So, the moment after my last post (while I was using my husbands' school computer), his laptop crashed as well. Oops! The previous day, he had spent 12 hours making online flashcards. All a week before his big test. He didn't get upset as much as I thought he would (or as much as I would) and stayed pretty calm saying things like "I don't know why I this upset. It's not like I don't have my books and can't study." I was pretty proud of him for having that attitude (partly because I know I would have been a basketcase). We found out that the port where you use the charger was broken from the inside and would remain dead. Remember when I did that post about what computer you should have for medical school? And how if you get the recommended laptop, the school's IT department will fix it free of charge. Totally worth it!! He went in Monday morning, they fixed it in about an hour, and that was it. If it was any other laptop, it would have been shipped away and then shipped back and would have cost us a lot of money. He probably wouldn't have gotten it back in time for his exam either.
I am not going to lie, I was kind of hoping something eventually would happen to his laptop and we would rely on IT so that we could confirm we made the right decision in paying more for the recommended laptop. Glad everything turned out ok and the students are busy studying their 45 lectures for this Infectious Disease block tomorrow. Wishing everyone the best of luck!
Showing posts with label Test Weeks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Test Weeks. Show all posts
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Computer
Buying a laptop for medical school... The school will probably suggest the recommended laptop that will cost about about $1000 - $1500. Should you buy it or stick with the one you already have?
The reason the school suggests this particular laptop is because it prepares you for the one that you will have in residency, apparently (not sure if that is 100% true, since he isn't to residency yet). Because the school recommends a particular laptop, the IT department will fix it whenever you are having any issues, free of charge. A pretty sweet deal, huh? However, if you bring IT a laptop that is not the recommended they will not be able to fix it for you and you are stuck running around finding a place that will or buying a whole new computer. I can't tell you how many students I see freak out about computer issues (and I don't blame them). It's the week of a test and their computer no longer turns on, they have no access to their notes and can no longer study at home and have to study in front of a desktop at school, on top of that worrying about getting the laptop fixed. Can you say stressful and bad timing? I have seen that 3 times in the past 2 months and I'm sure there are more out there. If you have the recommended laptop, take it to IT and you can have their loaner laptop in the meantime. Pretty stress free.
There are only a handful of students who actually bought the recommended (my husband being one of them). And there are plenty of students who do just fine without it. But when a problem does arise, it's comforting to know that you are taken care of.
With that being said, students who have macs have one slight advantage over others. But not big enough to make a huge difference. Tests are given through a particular software that shuts down your computer when the test is downloaded. It essentially shuts it down and opens only the testing program so you do not have access to internet or any other documents while taking your exam. Mac users shutdown and restart in the blink of an eye. While others, go through the normal shut down process and are waiting. Like I said, not a huge difference because everyone finishes at a different time anyways, but Mac users are finished with a few questions before others even start.
Just some things to think about when weighing your options. $1500 is a lot of money for a med-student, but so is freaking out before a test and having to pay another couple hundred to get yours fixed.
The reason the school suggests this particular laptop is because it prepares you for the one that you will have in residency, apparently (not sure if that is 100% true, since he isn't to residency yet). Because the school recommends a particular laptop, the IT department will fix it whenever you are having any issues, free of charge. A pretty sweet deal, huh? However, if you bring IT a laptop that is not the recommended they will not be able to fix it for you and you are stuck running around finding a place that will or buying a whole new computer. I can't tell you how many students I see freak out about computer issues (and I don't blame them). It's the week of a test and their computer no longer turns on, they have no access to their notes and can no longer study at home and have to study in front of a desktop at school, on top of that worrying about getting the laptop fixed. Can you say stressful and bad timing? I have seen that 3 times in the past 2 months and I'm sure there are more out there. If you have the recommended laptop, take it to IT and you can have their loaner laptop in the meantime. Pretty stress free.
There are only a handful of students who actually bought the recommended (my husband being one of them). And there are plenty of students who do just fine without it. But when a problem does arise, it's comforting to know that you are taken care of.
With that being said, students who have macs have one slight advantage over others. But not big enough to make a huge difference. Tests are given through a particular software that shuts down your computer when the test is downloaded. It essentially shuts it down and opens only the testing program so you do not have access to internet or any other documents while taking your exam. Mac users shutdown and restart in the blink of an eye. While others, go through the normal shut down process and are waiting. Like I said, not a huge difference because everyone finishes at a different time anyways, but Mac users are finished with a few questions before others even start.
Just some things to think about when weighing your options. $1500 is a lot of money for a med-student, but so is freaking out before a test and having to pay another couple hundred to get yours fixed.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Some people just don't understand
Sometimes we are reminded how much people do not understand what StuDoc is going through and the sacrifices he makes. Friends and family will probably be adjusting for quite sometime. Some people think he's rude, a bad friend, or cheap. So here's an opportunity to clarify...
