Category Archives: Life

Pediatrics: Funded Away Rotations

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I won’t lie to you: I’m not the most spontaneous. When it comes to academics and life-planning, I’m (to be frank) not spontaneous at all. This may not come as a surprise to those of you who have read my series on “How to Survive Medical School.” This time last year, a flurry of emails from then-MS4s-now-PGY1s launched a series of conversations amongst my classmates: “should we go on away/audition rotations?” For some of you pursuing fields such as orthopedics and urology, the question is not “should I?” but rather “how many?” For others, it really depends. The argument is raised that: if you go on an away rotation and perform poorly, you ruin your chance of matching to that program. I think that point is fair but I also think that if you go on an away rotation and you’re motivated and excited, it’s hard to leave a terrible impression.

Sure, there’s the “fish out of water” effect that is to be expected. Sure, you’ll get lost a time or two. Sure, the MS3s may perform better than you at the start. Sure, you’ll be frustrated because you’re nervous and feel like you’re not performing at your best in a new environment. You’ll acclimate. You’ll progress. They’ll notice. It’ll work out.

In the case that it truly is a terrible away rotation experience in regard to fit or workload – there’s a chance that it might not have been the right place for you as a resident. So even in that case, you’ve learned a lot about where you want to end up or what sort of programs you’re looking for when you start on the interview trail. Speaking of the interview trail, if you want to follow my journey the best places to do that are Instagram or Twitter. I’ll share a recap of my trail here on the blog after match day (March 2018!).

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New Orleans: Vessel

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One week ago, I submitted my application to some amazing pediatric residency programs. This application process is in some ways easier compared to that of medical school – there are no secondary applications / additional costs, it’s extremely simple to have standardized test scores sent to each school, and the process is just in general streamlined. Nonetheless, this application process is unnerving. It is absolutely wild that…in March I will find out if I have to move for the next three years of my life. To be able to choose where you go to medical school is such a luxury (which, of course, I didn’t appreciate at the time). I’m excited and nervous about what comes next.

Interviews invites have been rolling in and I’m excited about the months of travel to come. I mentioned this on Instagram that as much as I am flattered that you guys are excited to see how this process goes for me, I won’t share specifics about interview invites until after interview season.

So what is going to happen to this space? I’m status post examinations (thank goodness) and beyond graded clerkships. I’ve shared my advice for MS1 – MS3 year coursework. I’ve shared some tips about USMLE 1. I have a few blog posts coming up about USMLE 2 CK and CS in addition to posts about VSAS and ERAS eventually. So back to the original question – what will happen to this space?

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#tagged: Introduction

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Hello guys! I’m sure you’re surprised to see another post this week. Although I’m gearing up for the big day (ERAS submission aka residency application day – September 15th), I have a little bit more time on my hands. I’m back in my public health classes and I’m balancing that with some of the less time-intensive clinical rotations!

As many of you already know, I tend to share a bit of my life as a medical student on Instagram. One of my favorite fellow medical student bloggers / Instagrammers, Melina Rae, tagged me to introduce myself. Given the recent influx of followers on Instagram and readers on the blog, I can’t think of any better timing to reintroduce myself.

Here we go!

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How to Survive Medical School: Obstetrics and Gynecology

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I concluded my clerkship year in April. How crazy is that? Since that time —

  1. I took Step 2 Clinical Skills at the end of May — I passed guys!
  2. I took Step 2 Clinical Knowledge at the beginning of July (score is still pending)
  3. I completed a 2 week elective in radiology
  4. I completed a 2 week elective in allergy/immunology
  5. I spent a month in the northeast for an away rotation

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This post, admittedly long overdue, has been drafted for months. One of my friends (hi Ronke!) told me that I have to publish this post before she started her OBGYN rotation (aka on Monday) so I clearly didn’t take her too seriously.

As always, please take my advice with a grain of salt. If you’re looking for more advice, these are some pretty great places to check out as well.

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“For happiness one needs security, but joy can spring like a flower even from the cliffs of despair” – Anne Morrow Lindbergh

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Too often, we find ourselves trapped in the mindset of “have to.” I have to go to work. I have to study. I have to go see the new patient in room 6. I have to make time to workout. I have to meet up with my friend for dinner.

I know I am not alone in this.

We, professional students, get caught in the whirlwind of our responsibilities and our interests. To-do lists that stretch far too long down the page serve as our lifesource. We are unfailingly hardworking. We schedule naps. We schedule social time. We fail to be spontaneous.

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