Our last block of the semester focused on the GI system as well as some Complementary and Alternative Medicines. Both of these topics are very interesting to me for two completely different reasons. The former is interesting because I have unfortunately spent a lot of time in the clinic and hospital due to my own GI problems, and the latter because I'm very interested in medical anthropology and the culture of medicine.
Growing up I would often have these painful stomach episodes, leaving me unable to move for hours at a time. It seemed to occur randomly and at its worst, I was having an attack three to four times a week. Although I saw a few doctors when I was younger, my parents chalked up my episodes to over-exaggeration and/or my unwillingness to eat a balanced meal. However in college I found myself visiting the E.R. on multiple occasions because of the unbearable pain that was lasting ten to twelve hours at a time. Although the residents and attendings conducted many tests on me, and although I visited a GI specialist, I was never diagnosed with anything specific. Instead I was told to eat less and take Omeprazole (Proton Pump Inhibitor) before my meals. In reality it just took time and a lot of trial-and-error to be able to reduce the number of attacks.
At the time of this "diagnosis" I was incredibly frustrated with medicine. I had been having these attacks since a young age, they were causing me to lose a significant amount of weight, and they were unbearable. I didn't quite understand how having a diagnosis could be any worse than not having one. However this unit has helped me see just how horrendous GI syndromes and diseases can be. I recall being tested for Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis. Looking at the treatment pyramid for these irritable bowel diseases, it's obvious that there is no solution. Unlike other syndromes and symptoms that can be treated, individuals with these diseases become victims of their own bodies. Even chronic Irritable Bowel Syndrome can cause a lot of pain with little hope for a solution. To some extent the GI system is still a mystery to much of medicine; it is often about "managing" rather than "curing" the dilemma.
The other aspect of this block that is fascinating to me is the use of herbal medicines and CAMs in the treatment of different diseases. It was made pretty clear during our lectures that there are often more problems associated with alternative medicines rather than benefits, and that it can become difficult to support the use of these when there is little-to-no evidence of success.
In a medical anthropology class I took my junior year, I remember learning how we as a society look at alternative medicine as a cultural thing. Take for example Traditional Chinese Medicine or even Voodoo. While it is easy as an American to hold some skepticism in terms of the efficacy of these medical practices we often fail to realize that Western medicine- biomedical medicine- is a culture in itself. And just like any culture, it is hard to force down everyone's throats. From what we learn as Pharmacology students, and more so as medical students, it is hard to imagine believing that bio-medical medicine is not the right answer to many diseases. There is scientific evidence to support all of it! But at the end of the day, doesn't it matter what the patient also wants? Won't that affect the outcomes too?
When I was shadowing a family practice physician a year ago, I remember meeting an elderly, Cambodian woman who had just been diagnosed as having diabetes. As we are learning in this current unit (Endocrine), diabetes is an incredible dangerous and chronic disease, but if it is handled carefully, patients can live fairly healthy lives. As the physician emphatically explained that treatment was necessary and that the patient should see a diabetes counselor the patient listened quietly and patiently. When the physician had finished however, the patient explained as best as she could that treatment- management- was not going to be okay. In her community and culture, people had previously been diagnosed with diabetes, but they had sought out traditional Cambodian remedies. The patient was convinced that she could be cured by this alternative medicine just as her friends and family had been.
Unlike many other physicians, the one I was shadowing had had a lot of previous experience working with different cultures and addressing the use of CAMs. She was incredibly respectful of the patient's wishes, and came to an agreement: the patient should test her blood sugar everyday and let the physician know if it got above a certain threshold. She also encouraged the patient to visit a diabetes counselor in addition to trying out her traditional medicines.
In the end, it's not always easy to say what is the right treatment for a patient. From the culture of western medicine, it may be clear cut. But not every patient holds the same values or wants the same outcomes as this culture. As I aspire to go to an allopathic medical school in the United States, I obviously stand by the tenant that physicians should use evidence-based medicine. But I also aspire to work in under-served communities and to provide health-care globally. Even though these are MY goals, I strongly believe that every physician and health-care provider will encounter at least one patient who holds another medical culture above western medicine. Therefore all physicians need to be culturally competent and prepared to help their future patients as best as they can.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
To the Prospective Student, From a Current One
Every once-in-awhile my sleeping pattern gets thrown out of whack, and I find myself awake at the ungodly hour of 5 AM. And every once-in-awhile, I like to read other peoples' blogs. However it occurred to me this morning that perhaps prospective applicants to Special Masters Programs- SMP for short- (including this one in Pharmacology at Tulane) may happen upon our list of student blogs and seek out student feedback and advice on applying. While I recognize that picking my name out of 28 is unlikely, I still feel obligated (and I really just want to) to offer my two cents to all those future applicants and ye who is considering medical school "one day."