1. On MANY occasions I find out that when we go to bed he literally does not know what day it is. And then starts the guessing game and it still takes a while for him to guess right. I'm always shocked when this happens. This is my reminder of how stressed he really is.
2. He only has one free weekend in a whole month to visit with friends and his family, get things done, or have 24 hours straight of relaxation.
3. People will think he's rude for not responding quickly.
4. If he took the time to message, call, or visit with you - you're at the top of his list.
5. Don't be offended if I plan something on his behalf - he asked me to.
6. If we leave some place early, it's because he needs to go to bed so we can wake up around 4:30/5am to start studying.
7. When we decline an invitation, sometimes it's simply because we just didn't budget for it.
8. Sometimes he forgets that talking about digging out the intestines with a spoon on his cadaver is NOT dinner table topic. Again, don't be offended, just change the subject.
9. He's constantly changing his study habits (studying in a group, studying by himself, studying in the morning, studying at night). This is because he's constantly trying to improve. So if your trying to adapt to his schedule and trying to know when he's awake, it's pointless. One week he goes to bed at 10 and the next week he goes to bed at 3am and some weeks he takes naps during the day.
10. Some people think he fell off the face of the earth. I guess that's a good assumption for now.
It breaks my heart watching him go through all of these because I know how hard he works and the sacrifices he makes. Trust me, he'd rather be sitting on a couch with a beer watching football on a Saturday than at a cold lonely library. Encourage him. I think it's always important for him to be reminded of life outside of medical school. It keeps him grounded.
I am happy to say that all of his hard work and sacrifices payed off for CPM1! I am so proud!! :)
On his way to CPM2...
1. On MANY occasions I find out that when we go to bed he literally does not know what day it is. And then starts the guessing game and it still takes a while for him to guess right. I'm always shocked when this happens. This is my reminder of how stressed he really is.
2. He only has one free weekend in a whole month to visit with friends and his family, get things done, or have 24 hours straight of relaxation.
3. People will think he's rude for not responding quickly.
4. If he took the time to message, call, or visit with you - you're at the top of his list.
5. Don't be offended if I plan something on his behalf - he asked me to.
6. If we leave some place early, it's because he needs to go to bed so we can wake up around 4:30/5am to start studying.
7. When we decline an invitation, sometimes it's simply because we just didn't budget for it.
8. Sometimes he forgets that talking about digging out the intestines with a spoon on his cadaver is NOT dinner table topic. Again, don't be offended, just change the subject.
9. He's constantly changing his study habits (studying in a group, studying by himself, studying in the morning, studying at night). This is because he's constantly trying to improve. So if your trying to adapt to his schedule and trying to know when he's awake, it's pointless. One week he goes to bed at 10 and the next week he goes to bed at 3am and some weeks he takes naps during the day.
10. Some people think he fell off the face of the earth. I guess that's a good assumption for now.
It breaks my heart watching him go through all of these because I know how hard he works and the sacrifices he makes. Trust me, he'd rather be sitting on a couch with a beer watching football on a Saturday than at a cold lonely library. Encourage him. I think it's always important for him to be reminded of life outside of medical school. It keeps him grounded.
I am happy to say that all of his hard work and sacrifices payed off for CPM1! I am so proud!! :)
On his way to CPM2...
Thursday, September 15, 2011
A Celebration of Knowledge
One of the Doctors informed us during orientation that he likes to call his tests "a celebtration of knowledge." I'd like to think I would have done even better on tests in college if the professors called them a celebration of knowledge!
What are medical school tests like?
6-8 hours long
2-3 parts (biochem, histo, anatomy)
just one part is 200 questions
and another part is timed
one test every two weeks
the first test average was a 74
3 level questions
we've met a few people who admit they don't know how to study because they never had to try hard in undergrad and made A's and failed their first medschool test
during orientation, they say your StuDoc will be trying to absorb the amount of information equivalent to trying to drink from a fire hose.
This makes me cringe when I think of taking a test like that every 2 weeks! I keep finding myself saying things like "better you than me!" and "there's a reason why I'm not in medschool!"
Last test, he got sick. Sick to the point where he was coughing all night and it took him a while to go to sleep, and that was after getting home at 1am from the library. I felt so bad for him and was bringing him more medicine to the library every night. Luckily, he did well on his test and got to rest and get better over the weekend to start studying for the next test. Rule number 1: no time for getting sick!!
This week he is taking his 3rd test (I mean celebration of knowledge!) and he is showing his true colors, as in his competitiveness is coming out full fledged! Of course, he only shows this side to me. As I write this, I actually just got a text from him saying two girls just ran out of the anatomy lab bawling because they are so stressed out :( I always feel so bad for them because I know that would be me if I were in their shoes!
