Going crazy yet? After some obligatory panic moments, I’ve reconciled my fate for the next month. To avoid emotional breakdowns, here’s my list of dos and don’ts list for the next month of cramming all of medicine into your head. This is all based on true stories.
Do:
- Taking a leaf out of a prep course tip: preserve the temple that is your bed for sleep and whatever other relaxing activities please you.
- If you need some perspective, watch an enlightening but depressing movie. Recently I watched “Hotel Rwanda” (finally), which is the source for the song in this post: “One Million” by Wyclef Jean. If not studying really bothers you, stick with a medicine-related movie such as “Last King of Scotland” or “Constant Gardener.”
- Time is precious, so be creative with study breaks: 1) If you have a significant other, keep him or her within range of vision so you get a nice break for your eyes. If there’s no S.O. or it’s long distance, keep a poster of Thor or Clooney close by; 2) Buzzfeed quizzes; 3) Play with a puppy.
- Stay healthy! Try yoga for some zen in your life or circuits for short and efficient workouts.
- Private dance parties in the shower, library, anywhere.
- Think about how all the MS1s are still in school.
- Be inspired by Match results at your school.
- Talk to people who make you feel awesome.
Don’t:
- Take a prolonged vacation (like the beach that this author may or may not be going to in a few days…) that makes you question life choices.
- Begin a new addictive TV show (I’m looking at you, “House of Cards”).
- Play the new Future World in “Plants vs. Zombies 2” before bed. Sleep may never happen.
- Play the 2048 game. Which reminds me, here’s the link.
- Don’t think about what people did to get through the Match.
- Eat a whole plate of heavy pasta for dinner. Warning: may result in 13 hours of food coma.
- Talk to people who make you feel inadequate.
To all my fellow MS2s: Godspeed.
Many of us go into med school with big visions for bettering modern medicine, but as we go through this journey, we realize that there is still a long way to go, and we can’t do it all alone. This column is not meant to be extremely profound or didactic but simply a reflection on the what it means to stay human in midst of society’s expectations and our own expectations.
Columnist
University of Alabama School of Medicine
Jennifer Yang attends medical school at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in the Class of 2016. She is from San Diego, CA and did her undergrad at UC Berkeley studying neurobiology and English. To keep her sanity intact during school, she distracts herself with music, food, reddit, and way too many TV shows. She firmly believes that laughter really is the best medicine.
I'm No Superman
Many of us go into med school with big visions for bettering modern medicine, but as we go through this journey, we realize that there is still a long way to go, and we can't do it all alone. This column is not meant to be extremely profound or didactic but simply a reflection on the what it means to stay human in midst of society's expectations and our own expectations.