I know that for myself, who applied to medical schools as a senior in college, it came as a somewhat disappointing surprise that I would need to restart an application process in March of my last semester. After speaking to an advisor about my own, individual circumstances, and getting feedback from some alumni friends, I realized that I didn't have many options that would help me ultimately achieve my goal of getting into medical school. One very viable -and almost necessary route- however, was to apply to one of a number of post-baccalaureate programs across the nation. Coming to this decision did not reduce my stress whatsoever. Unlike college or even medical school applications, post-baccalaureate programs come in a variety of flavors, have no obligations to an overhead, regulatory organization, and can be a right-bother to deal with. Few people know much about them which only adds to the hesitancy so many graduates have about applying to them.
I started my hunt on the AAMC website; they have a database devoted to post-baccalaureate programs and are really helpful in allowing one to narrow down the many options. But after that, it really is up to the applicant to find out what's best. My own personal checklist included the following:
1. What kind of post-baccalaureate program is it? Now this can be a tricky one. I know that when I first considered programs, I steered clear of anything with a "Masters" attached to the title. Why? Because I assumed it meant a greater than one year commitment and a thesis. However I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is not the case for MOST SMP's. Sure, there are the occasional ones that require the thesis (Boston for example). But most SMP's have a one year curriculum that is tailored to students who are looking to gain admission into professional school in the near future. Additionally, many Masters programs will focus on a certain concentration (Pharmacology, for example). While I do know that medical schools often look upon SMPs more favorably, there are definitely non-masters programs that are considered good as well. (Personally I love being at an SMP that is focused on Pharmacology; not only is there more structure and connectedness to the material I learn, but I also have the added advantage of understanding a subject that is so important in medical school BEFORE I get there.)
2. What affiliations does the program have with medical schools? This is actually also a doozy, because in my own research, I found that fewer and fewer programs have formal agreements with their affiliated medical schools. Do take what I now say with a grain of salt- it's often like a game of telephone with even greater levels of speculation. Back to programs: A few still guarantee a seat into the next year's class (and if you have the criteria to get into one of these - like Tulane's Anatomy Masters- than do it!), but most applicants to SMPs fall just short of such programs. Others guarantee an interview, while others yet will put their own masters students in a "separate pool" when they do apply. I think what really matters, however, is that the program is both affiliated with a school that has it's OWN medical school, and that it grants you access to faculty members who are involved in teaching medical school classes, in medical school admission, or both. (The Tulane Pharmacology SMP has no formal guarantees, but there is definitely a lot of support from the faculty and staff.)
2. What are classes like? Are they with medical students? How will you be graded? This is definitely one of the most important things to consider in applying. The advantage of sharing classes with medical students is that you are basically proving you can do it too! The material will be relevant to you one day, and you are often being taught by physicians. A downside is that you may be graded directly against these same students. That's definitely a worry. However some programs will grade you against (but separate from) the medical school curve. Other SMPs will only have a few classes with medical students. Others won't have any. (I really like the way that the Tulane Pharmacology program is set up in that we have Medical Pharmacology with the 2nd year medical students both semesters. All of our other classes are just us. This results in a really nice balance of being exposed to what medical school is really like, while getting the background, pharmacology-specific details in our individual classes. I also like that we started almost a month before the medical school; this allowed all of us to get to know each other in a classroom setting, as well as to become familiar with the Pharmacology faculty.We're also compared to the medical student performance on our MedPharm exams, but are not graded with them.)
3. How big is the program? As an alumni of UW-Madison, I can safely say that bigger is not always better. Don't get me wrong- a huge campus brimming with some 40,000 students makes for an amazing, intellectual environment. But if you're considering applying to one of these SMPs, it's important that you consider what you yourself need to succeed. I KNEW coming out of college that I valued the smaller class size above almost everything. Even if you succeeded at a large university, consider this: in a smaller environment (like at Tulane), you get to know every faculty and staff member, you create lasting relationships with the majority of your class, and you lose some of the cut-throat competitiveness that comes with a large program. (Being here at Tulane, I am confident that my decision to go with a smaller program has led to my current success as a graduate student. Additionally, there are so many other students and people around you! You won't ever feel the need for company because there are many ways to meet students in different programs and ways to get out into this vibrant community. I myself am the class representative, and I'm having a blast getting to know the other representatives from the other Biomedical Sciences graduate programs).
