Midterms!

So... today was the first day of our 4th week of PA school. We spent ALLLLL day taking unit one midterms. It was a chance for us to see what the test format is like, and to also see whether our study technique is adequate or lacking.

I have a study group with some AWESOME ladies and let me tell you... we put in close to 30 hours of study time between Saturday and Sunday this past weekend. It was intense. I am soooo glad that I'm part of this little group, because together we were able to cover an incredible amount of material. After just 3 weeks of classes, this is what my LI (learning issue) binder looks like.

I've mentioned before that my program is based on a self-directed learning module. This means that whenever a topic comes up in out tutor group sessions that we're not sure of, it becomes a "learning issue". These learning issues get divvied up between group members. For each topic you write a mini research paper containing all pertinent information regarding diagnosis, lab tests, pathophysiology of the condition, differential diagnoses, treatment, patient education, etc. The blue binder contains the LIs from out first 3 cases. We have 5 units with 7 cases each!!

I'm gonna be filling up binders like CRAZY!

Anyway, midterms were really intense. My brain feels filled to capacity and completely fried. I feel like I did alright on my exams, but who knows. We'll find out our grades on Thursday morning. We're already working on a new case, so I'm ready for more.

Oh, to unwind after exams we spent a few hours just chatting and laughing at a local winery. It was incredible hot, but totally awesome to have a few free hours. I'm realllllly looking forward to heading back home this weekend. YAY for long weekends!!!

Everyone have a GREAT week. :)

I finally have a minute to update!

Hello everyone! It's been forever. Sorry about that. I moved down to Carbondale for PA school on June 1st and life has been BANANAS since then. Barely any time to eat or sleep, much less run or write blog posts. Oh, and I'm hardly ever on facebook anymore, so I feel a little out of touch. I do want to say CONGRATS to my friend Tanya and Rey on their newest addition - little Jasper. And also, CONGRATS to Zuri and Bobby on their very recent engagement! I can't wait to see you all dressed up and married. I love you guys!

I just finished my 2nd week of classes and I'm already learning soooo much. It's completely overwhelming. Every time I think of all the information being covered I spaz a bit. Anyway, that's how most of us in the program feel. My roommate is a rockstar, so that makes things a lot better. We're both overachievers, so it works out nicely. We've got a group that stay on campus late (till like midnight and sometimes later) on most night working on our research and stuff. Our program is based on a self-directed learning module, so there's lots of research to be done. Lectures are going pretty well too. We've got our first simulated patient this Monday and I'm pretty freaking nervous about it. It'll be done as a group, so that's nice. I can't believe we already have midterms in 9 days. Aaaahhhhhhh!

Anyways, things are good. So glad I'm part of this program, cause I'm pretty sure I would just be miserable in a didactic program. Sitting through lecture for 8 hours a day would be HORRIBLE! Anyway, this is my first weekend home and it's been awesome seeing my boys. I was pretty wound up on Friday and I just feel much better after getting home to Mattoon last night. I'll be heading back south on the train tomorrow, but that's okay. I can do this. I'll be back home for July 4th weekend. That's only 2 weeks away.

Here are some pics that I've taken since I got to Carbondale. Enjoy and I hope everyone is loving life!! :)

Me getting coated by Dr. Smith

SIUC PA class of 2012!

Me & my awesome roomie, Arielle!

Me & my Mr. :)

Blue Sky winery in Carbondale. This was the weekend before classes started.

Walker's Bluff winery just north of Carbondale. Those are fake sheep... I totally felt cheated when I realized they weren't moving at all.