DONE DONE DONE…I AM DONE

This whole year has been about just getting it over with and starting a new chapter of my life. That moment finally arrived this past Wednesday, May 9th (exactly one week ago).  It seems very surreal that I am actually starting rotations and a new chapter in my life. First things first, I am done with St. Louis… well not officially since I have to go back there in October for my Amb care rotation but that is FARRRRRR away! Till then I am sweet home Chicago for the summer! This is exactly what I wanted it. I have to give it to Dr. Berry to making sure that she can try to please every single one of us and our demands. Thank you so much for making this possible But that last day of school and finishing my last final EVERY felt amazing. It was honestly a bitter-sweet moment to be done with school. The fact that I will no longer be sitting in a classroom listening to teachers, worry about exams, quizzes, etc is an amazing feeling. The only downside to all this has to be that I really don’t have a summer since I start rotations the Monday after finals (aka as you can tell by this date that I have already started; but that is for another post). That Wednesday was a great time hanging out with everyone ONE last time before we separate off to a new chapter in our life. I wish I was able to hangout with them more; however I was leaving the next day and had to be all packed My dad and cousin decided to come bright and early Thursday morning to help me move out of my apartments and then go pick my brother up from U of I. Man oh man Thursday was a super long day with making sure I moved everything out then go pick my younger brother up and head home. On top of that I had a wedding event to attend and so that made my day even longer! It was a long crazy day but I was super glad to be done with St.Louis and start a new chapter in my life as well as just be home for the summer. My cousin is getting married and its nice to know that I can actually be home and be part of the festivities rather than have to be a distance away. Indian wedding are usually a week-long process so instead of being there just for the events on Friday & Saturday; I am not able to be there the whole week and not only partake in the events but just be able to hangout with everyone at home and especially my grandma who came from India. Overall, weekend was a success even though I felt like I had no time to breathe because I was moving around packing, unpacking, organizing, attending wedding events, engagement celebrations, dance practice…basically it felt like I was everywhere and on top of that I had rotations starting on Monday!!!!

It’s so crazy that I have been waiting to be done with St. Louis for so long and now it’s here and I sometimes miss being back there and having my own privacy and hanging out with the people who I care about But I guess this is part of growing up and becoming an adult! I am excited/nervous for this new chapter in my life and I cannot wait to see what is comes my way!

 

One week without EXAMS!

Last week was our last  week of school and the one week without exams. I have to admit it was quit relaxing in so many ways. Yes we had projects due and quizzes to take but it just felt so relaxing and stress-free.  Something I needed before finals week. I did absolutely nothing last week and it felt amazing The weekend was a blast as well did some studying and started packing things. You don’t realize how much you accumulate over five years until you start packing. I am not the one to throw things away either because I feel like everything has some memory so just imagine all the things I am going to bring home, which are probably unnecessary. Oh well I guess I am going to just start collecting.

The other crazy realization that occurred to me this weekend was that 2 weeks from yesterday is when I would be starting my first rotations.  I am really nervous and as much as I am excited to start a new chapter in my life, a part of me just wants to stay in a classroom where its more secure and I know what’s going on. I will admit I am not a fan of change. But it’s something that no one can avoid. So am I nervous and excited about rotations yes. Am I sad that I am leaving my friends and a place that I called home for 5 years…yes I am but it’s all worth it to start figuring out what I am going to do with a my Pharm.D. after I graduate.  I am growing up and becoming an adult!!

But before I even get to rotations I have to pass this little thing called FINALS. I have 5 finals so a final everyday. This is going to be crazy but at least I have a weekend in between and the 2 hardest finals are in the first two days so my other 3 are okay finals and won’t be as stressful…or atleast that’s what I would like to hope! I cannot believe I will not be taking any more finals after this point. That yesterday was my last day of being in a classroom after 18 years. Bitter sweet moment!

 

Good Luck on finals everyone!

Last NON-Final Exam ever!