4. How old are they? Is there a tradition of success? This is huge. With more and more undergraduates defining themselves as "pre-meds," and with an increasingly older entering medical school class, post-baccalaureate programs are popping up left and right to fill the demand. And that is where you need to look at numbers critically. Older programs are often the successful ones. And even then, look at the specific success rates. Are 70% of students getting into their desired professional school? Over how many years (1? 2? 10?)? What is "desired professional school"? If you know you want to go into medical school, and say more specifically: allopathic medical school, is that what the statistics are saying? (Tulane by the way, is one of the older programs and has a great success rate for getting students into allopathic and osteopathic medical schools. I think it's something like 80% in a few years.)
5. Can you reach the program via phone call or email? Will they answer your questions? Additionally- their website?
Unfortunately without a uniting organization to hold all post-bac programs to the same standards, it can become hard to get the answers to all those important (and listed above) questions. The best thing to do is to call the program yourself. If they are willing to talk to you and answer your questions honestly, that's a huge plus. If they seem unavailable or disorganized: bad sign. Another good place to check is the program's website. The same rules apply- do they answer your questions? are the organized? (Tulane is AWESOME in this respect. As I've already mentioned, I love the Pharmacology department. They are helpful, supportive, kind, brilliant and fun! It really feels like they are all here to see each of us succeed in our goals, but they often remind us to enjoy the journey along the way.)
6. Are there additional opportunities/requirements?
Going to an SMP does indeed mean changing your previous studying habits and time-management techniques, but it doesn't mean you should drop everything. Once you feel settled, you may be interested in pursuing additional activities to balance out all the studying. It's good to know if the program you're interested in allows students to get involved in research, and maybe even pursue a thesis. You may also want to join a program that places a special emphasis on a unique feature. (For example, I was drawn to Tulane in part because of the commitment students and staff have to volunteering. It's even worked into our curriculum!) Other programs offer different ways to get involved, as well as optional electives.
7. Other important stuff that I don't have much to say about:
While this is a lot of information, it's definitely something that I wish someone had told me while they were in an SMP. I am incredibly happy about the choice I made to apply to a variety of programs, and more so in my decision to come to Tulane University. I've already learned so much, on everything from pharmacology to how to study better, on serving the community to building relationships. Yes, I was worried about my "next step" when I realized I wasn't going to medical school right out of college, but at the ripe old age of 23, I'm learning that life really is about the journey you take to reach your goals. Even while keeping an eye on the end-goal is necessary, don't be afraid to take the less-traveled path.
I know that for myself, who applied to medical schools as a senior in college, it came as a somewhat disappointing surprise that I would need to restart an application process in March of my last semester. After speaking to an advisor about my own, individual circumstances, and getting feedback from some alumni friends, I realized that I didn't have many options that would help me ultimately achieve my goal of getting into medical school. One very viable -and almost necessary route- however, was to apply to one of a number of post-baccalaureate programs across the nation. Coming to this decision did not reduce my stress whatsoever. Unlike college or even medical school applications, post-baccalaureate programs come in a variety of flavors, have no obligations to an overhead, regulatory organization, and can be a right-bother to deal with. Few people know much about them which only adds to the hesitancy so many graduates have about applying to them.
I started my hunt on the AAMC website; they have a database devoted to post-baccalaureate programs and are really helpful in allowing one to narrow down the many options. But after that, it really is up to the applicant to find out what's best. My own personal checklist included the following:
1. What kind of post-baccalaureate program is it? Now this can be a tricky one. I know that when I first considered programs, I steered clear of anything with a "Masters" attached to the title. Why? Because I assumed it meant a greater than one year commitment and a thesis. However I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is not the case for MOST SMP's. Sure, there are the occasional ones that require the thesis (Boston for example). But most SMP's have a one year curriculum that is tailored to students who are looking to gain admission into professional school in the near future. Additionally, many Masters programs will focus on a certain concentration (Pharmacology, for example). While I do know that medical schools often look upon SMPs more favorably, there are definitely non-masters programs that are considered good as well. (Personally I love being at an SMP that is focused on Pharmacology; not only is there more structure and connectedness to the material I learn, but I also have the added advantage of understanding a subject that is so important in medical school BEFORE I get there.)
2. What affiliations does the program have with medical schools? This is actually also a doozy, because in my own research, I found that fewer and fewer programs have formal agreements with their affiliated medical schools. Do take what I now say with a grain of salt- it's often like a game of telephone with even greater levels of speculation. Back to programs: A few still guarantee a seat into the next year's class (and if you have the criteria to get into one of these - like Tulane's Anatomy Masters- than do it!), but most applicants to SMPs fall just short of such programs. Others guarantee an interview, while others yet will put their own masters students in a "separate pool" when they do apply. I think what really matters, however, is that the program is both affiliated with a school that has it's OWN medical school, and that it grants you access to faculty members who are involved in teaching medical school classes, in medical school admission, or both. (The Tulane Pharmacology SMP has no formal guarantees, but there is definitely a lot of support from the faculty and staff.)
