I Made It to Spring Break!

Ahhhhh, what a great feeling it is to be back in South Carolina where it is over 70 degrees and sunny!!  I must say this break is much needed after the semester it has been so far.  :)

A little update on the past couple of weeks though.  Since last time, I had my second gross room rotation, except this time I was actually able to gross and get hands on experience rather than just watch and observe.  I grossed a lot of skin shaves during that rotation, so I think I've become an expert on those.  I can thank Michelle for drilling how to do skin specimens in class and on tests for my success in the gross room that day.  I also had the opportunity to do a mastectomy, which is something I didn't think I would get to do this early in the game, but it made things even more exciting.  Other than that, I was able to do several biopsy cases, which is basically measuring and describing the specimen then transferring it from the container to the cassette.  In other words, those cases are pretty basic in the gross room.  It's only the beginning and I have to start somewhere.

As for classes, we've had several tests as usual and it doesn't get any easier.  I feel like my days consist of class, studying, eating, and sleeping.  It doesn't usually go much past that.  I do my best to get at least an hour of exercise in a day, just so I stay sane.  It's my stress reliever and it's the only way I've been getting through all this work.  So as a recommendation for anyone looking into a program like this, find something you can do away from school everyday that you enjoy, even if it's just for 30 minutes.  It will keep you sane, happy, and more willing to get more work done.

Even though this break will be short lived since we have two tests when we get back, I am making the most of the first part of it, reuniting with friends and family! I also can hardly believe that my first semester is almost over.  Time really does fly when you are having "fun" OR just really busy.

We're Still Alive, I Promise

These past few weeks have been pretty crazy and have tested my sanity, but needless to say, I'm still alive and going at it.  It's been a little while since the last time I posted anything, so I thought I would give a little update on how things are going since the last round or so of tests.  Up to this point in time, I have taken at least two tests in all of the courses, if not three.  The month of February was busy, busy and I honestly can't believe it is already March and we are halfway through the semester.

As for the tests, some are going better than others.  I would say they are easier than the first round just because I now know more of what to expect from each instructor, but the information definitely isn't getting any easier.  We have multiple tests to do every week and while we aren't in class all day long, it never feels like we have enough time to prepare.  So it goes a little like this.....

While some classes, *cough cough* Intro to Disease and AT *cough cough* are a bit of struggle and require what seems like a lot more work, it's not the point where I'm failing and feel like I need to drop out.  So that's a plus! I knew this program wasn't going to be easy in any way, but it has definitely been challenge and a complete turn around from what undergrad was like for me.

After this week, we have a little bit of a break from tests before spring break comes around, which is a break much needed even though it won't exactly be much of a break (Yay for online classes...).  Regardless, I'm looking forward to going south and getting some much needed warm weather after this winter I've been dealing with.

So until next time my friends!