Tea Connection

Tea Connection is a great place around the corner. Enjoyed a delicious chai there on Friday, will definitely return!

Mission Complete!

I took Step 1 yesterday. 8 hours of intensity! It doesn't feel real to be done, I still dreamt about questions last night, I won't know my score for at least a month. But it is done. DONE DONE DONE. I enjoyed my time studying, mostly because I had control over all of my time, no meetings, no classes, nothing to get in my way. I'm going to miss that type of freedom to design my day exactly how I like. Monday the rat race starts up again, until then, I'm going to enjoy free days I have!

Under a week to go!

The Final Push! I took a practice test at the test center yesterday, felt pretty good, now just tying up all the loose ends on my 7-weeks of studying. Keep your fingers crossed for me next Wednesday.

In more interesting news, I had a great time Friday night at the Kennedy Center, it was a beautiful evening and the National Symphony Orchestra was wonderful! Saturday was also fun, after a killer run along my favorite trail, we walked along The Mall and even went to the Museum of American History. They have a new exhibit where they feature a particular year in American history, I really enjoyed seeing what 1939 was all about!

And back to work for me!

2000 Mark!

I finished the USMLE World Qbank on Friday afternoon. That's over 2000 questions under my belt! I was very pleased with my NBME practice exam score today-2 weeks to go to keep working on my weaknesses. Being methodical and holding myself accountable really feels good after a while. Let's hope the test gods agree come May 18th..

This weekend was gorgeous in DC, after a fun baseball game Friday night, I enjoyed a wonderful 9 mile run along the Crescent Trail Saturday morning. One of the benefits of having a schedule completely determined by me is that I choose to exercise a lot! I spent Saturday outside all day, with a few hours of lazy studying in the sunshine along the river in Georgetown. On Sunday we explored Eastern Market and walked around the National Mall. I know what you're thinking: "Aren't you supposed to be studying all the time? Isn't this like the most important test ever?!" I've had important tests in the past, and I'll have more in the future, but I'll never stop living my life as fully as I wish, no matter what "super important" thing is on my plate. If I don't enjoy each and every day now, when will I? Now back to learning!

"Believe you can and you're halfway there."

Theodore Roosevelt

1000 mark!

I'm at my half way point. It's been almost 4 weeks of studying, and I have exactly 4 weeks until my exam. I'm doing well, and I've done over 1000 questions. I have 1000 questions more of the question bank, and then I'm going to do them all over again. I've hit a good groove with studying, I'm a little embarassed to say that I actually enjoy it. It's like running intervals, after you do it a few times, you know its good for you, so you learn to love it. I can tell that every hour of studying I put in, I'm going to be a more knowledgeable doctor for it. It's not even that I don't mind it, I like it! I can just tell how much I'm learning every day, connecting the dots, understanding therapies. A great feeling!

I'm also very impressed with my Stanford education thus far. Stanford really does focus on the important stuff, and then gives us the time and flexibility to memorize all the little details necessary to ace the USMLE Exam. I'm looking forward to starting clerkships in the end of June-I get to start with pediatrics! How fortunate!!

Back to questions for me. Chai tea latte anyone?

As it Goes

Four days in, feeling strong. 36+ hours of studying under my belt. Starbucks is making a small fortune off of me. I scrubbed down the apartment after reading about bugs for 4 hours...Even I succumb to the hypochondriasis associated with medical school. Sleeping well, studying hard, running well. Life is good! I  even submitted an application for a cool conference in June. Fingers crossed that I hear good news!

Season Opener: The cardiovascular system!

It is official, I'm dedicating the next 7 weeks to studying for Step 1. I'll be "incommunicado" for a while so I will try my best to post regularly -mostly about studying I'm sure! Today I'm reeducating myself on the heart, here is a snapshot of the lovely cardiac cycle. Easy as pie.