2. What are classes like? Are they with medical students? How will you be graded? This is definitely one of the most important things to consider in applying. The advantage of sharing classes with medical students is that you are basically proving you can do it too! The material will be relevant to you one day, and you are often being taught by physicians. A downside is that you may be graded directly against these same students. That's definitely a worry. However some programs will grade you against (but separate from) the medical school curve. Other SMPs will only have a few classes with medical students. Others won't have any. (I really like the way that the Tulane Pharmacology program is set up in that we have Medical Pharmacology with the 2nd year medical students both semesters. All of our other classes are just us. This results in a really nice balance of being exposed to what medical school is really like, while getting the background, pharmacology-specific details in our individual classes. I also like that we started almost a month before the medical school; this allowed all of us to get to know each other in a classroom setting, as well as to become familiar with the Pharmacology faculty.We're also compared to the medical student performance on our MedPharm exams, but are not graded with them.)
3. How big is the program? As an alumni of UW-Madison, I can safely say that bigger is not always better. Don't get me wrong- a huge campus brimming with some 40,000 students makes for an amazing, intellectual environment. But if you're considering applying to one of these SMPs, it's important that you consider what you yourself need to succeed. I KNEW coming out of college that I valued the smaller class size above almost everything. Even if you succeeded at a large university, consider this: in a smaller environment (like at Tulane), you get to know every faculty and staff member, you create lasting relationships with the majority of your class, and you lose some of the cut-throat competitiveness that comes with a large program. (Being here at Tulane, I am confident that my decision to go with a smaller program has led to my current success as a graduate student. Additionally, there are so many other students and people around you! You won't ever feel the need for company because there are many ways to meet students in different programs and ways to get out into this vibrant community. I myself am the class representative, and I'm having a blast getting to know the other representatives from the other Biomedical Sciences graduate programs).
4. How old are they? Is there a tradition of success? This is huge. With more and more undergraduates defining themselves as "pre-meds," and with an increasingly older entering medical school class, post-baccalaureate programs are popping up left and right to fill the demand. And that is where you need to look at numbers critically. Older programs are often the successful ones. And even then, look at the specific success rates. Are 70% of students getting into their desired professional school? Over how many years (1? 2? 10?)? What is "desired professional school"? If you know you want to go into medical school, and say more specifically: allopathic medical school, is that what the statistics are saying? (Tulane by the way, is one of the older programs and has a great success rate for getting students into allopathic and osteopathic medical schools. I think it's something like 80% in a few years.)
5. Can you reach the program via phone call or email? Will they answer your questions? Additionally- their website?
Unfortunately without a uniting organization to hold all post-bac programs to the same standards, it can become hard to get the answers to all those important (and listed above) questions. The best thing to do is to call the program yourself. If they are willing to talk to you and answer your questions honestly, that's a huge plus. If they seem unavailable or disorganized: bad sign. Another good place to check is the program's website. The same rules apply- do they answer your questions? are the organized? (Tulane is AWESOME in this respect. As I've already mentioned, I love the Pharmacology department. They are helpful, supportive, kind, brilliant and fun! It really feels like they are all here to see each of us succeed in our goals, but they often remind us to enjoy the journey along the way.)
6. Are there additional opportunities/requirements?
Going to an SMP does indeed mean changing your previous studying habits and time-management techniques, but it doesn't mean you should drop everything. Once you feel settled, you may be interested in pursuing additional activities to balance out all the studying. It's good to know if the program you're interested in allows students to get involved in research, and maybe even pursue a thesis. You may also want to join a program that places a special emphasis on a unique feature. (For example, I was drawn to Tulane in part because of the commitment students and staff have to volunteering. It's even worked into our curriculum!) Other programs offer different ways to get involved, as well as optional electives.
7. Other important stuff that I don't have much to say about:
- What is the cost? This is often the biggest limiting factor for many. And don't forget the cost of moving, travel and living when you calculate this.
- What city is it in? Let's be real: you don't want to live in Podunk, Nowhere for a year. Important side note in my shameless plug for Tulane: hurricanes really aren't a big deal. According to our program director Dr. Clarkson: "It's either time for a mini vacation or a Hurricane party."
- Do they encourage students to apply to medical school while they are in the program or after? Some programs say one thing, others say the opposite. Part of this is dependent on how much YOU need to prove yourself in the program. If you do: don't apply that same year
- Will the program provide letters of recommendations? They better.
