MINDFUL OF MEDICINE

Happy Father's Day, everyone! Though J is a daddy-to-be (or a baba-to-be as we like to say), I know he'll be the best father in the world and I can't wait till our little guy is here. I can't believe that our baby shower was just a few weeks ago, time has been flying by these days. I wanted to share some pictures from the shower as I felt so loved and special that day!

J and my two best friends worked secretly for months to put together the baby shower of my dreams - I'm so grateful! My day started off with a prenatal massage (a gift from my wonderful mother-in-law) which was amaaaaazing - seriously, they even had a special prenatal massage bed where I got to lay on my belly (if you've ever been pregnant you'll know that this is a luxury since you can't sleep on your belly without feeling like you're squishing your baby and crushing your insides ;). After my massage I could've taken a 6-hour nap from how relaxed I was, but, alas, J wanted me to feel beautiful and had me scheduled to get my hair done - rough life, I know. By the time I arrived home, I was expecting to see the finished product of the baby shower I had been waiting for, but there were still things to be done before guests arrived! It was actually fun to be part of the pre-party decorating frenzy, including a helium tank without enough helium, balloons that wouldn't stick to the walls, and a sad attempt at filling metallic balloons with a bicycle pump. Oh the drama! Nevertheless we managed to get everything in order and the most wonderful baby shower started right on time :)

[caption id="attachment_879" align="aligncenter" width="960"] These balloons refused to stick to the wall so J had to perform some of his engineering magic. I also finally got to try sangria which always looks so tasty but usually has alcohol, boo.[/caption]



 

[caption id="attachment_878" align="aligncenter" width="960"] So many future female doctors in one picture![/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_876" align="aligncenter" width="6000"] This cake was, hands down, the most delicious cake I've ever had at a party.[/caption]

 











[caption id="attachment_868" align="aligncenter" width="6000"] J got us a copy of Love You Forever, only the saddest book ever :)[/caption]

 

 

19 weeks (I know, super late - but Melo makes up for it right? :P)

Hi guys!

If you've been following along you know that I'm pregnant - 20 weeks today to be exact! We go in for the anatomy scan tomorrow and we're hoping for a healthy baby, plus we'll finally get to find out the sex which is the most exciting part. Now that I'm five months into my pregnancy I've had a lot of time to reflect on how we got here. I wanted to share our pregnancy journey since the moment we started planning but decided to hold off until it happened for us. The two biggest parts of our pregnancy journey have been planning for a baby during medical school and getting pregnant. Since I get a ton of questions about planning for a baby in med school, we'll start with that!

Planning. Ever since I started med school I've heard the phrase "there's never a good time to have a baby" as a woman in medicine. I think that's true, but there are certainly better times than others. Besides, is there ever a perfectly convenient time to bring a little life into this world? Probably not. The first step in planning for a baby in medical school for us was to commit to our decision to pursue such a goal. J and I have always wanted to be parents so finding a time wasn't just a task it was an exciting adventure to embark on.  In terms of financial planning, J is an engineer who is still early on in his career so finding a time to have a baby also depended on our financial situation and making sure that we could comfortably afford to provide all the things a baby might need. I also had to meet with my financial aid office to discuss funding (in the form of student loans) for all potential childcare and baby expenses. We're definitely not the first to have a baby in med school so the financial aid office was really helpful in giving us a game plan on how to get enough money for our potential baby.

My health was another barrier to our baby plans. If you know my story you know that I had a long battle with coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley Fever, for which i was on high doses of anti-fungals for about five and a half years. As far as my ID doctor was concerned I would never be able to come off the meds and that inevitably meant that pregnancy was contraindicated (at the risk of craniofacial and congenital heart defects). There was even more worry that my cocci would disseminate if I were to become pregnant and discontinue my meds. Luckily I'm really involved in cocci research and I convinced my ID doctor to talk with attendings from my research group and go over my case. With their blessing we decided to start a trial of no medications 1 year ago and thank God (alhamdulillah) my antibody levels are stable and I feel great. The only catch? I have to see my ID doc every month to make sure I'm doing okay and get blood work just as often.

And finally, how do you fit a baby into a medical school timeline? This was such a huge question for J and I. There's no guide that can tell you when to have a baby in med school. That's because there are so many factors that go into it including finances, your partner's career, specialty choice, research, childcare, and how a baby would interfere with courses / rotations and overall graduation date. I feel very lucky to have seen a couple of my friends have babies in med school because their advice was so helpful. One friend had a baby at the end of MS1, which was good for her since she had a full summer without any school responsibilities. But that also made taking step 1 and starting clerkships the next summer more challenging with a toddler. Another friend had her daughter after match, which was convenient in that she had a difficult pregnancy and was able to take care of herself during a relatively relaxed fourth year. However, she started intern year with a three-month old which had it's drawbacks as you can imagine. I admire my friends and their ability to tackle motherhood early in their medical careers but it wasn't easy for them. And this left me even more confused about whether there is ever a good time to have a baby in med school. And the truth is there isn't; you really have to find your own path and make it work for you. Taking a year off for research / to have a baby was never in our plans so that was ruled out from the beginning. Eventually, J and I decided to aim for a due date during the first few months of fourth year (July - September).. That way I could complete my 1-month sub-I and another 4 week rotation before going into labor. This timing was also important because residency applications are due in early September and residency interviews start in middle to late October. This timing meant that I would be pregnant during the last half of third year, which included physically demanding rotations like obgyn, general surgery, and trauma surgery. Though being pregnant during those tough clerkships would be challenging, we thought it was worth it - and I can now happily say that I made it through! This timeline was the best approach for us, and it's important to remember that you have to do what works for you and your partner! A plan is a valuable component of having a baby in med school, but what about actually making a baby?

Getting pregnant. So you're ready to have a baby, now what? Being a meticulous person (J included!), my plan for getting pregnant was also calculated. I'll start with the changes I made before delving into the emotional aspects of the journey.

I had started tracking my cycles a year before we started trying so that I could get "in tune" with my body. I also made diet changes like cutting out caffeine (I love green tea) and purchasing more organic vegetables (see foods you do and don't have to buy organic). I also started to exercise more and tried to be smarter about my workouts - incorporating both cardio and strength training. In particular, I started doing something called "belly pumping" to establish core strength before pregnancy which I found on instagram @thebloommethod (check them out!). Side note, you can belly pump during rounds or in surgery and no one knows you're exercising but you, lol. In terms of ovulation tracking I used a free cycle app, ovulation test strips and my own symptoms. My symptoms were pretty in line with my app so that became our main resource. I didn't really like the ovulation strips because they're so subjective in their reads and often the quality varies between strips.

After a few months of trying I could feel myself getting stressed and even sad about each month that passed without seeing those two pink lines on a positive test. I'm usually a very rational, mellow person but trying to bring a little life into the world and feeling as if it's not going to happen is on a completely different emotional level than I've ever experienced. Many couples try for so many years to have a child and my heart truly goes out to them. Once I noticed that J and I were both starting to fatigue and worrying that perhaps it wasn't meant to be, we changed our approach. We only had two cycles of "trying" left before we would have to stop and wait to try to have a post-match baby or even until after intern year. It was high stakes, but I'm proud of how we handled it. We had been praying to have a baby, but now we prayed that we would have the strength to leave it up to God entirely.

In December 2015 J and I sincerely believed that if it was meant to be it would happened and if not, it wouldn't. And we were absolutely at peace with that. We stopped stressing. One of my attendings recommended a book she had read when she was trying to get pregnant called Be Fruitful by Victoria Maizes, MD - one of the integrative medicine gurus in our academic community. I needed some clarity and honestly wanted to know if maybe I had missed something and could be doing something better. What I found in the book (which I highly recommend!) was helpful on multiple levels. Among the many lessons I learned from the book, a few of my favorites are:

- it's okay to pray for yourself.

- Come off of birth control with enough time to get to know your body, its cycles and your symptoms at all points in your cycle.

- Make your body a suitable vessel to grow life through diet, mindfulness and lifestyle.