Everyone in med school is smart, that's how you got in. But the people that do well are the ones that know how to study and are self motivated and determined. You will also hear Doctors during orientation say how medical school is not only to learn the material, but learn how to do well under pressure, with no sleep, and be able to balance your life all for when you are an M.D.
After this test, the next one falls on my birthday! Yay!! (not!) This is supposedly the hardest test of the semester because it's the end of the first block. Awesome. All the other tests were on a Friday, but this one is on a Monday. I've heard some people say they like tests on Monday and some prefer Friday. If it's on Friday - Pro: you have the weekend to relax Con: you are studying last weeks material and what you are learning that day in class. If it's on a Monday - Pro: you have all weekend to catch up and study Con: say goodbye to fun weekends mister! Which means no celebrating my birthday for us that weekend. But don't worry, I already have a long-time-needed girls weekend planned. Good for me and gives him more time to study without feeling guilty! Can't wait!! :)
What are medical school tests like?
6-8 hours long
2-3 parts (biochem, histo, anatomy)
just one part is 200 questions
and another part is timed
one test every two weeks
the first test average was a 74
3 level questions
we've met a few people who admit they don't know how to study because they never had to try hard in undergrad and made A's and failed their first medschool test
during orientation, they say your StuDoc will be trying to absorb the amount of information equivalent to trying to drink from a fire hose.
This makes me cringe when I think of taking a test like that every 2 weeks! I keep finding myself saying things like "better you than me!" and "there's a reason why I'm not in medschool!"
Last test, he got sick. Sick to the point where he was coughing all night and it took him a while to go to sleep, and that was after getting home at 1am from the library. I felt so bad for him and was bringing him more medicine to the library every night. Luckily, he did well on his test and got to rest and get better over the weekend to start studying for the next test. Rule number 1: no time for getting sick!!
This week he is taking his 3rd test (I mean celebration of knowledge!) and he is showing his true colors, as in his competitiveness is coming out full fledged! Of course, he only shows this side to me. As I write this, I actually just got a text from him saying two girls just ran out of the anatomy lab bawling because they are so stressed out :( I always feel so bad for them because I know that would be me if I were in their shoes!
Everyone in med school is smart, that's how you got in. But the people that do well are the ones that know how to study and are self motivated and determined. You will also hear Doctors during orientation say how medical school is not only to learn the material, but learn how to do well under pressure, with no sleep, and be able to balance your life all for when you are an M.D.
After this test, the next one falls on my birthday! Yay!! (not!) This is supposedly the hardest test of the semester because it's the end of the first block. Awesome. All the other tests were on a Friday, but this one is on a Monday. I've heard some people say they like tests on Monday and some prefer Friday. If it's on Friday - Pro: you have the weekend to relax Con: you are studying last weeks material and what you are learning that day in class. If it's on a Monday - Pro: you have all weekend to catch up and study Con: say goodbye to fun weekends mister! Which means no celebrating my birthday for us that weekend. But don't worry, I already have a long-time-needed girls weekend planned. Good for me and gives him more time to study without feeling guilty! Can't wait!! :)
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Brain Food
Mr. Competitive wanted to know what he should eat the night before and morning of his tests. So we did a little research online.
Salmon and Sardines - Omega-3
Spinach, black beans, and blueberries - also good antioxidants
Cranberries - reduce brain cell damage after a stroke
Folic Acid - prevents aging diseases like Parkinsons and Alzheimers
Curry - can help prevent Alzheimers
Chocolate/cacao beans- has the most antioxidants {don't tell my mother!! haha, this is an ongoing argument in our family!}
Green tea (matcha) - what Japanese monks would use for 12 hour meditation, good for memory and focus
Acai berries - protect the brain from stress, improve learning capacity
Coffee beans - good antioxidants, reduces mental decline, prevent Alzheimers
Walnuts - Vitamin E
Avocados - helps with a healthy blood flow (healthy brain)
Pomegranate Juice - good antioxidants {and my dad is cheering!}
Eggs - choline, good for memory
WebMD article
BrainReady
Check out my new grocery list:
Salmon and Sardines - Omega-3
Spinach, black beans, and blueberries - also good antioxidants
Cranberries - reduce brain cell damage after a stroke
Folic Acid - prevents aging diseases like Parkinsons and Alzheimers
Curry - can help prevent Alzheimers
Chocolate/cacao beans- has the most antioxidants {don't tell my mother!! haha, this is an ongoing argument in our family!}
Green tea (matcha) - what Japanese monks would use for 12 hour meditation, good for memory and focus
Acai berries - protect the brain from stress, improve learning capacity
Coffee beans - good antioxidants, reduces mental decline, prevent Alzheimers
Walnuts - Vitamin E
Avocados - helps with a healthy blood flow (healthy brain)
Pomegranate Juice - good antioxidants {and my dad is cheering!}
Eggs - choline, good for memory
WebMD article
BrainReady
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