- Are there opportunities at the school or in the city for any additional time you take off? Personally I think Tulane University and the city of New Orleans provide ample opportunity for me this next year. And to be honest: I'm super pumped!
While this is a lot of information, it's definitely something that I wish someone had told me while they were in an SMP. I am incredibly happy about the choice I made to apply to a variety of programs, and more so in my decision to come to Tulane University. I've already learned so much, on everything from pharmacology to how to study better, on serving the community to building relationships. Yes, I was worried about my "next step" when I realized I wasn't going to medical school right out of college, but at the ripe old age of 23, I'm learning that life really is about the journey you take to reach your goals. Even while keeping an eye on the end-goal is necessary, don't be afraid to take the less-traveled path.
Friday, November 30, 2012
"Breath In and Breath Out..."
This past month has been all about the pulmonary system. I had never studied it extensively, but I found myself enjoying it quite a lot! Growing up, I knew a lot of children with asthma, and I recognized the limitations some of them faced on a day to day basis. But learning about asthma from a pharmacology standpoint was truly fascinating. There is no cure for asthma, but there are definitely drug regimens that can help patients manage their symptoms and episodes. In addition to asthma, we learned about drugs used for tuberculosis and pneumonia. These are all definitely diseases that come up in our everyday lives, and so it was interesting to see how physicians approach different cases based on different factors. More so, it was curious to understand and see first hand the differences in outcomes for patients with either disease. When I shadowed a neurologist at UW-Madison, I was able to follow her around on her consults. One of the patients she visited I will never forget; he was a prisoner with disseminated tuberculous and was found to be brain dead. At that point, I didn't understand why there was no treatment for him- surely medicine could find a way to treat something like tuberculosis. But after understanding how drug regimens are picked and administered for different stages of tuberculosis, I can now see how serious his case was. He had HIV. His tuberculosis was beyond any traditional drug regimen. He was at a point where medicine could do little. Although reflecting on my experiences with these different diseases may have been more challenging than in other units, I definitely value the knowledge I now have.
On a more positive note, in my last post about the curriculum I mentioned that I am trying out a new studying technique. I've found it to be quite effective as my exam scores from this past block have demonstrated. In addition to my new approach, I have also found a few people that I can comfortably study with in a group. It seemed at the beginning of the semester that finding a consistent group would be a challenge, and indeed it was. I tried to study with various people in a multitude of ways, but everything sort of fell into place these last two block exams. This method was especially effective for the material from our Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology class. Thankfully my experience in a laboratory setting has put many of our lectures into perspective for myself, but I find that explaining it to others helps both me (in reviewing), and helps others get a more tangible grasp on the material. Onto GI then!
On a more positive note, in my last post about the curriculum I mentioned that I am trying out a new studying technique. I've found it to be quite effective as my exam scores from this past block have demonstrated. In addition to my new approach, I have also found a few people that I can comfortably study with in a group. It seemed at the beginning of the semester that finding a consistent group would be a challenge, and indeed it was. I tried to study with various people in a multitude of ways, but everything sort of fell into place these last two block exams. This method was especially effective for the material from our Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology class. Thankfully my experience in a laboratory setting has put many of our lectures into perspective for myself, but I find that explaining it to others helps both me (in reviewing), and helps others get a more tangible grasp on the material. Onto GI then!
The Little Things
This month I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity twice. Our pulmonary block had a bit of flexibility, so there were quite a few days in the month that we had free to volunteer and study. On November 6th, ten of us went to volunteer at Annette Street. We were split into two groups and sent to separate houses on the same street. My group of five ended up at the same house I had volunteered at previously; I was excited to be able to work on something that I was somewhat familiar with from before! We were quickly set up with moving the excess dirt from the front of the house and dispersing it evenly underneath the house. This took most of the morning and by the time lunch came around, we were all exhausted. It was necessary work, but it was also a lot more tiring than any of us had expected. 
After refueling, we returned to find we would be measuring, cutting and fitting rebar into the future sidewalk in front of the house. However, by the time we finished with this task, we were informed that the front stairwell into the house had been built wrongly. We needed to raise the platform by about a foot, but we had almost no tools or resources to do so because the site had been cleaned up already. Because one of the group members -Justin- has previous experience in construction, he was quickly able to figure out a way to accomplish our necessary task. As he disassembled and recreated a new stairwell, the rest of us brought back some of the dirt from underneath the house. By doing this, we could use some of the resources around the house to raise the necessary platform. After we had accomplished this, we went around the house cleaning up any left over scraps of lumber, bricks, nails and garbage. I returned to another house on Annette Street on November 27th to volunteer with Alex and Luke. It was a cold, rainy day, and so we were stationed inside with a small team. The three of us were the only student volunteers and were part of a team made up of three adult volunteers and five or six AmeriCorps volunteers. We were all quickly assigned different tasks that still needed to be completed inside the house. Luke, Alex and I were given instructions to make shelves and install them in all of the closets. Because there weren't many electrical connections, it was a balancing act of using what tools were available at any given time. Many of us ended up needing to use the wood saw or the nail gun at the same time as others, but through patience and humor, we created some sort of agreement.Overall it was a pleasant experience working and sharing resources with others to achieve our individual goals.
