Exams are looming!

Gosh! So 78 people took a look at my blog in November. I can't help wondering if these were repeat views from my adoring family (thanks fam!), or if there are others out there who are keen to plod the same path I did. Perhaps you already are? So exciting! (Unless it's my family, in which case, more of an "aah, so sweet" moment than excitement).

I'm a week away from exams. Yes, I certainly should not be blogging but it's a good distraction. I can't believe I'm at the end of the first semester of my first year. I sit in class sometimes, and have to remind myself that I'm actually in medicine. Still surreal!

The workload however...not so surreal! I often think the sheer volume of information/assignments/guest lectures/anatomy labs/histology labs/imaging... (you get the picture) is simply given to build character, so that when residency comes, you'll know for sure that you can survive almost anything. Mmm, I thought that's what kids were for!

It's quite different coming from undergrad where you go into exams "knowing what you don't know", and generally having covered it all, but perhaps a little shaky on a couple of pieces. In med, everyone tells us you have to get used to going into exams NOT knowing things, as there is simply way too much to know! It's difficult to get used to that.

I marvel at the way the curriculum is put together though. We work with "patients" from the second week, and are exposed to so many amazing learning opportunities. Don't worry if you only go through something once - you are bound to get it again in a different format, or explore the same concept from a different perspective. They really do have it all figured out!

Night peeps! (That would be you, family)

Thanks, Mom!

Well! A lot has happened...

 Truthfully, it's been so long that I struggled to find my blog! You can all thank my mom for bullying me into returning to write.

So... I actually got in! Wonder if I should change that blog title to "Seriously. MD."? It took many years, blood, sweat and tears, but it paid off. Certainly can't say I'm not determined! I'm half way through my first year of medicine and loving it! Some of my thoughts below:

I don't believe in fate. I do believe we have a purpose. If you listen, you'll know it. It's persistent.

In my final year of high school, our literature teacher handed each student a quote, which she felt was relevant for that individual. Mine read, “To thine own self be true” by Shakespeare. I didn't think much of it at the time, but it's been a theme throughout my life – to be true to myself and to follow my passion.

I've wanted to be a doctor since I was nine. I didn't tell many people. I didn't think it was achievable for me.

Funny how opportunities present themselves. I didn't think we'd move countries, and certainly didn't think I'd be headed back to university full time. Along my journey I experienced massive self doubt - repeatedly. I still do, but it's getting better. Interestingly, many of these brilliant people I'm surrounded by feel the same way. That surprised me.

 I've always known what I was supposed to be doing. Sometimes it takes courage. I have kept and I cherish all the words of encouragement I've received from people who have supported me on this journey over the years. From those I love, those I have loved and lost, and those who have simply passed through my life, bringing positivity and inspiration. I hope I have returned some of that.

If you are on a journey to follow your heart's desire, hold on tightly.