Later that month, I finished up my Family Medicine shelf exam and we traveled to Calgary for a family vacation. On December 22, I missed my period and figured it was just a fluke haha. But then I realized I hadn't been late for over a year. I knew something was up, but I wasn't fully convinced. I asked my sister in law to bring me a pregnancy test so that I could find out and possibly surprise J. And to my sincere surprise, two little pink lines showed up - I had finally gotten my "big fat positive" as the internet pregnancy forums like to say! I wanted to cry but also felt a little dizzy, lol. I called J upstairs. He looked very confused and silently walked out to the car and we drove to buy not one but 3 more tests! They were all positive and J teared up. Then we went out the next morning and we bought one more, just to be safe. It felt so surreal! It wasn't until 8 weeks later that we got to see our little bean on one of my obgyn night shifts when my chief kindly performed an ultrasound that J got to come see. Seeing that little heartbeat was so special.

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I hope this post helps those planning for a baby in med school because I know how hard it can be to find a good time. I also know that making a baby isn't always easy and there may be a lot of challenges along the way. If I could give one piece of advice it would be to just relax. Seriously. Stress only makes things harder and we're all stressed enough already! Enjoy the journey, it's among the most noble of all. Also please feel free to email me if you'd like to talk about your own journey, I'll do my best to help!

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Happy almost-New Year everyone!

I remember spending so much time trying to figure out what shoes to wear on clerkships before starting. I felt like it should be so simple, but it actually turned out to be a little stressful. The truth is, third year is about many things but one stands out to me in particular: comfort over style. If your feet are in pain it will be hard to do your job. Even so, we all like to feel confident while working so while being comfortable is a priority we can also try to be a little stylish! It can be difficult to invest a lot of money on a pair of shoes especially on a med student budget so I would suggest shopping around and finding the best deals! I've put together some shoe ideas for clerkships and included the links below, I hope this helps!

1. Dansko Clogs: good for both hospital & clinic, and SUPER comfy. They can be hard to walk in at the beginning but you get used to them.

2. Cole Haan Wedges: I love these wedges - they're on my dream list for clinic shoes. I've seen so many people wear them and they look so classy and sleek, plus they're supposed to be really comfy.

3. Clarks flats: these are also on my list (I might have to give in soon since my Vince Camuto flats are on their last leg!). Clarks is known for their comfort and quality. These would be good for clinic, and the wards if you have a short shift.

4. Nike Free 5.0: I included these because I think they're really cute, but any comfortable athletic shoe would be ideal for long hours in the hospital when you're walking several miles in one shift. Surgery and ObGyn (as well as other surgical specialties) are known for allowing athletic shoes and scrubs, but we were allowed to wear them during call days on medicine too! Be warned, though, you might get bodily fluids on your shoes during some rotations and you might end up having to throw them away.

5. Clarks clog: I got these before starting internal medicine and I'm so glad I did. I didn't feel like committing to the Dansko clog at the time and these shoes came in handy. They're light, extremely comfortable, and work for both clinic and the hospital. If you follow me on instagram you've probably seen these a few times.

6. Vince Camuto Flats:  these flats are not only gorgeous, but really comfortable as well. They have a small heel so you're not completely flat when walking. They also feature a padded footbed that resists wear and tear. I bought these in black in June and I think they're the best flats I've ever purchased, plus I always get a ton of comments when I wear them. As a bonus, they're on sale at Dillard's for $58 - I might have to get the light pink and brown ones.

Hello! It's been a little bit since I've posted. I feel like peds was even more busy for me than internal medicine, hence the slacking in the blogging department - oops. I'm now on family medicine and I can't believe I've only got 5 weeks left until the first half of MS3 is over!

I've wanted to share a post on being married in med school since it's one of the most frequent questions I get. Every marriage/partnership is unique so I'm not declaring myself an expert on the subject. But these words are from my own perspective and my hope is that they might apply to other couples out there as well! But first, a little background.

J and I met back when I was a sophomore in undergrad in February 2011. After just a couple of weeks of talking (we were long distance) we knew we wanted to spend our lives together. But, more importantly, we wanted to build a life together from the bottom up. He knew my vision, I knew his and soon they became one. That summer that followed we were married religiously (also known as a katb kitaab) at his parent's house in beautiful North Lebanon. A year later, we had our wedding and we moved in together right before I started med school and he started his masters program. I guess I'm sharing all this to give some background and to give an example that a marriage isn't built overnight, and that it takes years to achieve things; whether that's finally getting to be together after years spent half a world apart, or goals like higher education, career building, and even surviving med school.

As a couple, we are each other's best friend / support system / biggest fan / you name it. We are equal partners in life and have always tried to approach challenges and blessings in this way. Our approach to medical school has been no different. Since starting my first semester of med school, J has always encouraged me to do my best while going out of his way to help me find time to study. To be honest, he's a super competitive person (and pretty brilliant I might add!) so he's often more intense than I am, lol. First and second year were pretty relaxed in terms of time commitments, though I did have to study a lot. Still though, I made my own schedule (should have enjoyed it more when I had the chance!) leaving us with plenty of free time for ourselves. Then came Step 1, also known as a the most mentally brutal and intellectually challenging time of my life. J did his best to ensure that I had time to study and less things to worry about like cooking, cleaning, and running errands. And now I'm almost 6 months into my third year which has been a totally new dynamic for us. Third year entails a lot of hours, on good weeks that means 40 hours. That has forced us to accommodate two work schedules while keeping up with our other responsibilities. There's also less time for ourselves, which makes "us" time more special. Considering that my days of passively learning in a classroom are over, I'd say learning to juggle demanding schedules while maintaining balance has been valuable and will continue to be so for the rest of our careers. Through these years I've learned a few things about being married in med school, and so I'd like to share a few key thoughts.

- Foundation. A strong foundation is the basis to any relationship and even more so in a marriage. I think that it's crucial to talk about your goals early on and how you plan on getting there even if you don't have an exact plan. Even more important, however, is having common goals in the first place. Communication is absolutely vital in this area. Establishing yourselves as a strong duo early on is the most important thing about married in medical school. There will be hard days, weeks, and months but being there for one another no matter what is a beautiful thing. For some of us med students, medical school is the most challenging thing we've ever gone through. Having someone who makes it easier on you by supporting you, cheering you on, and helping you out is priceless.

- Priorities. This is something that will depend on your personal beliefs and desires in life. For me, second only to our faith, my little family is my highest priority. That means that just as I set aside time to study or figure out my rotation / study schedule I also make sure that there is "us" time set aside. It honestly keeps me grounded and is my happy place. I think it's important to discuss priorities early on so there are no surprises.  As a woman in medicine, the idea of priorities is a deeply complex and challenging concept. There are already so many expectations placed on women that adding the responsibility of a medical career may seem daunting. A supportive partner can make all the difference. Another issue that may arise in the realm of "priorities" is that of whose career is more important at any given time. This can be especially challenging when a couple has two high-powered careers. I think it's important to respect and admire each others accomplishments and make space for them. While medicine is a life-long commitment, so are other careers and they are no less important to those in them than medicine is to us.

- Balance. Medicine can be consuming; it may take more than you would expect from your mind, body, and soul. Going through something like that can be taxing, but it doesn't always have to be. That being said, the stress and difficulties you experience as a med student will inevitably be shared with your partner. Expressing how you feel and getting through it together is not only cathartic, but makes you stronger as a couple. Do not feel that you must give 100% of yourself to medicine, your partner, your responsibilities, your children, etc at all times because it is simply not possible; and while the areas you are focusing on thrive, others will suffer. Your focus and energy will often be shared among many things but remember that you have the power to choose which parts get the most of you. Self-care is often forsaken in medicine, but how can we heal others if we ourselves are withering? Taking care of yourself is so important, and will help keep your relationship healthy.

- Reward. How special is it to become a doctor alongside the person you love? It is a privilege and should be treated as such. Being able to tell my husband about all the cool and fascinating stuff I learn, the memorable patients I meet and my ever-changing specialty interests is pretty special. Med school is hard, but it is temporary. And, as in life, there are hard times. But try to appreciate them,  they often teach us more than the easy ones and let us learn new things about ourselves and our partners. Celebrate your successes with your partner, recover from your failures together and appreciate the little rewards along the way, there are many.