After lunch, Alex and I were set to spackling in all of the holes around the house to prepare the house for another coat of pain. As we slowly moved from room to room, filling in every nail or staple hole we could find, we encountered the other volunteers putting in floor boards, installing door frames, and sanding down edges. For me, spackling was a completely different task than I had previously done at a Habitat build day, but it was equally rewarding in its own way.
During both of these build days in November, what struck me most was the importance of accomplishing the "little things" in order to create a home for someone. When I initially signed up to volunteer with Habitat, I thought I would be cutting wood, painting walls, putting in shingles, etc. I was only thinking about the big things that really stand out in a home, the things that I always look at in a house. But lately all of my jobs have involved the little things. From leveling out the landscape, to putting in rebar, to making sure shelves are put in correctly, to filling in the little grooves along the walls, I have been helping create a home for someone. These may not be the first things I notice in a house, but I now recognize that they are the things that demonstrate the care and love that goes into building a home.
One other invaluable experience I've gained from volunteering with Habitat is meeting all the wonderful people who come to volunteer with this organization. On the 27th, the three of us Pharmacology students were volunteering primarily with adults, people who have committed themselves to serving the community throughout their lives. We met one gentleman on Tuesday who works in Washington D.C. as an architect. He was in New Orleans for a vacation, and made a point to volunteer with Habitat on one of the days of his trip. After talking to him some more, I learned that he volunteers with Habitat on almost all of his trips. Another couple that was volunteering committed to two days to help accomplish some of the major tasks that needed to be finished.
Much of my volunteering experience in the past has involved other students, but rarely do I get the opportunity to volunteer with adults. For me, it was an honour to work with those who see community service as a duty of all citizens, and those who engage in it so often. By getting out into the community through opportunities both here at Tulane and in my hometown, I feel confident that volunteering is something that I will continue to do as I get older. Maybe it will be through Habitat or maybe it will be through another opportunity, but I look forward to committing some of my time to my community.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
A different type of education
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| The house we worked on. |
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| Our post! If you look closely, you can see the cement that is filling our magnificent hole :) |
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| Learning to cut wood. |
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| Lil' Dizzy's Cafe. Nom |
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| This is one side of the front entrance/staircase. We put in the guard rails between the two large posts. |
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I really enjoyed volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. It's a completely different experience and, in many ways, is a lot more solitary than what I am used to. It was also a lot more independent and makeshift than I was expecting. There are only so many Habitat and AmeriCorps individuals to answer questions and give guidance, and so most of the small problems that come up have to be handled with flexibility, imagination, and a positive attitude by the volunteers. It gives one a sense of responsibility and ownership, I think.Seeing everyone working hard at multiple small tasks to put the finishing touches on a house that is going to a family in need puts it all in perspective. A hard day's work, one where you can see what you have accomplished, and can even meet the person for whom you are doing this work, leaves one with a wonderful feeling. I'll definitely be back at Habitat for Humanity in the coming weeks, and I'm excited to keep working on the same, and other houses.
So this is graduate school . . .
A little more than three months into graduate school, and I may just be getting the hang of it. That may sound like a surprise to anyone reading, but graduate school is not at all like undergrad. For one thing, you only really study one subject, and pharmacology was not a subject I came anywhere near as an undergrad. Then there's the fact that class is only three or four hours a day, and usually for less than that most days. With so much free time, and with living in a new city, it can be incredibly easy to lose track of time. But beyond that, there's the huge difference in what classes are like. Medical Pharmacology with the T2 Medical Students is unlike any class because it IS a medical school class, with vignettes for exam questions and the over-looming fear of a cumulative exam at the end of the year. In some ways Principles of Pharmacology, Advances, and Molecular &Cellular Pharmacology provide the background that is necessary to make sense of MedPharm. But the point is: graduate school is not just "furthering one's education." It's having to figure out a new way to learn, to manage one's time, to succeed.
Although I have done fairly well on most of my block exams, it's always a little disheartening to find yourself staring at a question (or 3) on the exam that you just don't know. I've probably tried out at least five different studying techniques, but it wasn't until this past Renal exam that I figured out something that left me feeling confident. Usually I feel unprepared right up to the exam, running through hundreds of flashcards and stressing out about all that I still don't know. But this time, and with 1/5 the number of flashcards, I was able to master the material exam days before the test. I had finally found a technique that worked!