Last week 4/15-4/20 was the last week of my 6 week exam every week, and let me tell you it was a bitter-sweet feeling! Last week was hectic is more than one way. For one, the weekend before the crazy week started I went to VEGAS! Yes, you read right, VEGAS for my friend’s bach party and it was a blast.  Now, was it the smartest idea since I had my last exam in T4 and T4 is no class to joke around with. But since I know in advance about my trip I decided to start studying way in advance aka right after my economics exam! I will find out how well or how poor I did on my exam tomorrow and I am frankly very nervous because I am hoping that I did decent to keep my grade “secure.” But after coming back from Vegas it was hard to focus on studying solely for T4 since we had so much other things going on such as our patient diary was due for IPPE, a scholarship luncheon, HSM projects and paper due. I guess all the teachers decided that rather than turning in things in the last week of school, why not the week before?  But I guess I really can’t complain because for most of those projects we knew from the beginning of the semester when they were due so I guess you would say we had plenty of time to finish them!! But still T4 and other projects don’t really go well together.

On top of that  I was planning an event for my cousin’s bridal shower which was the Saturday after my T4 exam so last week I was also figuring out last-minute details for that. This meant long hours on the phone with other family members to sort out details which also meant less time studying for T4. But I think what really helped me get through this test was starting to studying in advance rather than right after Vegas and once I got back looking at each lecture throughly so that when Wednesday came around all I had to do was review. I am hoping that I did decent to good on this exam. I did not feel so hot after taking the exam because I felt like either I knew what they were talking about or I totally did the opposite of what they wanted!

All I can say is that it is a great feeling not having to study for anything this week, I kind of don’t know what to do with myself because I feel like I have so much time but at the same time I know I need to start studying for finals as well! This next week and a half are going to be miserable. I just need them to be over and done with so I can go home Start rotations!

 

End of crazy week

It’s been a crazy week with finding out rotations, to an exam, to finding out that I have a flat tire this morning! Not such a great morning I would have to say. And honestly, I really do not know much about cars to even be able to fix a flat tire. I am not thrilled with dealing with more stress! However, the tire is going to have to wait till Sunday since I am going out of town this weekend! Yes, I am super excited to go out of town, I need a mental break from school! However I feel like I can’t completely enjoy my vacation (mini) because I have to still study for therapeutics or manage to fit it in somewhere this weekend. I want to still finish off the semester strong even though I know my brain wants to check out of STLCOP. We only have 2 more weeks of actual school since after that finals start. I am 1 exam and 5 finals away from starting rotations..WOW

Next week is going to be crazy too there is literally something going on every day! But the bright side I get to finally go home on Thursday This is the longest I have gone without going home… 3 weeks…haha but it will nice to go home and have a break before coming back here for the final stretch! I guess till then I will need to take it one step at a time!

Hope every one has a fun safe weekend! 

Rotations! Rotations! Rotations!

The day we, as in 5th years, were all waiting for has finally arrived! Finding out our schedule.  Let’s rewind to Sunday night…I was very anxious Sunday night and I probably checked my email a zillion times waiting for an e-mail from Dr. Berry! Then finally I think around 9pm the email I had been waiting for!! The email explained basically answered all the questions that we could possibly have when we look at our rotation schedule. She explained to us how if there is a preceptor or a site that we don’t want, the process of how to change it. Changing anything was a competition as in a first come first serve. We had to email Dr. Berry as soon as possible after looking at the availability of the preceptors and sites. I am pretty sure that I read that email over and over again. We were suppose to find out our rotations at 7am on Monday morning! I barely slept that night because I was so anxious, nervous, and worried about my rotation schedule.

It was finally Monday morning 7am!! The moment I had been waiting for since picking our rotations. I looked at my schedule and pretty much going everything that I wanted except for one sight. I knew at this point I could not complain since I practically got everything that I wanted! I did however attempt to change one of my preceptors and of course at that point with my luck I was late on turning in my change request by minutes. But at that point I knew it was my luck and there was nothing else I could really do except hope that the preceptor I wanted changed his availability. I mean I did get most of all my choices and such. So I was pretty excited and I could not focus on my economics exam which was on Tuesday.  Late Monday night I got an email from Dr. Berry and she had great great great news for me! She told me that the preceptor that I wanted had just changed his availability to when I wanted him too so she went ahead and changed it for me   Probably the best news I heard all day.  At that point I was done studying  for economics. Not sure if that was the best decision. But I took my economics exam on Tuesday and I got it back today and I have to say that I did better than I thought.

Overall my rotations experience was great. I am HOME for the SUMMER Cannot wait, watch out Chicago I am coming homeeee

It’s a bitter-sweet time when you know you are leaving STL where you were for 5 years, and called it your home and now it’s like you are returning back to your home home…crazy how time flies!