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I've learned so much in these last few years in med school that goes beyond facts and clinical pearls and I'm grateful to go through every step alongside my husband. In the end, a partner should make the hard things in life easier. Med school is a big feat, but it's not the impossible mountain for relationships that some make it out to be.

I'm excited to share an interview I did for my fellow med student and blogger Anum who blogs at whatmedstudentsfeel.wordpress.com.

Our presence as women in medicine continues to grow and I'm proud to be part of a community of fellow female med student bloggers working hard to empower and inspire women at all stages of their medical career. Click the link below to see some of my honest answers on marriage, motivation, faith, feminism and discrimination.

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I think that those of us who've dreamed of being a physician do so for one overarching reason: to help people. The desire to genuinely improve the lives of others often serves as motivation to get through all of the challenges that come along with working towards a career in medicine. I often hear about third year medical students allegedly becoming "jaded" as they go through their clerkships, losing parts of their humanism and ability to empathize as long hours, difficult interactions and the nuances of working become the norm. This is something I heard about almost as soon as I started med school. And, from the sound of it, it seemed inevitable. It also seemed to be met with a dichotomy of opinions: some people saw this potential disillusionment as a badge of accomplishment to be praised along the road to becoming a bonafied physician; while others (myself included) saw it as something worrisome, unreal and (hopefully) avoidable.

 



 



 


 

Thanks for reading!

I'm officially four months into third year which is totally crazy to me. This is the year we all look forward to as med students, but I often find myself looking back on my first two years with nostalgia. That's not to say MS3 isn't exciting, just that I wish I had enjoyed those first two years a little more. So here are 5 things I wish I knew as an MS1!

1. Don't buy all those books! Starting first year the biggest questions on my mind were "how do I study, and what resources do I need?" I was so accustomed to undergrad where the resources were concrete: lecture slides, notes, and sometimes a course textbook. I rushed to buy textbooks during my first block that I never ended up opening. Don't feel the need to buy every book or resource that's thrown at you. Take the first couple of blocks to understand how you learn best because the amount of knowledge you need to amass and commit to memory is unbelievable so being honest with yourself is a necessary skill. Honestly, I didn't figure out how I learned best until the middle of my second year. It's all about being honest, being flexible and listening to your needs! If I could go back I would take a more minimalist approach in terms of resources and ask for advice from upperclassmen more often.

2. Relax, you have more time than you think. One of the biggest differences between my undergrad experience and the first year of med school was how much time I had. Whereas I was struggling with juggling multiple majors, volunteering, work and my personal life during undergrad, my med school schedule was a lot more simple because the scheduling was done for me. I actually had way more time the first two years of med school than I ever expected. If I could go back I would tell myself to take advantage of that time. Besides studying I would spend more time on myself and less time worrying about not having enough time!

3. Shadowing is important. I think I greatly underestimated the value of shadowing. I was wrong to think I would be "in the way" and wish I would have taken more advantage of the free time I had my first two years to shadow. If I could go back I would tell myself to shadow in every single specialty I find even a little intriguing. I think it would have helped me shape my vision of a career sooner and with more confidence. Plus, shadowing in medical school is so much better than shadowing as an undergrad. Physicians are incredibly receptive to med students shadowing and some will even let you actively participate.

4. Spend more time with ones you love / doing what you love. It was easy to get caught up in the "I need to study 16 hours a day to be a successful med student" mentality when I was surrounded by my competitive classmates. My second semester of MS1 I decided to podcast from home and only attend required lectures and it did wonders for my sanity, lol. I think it's super important as a med student to keep parts of your life separate from medicine, and I have a feeling this will remain true during my career! If I could go back I would tell myself to slow down and take more time for J & Melo, my family, my interests and my inner peace overall.

5. Enjoy it. It is such a privilege to be able to study medicine. I often think of all of the factors that have lead to my ability to pursue my dream and it helps me to put things into perspective. I always try to keep a positive outlook on life and the last two years have been no exception. This is a point I would recommend to anyone, even if you're not going into medicine. If you're doing what you love, why not just enjoy the process and do good along the way?

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Happy Friday, everyone!

I just finished the first week of my internal medicine clerkship. This clerkship is 12 weeks long, with 8 weeks of inpatient medicine as well as 4 weeks of outpatient (clinics). I started off with two weeks of inpatient medicine and will finish off my first month with another two weeks of inpatient hematology/oncology (so excited). Starting third year has been quite the whirlwind. I chose to start with internal medicine because I recently took Step 1 and the material is still pretty fresh in my mind. It’s also supposed to be a great foundation for the rest of clerkships. So not only is internal medicine the longest clerkship, it also seems to be the most important in terms of how residencies look at your third year performance!

Monday started off with a morning orientation and then I had to report to my assigned team that afternoon. My team consists of two interns (PGY-1), a second year resident (PGY-2) and a senior resident (PGY-3). The residents were informed that we were brand new third years and that this was our first day ever. So basically they knew not to expect a whole lot from us the first day. That afternoon I followed my resident as we saw some patients in the ICU that were being downgraded to our service and even got to translate for a patient, something my team was super grateful for (apparently having a Spanish-speaking med student is quite the luxury!). I stayed at the hospital until 6pm for sign-out to the night team. At sign out the day’s patient’s are discussed, including any significant changes to their management so that the night team knows what to expect.

Tuesday was what I would consider a “typical day” on inpatient medicine. The morning started bright and early at 5:45 am. I was assigned my very first patient who was in the ED (emergency department) and was being admitted to our service. I performed a full H&P (history and physical) and then prepared my presentation before rounds. Rounds typically occur around 9am for us, so I had a couple of hours to get familiar with the patient’s history and fine tune my presentation. As we walk from room to room, patients are presented to the attending and we discuss any important things that happened over night. We also decide what needs to be added or changed to the patient’s management, what other specialties need to be called for a consult, and what labs or imaging needs to be done. Rounds are a great time to learn new concepts or realize that you don’t know something. My attending will ask me a few questions here and there, this is something called “pimping.” Pimping can be pretty stressful but I’m lucky to have a very kind attending, though I’m sure I’ll encounter many other attendings with different personalities along the way.

Rounding can last until 12 pm at which point the attending goes on to do his own thing and the patients are left in the care of the rest of the team. While the residents and interns deal with patient orders and procedures, my job is to help them do their job the best I can. This can include anything from calling for a consult, scheduling a specialty appointment, requesting records, or even translating. By 6pm the night team has arrived for sign out it’s time to go home. My senior residents have been really nice and I’ve been pretty fortunate to be excused a few hours early each day, which has been a treat since I’m fasting and being on my feet all day can be somewhat challenging.

One thing I noticed about internal medicine on my rotation, beyond the fact that everyone works extremely hard is that there is a genuinely kind and enthusiastic culture to it. I’m actually enjoying internal medicine a lot more than I thought I would and learning a lot about the physician I ultimately aspire to be.

Have a wonderful weekend!  

Hi everyone!

I'm currently busy doing a week of "transitions" to third year and will start my internal medicine clerkship on Monday! I'm nervous but mostly excited to not be in lectures any more and to actually get out of my comfort zone and learn some real, hands-on doctoring. I'm still mentally recovering from Step 1 and I hope I'm ready to begin studying for the medicine shelf / Step 2 next week. Although I have yet to receive my score for Step 1, I've been trying to figure out what worked for me and what didn't. And in the midst of this thought process I keep coming back to my study approach for the MCAT. So I wanted to share a few things I would have done differently.

1. Find the right resources.

Being a first-generation college student can be really challenging in all kinds of ways, and preparing for the MCAT was no different. Often times there are resources that go undiscovered simply because we don't know where to look or that there even are resources available. In retrospect, I didn't talk to enough people who had taken the MCAT before me for advice and I wish I had. Your peers are great resources, use them! But don't get stressed out when someone else's approach is a lot different from your own, just use their advice and modify it to what works best for you.

I didn't take a course prep course. At the time, I couldn't afford it and resented it. But after getting feedback about it from a few of my friends I'm glad I didn't take it because it really sounded like a waste of time and money. Granted, if you're the type of learner that needs to be guided through different subjects then it might work for you. But if you're a more self-guided learner then I wouldn't recommend it, but that's just my two cents.

