The first round of tests at Palmer are almost over with. I took my Bio-Chem exam last Thursday, my Spinal Anatomy exam Monday, my Gross Anatomy lecture exam Wednesday and today Friday my (CNS) Neuro Anatomy exam and only one remaining this Monday and that's a Neuro Phys exam. I find some people when talking about the first round of exams talk about it as if it was or is no big deal that they barely studied and were not worried about it. I'm not going to lie or sugar coat it that by far was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I will be honest here I didn't expect it to be that bad of a first round. But lets just say on one of those exams I'm still feeling the wounds from being dragged over the coals.
This type of week was unlike any in undergrad. Normally you have a test or two coming up that you can prepare for for a while in advance and you are on a semester schedule where you sometimes have months between tests. But not any more before all of these exams were given we had started on new testable material for exam #2. So while I was studying for exam one I was putting myself behind already for exam #2 because of the massive overlap in information and lecture. So after the first round I am already playing catch up.
I learned something about myself while studying for this material. Pulling an all nighter for (CNS) Neuro Anatomy or for any class for that matter is absolutely terrible. Two friends and I had the bright idea to study 13hrs straight from 6:00pm to 7:15am and take the exam at 7:30am. Come 4:00am and on my 5th Mtn. Dew (which is ironic because I'm studying about Calcium disodium EDTA, Brominated vegetable oil, Sodium benzoate, Caffeine and their terrible side effects all which are in Mtn. Dew in high amounts) I start to laugh uncontrollably and wander from my studying. And it becomes more of a struggle to stay awake than to learn the material. But all in all it was a memorable time I just wish the things I remember were of Neuro Anatomy.
Its crazy to think that I will be starting my 7th week in the DC program. As I'm sure it is very obvious I'm staying very busy with school work and have little if any time for anything else. I look at fellow class mates who have a family with 4 or 5 kids and I just can't comprehend the amount of energy it would take to be a student a husband and a father of 5.
But still even after this week of grueling days and nights I am just as excited to have this opportunity to attend this awesome school. I have found in order to get through the school I must stay motivated and lately have been thinking of just how important these classes are. Really these classes aren't for me they aren't for a grade or a degree they are so I can help others with their health. So if I slack I'm not only hurting myself but future patients.
I am also greatful to have such great friends who I am able to attend school with. Without them the days would drag and trying to find a better study group would be near to impossible. We all have our strengths and are able lift each other where others may lack.
Thanks guys!
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
--Airstotle
Friday, August 22, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Student Council
I have never got involved with any school I have ever attended. And considering I am going to be at Palmer for a long time I thought I would just jump right in and try to get involved. So two weeks ago we had a representative from student council come by and say that there were about 10 positions open for election if any of us wanted to run. I decided this was my chance. So I ran for a coveted position (class representative). And later that week both me and the girl running against each other were asked to give speeches. And she really came prepared, she had a lot of background in both student and civil government so after she concluded her speech I figured I had no chance. So I made my speech which mainly consisted of a lot of jokes and maybe a little friendly smear campaign. But the crowd seemed to love it. And later we were told the results. And I had the majority of the vote and was elected into the position of First Trimester Representative of Class 113.
I really didn't expect to win but am excited for this opportunity. And what an opportunity to be able to help my class become more involved at Palmer and to be able to serve them so their time here is more enjoyable. The people in student council are amazing. They are one of the most helpful and excited about Palmer bunch of people I have met. Starting Palmer and student council in the summer allows us the opportunity to experience the annual homecoming extravaganza right off the bat. And to be elected into student council a couple days before the big event was an experience. The council always throws a large party the first day of homecoming and last night I had the chance to help with that. We served the local Mexican restaurant Azteca to over 600 people while listening to live bands and a great student talent show. The best thing was that it was a family event. Many students brought their wives and children and were able to experience the homecoming kick off together. My class is awesome they are all very energetic about chiropractic and the school itself.
I found out that being in student council comes with some perks. And the best one is the chairs. I know that may sound silly but the chairs in the class rooms at Palmer need to be lets say updated. But in the Student Council office we sit around this sweet large round table with nice leather chairs. And not to mention the job comes with a little stipend. So all in all so far Palmer is awesome. I think what makes Palmer is the people. Since being there I have had the opportunity to meet some fantastic people who really care about chiropractic and what it can do for everyone.
“Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”
--Vince Lombardi
I really didn't expect to win but am excited for this opportunity. And what an opportunity to be able to help my class become more involved at Palmer and to be able to serve them so their time here is more enjoyable. The people in student council are amazing. They are one of the most helpful and excited about Palmer bunch of people I have met. Starting Palmer and student council in the summer allows us the opportunity to experience the annual homecoming extravaganza right off the bat. And to be elected into student council a couple days before the big event was an experience. The council always throws a large party the first day of homecoming and last night I had the chance to help with that. We served the local Mexican restaurant Azteca to over 600 people while listening to live bands and a great student talent show. The best thing was that it was a family event. Many students brought their wives and children and were able to experience the homecoming kick off together. My class is awesome they are all very energetic about chiropractic and the school itself.
I found out that being in student council comes with some perks. And the best one is the chairs. I know that may sound silly but the chairs in the class rooms at Palmer need to be lets say updated. But in the Student Council office we sit around this sweet large round table with nice leather chairs. And not to mention the job comes with a little stipend. So all in all so far Palmer is awesome. I think what makes Palmer is the people. Since being there I have had the opportunity to meet some fantastic people who really care about chiropractic and what it can do for everyone.
“Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”
--Vince Lombardi
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Week #3
Has it been 3 weeks already? It seems like such a blur. Somedays I get home after class and just fall on the couch and wonder what did I get myself into. You start to realize the work load that is put on you never has a break. And the sad thing is most professors started out slow and now they are really turning on the heat. From here to the end of October I have at least 1 quiz and 1 Exam every week. And one week there is an exam and quiz everyday! So I guess you could say the pressure is on. In undergrad it always seemed that Saturday was a break from school and you looked forward to it. But now Saturday I am stuck studying either at home at the library or in an open lab. Its actually the best day to study because I get the most done. But with all that said I haven't grown tired of it and don't think I will. Even though it is a lot of work I feel honored to have the opportunity to wake up everyday to go to one of the finest health care institutions and learn about our bodies from head to toe from inside to out.
I think the most exciting part of the school so far is the Gross Anatomy(where we work with cadavers) and CNS labs we go to. This week in CNS lab we had 30 stations and at each station there was either part of or a whole brain with different things being pointed out. I sat down at a station thinking it was just an empty skull and quickly learned otherwise as I turned it around and saw the face was still intact. This scared both me and the others at the close by stations (it was more or less just unexpected, not gross). But what an opportunity that lab was, we were able to see a brain tumor created in the dura mater and how the brain adapted to it by creating a cavity around it. Also we were able to identify the vessels that are just above the brain stem that most strokes occur in. The brain itself with all of its inner workings is just flabbergasting.
Our Professor in that class is Dr. Gale R Lewellen ( who also is the former stake president for the Davenport Stake) is absolutely amazing. He may have one of the hardest classes to teach but he really allows you to understand and is always willing to explain and make you excited about the subject. Week three was challenging but fun. And I hope to have many more of the same.
"The runner-doctor knows that health has nothing to do with disease. Health has to do with functioning and wholeness and reaching your level of excellence. My health has to do with my life style, with moderation of the soul and the body. It is a matter of discipline of my total person"
"From the athlete, we learn that health is not merely to do with disease, any more than sanctity is the absence of sin. Health, the athlete tells us, is a positive quality, a life force, a vital characteristic clearly recognizable in those who have it."
--George Sheehan, M.D., Running and being
I think the most exciting part of the school so far is the Gross Anatomy(where we work with cadavers) and CNS labs we go to. This week in CNS lab we had 30 stations and at each station there was either part of or a whole brain with different things being pointed out. I sat down at a station thinking it was just an empty skull and quickly learned otherwise as I turned it around and saw the face was still intact. This scared both me and the others at the close by stations (it was more or less just unexpected, not gross). But what an opportunity that lab was, we were able to see a brain tumor created in the dura mater and how the brain adapted to it by creating a cavity around it. Also we were able to identify the vessels that are just above the brain stem that most strokes occur in. The brain itself with all of its inner workings is just flabbergasting.
Our Professor in that class is Dr. Gale R Lewellen ( who also is the former stake president for the Davenport Stake) is absolutely amazing. He may have one of the hardest classes to teach but he really allows you to understand and is always willing to explain and make you excited about the subject. Week three was challenging but fun. And I hope to have many more of the same.
"The runner-doctor knows that health has nothing to do with disease. Health has to do with functioning and wholeness and reaching your level of excellence. My health has to do with my life style, with moderation of the soul and the body. It is a matter of discipline of my total person"
"From the athlete, we learn that health is not merely to do with disease, any more than sanctity is the absence of sin. Health, the athlete tells us, is a positive quality, a life force, a vital characteristic clearly recognizable in those who have it."
--George Sheehan, M.D., Running and being
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