Sunday, February 12, 2012
Medical School Terminology: Anki
Anki - virtual flashcards; saves time; saves trees; and great for identifying pictures.
http://ankisrs.net/
Almost all the students use this program and is a big help to them when studying. Instead of spending money on thousands and thousands of notecards for each test, having them scattered around the house, trying to keep track of them all, and spending your precious time making each of them, you can essentially make them on the computer. It is useful for when they can copy and paste a picture or slide on to the flashcard and can identify images. You can keep track of which ones you are still unsure of and it will appear again at the end. You can save all of the flashcards and reuse them to study for the board exam.
Something the students can't live without!
http://ankisrs.net/
Almost all the students use this program and is a big help to them when studying. Instead of spending money on thousands and thousands of notecards for each test, having them scattered around the house, trying to keep track of them all, and spending your precious time making each of them, you can essentially make them on the computer. It is useful for when they can copy and paste a picture or slide on to the flashcard and can identify images. You can keep track of which ones you are still unsure of and it will appear again at the end. You can save all of the flashcards and reuse them to study for the board exam.
Something the students can't live without!
Laptops crashing everywhere...
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!
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!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Overdue Post
Sorry for skipping out on the month of January... our laptop crashed and so I have been without a computer. Hubby won't share his school laptop. He keeps saying "i have to study, i have to study" blah blah blah! Just kidding. This is actually a really hard block for them (infectious diseases) and they have their hardest test (minus the USMLE) a week from tomorrow. Basically, the students are saying we didn't know how easy we had it last semester. Can you imagine?
Let's do a recap - Christmas was great! We went to my in laws and spent a few days there. It was nice to get away out to the hill country/lake. Next we headed up to Oklahoma to visit my grandparents and meet my parents, brother, and sister-in-law. So glad we decided to do that because we really don't get to see them often. My grandma just turned 93 and my grandpa just turned 89 and they're hanging in there just fine. Hubby always says I'm going to live forever because he believes a large part of living a long life is your genes. We'll see!
I was able to get start our married group when we got back from the break. We went out to dinner (both students and spouses) and it was great to meet everyone. Instead of doing dinner once a month, I decided that wasn't fair to take away everyone's one free weekend out of the month. So we will probably meet about two-three times a semester. Everyone really enjoyed it and was thankful it was put together. I think it's something that everyone needed. The class does little get-togethers, but most consist of the younger crowds and resemble a college party - which doesn't really appeal to people who have 5 kids, 3 kids, or a toddler at home. Once we get better acquainted, I am hoping that the spouse-wives can meet more often. Once the new year starts, we'll add on the incoming students and spouses too. Looking forward to it and the friendships that will be made!
Funny Story: this week we had to miss our Wednesday small group. The group leader texted my husband the next day saying something like we missed you guys. He responded "yeah, sorry i was giving a breast exam" Our group leader responded saying "that's the most awkward reason he has ever gotten and hilarious" Another reminder that the things that he does and say just aren't normal to other people. haha. We got a pretty good laugh at it.
For now, things are moving pretty slow around here compared to the holiday season. Hopefully we can get our laptop fixed soon and I'll be able to keep you all better updated...
Let's do a recap - Christmas was great! We went to my in laws and spent a few days there. It was nice to get away out to the hill country/lake. Next we headed up to Oklahoma to visit my grandparents and meet my parents, brother, and sister-in-law. So glad we decided to do that because we really don't get to see them often. My grandma just turned 93 and my grandpa just turned 89 and they're hanging in there just fine. Hubby always says I'm going to live forever because he believes a large part of living a long life is your genes. We'll see!
I was able to get start our married group when we got back from the break. We went out to dinner (both students and spouses) and it was great to meet everyone. Instead of doing dinner once a month, I decided that wasn't fair to take away everyone's one free weekend out of the month. So we will probably meet about two-three times a semester. Everyone really enjoyed it and was thankful it was put together. I think it's something that everyone needed. The class does little get-togethers, but most consist of the younger crowds and resemble a college party - which doesn't really appeal to people who have 5 kids, 3 kids, or a toddler at home. Once we get better acquainted, I am hoping that the spouse-wives can meet more often. Once the new year starts, we'll add on the incoming students and spouses too. Looking forward to it and the friendships that will be made!
Funny Story: this week we had to miss our Wednesday small group. The group leader texted my husband the next day saying something like we missed you guys. He responded "yeah, sorry i was giving a breast exam" Our group leader responded saying "that's the most awkward reason he has ever gotten and hilarious" Another reminder that the things that he does and say just aren't normal to other people. haha. We got a pretty good laugh at it.
For now, things are moving pretty slow around here compared to the holiday season. Hopefully we can get our laptop fixed soon and I'll be able to keep you all better updated...