In order to ensure you're getting the right resources make sure to ask around because people who have been through it will give you some great insight. Also Tumblr and Reddit have great MCAT and premed sections - but be careful, these forums can be a little neurotic so try to not stress yourself out unnecessarily. Do your research, decide what works for you, and stick with it.

2. Be organized.

Looking back at my schedule for dedicated Step 1 study I wished I had done the same for my MCAT. Even though you don't get dedicated time off to study (unless you take a summer to study or another break), I think I could have easily incorporated some structure into my undergrad schedule. I would recommend laying out a schedule of classes, work, volunteering, etc and adding dedicated study hours to it. You will be able to track your progress and it will also be satisfying to see how much you've accomplished.

2. Start early. 

I took my MCAT in April 2012 and started studying that January. I started early, but I was also very passive with my learning which had its consequences. At the time I didn't know what practice question resources were available or how helpful they would be. I wish I had done more questions and been more of an active learner overall. After studying for Step 1 I learned the value of practice questions and saw how most of the material I've retained came directly from these questions. They're also a great way to gauge how well you're progressing and if you're ready to take the exam. Starting early can give you ample time learn a lot of material, but also redirect your studies if you find something that is or isn't working.

3. Be honest.

One of the biggest mistakes I always made when studying in undergrad was not being honest with myself about knowing a concept. I think it's really easy to assume you'll just remember something and move on. When in reality you won't remember and you'll wish you had spent a little extra time on that concept. So be honest with yourself! If a concept is hard, it's tempting to skim it and never come back to it. I can't tell you how many times in undergrad I thought to myself "Wow, that's a little confusing, it can't be on the test" - and it was ALWAYS on the test! So I fixed my approach for med school and it carried me through Step 1. By forcing yourself to be honest with what you truly do not know and committing yourself to taking a little extra time to learn something you set yourself up for success. In the end the only person you're cheating is yourself, so it's definitely worth it to be honest and power through.

4. Be confident. 

Going into Step 1 I was confident. I was confident that I knew all I could know in the amount of time I had to know it in. It was a reassuring feeling. And I consciously reminded myself to be confident during the test. I don't remember feeling confident about the MCAT. At all. Whether it's a practice test at home or the real thing, confidence is a huge factor in performance, at least for me. So be confident, because you always know more than you think you do!

 

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Hello! As of 36 hours ago I am officially finished with the USMLE Step 1! I can't explain how good it feels to not have to wake up at 6 am and study for 13-14 hours every single day. Oh yeah, and I also don't have to freak out about the most important exam of my life anymore since it's over and done with. Granted, the stress dreams haven't stopped but I'm hoping that they go away with time, lol.

The last six weeks were the most mentally exhausting of my entire life. Beyond the actual difficulty of the material there are many other elements that contribute to the challenge of studying for step 1. For example, J and I would barely have 30-40 minutes every night to recap his day and just enjoy each other's company before we had to sleep. He was so wonderful throughout this whole study period, though. He cooked every night and generally kept me sane, I seriously don't know how I could've held it together without him! I honestly don't know how students with children do it, they're the real Step 1 champs. I also felt very isolated. Not only from J, but from my family and friends. I definitely learned the true value of having a good mental and spiritual foundation before diving into such an difficult time. I learned a lot about myself and even surprised myself by being able to push through when I thought I couldn't. I'm also very glad that I put some effort into eating healthy and exercising a lot during my study period. I don't think I would have been able to stay as calm and levelheaded throughout if I hadn't taken care of my body.

Though I'm still in the process of figuring out what worked and what I would have done differently I will say this: you know more than you think. Whenever I found myself doubting my abilities or losing my confidence I would remind myself that I knew more than I thought I did. Whether it's Step 1 or your typical block exam, the key to doing your personal best is to be confident, and even a bit "cocky." I can't tell you how many times I took a practice test and had a feeling that a certain answer choice was right even though I couldn't exactly remember why, and it ended up being correct. The mind is a powerful, mysterious thing. And when you have to know as much as you need to for Step 1 you really have to listen to your brain when it's telling you something even if you can't rationalize it!

I have exactly 1 week until I start third year (crazy!), so J and I are taking a trip to San Diego to relax and hangout because I feel like I haven't really seen him this whole time. I'm excited for what this year will bring, and even more excited to be in the hospital and clinics doing some real hands-on learning. Ramadan also starts next week - I can't wait! I'm hoping it will be another Ramadan of spiritual growth and helping those in need. This is a whole new chapter in my life and I'm just excited to live it to the fullest.

Life is good. God is good. Alhamdulillah (thank God).

Here's a picture of my Step 1 study material on the left and notes from MS1 and MS2 on the right (minus the approximately 30k Firecracker flashcards I used and my iPad).

 

Hello and happy Monday!

As I move into the last couple weeks of second year (crazy!) and prepare for my 6-weeks of board studying I’ve been really thinking about how I’m going to maintain my fitness goals. It’s somewhat of a med student inside joke that your body turns into a jiggly, out of shape blob during board studying. That doesn’t super appealing and so I’m committing myself to staying active, and not falling into that trap.

A meta-analysis in the Annals of Internal Medicine recently reported that sedentary behavior is not, in fact, completely neutralized by exercise. That means that intense exercise doesn’t make up for all the intense sitting we do all day! It’s more about maintaining a level of activity during the day on top of our dedicated “workout” time. It’s kind of scary to think of the damage we do to our bodies by sitting all day. It’s somewhat ironic that while I study and learn to be a healer, I’m simultaneously compromising my own health by being so sedentary. Luckily, there are so many ways to get around that!

I recently rediscovered Blogilates by Cassey Ho. Blogilates is an amazing fitness resource and it’s totally free - all you have to do is sign up for their newsletter in order to unlock the exclusive workout plan for the month. There are other features that don’t even require an email  like her meal plans, ab/thigh/arm challenges, workout calendars, before & after stories, and even recipes. I admire Cassey’s story  and her ability to bring something she is so passionate about to life! I personally love pilates, but classes can be really pricey. Cassey’s signature “POP pilates” style isn’t only free, but it’s pilates that you can do anywhere, whenever. All you need is a mat and some motivation!

One of my favorite workouts is her Pick-Me-Up Quickie Workout. I’ve been using it as a healthy study break!

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/embed/PySN5tabiLQ[/embed]

My typical workout regimen is composed of 4-5 60-minute sessions on my elliptical while watching lectures or occasionally some Netflix. Although using my elliptical at 100% incline and the highest resistance is a fantastic cardio workout, it can be hard to target other very important muscle groups including my core and arms. I’ve been sticking to my elliptical workouts and have seen some great results as far as getting leaner and having more energy in general but I’m excited to incorporate Blogilates to my routine. I’m going to start the April “Aprilates” schedule today after my elliptical workout!

Since coming off my meds I have a newfound motivation for fitness and wellness in general. I’ve been making some adjustments to my diet that I hope will be easily maintained long-term, and I look forward to blogging about it. Living a healthy lifestyle is just that - a lifestyle. That means making lasting changes and truly committing yourself to doing what is best for your your body, mind and soul. We are multifaceted beings and the care we give ourselves should be, too.

Have a wonderful, productive week!  

Two weeks ago I got a second chance, alhamdulillah (thank God). But in order to understand why that’s so important to me, I’d like to share some of my story.

Back in November of 2009 I was 18 and barely settling into my role as a college student. I was performing well in my courses and genuinely enjoying that new stage of my career. Except something wasn’t right. For a few nights I had stayed up coughing until one day I coughed up a handful of blood. My good friend and roommate was very concerned and told me that if I didn’t go to the doctor the next day she was going to call my mom. And so, I scheduled an appointment for later that month.

November 27th was a day I’ll never forget. After reviewing my xrays that showed a large, circular shape, my primary care physician nonchalantly told me it was likely not benign and I should prepare myself for a diagnosis of a tumor. When I asked what to do next, she said I should “probably find a pulmonologist”. I don’t remember anything else from the visit, my memory of it literally stops there. I was confused, scared, skeptical, sad. I had never been sick before and, being someone who likes to plan ahead, not knowing how to proceed was terrifying. I drove home with my mom in silence. I thought about all of the things I wanted to do and might not get to. I thought about my dream of being a doctor and the irony of getting hit with a possible cancer diagnosis. I thought about God. I thought about my family. I prayed.