1 day and 1 month = Semester over

Tomorrow is April 9th and that will officially make it ONE month till school is done…4 weeks left and really out of the 4 weeks left of school I am probably in school for about 15 days or less. Now that is a crazy thought. I only have 15 days or less because I don’t have classes on Fridays and there are a few days that we get off throughout the 4 weeks!

What’s even more crazier about tomorrow is IT IS THE DAY WE (5TH YEARS) HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR! If all goes right, and let’s hope it does; then we will be finding out our rotation schedule! Eeeeek that is very scary. I am so nervous just thinking about it because what if I do not get the preceptor that I had in mind :/ I am really worried about my Acute care (which for those of you that do not know, is probably the hardest rotation that you will be on). I know that my number one choice was not given to me due to ability :/ just thinking about the potential options makes me so nervous! I really hope that I have someone I wanted or something; I guess I have to distract my mind till tomorrow. They have not even told us a time yet!!! But on the bright side HSM Economics is cancelled so I only have one class therefore I have the whole day to be nervous about finding out and trying super hard to focus on my economics exam on Tuesday! The worrisome part is finding out that you have a preceptor or site that you do not want. Then you are competing with everyone else in trying to change it and you have to send in a request form and the way the forms are viewed are on a first come first bases. That is scary to be competing with a certain amount of students for the same outcome. On the bright side of all this I know that my first two modules are at home and that is exactly what I wanted. I have to say that Dr. Berry takes everyones requests and thoughts into consideration when putting our rotation sites together. It’s so awesome of her to do that and try to make every student as happy as possible I guess this is anothe reason why it takes us so long to get our rotations because they teachers in working on the rotations have to go through so many processes and their goal is try to satisfy every individal to the best of their ability!

2 more weeks of having an exam every week, then a week off from exams but does not mean that there is not little things are due. then FINALS!! Next week is going to be super busy not do I only have my last T4 exam but I also have all these little things due for all my classes.

Other good news, I finally went to the Botanical Gardens this past weekend and it was absolutely beautiful. The weather being pretty good made the time there even more enjoyable I would have to say. Not all the flowers were there but that’s fine because it is only April and most of the flowers and plants are probably just starting to bloom. I am glad that I was able to go once in my 5 years of living in STL. I mean while I am down here I should at least see all the good things STL has to offer! If you have time to ever go, you def should.

Alright back to studying for economics because who knows how much studying will get done tomorrow especially since we find out rotations!

 

What a Long Week…

It’s been a pretty long week especially for it being the week after spring break This week consisted of working on Monday with classes, all day classes on Tuesday plus meeting with my EBM group to work on Evidence table, than Wednesday being at school till 6:30 and having a HSM test on Thursday plus T4 quizzes! Oh yes and how can I forget Friday, today, a full day of Immunization learning! Even though this week ahs been crazy full I cannot believe that March is already over and there are about 5 weeks left of school!

Today for about 8 hours or longer, 8:30-6:30 I was at school learning about immunization! I now know how to vaccinate people and promote/encourage patients to get vaccinated! In the process of learning I got stabbed by a fellow classmate 3 times. And let me tell you one thing…I am afraid of needles but some how I managed not to scream or freak out. I was rather calm and did not think about it….I guess I am really growing up. Let me tell you I have never stabbed anybody with needles and this was the first time ever!! It was a pretty amazing feeling I saw other students doing it and how their hands were shaking but I am pretty sure that my hands were not shaking and I actually had a good understanding of what I was doing. So I give myself a pat of on the back for how well of a job I did. Of course I was not perfect and had a few mishaps but nothing severe. In the end I am now certified to give shots if need be and I cannot wait to actually try it out on patients; even though I am not when will it happen :/ but I will be ready!

What else happened this week…I learned more about residencies and I am uncertain what type of residency I want to really do but there is a lot of work that goes into even just applying for a residency. It’s like applying for college all over again but probably worse.  Need to figure out which residency you are interested in and then have letter of recommendations, letter of intent, CV, etc which is all part of the application process. During Mid-year if you are capable to so you can learn more about the residencies that you are interested to know that you are certainly want to do this specific residency.  Residency applications are due in January so that means that we need to start in October or November and Mid-year is in December. So much to worry about and the whole possible of WHAT if we do not get the residency? I cannot wait to go through this process! I really hope this experience is a great one and all I can do is prepare myself for applying by being involved, doing research, and just being different in my own special way!