Monday, December 19, 2011
*Merry Christmas*
Merry Christmas!!!
Here is a summary of all the changes we have encountered this year. Some of you may be confused that you didn't receive a card from Fort Worth. Well, that is because there was a quick change of plans and we moved about 2 weeks before school started. I think, so far, that was the most stressful time of my life. Everything was last minute, moving twice in 1 month, and we didn't know what to expect (and well that's just not my style). But some amazing people chipped in and made the move possible for us and we will forever be grateful. We feel at home in our new city and have been making lots of friends. It's comforting to know that we trusted God, even though we were too scared to leap, and are where we are supposed to be for the next four years of our lives.
The BIGGEST change this year was the husband starting medical school, which made the headline on our christmas cards. He has done sooo well in school and I am so proud of him! At first it was hard for us to adjust to this small town as well as the medical lifestyle (we've had some funny stories). Now the terminology is becoming a norm for us and he has to be careful about what he talks about in public. It took some time to get used to the schedule of a medical student, which changes weekly for him. It is crazy what you become accustomed to. I am thankful that in all this mess, my husband notices and appreciates the sacrifices we are having to make as a family. But it hasn't been all that bad - I planned for the worst and its not as bad as I expected. I got a new job! I am doing Faculty Development for the Health Science Center. It was definitely God's timing and I'm happy to begin my career in professional development and look forward to the opportunities in the future. I have also started a group that will begin the first week of the new year for all the spouses in medical school. I look forward to getting to know some new girls who are going through the same ups and downs that we are.
For thanksgiving, we headed to Santa Fe and spent the long weekend with my parents and brother and sister-in-law. This time with them was long overdue and our first time to see their new place! My parents absolutely love it there and are having a blast. We look forward to many more vacations there. StuDocs have 2 weeks off after they finish their NBME exam and I have a whole week off! Woohoo! I am so excited to get things done (get organized and caught up on laundry). There is a 'honey-to-do-list' that's been building up the past few months too. I got us some Nutcracker tickets for this week and we will be having Christmas at his parents. We are looking forward to the family time and the downtime to be a normal couple until "Infectious Diseases" starts next semester.
I hope that the holidays treat you and your loved ones well! Count your blessings, count them one by one. Count your blessings, and see what God has done!
Merry Christmas and see you in the New Year!
Love,
C&W
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Christmas Parties
Our schedules have been packed! We have had every night scheduled (except for 1 or 2 nights during the week) for the past 3 weeks. If I have to wear another tacky sweater or buy/receive another white elephant gift I might die - Just kidding! It's been so much fun being surrounded by friends, making new ones, and enjoying the holidays.
At my old job, the girls were sweet enough to still include me in their secret santa exchange. So I have been waking up at 7:30 on Mondays to go and drop my gift off each week so they hopefully won't notice it's the one girl that doesn't work there anymore! We have that dinner next week for the big reveal and gift card exchange.
Our Couples Community at church planned a big night where we ordered Fazolis and did a 30 person or so white elephant gift exchange. We brought some ice trays in the shape of Texas and a digital coin counter. Both which were stolen! We came home with some beautiful mugs and 2 books. Woops! Some funny gifts exchanged were: a bug zapper, a gnome statue that was mooning, a stuffed animal dog that barked and farted, toilet paper, boxers, ...
Our Small Group within our Couples Community had a smaller get together. We did a fondue party (2 cheeses and dark chocolate and white chocolate). It was a great idea; everyone hovering around a pot of cheese and talking. It was a tacky sweater party and another white elephant. This time we brought fuzzy socks (big enough to fit a guy) and 2 hand towels with santa's buttons and belt on them. We left with a large coffee santa mug and a paper dart board. Again, we did pretty good!
A group of girls that are students who we have been getting to know were kind enough to invite me to a 'girls night in' scarf exchange. I am definitely stealing this idea for the future! Who doesn't like scarves and one size fits all! Another white elephant gift exchange. I left with one of the new infinity scarves (the ones that are a big loop and you double it up). It was fun to just hang out with the girls.
The med school class of 2015 hosted a little christmas party the other night. It was on a Friday after a test and these students were ready to let loose! It was fun for everyone to hang out. I did worry beforehand about the awkwardness of being a staff member and partying with the students. But I feel it went ok.
At work, the Dean of the College of Medicine and another Doctor invited a hundred people to have lunch with them one Friday. We went to the nicest resteraunt in town. We were served a 3 course meal, including wine (and they kept filling them too!) Can you say expensive??? There were some people who had 1 too many glasses of wine and had to go back to work for the rest of the day. ha! Rule #1 - know your limit and don't get drunk at work events (especially when you have to go back to work!). I was embarrased for some of them. The food was amazing and we were very grateful. This was not hosted by the school and we are pretty sure these two doctors paid out of pocket for this event. Pretty generous!