The next day I was back in my dorm room, frantically calling every pulmonologist in town. They were all booked for the next several months and I felt hopeless, and frustrated. I decided to call one more office. When the receptionist picked up I told her my story and before I even realized, I was crying. Hard. I couldn’t help it. To my relief she said they had an appointment in February and I was so relieved. But it also meant that I had to spend the next two months in a state of absolute uncertainty, not knowing what was wrong with me all while feeling ill, fatigued and coughing up blood every time I tried to lay down or exerted myself.

Those two months were life changing, though. I finally learned what it means when God’s plans truly deviate from our own. Whether you are religious or not, we all must face the fact that there is a force greater than our own; and in order to get through struggles we must submit to it, accept our weakness, and grow. I remember sitting on a bench during final exams that December reading my favorite book of all time (The Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - check it out). It was sunset and it was quite chilly out. Campus was almost empty and the air was quiet. And so, I sat there. I’ve never felt more peaceful in my entire life. I had accepted that I had no control over what happened next. I was happy, really genuinely happy. I also began to understand the beautifully ephemeral nature of this journey we call life. As a gift to myself I decided I would finally do something I had planned to do for years: I embraced Islam and became a practicing Muslim on Valentine’s Day 2010, just a few days before I saw my pulmonologist. I figured whether I had 1 or 100 years left on this Earth I would worship in the way that best suited me, I would strive to become a better person, and generally work to maintain my inner peace.

At my appointment we reviewed my CT scans and almost immediately my pulmonologist said, “Oh, that’s cocci.” (Coccidioidomycosis, also known as “cocci” or Valley Fever, is a disease caused by the dimorphic fungus coccidioides). At the time I was relieved to hear anything but the word “cancer” come out of his mouth. Little did I know this new diagnosis would send me on a longer journey than I could have ever anticipated. After some confirmatory labs, I started antifungal therapy.

I spent the next two years coughing up blood almost daily while my body deteriorated into someone I didn’t know. I had always been active, playing competitive volleyball year round, running, and swimming. I had prided myself in how strong my body was. And to see myself transition from fitness to someone who couldn’t take 10 quick steps, or lay down without coughing up a bunch of blood was heartbreaking. Nevertheless, I pushed through my first two years of university and did really well. On the surface you wouldn’t know how sick I was. How worried my family was. If you met me you’d think I was an over-achieving, stressed out premed who went to school, worked, volunteered, did research and generally enjoyed life. And all of those things were true, but there was something insidious and inescapable beneath the surface. Most days, I didn’t let my sickness become an inconvenience. That was a good thing, but often it was bad. I didn’t take care of myself the way I should have. I didn’t rest enough. And I paid for it all. Meeting my husband, J,  a year into my diagnosis was a blessing in so many ways. In terms of my health, he really pushed me to rest, eat well and take it easy. Even though we were long-distance he would call to make sure I was going to bed on time, or make sure I was going to Urgent Care when I had a bad flare up. J was the first person I ever listened to in terms of taking care of myself. And even that was hard for me! Afterall I’ve never been one to admit weakness or let anything get in the way of my plans. But getting sick will make you question everything you know about yourself.

J was also the reason I decided to find a new pulmonologist. Dr. P was a genuinely kind person. He was also thoroughly confused as to why my condition hadn’t resolved with two years of antifungals (most cocci cases are self-limiting even without treatment, but I am part of a lucky 5% of cases that get a bit more complicated!). He sympathized with me and was a stark contrast to my primary care physician who had delivered an (incorrect) diagnosis of cancer in a cold, uncaring way. Dr. P was a hero to me, I remember him taking my hand and saying “I’m sorry you’ve been through so much, I’m going to make sure you get better.” He called his friend (an infectious disease specialist) and personally asked him to see me the next day. This was a positive change in my medical management. Together my two new doctors consulted cardiothoracic surgery to have the cavity in my lung removed.

On December 23, 2011 I had a large portion of my right lower lobe removed. The recovery was really tough but I felt infinitely better almost immediately. I remember my dad telling me, while I was still in the hospital, “Wow, you’ve already got your color back” - being hypoxic for two years will do wonders for achieving an off-green complexion!  Four weeks after surgery I was in the gym jogging for the first time in two years. That was also the same time I started studying for my MCAT. Even though I was still on medication and my scars were still healing from surgery, I could see my body returning to some semblance of what it once was before I got sick.

My disease has been a backdrop for the most important events in my life. In the two years that followed my surgery, I continued pushing through school, traveled, studied abroad, got married, and started medical school. Having being diagnosed with cocci when I was 18, I’ve grown into an adult with it by my side. It’s been a constant part of me and shaped my worldview. It has influenced the decisions I’ve made, inspired me, broken me, and challenged me. And, most importantly, it will always be a part of me.

And so, as of two weeks ago, I feel as if I have been given a second chance. I am no longer on my antifungals. Getting off my meds has been something I’ve wanted to do since my surgery, but my labs didn’t suggest that would be safe to do. My labs have been stable for a year and my doctor consulted with other Valley Fever specialists to come to the conclusion that it is worth trying to discontinue them given that I’ve been asymptomatic since my surgery. In reality, any symptoms I had experienced were all side-effects from high doses of my meds. From now on I’ll be getting labs drawn every 6 weeks to make sure it’s still safe.

I cannot explain how important and exciting it is for me to be coming off my meds. Taking my meds twice a day was a constant reminder that something was wrong. And when you do that for nearly six years, it becomes a part of your being. Physically, I’m looking forward to a few things: my hair growing back into it’s thick glory, my skin no longer being super dry, my nails getting strong, my hormone cycle getting back to normal, and giving my liver a much-deserved break. Mentally, I feel very blessed to have survived my worst days and look forward to making the most of my new healthy ones. Most importantly, I’m grateful to have a second chance to maintain my health and take care of my body. I am excited to start a new “healthy” chapter with my husband because he’s only ever known me when I’ve been sick or on medication. He pushes me to be healthy and make good choices, and I owe it to him and myself to live up to that.

Whether we are faced with difficulty or blessed with happiness, I’ve learned that everything is a temporary state and will end at some point. So it is important to recognize the lessons we are supposed to learn and use them as an opportunity to grow. Every chapter is a second chance at something, and I’ve learned to make the most of whichever one I’m in.

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Your daily life is your temple and your religion. When you enter into it take with you your all.                                 - Khalil Gibran

Hi everyone! I can’t believe I’ve taken a 5-day hiatus from posting here on the blog. I guess time really does fly when you’re busy. These days I’m finishing up my last block of second year while studying for boards. While my “dedicated” 6-week board study period won’t start until May 1st, I am still trying to get through all of the Step 1 material at least once before really diving in. Being in the midst of a crazy study schedule, it’s easy to get stressed without even realizing the toll your body and mind take. Self care is such an integral part of success but it is often overlooked. Learning to recognize high-stress levels and managing how you deal with it is a skill you learn only with experience. It’s all about knowing what works for you. So here are some tips on stress relief, prevention, and management especially for stressed-out students like myself!

Mindfulness. In our busy lives it is incredibly easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Our exams and goals consume our thoughts, and though they are essential on our path to academic / career success, they are part of a bigger whole. And nothing is more essential to that “whole” than the integrity of our inner peace. Mindfulness is a state of being present and calmly accepting life as it comes while remaining conscious and aware. Stress is a motivating factor if directed appropriately. As students it is important to acknowledge when we are stressed, and be able to direct that energy in a positive way. Whether that means re-organizing your study schedule or taking a day off, the main goal should be to take care of yourself holistically.

