My apologies for not writing in so long! So much catching up to do!
Returning to school has been a wonderful experience. I have learned dozens of chapters of material ranging from human anatomy to physics, and from biology to chemistry of all manners physical, organic, and biologic. I'm happy to report that I did well in most of my coursework, with chemistry as my biggest hindrance.
Ohio State changed some from when I was last a student here a decade ago, but not significantly so. It's still a wonderful campus, still under construction, and still a dynamic and challenging academic venue. The renovated library is beautiful - offering soaring vistas of "old Columbus town," which I hold so dear.
Since completing all of the coursework prerequisite to medical schools, I now enter what is known as "the cycle," the dreaded series of tasks for all future doctors comprised of:
- The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test),
- Applying to chosen medical schools,
- Writing secondary applications consisting of essays and biographies,
- Eagerly awaiting invitations for interviews, and finally,
- Getting accepted (God willing) to medical school.
The most pivotal piece of the cycle is certainly the MCAT, the Mount Everest of professional school entry examinations. The test is comprised of three sections: Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Verbal Reasoning - taking nearly 5 hours to complete. I have a date scheduled with the beast on April 24th. From now until then, my sole task is to recapitulate all I've learned over the past 20 months and organize it neatly in my brain such that I can draw upon it accurately when I face the barrage of questions.
Beyond studies, I have been volunteering with and shadowing physicians, including time spent aiding doctors in a homeless health and wellness clinic, which has been indescribably humbling and enriching. It takes great compassion and calling to be a physician, a fact I've been vividly reminded of first-hand. Though my academic prowess is average, I feel I am a very compassionate being, and medicine is a discipline well-served by empathy. To further my exposure to the field, I've been working in a pharmacy as a technician for the past four months, allowing me to gain familiarity with medications, patient interactions, and the inner-workings of the pharmaceutical side of my future career.
I think we can all draw inspiration from the Olympic Games. Watching parts of the winter games in Sochi has fueled, in part, my excitement for the task ahead. Akin to a downhill skier perched at the top of the summit tightening their goggles, I now look clearly ahead at the prize. If I study hard, commit myself fully, and chase toward the goal, I may just "medal" and be able to call myself "doctor" one day!
-BJ