Our next work party is next week (just through our department). We are getting with our other site (people that I have only met via video conferencing) and going out to lunch. Our director won't tell us the resteraunt, but she said it's the best in town. So I'm hoping it's the one that the Dean took us too! :) Videoconferencing definitely takes some getting used to - you have awkward parts where people talk over eachother, you can't really make eye contact because if you are staring at them then you aren't staring into the camera. It's also hard to join a company culture through videoconferencing. So I'm excited to meet these co-workers face to face and be able to talk to them other than that weeks agenda.
5 down and 2 to go!! I am exhausted and haven't done ANY christmas shopping yet! Yikes! We plan on having a date-day next weekend and spend the whole day shopping and maybe go to a movie and I'm sure hubby wants to stop in a Barnes and Nobles too. Can't wait!
I also got us some Nutcracker tickets! We are very excited. I got cheap ones in the way back (only $12 each) I figure if we are going to start a tradition than we should start in the back and slowly work our way up. That way it gets better each year!
At my old job, the girls were sweet enough to still include me in their secret santa exchange. So I have been waking up at 7:30 on Mondays to go and drop my gift off each week so they hopefully won't notice it's the one girl that doesn't work there anymore! We have that dinner next week for the big reveal and gift card exchange.
Our Couples Community at church planned a big night where we ordered Fazolis and did a 30 person or so white elephant gift exchange. We brought some ice trays in the shape of Texas and a digital coin counter. Both which were stolen! We came home with some beautiful mugs and 2 books. Woops! Some funny gifts exchanged were: a bug zapper, a gnome statue that was mooning, a stuffed animal dog that barked and farted, toilet paper, boxers, ...
Our Small Group within our Couples Community had a smaller get together. We did a fondue party (2 cheeses and dark chocolate and white chocolate). It was a great idea; everyone hovering around a pot of cheese and talking. It was a tacky sweater party and another white elephant. This time we brought fuzzy socks (big enough to fit a guy) and 2 hand towels with santa's buttons and belt on them. We left with a large coffee santa mug and a paper dart board. Again, we did pretty good!
A group of girls that are students who we have been getting to know were kind enough to invite me to a 'girls night in' scarf exchange. I am definitely stealing this idea for the future! Who doesn't like scarves and one size fits all! Another white elephant gift exchange. I left with one of the new infinity scarves (the ones that are a big loop and you double it up). It was fun to just hang out with the girls.
The med school class of 2015 hosted a little christmas party the other night. It was on a Friday after a test and these students were ready to let loose! It was fun for everyone to hang out. I did worry beforehand about the awkwardness of being a staff member and partying with the students. But I feel it went ok.
 |
| Me, Hubby, Ian, and Lindsey at the Christmas Party |
At work, the Dean of the College of Medicine and another Doctor invited a hundred people to have lunch with them one Friday. We went to the nicest resteraunt in town. We were served a 3 course meal, including wine (and they kept filling them too!) Can you say expensive??? There were some people who had 1 too many glasses of wine and had to go back to work for the rest of the day. ha! Rule #1 - know your limit and don't get drunk at work events (especially when you have to go back to work!). I was embarrased for some of them. The food was amazing and we were very grateful. This was not hosted by the school and we are pretty sure these two doctors paid out of pocket for this event. Pretty generous!
Our next work party is next week (just through our department). We are getting with our other site (people that I have only met via video conferencing) and going out to lunch. Our director won't tell us the resteraunt, but she said it's the best in town. So I'm hoping it's the one that the Dean took us too! :) Videoconferencing definitely takes some getting used to - you have awkward parts where people talk over eachother, you can't really make eye contact because if you are staring at them then you aren't staring into the camera. It's also hard to join a company culture through videoconferencing. So I'm excited to meet these co-workers face to face and be able to talk to them other than that weeks agenda.
5 down and 2 to go!! I am exhausted and haven't done ANY christmas shopping yet! Yikes! We plan on having a date-day next weekend and spend the whole day shopping and maybe go to a movie and I'm sure hubby wants to stop in a Barnes and Nobles too. Can't wait!
I also got us some Nutcracker tickets! We are very excited. I got cheap ones in the way back (only $12 each) I figure if we are going to start a tradition than we should start in the back and slowly work our way up. That way it gets better each year!
 |
| Handmade Christmas Cards |
I have also been busy doing our christmas cards. I had such high hopes at the beginning but these christmas parties have stalled them. I am making them myself to save money. But now I might regret it. No not really, it's a lot of work and I have more to do and it's nice to have a project at home. Hopefully, I can get those sent out this week! Hope you all enjoy!
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)