Environment. Setting up your study space to include as few distractions as possible is so important. That means putting your phone or other entertainment outlets out of reach, turned off, or in another room entirely. Minimizing distractions helps you study more efficiently and prevents you from wasting time that will amount to stress in the form of extra studying or re-reading something you didn’t focus on the first time around. Your physical location is also a big factor. I personally don’t like to study at the library and only rarely do so. Nevertheless, regardless of where I am - library or home study space - I make sure I have natural lighting near a window. Feeling “connected” to the outside world relaxes me and reduces my anxiety while spending countless hours confined to my desk! In terms of auditory stimulation I have found two wonderful resources. When I’m doing my “normal” intensity studying I like to listen to the sound of rain, since even classical music distracts me. I’ve used ambient mood sounds since undergrad and it really works for me. You can find other ambient mood sounds here. When I’m really focusing, like when I’m going through practice questions, I like to block out all sound using ear plugs. This is to simulate the conditions of taking Step 1 (or the MCAT) where noise-canceling devices are offered.

Breathing. More often than I’d like to admit I catch myself feeling what I would describe as “clouded.” And then I realize I’m not breathing properly. Breathing is something we do all day everyday, but did you know that it is one of our - if not the most - potent tools against stress? Focused breathing elicits what The American Institute of Stress calls the “Relaxation Response.” This is described as a state of deep rest that changes the physical and emotional responses to stress including: decreased heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and muscle tension. A list of mindful breathing exercises can be found here. My favorite is the 4-7-8 exercise, especially before bed when I’m trying to quiet my thoughts.

Exercise. We all know that exercise is vital to our health and well-being. On average you should be doing active, cardiovascular exercise for 150 minutes a week for maintenance of muscle mass and cardiovascular function. Engaging in exercises that you genuinely enjoy is key to maintaining a sustainable exercise regimen. Exercise can also be a wonderful source of stress relief, management and prevention! Our bodies are beautifully intricate machines that should be taken care of in order to function optimally. With my busy schedule I have found that studying while exercising is an excellent use of my time. Not only is it efficient but it actually helps me learn and retain things longer. I podcast my school lectures or watch Pathoma lectures on my iPad while working out on my elliptical for around 60 minutes Monday - Friday. Some days I don’t have to watch any lectures and I get to treat myself to Netflix while working out! If I had more time on my hands I would probably go to a few classes at the gym but since I don’t, this works for me and keeps me fit. It’s all about what works for you! Remember your body will only help you if you take care of it. Exercising meaningfully and regularly helps bring nutrients and oxygen to your brain and other organs, increases energy levels, and pushes you to make healthier choices everyday.

Hydration. If you’re ever feeling sluggish or just not well in general, chances are you’re dehydrated. Ensuring that you’re drinking enough water is vital to maintaining proper perfusion of your tissues - especially your brain! It will help you function better and think more clearly. Most of all, it will help you feel good and increase overall performance. Cutting out all non-water beverages is a great strategy. I’m not a coffee drinker myself but many students are. I personally drink lots...and lots, of green tea. But drinks like coffee and green tea contain caffeine, which is a diuretic (causes your body to lose water). One way to curb this is to drink an equivalent amount of water for every amount of coffee / tea on top of your required water intake for the day.

Nutrition. Your body functions only as well as the quality of food you nourish it with. I’ve always known that nutrition is the biggest part of maintaining a healthy body but it became even clearer after my first year of med school where I spent countless hours working on my group’s cadaver. I truly realized that the human body is strong, yet fragile. And it was absolutely astonishing to visualize the processed junk we put through our bodies expecting our tissues to bear such a burden without any consequences. Be mindful of the food you are putting in your body. Try not to eat things that are refined or have been extensively processed. I try to eat a more plant-based diet, high in protein, and low in saturated fats.

Quality time. I like to spend time with my husband whenever I can. Sometimes I’ll even take a day off from studying to hang out with him. He’s my best friend and spending time with him is always a stress reliever. I also get to vent about what’s bothering me or listen to him tell me about what he’s stressed about. Spending quality time with the one you love is a great way to get away from the stresses of studying and reminds you of what’s really important in life!

Limits.  Above all, preventing, relieving and managing stress is about knowing your limits. If you are feeling stressed, take a step back and assess what you could be doing to improve your situation or mindset so that you can deal with the stressful factors in a more meaningful, positive way. It’s all about giving yourself the best possible chance both physically and mentally.

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My life has been a series of checklists, each completed in a deliberate and timely manner. Ever since I can remember, my goal was to become a physician. It was a calling and an autonomous way to help those who need care and healing. I also knew that it required hard work, dedication, and planning. In middle school I knew I had to find a high-performing high school to attend. In high school I knew I had to do well to get scholarships to afford university. Starting university was one of the biggest chapters of my life, as I'm sure it is for many. I picked my majors, I performed to the best of my abilities, and I was really proud of my performance overall. My years in university are also where I discovered who I was, and envisioned the person I ultimately want to become. I've never allowed myself to take things slow - I've been on a path where things need to get done so that a bigger, better thing can happen. Thankfully, this approached has worked for me so far. I've completed the checklists needed to get me into medical school, so now as second year comes to a close I think to myself, "now what?"

You don't get to medical school, or other professional / graduate programs without being at least a little competitive. Whether it's an outward competitiveness or competing silently with your self, that competitive nature lies somewhere and its influence is undeniable. It pushes you to do better than before, and be better than you think you're capable of. But to get you to push yourself and grow there must be a drive beyond self-fulfillment, and that drive is uncertainty. The future is always uncertain to some degree, and this is what pushes us, at least me, to work harder to at least attempt to secure the future I want. Up until this point in my academic career, worth has been determined by test scores and grades. It's something I'm comfortable with. In two months, however, I take the most important test of my life - USMLE Step 1. An exam of this caliber is something that I'm not familiar with. The implications of my score go beyond a few numbers on a page - it can determine what specialties of medicine I can comfortably apply to. Though there are students who manage to match into competitive specialties with low Step 1 scores, they are the exception and definitely not the rule. Residency applications are all about numbers, this is something our attendings, student development staff, and mentors remind us of often. It is unfortunate that the individual applicant isn't evaluated holistically, but it's a numbers game and there's only one way to play.

The start of medical school is a clean slate where every student has the potential of pursuing whatever specialty they wish. Some of my classmates came into med school knowing exactly what specialty they wanted to pursue, and for many of them their initial interests still hold true. I, however, have a few interests but I'm not certain about any of them. And it is this uncertainty that pushes me into unfamiliar territory, and isn't comfortable. Nevertheless I know I have to do my absolute best on the boards to give myself the best chance. My biggest worry right now is falling in love with a specialty that my score isn't "worthy" of. And therein lies a whole other realm of what it means to feel "good enough," but that's a whole other topic perhaps for another day.

I know that the best approach to the boards is to do my best and not make any excuses. There's no use in worrying now since my efforts should be focused on these last two months of studying. In the end, there's never regret in knowing that you did your best.

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It’s spring break which means I actually have some time to relax even if it’s just for a few days! I’ve been craving brownies for months but J and I have been sticking to a healthier diet which means less grains, or in my case almost no grains, almost no sugar, and dining out less. We feel a lot healthier lately and have a lot more energy! But my craving for brownies is still going strong.

I recently found a few recipes for healthier brownies. I finally decided to try my own version and just see how it goes. I didn’t have any expectations but the results were phenomenal! You would never know these brownies are grain-free, dairy-free and free of processed sugar. They were soft, chewy, fudgy, and surprisingly filling - which means you’re satisfied after just one slice, imagine that! I definitely don’t call myself a “baker,” but these brownies were so easy that this is definitely a recipe I’ll keep making.

Ingredients:

1 10 oz. jar almond butter

1 cup of organic agave nectar

½ cup almond milk

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 organic eggs

½ cup of cocoa powder

1½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Optional: Avocado oil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F

2. Combine and blend almond butter, agave nectar, almond milk, vanilla, and eggs in a mixing bowl

4. Blend in cocoa, salt, and baking soda

5. Blend until smooth, it will be thick

6. Fold in chocolate chips - I used a spoon

7. Grease an 8x8 baking pan and pour batter in (I used avocado oil to grease, other oil works, too)

8. Bake for 40 minutes (for a 9x13 pan bake for 30-35 minutes)

Before pulling the pan from oven check to make sure they’re fully cooked by inserting a toothpick or thin knife, it will come out completely clean when ready. Allow the brownies to set until cool before serving.

