move forward from there.  However, that is a fairy-tale adventure.  As I now see that it is not possible to do it without two incomes in my household.

I guess it is not a bad idea to have my own money again.  After all I wont have to ASK FOR EVERYTHING EITHER.  Also, I can save money toward med school.  I have been thinking about a few options for med school.  Inclusive of the CARIBBEAN....YES FOLKS I SAID IT.  I have a few friends who are either in their 1-2 years or doing clinical or graduated or in residency now.  I really like the flexibility of a few things that they offer.  I will go more into detail about that later.  Anyway, I will be back in the library all summer long.  I will try to squeeze in a trip to DISNEY LAND FOR MY 5YR OLD THIS SUMMER.  Can't kill yourself must gage your progress and prevent stress as much as possible.

Flexibility prevents Exam Rush!!!!

Wow it been 2 weeks since I updated.  Well, I am plugging away at it all.  I have not taken my midterms yet...Huh  yep they came and went.  So I notified 2 of my professors that I needed more time to prepare (since they are 30% of the grade) HELLLOOOOO, I want to put my best effort forward.  Well thank God for flexibility because I would never have made it this far.  I am unfortunately going to need to reread all the chapters to review because I need to refresh it all...

Hopefully it wont be too bad.  Anyway I applied for a few positions in the lab and one at a a university teaching one of their allied health clinical lab science classes. Phlebotomy and Specimen accessioning.  I am praying that I get the job.  Really need some money to stay on track.  Anyway I have no worries.  God has never let us down.  The bible says," I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread".  I am a firm believer in Christ and his word.

God has shown me so much in life since I have been a believer.  Especially, the art of perseverance.  sure I have had some struggles and some very hard times.  But that is the beauty of it all.  He is always there to help in the storm...Also, I believe that all of this will help build character as I endeavor to become a physician.  There will be some very hard roads up ahead, but with faith and perseverance, I will make it.

I have heard some really tough stories of physicians that had to endure far more than I have while in medical school.  through it all, they made it through with the help of the Lord.

Chemistry Catch up Count Down Time!!!

Today I am focusing all of my efforts on Chemistry and trying to catch up  on the last missing assignment.  Wow did not know that sleep depravation would hinder my next week soooo badly.  I had  a problem with sleeping 1.5 weeks ago and I am really just getting back into the groove after several bouts of mental and physical fatigue.  Even though I come to the library every night and get some work done no matter how little or much.  


The best thing is that I try to keep going and picking away at it even in times of direst.  Also I had to take 1.5 days off from studying to just sleep and unwind.  I guess being severely anemic doesn't help either.  I was having severe bouts of anemia and feeling very fatigued and unable to accomplish anything.  I mean my whole body was very weak and shaky.  Apparently anemia can make you dehydrated as well.  Well I corrected all that thank the Lord and it's onto better horizons.  


Notified my Chemistry professor that I will take the midterm later than scheduled.  I need additional time to study.  Some of the chapters are sooooo long and I need to re-read it all and really zero in on key areas that will be addressed.  My physics class assignments will be back in swing tomorrow after church and Monday.  I really wish that I could study at home too. It is just a shame that the number of distractions are so many that the library seems to be my only STUDY OASIS....

Yaaayy!!!! Got an 'A' on the first two assignments in Physics...

I am so blessed and encouraged to keep going.  This week I got my grades for the first two physics assignments.  Got 2 "A's"...Hip Hip Horaaayyy.... I really worked hard on comprehending the information.  I really am also grateful for some of the awesome advice that I received on the blogs of other physicians and med students on what else,  "study tips", pacing yourself, lightening the load for adults with families, etc.  It has really been priceless.  It matters  when you can get to the library too away from distractions and actually study.  I try to get there in the early evenings and stay until about midnight or later.  

It's not always easy to stay focused and motivated when life is still going on in spite of school and the need to finish.  But I am determined to be successful.  My goals will happen in time.  I have learned to take it one goal at a time.  This journey is a long one and I am not going to rush it.  The best bit of advice that I have gotten is not to overload yourself but to take it slow and do well on every level.  Overloading classes causes rapid burnout due to stress and anxiety.  I have also learned that it is better to minimize stress and anxiety where you can.    Pacing yourself has a lot to do with knowing how much you can actually handle.  When I would see others take on 18-24 credits of pure sciences, I would think oh boy they are really smart.  Maybe some are but that was not a smart thing to do.  Anyone can get overwhelmed.  The best way to study for things that are not familiar is to practice them constantly.  The more repetitious, the better it will be committed to memory.  


Obviously science is not a simple thing to accomplish but it can be done,  When people would say to me in high school or college that I would never be a physician, I would think to myself that if it was that difficult there would not be as many doctors in the world.  Anything can be done if you put your mind to it.


When I was in high school, my guidance counselor (the wife of a very famous principal that was featured in a movie about impoverished, crack addicted and troubled high school students ironically) said to me that I will never be a doctor and that I needed to choose to do something else in life.  One day I completed my college applications and asked why I did not hear anything from the colleges I applied to.  Her response was, " I never mailed them off for you".  I realized then that you must believe in yourself even if no one else does.  And it is that self determination that has brought me this far in life.