Despite this recent success, I doubted whether my technique was really a good one. Therefore (and partially for this blog), I thought it might be interesting to look at the book Dr. Clarkson recommended- Success Types in Medical Education. A Program for Improving Academic Performance as well as an online test to figure out what my learning style really is. I was surprised to find that the way I normally learn things- through a linear manner, or through "sensing" rather than through "intuition," is not conducive to doing well on MCQ, especially in medical school classes. The book explains how, while we all have a psychological type that determines how we approach a variety of situations (learning included), we should work to develop the traits of other psychological types in order to succeed. So for me, taking the time to make graphs and charts that show how different facts are related by certain concepts is crucial to really learning the material, and learning it efficiently. While this isn't how everyone should learn everything out there, it is the way that students should approach the vast amount of material in most sciences, and especially in the study of medicine.
While it was frustrating to find out that how I learn is not exactly conducive to succeeding on certain exams, it is also a relief to know I can change my habits before I get to medical school. I think that's one of the great things about this program (and most other Special Masters Programs)- it's a test run for medical school. Getting good grades here is the goal, but in order to do that and to keep doing it, I have to learn to study smart.
Although I have done fairly well on most of my block exams, it's always a little disheartening to find yourself staring at a question (or 3) on the exam that you just don't know. I've probably tried out at least five different studying techniques, but it wasn't until this past Renal exam that I figured out something that left me feeling confident. Usually I feel unprepared right up to the exam, running through hundreds of flashcards and stressing out about all that I still don't know. But this time, and with 1/5 the number of flashcards, I was able to master the material exam days before the test. I had finally found a technique that worked!
Despite this recent success, I doubted whether my technique was really a good one. Therefore (and partially for this blog), I thought it might be interesting to look at the book Dr. Clarkson recommended- Success Types in Medical Education. A Program for Improving Academic Performance as well as an online test to figure out what my learning style really is. I was surprised to find that the way I normally learn things- through a linear manner, or through "sensing" rather than through "intuition," is not conducive to doing well on MCQ, especially in medical school classes. The book explains how, while we all have a psychological type that determines how we approach a variety of situations (learning included), we should work to develop the traits of other psychological types in order to succeed. So for me, taking the time to make graphs and charts that show how different facts are related by certain concepts is crucial to really learning the material, and learning it efficiently. While this isn't how everyone should learn everything out there, it is the way that students should approach the vast amount of material in most sciences, and especially in the study of medicine.
While it was frustrating to find out that how I learn is not exactly conducive to succeeding on certain exams, it is also a relief to know I can change my habits before I get to medical school. I think that's one of the great things about this program (and most other Special Masters Programs)- it's a test run for medical school. Getting good grades here is the goal, but in order to do that and to keep doing it, I have to learn to study smart.
Stepping out into the community
One of the reasons I was drawn to the Tulane Masters in Pharmacology is because the university places a large emphasis on service in the community. Although in the first few months of our program we didn't have quite so much time to become involved, we have been presented with a variety of ways to give back this fall.
The first group volunteer opportunity I participated in was Outreach Tulane; this day - organized by Tulane undergraduates - aimed to bring out all kinds of students to volunteer around New Orleans. Around 15 of us in the Pharmacology program signed up, and I was placed in the same group as three of my colleagues. On the sunny, warm morning of September 15th, we headed out to meet with the rest of our group on the Uptown Tulane campus. Our group was assigned to assist the organization Dress for Success in its biannual suit sale at a local mall. Although I had never volunteered with this group, I had heard about it in my hometown of Madison, WI. The women who were running the clothing sale gave us all a brief description of the goals of the organization. Dress for Success aims to provide women from a variety of disadvantaged backgrounds with the clothing necessary to interview for, and succeed at a job. Women looking for an occupation come to meet with the organizers of Dress for Success, are fitted with a suit, and are then encouraged to interview. If a woman lands a job, she is invited back to Dress for Success to pick out five additional suits and to join the "professional organization." Those in the Dress for Success professional organization meet frequently to participate in workshops that help working women balance their responsibilities, gain skills that are beneficial in the workplace, and provide an environment to interact with other working women.