Enjoy  !

For you ladies out there who have gotten an interview (congrats!) or are simply thinking ahead, another dilemma awaits you: what do you wear? You’ve probably read blogs or forums giving you the basics on interview attire for women. I, too, read these and was still pretty confused. Honestly I was a little jealous of how easy the guidelines were for men. So hopefully I can help with a few do’s and don’ts of what to wear to your med school interview.

Whether we like it or not, our first impression is important. A clean, put-together look is imperative. A look that isn’t professional or even worse, sloppy, will hurt you. A friend / classmate of mine and I were discussing this topic recently. She had been interviewing prospective students at one of our interview days and was shocked at how much the initial physical impression affected the rest of the interview. Your interviewer should not be distracted by your appearance. On the contrary, your first impression should be a positive one so that the rest of the interview can focus on what you’re saying, your strengths as a person, and why you’ll make a great future physician.

Dress professionally. You will likely end up wearing some kind of suit, either a pantsuit or a skirt suit. Whichever you choose doesn’t really matter as long as it suits your shape and you feel confident. East coast interviews tend to be more “traditional” and it is common knowledge that a skirt suit is preferred for women. Personally, I wore my pantsuit on my East coast interviews because I prefer them. Bottom line: pick a suit style that fits your personal style and comfort level - you’re going to look great regardless. Great places to look are Dillards, Macy’s, Express, Banana Republic, J Crew. I got mine from Express, similar here. Although I chose to wear a black suit, other colors are options as well. As long as you keep it simple, grays and dark blues can look amazing.

                 

As far as a blouse is concerned, choose a color that won’t be distracting. Most people opt for white. I personally chose a white silk blouse with black lining. In retrospect, I wish I had worn a color that I liked instead of what I thought was expected.  However, if you know you look amazing in a more bold color go for it. You can always maintain a professional look while staying true to your personal style.

Heels. Even if you’re an expert in walking in heels, try to keep your heels under 3.5 inches. You will likely be walking a lot during your interview day and you want to be as comfortable as possible. Remember, you want to be your best that day and painful heels will definitely distract you. I loved the heels I wore on all of my interviews, but made the mistake of not breaking them in before my very first interview. It was awful - so many blisters! I wore them to all of my interviews and still use them for clinics or conferences. Investing in a good quality heel will pay off in comfort, style, and longevity.

Flats + Wedges. Though heels are more common along the interview trail, flats are certainly a great alternative. To be honest, half way through most interviews I was pretty jealous of the other interviewees in flats or wedges. If you do choose to wear flats with pants make sure the pants are short enough so they won’t be dragging under your shoes.

Hair + Nails. Keeping your hair simple is key. If your hair is long or you find that it gets in your face often, consider pulling it back into a ponytail, bun, or half-up. I have pretty long hair that falls in my face so a half-up style worked best for me, and kept me from messing with it. Nails are another area where simplicity pays off. A clean, trimmed set of nails goes a long way. If you choose to wear nail polish, go for clear or quieter colors.

Makeup. Less is definitely more when it comes to makeup. Makeup routines vary so much from person to person so it’s completely up to you what products you decide to use, but the overall goal is to be natural, put-together and clean. A fresh face, some mascara and subtle lip will go a long way. If you’re looking for inspiration, there are thousands of tutorials on YouTube, like this one.

What you wear on your interview is all about being able to feel comfortable and confident. Once you’re offered an interview you are that much closer to an acceptance. It’s a time to show why you’ll make a great fit, so it's important to make a lasting impression. It’s also important to stay true to your personal style because buying pieces that you’ll be able to use in the future is so important, especially since we are all poor students with crippling debt :). Overall, don’t let anything on your interview day distract your interviewers from what is really important: you.

Happy Sunday, everyone!

This was a very busy week for me. On top of block and board studying, I attended a conference where I presented my current research. It was my first conference and it was an oral presentation so it was definitely a bit stressful. It went well, however, and I really enjoyed getting to spend some time with my friends who also got to present. As a med student you know that your peers are smart, but you forget how brilliant they are sometimes. Watching my friends present their incredible research was really exciting. It was also really fun to spend some time at the beach (because we tried to study there but obviously couldn’t get a whole lot done, lol).

In late January we had submitted our preferences for our third year clerkship schedules. Third year clerkships or “rotations” are where you get to use all of the endless information you acquired your first two years of med school and apply it to the clinical setting. It’s also a time where you solidify what your interests are and what specialty you’ll choose to pursue. On top of all of the fun exploratory stuff, you still have to perform at your best in order to be evaluated highly and be worthy of your attendings’ letters of recommendation for residency applications. That sounds like a lot, but I’m really looking forward to it. After all, I’ve been in a lecture-based setting my whole life and this is the next step towards becoming a physician.

My school offered a choice of 16 pre-arranged “tracks” that we could choose from. We were asked to rank all 16 tracks and then submit our list in order for a lottery to be run. It was rather stressful because clerkship order is important, and getting a track that you weren’t totally fond of wouldn’t great, though you could certainly make it work. The only piece of advice that we were given is to make sure what you’re interested in is not first or last. That still leaves a lot of questions. I scoured the internet for other med student blogs that might offer insight on what the “best schedule” was, but it varied. I also asked a few of my friends that are residents or current third/fourth years. I found this resource to be the most helpful.

Though I don’t know exactly specialty I’m set on, I have a few that I’m interested in: surgery, peds, ob/gyn - in that order. With that I was able to look for tracks that would keep these three somewhere in the middle and definitely not first/last. I had also been told that in order to do well on on the surgery shelf exam, a strong background in internal med is a great starting point. I know for sure that I’m not interested in internal med as a career, and since it is so fundamental for success in other rotations I decided to place internal med first.

A few of my friends and I submitted the same rank orders since we know we would work well together and also have similar interests. And lucky for us we ended up with our first choice!



As far as subsurgical specialty choices I’m leaning heavily towrads Ortho. I’ve had exposure to the fireld through an ortho elective and find it surprisingly interesting. We also have the option to choose a hospital setting or a private practice setting for a few clerkships. I’m considering doing ob/gyn in private practice because my friend (who is now an ob/gyn intern) had such a great experience doing that. Also, ob/gyn tends to be more of a malignant experience for medical students at my institution’s hospital so private practice seems like a better choice for me, especially if I’m looking to learn a lot and be an active member of the care team.

I’m so excited to start clerkships this June. I’m also looking forward to sharing my experiences regularly through this blog since insight into the clerkship experience online is pretty bleak.

Have a great week!

The first day of my last semester of second year is tomorrow, and though I'll miss the first two days for travel I'm still anxious and excited. The first year and a half of med school has felt like a sprint and a marathon all wrapped up into one giant package of facts and pictures. All of this knowledge is now supposed to be used to perform well on the USMLE Step 1 board exam this coming June. With two fairly "easy blocks" to start the year followed by 6 weeks of dedicated boards study time, this semester is basically six months of preparation for the biggest test of my life. No big deal.

Oddly enough, last night I had a stress dream about starting clerkships. I was wearing a long skirt with a ridiculous pattern, my white coat, and those stark white new balance sneakers that senior citizens love. Despite my horrifying outfit, I spent the whole dream wandering around the hospital and surrounding areas looking for my stethoscope. The dream was a bit unexpected because I've actually been looking forward to starting clerkships since the first day of med school - it will mark the end of the basic science curriculum and my transition into actually seeing patients everyday for the rest of my life. In retrospect, I think the dream may have stemmed from the fact that the next six months will be a haze of intense studying, and the start of third year is the "light" at the end of the Step 1 tunnel.

January will be an especially busy time as I and others in my class pass our clinic coordinator positions onto the first years. "Extracurricular" activities take on a whole new meaning in med school compared to undergrad. As a premed you can basically be a part of any random club and participate as little or as much as you want, but as a med student you ARE that club or clinic and that means phone calls, coordinating people and times, and dedicating extra time to the success of the organization. I also have just a few weeks to prepare an oral presentation for a research conference at the end of the month. I've never presented at a conference before, so an oral presentation is pretty daunting. Luckily, a few of my good friends are going as well so it should be lots of fun.

