Thursday, October 25, 2012

Smiling Again

Those of you who have followed my story for a very long time, know every once in awhile, I think I'm done. I put the books away, go after yet another executive job and then right before I ink my name on the page of a contract "something" happens.

I get asked to come into the clinic to shadow the doc.  Or I get asked to help at an accident.  Or, in the current case, I got asked to volunteer.

And then that weird buzzing feeling comes roaring back.

So, my countdown starts.  April 27th looms like a distant ship on a clear day with crystal blue waters beneath me.  I've met some really awesome people in FL who've made the transition to "native" much easier.

Now the hard work starts (again) as I prep for the MCAT.  I made it.

My plan is to study like mad for physics probably even enrolling in the Kaplan Physics deep dive course.  Seems if any subject is going to trip me, it's that one.  I already know verbal will throw me so I'm reserving a good amount of time for that.

My schedule?

1 - 3 day straight physics immersion
1 - 3 day straight chem immersion, then a mix for remainder of that week

I'll add ochem in the same fashion and then bio.  After a month, I'll add in verbal.  By the end of the 5th week, I should be doing an hour a day on a subject during the week, with my weekends spent immersing myself in more problems, more studying.  (And time for Ocean Prime! and wine!)

At 6 weeks, I'm taking my first practice exam under MY conditions (I have really bad test anxiety and I'm going to attempt the MCAT without accommodations).  Then, I'll rinse repeat until after my 3 practice exam, and see if I can do so in a noisier place like a library at the U.  By the time April rolls around, I'm hoping to be so comfortable with the noise and time that I won't care about accommodations.  AND if I should need to get them, I'll cross that bridge.

Why not try for accommodations first?  I've heard they are tremendously difficult (impossible) to get.  Even with documented testing (all 9 hours worth) for ADHD and anxiety, I've heard it might not be enough since my childhood records are long gone.  I hate my kindergarten report card from 1969 that says I'm hyper and have no ability to concentrate or focus on the task at hand.

So, I think I'll pass on trying.  I'm hopeful, I will do well without them. :)

Make it a great day!


NP Odyssey said...

I know it is hard, but you can do it. I am fortunate to be in a school where we have many classes with medical students and I admire all they learn. As an NP it is so different from what we do.

As for kindergarden or grade school report card comments, we would be a nation of "needs to apply themselves", "distracted easily", "good attitude showing improvement", and "helpful around the classroom, but needs to focus more". If we grew up with those perceptions. Having teachers in the family they have there canned templates of responses for all the students over the years.

Lisa said...

You forgot "does not play well with others."