At first, it seemed as though our group of 15 volunteers had nothing to do. The make-shift store was already organized and open for business, and there were a multitude of women helping out customers. One organizer split us up to do different tasks however. A few boys were sent out into the mall to hand out fliers to the public. Another Pharmacology graduate student was given the opportunity to dress up in business casual and model around the store and mall. A few girls worked the floor and helped to keep the racks stocked. The majority of us, however, were given free reign in the backroom to hang and organize the hundreds of outfits that were still in boxes. Once we all got over those first, awkward 15 minutes (where no one wants to take delegate, but everyone is willing to offer polite suggestions,) and once we had a few falls and laughs, we became a team of determined ladies. Soon customers were coming into the backroom to request help in finding specific items or to just chat. By the end of the afternoon, all of us - from the volunteers, to the Dress for Success organizers, to the customers - were having a great time getting to know each other and helping each other out. It was one of the few times in my life that I have felt such camaraderie with fellow females of all ages, and it was through an organization that grants independence and support to working women everywhere.
I genuinely loved volunteering with Dress for Success. It was the first time I had really interacted with New Orleanians, and it was the first time I had stepped out into the community to give back. Although I originally felt that the organization of Outreach Tulane could have been handled better, or that we could have had more direction at the actual clothing sale, it turned out to all be perfect. It was a chance for me to do whatever I could to help make the event successful. Through the small, but significant actions of organizing clothing at a clothing drive, not only was I able to be of service to a non-profit organization, but I was also able to help out the individual. The greatest moment for me that day was when I could find a suit for an older lady. She took one look at the pale blue linen material and I could see the happiness in her eyes. Before she and her daughter left the store, she came back to say thank you; she had bought the suit and was preparing for an interview in the near future.
Check out Dress for Success at: http://www.dressforsuccess.org/affiliate.aspx?pageid=1&sisid=49 . They accept donations in the form of money or clothing/shoes/accessories, and they are always looking for sponsors and volunteers!
The first group volunteer opportunity I participated in was Outreach Tulane; this day - organized by Tulane undergraduates - aimed to bring out all kinds of students to volunteer around New Orleans. Around 15 of us in the Pharmacology program signed up, and I was placed in the same group as three of my colleagues. On the sunny, warm morning of September 15th, we headed out to meet with the rest of our group on the Uptown Tulane campus. Our group was assigned to assist the organization Dress for Success in its biannual suit sale at a local mall. Although I had never volunteered with this group, I had heard about it in my hometown of Madison, WI. The women who were running the clothing sale gave us all a brief description of the goals of the organization. Dress for Success aims to provide women from a variety of disadvantaged backgrounds with the clothing necessary to interview for, and succeed at a job. Women looking for an occupation come to meet with the organizers of Dress for Success, are fitted with a suit, and are then encouraged to interview. If a woman lands a job, she is invited back to Dress for Success to pick out five additional suits and to join the "professional organization." Those in the Dress for Success professional organization meet frequently to participate in workshops that help working women balance their responsibilities, gain skills that are beneficial in the workplace, and provide an environment to interact with other working women.
At first, it seemed as though our group of 15 volunteers had nothing to do. The make-shift store was already organized and open for business, and there were a multitude of women helping out customers. One organizer split us up to do different tasks however. A few boys were sent out into the mall to hand out fliers to the public. Another Pharmacology graduate student was given the opportunity to dress up in business casual and model around the store and mall. A few girls worked the floor and helped to keep the racks stocked. The majority of us, however, were given free reign in the backroom to hang and organize the hundreds of outfits that were still in boxes. Once we all got over those first, awkward 15 minutes (where no one wants to take delegate, but everyone is willing to offer polite suggestions,) and once we had a few falls and laughs, we became a team of determined ladies. Soon customers were coming into the backroom to request help in finding specific items or to just chat. By the end of the afternoon, all of us - from the volunteers, to the Dress for Success organizers, to the customers - were having a great time getting to know each other and helping each other out. It was one of the few times in my life that I have felt such camaraderie with fellow females of all ages, and it was through an organization that grants independence and support to working women everywhere.
I genuinely loved volunteering with Dress for Success. It was the first time I had really interacted with New Orleanians, and it was the first time I had stepped out into the community to give back. Although I originally felt that the organization of Outreach Tulane could have been handled better, or that we could have had more direction at the actual clothing sale, it turned out to all be perfect. It was a chance for me to do whatever I could to help make the event successful. Through the small, but significant actions of organizing clothing at a clothing drive, not only was I able to be of service to a non-profit organization, but I was also able to help out the individual. The greatest moment for me that day was when I could find a suit for an older lady. She took one look at the pale blue linen material and I could see the happiness in her eyes. Before she and her daughter left the store, she came back to say thank you; she had bought the suit and was preparing for an interview in the near future.
Check out Dress for Success at: http://www.dressforsuccess.org/affiliate.aspx?pageid=1&sisid=49 . They accept donations in the form of money or clothing/shoes/accessories, and they are always looking for sponsors and volunteers!
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