I've learned a lot about myself since the first day of med school. And even though studying for step 1 sounds impossible, I'm excited to see what I'm capable of. If you're a premed reading this, remember to approach undergrad one semester at a time and to make those semesters count, because those study habits and drive will be something you can build on in med school and beyond. I hope everyone out there has an amazing semester!

On that note, I'd like to introduce my son, Melo:

 

Current location: Baden, Switzerland

I have a December birthday and since I have the best husband ever, he showered me with amazing gifts (as usual) and planned a winter break trip to Europe for us. We've both had crazy semesters - he finished his masters and worked full-time at his firm, while I was in school. Now that he's a full-fledged engineer and I'm in my second year of med school it's crazy to think that this exact time in our lives is something we would fantasize about when we met just a few years ago. A trip to Europe was the obvious choice: my sister-in-law and her husband live in Switzerland and they're awesome // my husband and I have had many, many layovers in Europe but neither of us has ever actually traveled here. This trip was definitely a chance to see something completely new together.

We arrived in Switzerland a couple of days before Christmas, and I was absolutely stunned at how beautiful it is. I've been to my fair share of countries, but this is definitely the prettiest place I've ever seen. I wish I could take the landscape, infrastructure, and policy home with me. I'm also impressed with the emphasis on health and well-being. Coming from the US where obesity is rampant it's so refreshing to see a population of healthy, active people. In that vein, we went on a 6-mile hike and it was breathtaking - literally. Though we only got to explore areas around Zürich, the whole landscape was gorgeous.  I can't wait to bring our future children to see their future Swiss cousins :).

About a week into our stay, we took a day trip to Konstanz, Germany. It was a really charming place. And though we didn’t get to see Lake Constance before dark because we spent the better part of the afternoon searching for an authentic German restaurant, we ended up having the best spaetzle ever so it was okay.

Paris was an incredible, unique and memorable experience all on its own. We arrived the night of the 30th and spent the 31st sight-seeing before welcoming the New Year. The celebrations in downtown Paris were a jumble of chaos, joy, and more people than I had ever seen at once.

Before leaving back to Switzerland we visited Les Catacombes de Paris, which are underground ossuaries holding the remains of an estimated six million people. If you’re not familiar with the history please look it up, as I’m sure I cannot do it justice. The catacombs are gorgeous works of art wherein the macabre essence of death is juxtaposed against the romantic art formed solely of human bone.  Along the walkways, the walls of remains are delicately built in a deliberate, stable manner: two feet of humeri, a line of skulls, topped by a pile of femurs. While there, I thought a lot about being in the cadaver lab during my first year of med school. I remember working on "Agnes", my group's cadaver, for hours on end. I remember accidentally holding her hand while moving her arm once and experiencing the weirdest feeling I've honestly ever felt. The sensation of a hand hold isn't necessarily a uniquely human experience, but the emotions triggered therein certainly are. When cutting into inches of fat and shiny fascia it's easy to forget that the body you're picking apart was once a lover, a friend, a parent, a sibling. It's probably also protective to our own psyches to ignore those aspects of a past life. But as I walked through the resting place of those more than six million remains I tried my best to acknowledge their humanity, as well as my own mortality.

Travel has a funny way of making the world seem bigger and smaller at the same time. Smaller in that you can actually point to a place on the map and say you've been there - you've made memories there! But also bigger in the sense that there are an overwhelming number of things you have yet to discover, people to meet, languages to learn, places to see. It also makes you think of how privileged you are and how grateful you should be to see the world. Most importantly, it keeps you open-minded, accepting, and seeking new adventures. I’m truly grateful to have been able to travel during this winter break and even more thankful to have spent it with my husband. It really is something special to share experiences with your best friend. I’ve included some pictures below :).

fisibach, switzerland 

passerelle léopold-sédar-Senghor

As a follow up to my previous post about the traditional interview format, I'll be discussing the multiple mini interview format and some advice for those who have been invited to an MMI. I’ll be going over a few points of advice as well as anecdotes from my own MMI experiences.

The MMI was developed initially by the Michael DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University in Canada in order to increase the reliability that the interview is an accurate indicator in evaluating a candidate, and to address two problems:  

1. The critique that the traditional interview format was a poor predictor for performance in med school.


2. The candidate’s ability to demonstrate non-academic skills like professionalism, ethical and moral judgment, as well as social skills.

The MMI process goes something like this: You will have a set number of mini interviews, though the number varies by institution. Before entering the room you will get a question/scenario and approximately 2 minutes to prepare an approach or response to the prompt. Once inside, you will have a short exchange with the interviewer (could be a med student, professor, actor, other) for 8 minutes. Sometimes you will be in a room with just the assessor, or in a room with an assessor and an actor, or sometimes a second assessor will be behind a partition like a double-sided mirror or video feed. I know this sounds stressful, but don't worry because it will go by so fast you will only have time to think about your response and not really anything else. Once the 8 minutes is over, the assessor will evaluate your performance while you wait at the next station. The entire cycle is repeated until all the stations are complete, which usually takes about 2 hours give or take. You will also have at least one "rest" station where there will be water, snacks and a chair to sit in - make sure you drink the water, you'll definitely need it from all the talking.

I participated in two MMI interviews along my interview trail. I was even more nervous about this format than the traditional interviews, especially since the questions are unpredictable. In general the questions touched on ethics, critical thinking, communication skills, and policy affecting health and society.

My first MMI was relatively standard: 9 stations including one rest station, two scenarios with "actors" where I had to solve a communication barrier or counsel a fellow "student," and the rest were either ethics or critical thinking-based. My second MMI was LONG - 18 stations, including 2 rest stations! This was by far the most tired I've ever been after an interview. It was also my most interesting. This one had about 4 traditional questions, 3 "acting" situations with a person watching behind a double-sided mirror, and a medley of other questions that I can't remember. Now I'm no expert on the MMI but I've been through a couple myself and seen many others. Here are a few things I recommend.

1. The one thing you can read to prepare for the MMI is a review of medical ethics, because you will undoubtedly encounter at least one of these questions. These questions will center around the four cardinal tenets of medical ethics: autonomy, justice, beneficence, non-maleficence. Whether you understand the concepts fully or not, it will be in your best interest to at least have an idea. I read this overview by the World Medical Association before my interviews: www.wma.net/en/30publications/30ethicsmanual/pdf/ethics_manual_en.pdf. It's a worthwhile resource that has a few case studies. Plus it's something that you'll use throughout your medical career.

2. Use the two minutes outside the room as efficiently as you can. Use the prompt to pull from your own experiences and opinions because answering the prompt directly will only take up a few minutes, and you’ll need to fill the rest of the time with other talking points.

3. Stay calm and collected. The two minutes while you wait outside the room preparing your answer will feel like an eternity and the shortest two minutes of your life all at the same time. The other eight minutes will feel the same. The worst part, for me at least, was that the assessor/interviewer won't give you any clues on how you're doing - they will maintain relatively the same composure and tone. So you have to find ways to speak confidently while remaining calm.

4. Be prepared for odd prompts or scenarios. I had two unexpected scenarios. The first was a an actor that played the part of a mentally disabled teen that needed me to teach him how to tie his shoelaces. It was pretty challenging especially because the actor’s role was to get very frustrated and verbally upset during the process. I couldn’t have prepared for this scenario at all other than remembering to stay calm, act with kindness and do my best to keep “teaching” him how to tie his shoes. The other odd scenario was a biostats question. The worst part was that halfway through the eight minutes the assessor showed up and walked me through my mistakes. The biggest piece of advice when it comes to weird or unexpected prompts is to take it all in stride and make it obvious that you’re trying your best.

5. Be compassionate. The MMI is designed to better predict a candidate’s performance in med school and beyond. This includes being a compassionate physician that embodies the spirit of empathy and service. If a prompt suggest something along those lines, go with it - show them how human you are.

6. Be absolutely genuine. I suppose the fast pace of the MMI probably does a better job of “weeding out” most of the false personas that the traditional interview can’t. Even if it is through prompts and scenarios, the MMI is the place for you to sell yourself and show why you will make a good fit for the school so why not be yourself?

Good luck. :)