The Bombardment of Tests!

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