Staying sane

Medical school can be nonsensical at times. Sometimes, especially on this island, one starts losing track of... well... life, really. And what is important.

Something, or rather someone, that keeps me sane: Eckhart Tolle. If you don't know who he is... look him up. He is a pseudo-spiritual teacher that teaches eastern-religious philosophies to the layman-western-world.

Very enlightening. Listening to him and reading his books makes it easier to breathe sometimes.

Thats all.

Very confusing

Just to let the world know. The hardest and most confusing stuff to learn for the first time... in my whole life... is..... lymphomas and leukemias. Wow. Just... wow.

I feel like I have a pretty good grip on it now... but seriously, this topic took me like 3 straight days of non-stop studying to even start to understand what lymphomas and leukemias are "ALL" about.

In conclusion: if you would like to make your brain feel 1/3 bigger, study white blood cell disorders. White blood cell disorders laugh at red blood cell disorders for being so weak.

Studying and practicing

Why is it that I seem to get my best studying done late at night??? When I was in violin school, I used to get my best practicing in late at night too.

2X speed

Wow... I was just watching one of the presidential speeches and I found myself thinking... "can I double-speed this?" At school here, all of the lectures are recorded and if you would like to watch one again (or just opt to watch it instead of attending class) you have the option of watching it at 2X speed. Also, the videos from pathoma.com (my new favorite site) and numerous Kaplan videos I've watched give you the option of watching them faster. It is just more productive this way, in my opinion. People talk too slow. You can save yourself so much time by doing this. You should try it some time... you get the same info in half the speed. It is soooooo much better.

So, sitting here, watching the president's speech, I would really like to watch it at double speed. I don't even know if I'm going to watch it. The facts-learned-to-time ratio is just way to low for my taste.

FYI, other items with low facts-learned-to-time ratios include the following:

1. Actual text books (this does NOT include review books, which are KEY in med school)
2. Magazines in general
3. looking up facts on the internet and not using wikipedia
4. passive studying/learning (as opposed to active learning/studying) <---more to come on this later

Short post dedicated to the best book in the world

I don't go anywhere without this book. It has EVERYTHING you need to know for your first two years of medical school and it has nothing that you don't need to know (which is even better). This book goes with me EVERYWHERE. I am constantly using it and it is always open while I am studying. It is concise and to the point. It has helpful pneumonics to keep everything neatly organized in your brain. I'm pretty sure that if you memorize this entire book, you WILL get a perfect score on the USMLE step 1. What is this creation that god has sent from the heavens?

This piece of gold is called: FIRST AID! More specifically, "First Aid for the USMLE step 1," also known in the 'biz as FA or just "the bible."

So it's like 2:00 in the morning and I'm studying (hey, when you're in the zone, you're in the zone) and I have decided that I am in love.... with a book... First Aid. You are truly a hero. Where would I be without you? You get me points on every test that I would have otherwise missed. You tell me things that are REALLY important and guide me in figuring out what is important and what is junk. You even recommend other review books that might be helpful in specific subjects. You are really amazing, First Aid. I love you.

Term 4 update

So, I've been in the **dreaded** term 4 for a few weeks. Here's how it's going: pretty good. I've decided to do my own thing... kinda. I'll explain. I'm feeling pretty lucky that I freaking majored in microbiology in undergrad. Why? Because the first few weeks of micro has been a TOTAL review. We just started learning about viruses. I took an entire virology class in undergrad. Needless to say, I haven't been studying micro hardly at all this term so far. What have I been doing, you ask? I have been getting ahead in pathology... REALLY ahead. I've kinda been doing my own thing. I've been learning not only the upcoming week's material, but I have been getting really ahead... like learning the next 2 or 3 weeks material. I've never done this for any class. I kind of put myself on my own schedule. If all goes to plan, I'll have like 2 weeks to review all of pathology for our first exam. I guess I'll know if this works after I get my grade on the first test. I mean, it's going pretty well so far... I don't know... I guess we'll see.

As far as our other class, communications and physical diagnosis: I like it... A LOT. I'll explain in a subsequent post, but it's pretty cool. I feel like after this class, I'll probably feel a lot closer to being a "real" doctor. The class is hands-on doctoring stuff. We have to dress up and wear fancy shirts/pants every day... and we have "patients" who are basically REALLY good actors who are paid to pretend to have a particular disease. And when I say REALLY good actors... wow... I mean REALLY REALLY REALLY good. These people don't mess around. It's neat.

Anywho... back to studying pathology. By the way:

www.pathoma.com = game-changer
It's awesome.

Term 4

Term 4 is underway.... kind of. We just got done with term 3, which consisted of a behavioral science course, kinda like psychology, bioethics, health systems around the world, and how not-to-get-sued as a doctor all wrapped up into one. So, needless to say, I immediately threw my notes away for this class the second I got out of the final. I ended up getting an A though. So that's cool.

Now, we are starting term 4... which, as the rumors on the island have it, is the most daunting term in all of medical school. Why? I think because we have a 13 credit course called pathology (the study of disease) and a rote-memorizing course called microbiology. This week, we have just had a couple classes a day in microbiology, so it still kinda feels like vacation. Next week, however, is when pathology starts and the fun begins.

I don't know... I'm feeling pretty good so far about term 4. I think I have a pretty good game-plan for this term. Ahhh yes, the game-plan, the most important part of studying, in my opinion. The easy part is sitting down to studying the material. The hard part is coming up with a plan that will maximize your time studying and be most efficient as possible. I think that this is the reason why most people fail out of medical school. They don't have a game-plan. You really need to focus your time on what is important and come up with some good study aids and decide exactly what and how you are going to study for a particular subject.

I'll give you an example of kind of what I am talking about, a few weeks ago, a friend was looking through my notes for a class and started freaking out b/c I had put an X through a bunch of the lecture slides. She asked me, "why did you do that, you are crazy, you have to know that, it's in the slides." That is the completely wrong attitude to have... Lecture slides are literally hundreds of pages long for each course. Just because it is in the notes does not mean that it is important. If the professor spent 1 minute on one slide, and 20 minutes on every other slide, freaking cross out the 1-minute-slide. Seriously. Don't waste your time.

So, anyways. That's my rant. I'm feeling pretty good about this term. My game-plan for pathology: www.pathoma.com and a BUTT-LOAD of practice questions. My game-plan for microbiology: Study microbiology over this past summer break and get really ahead... **check that one off the list**.

We'll see how the next few weeks go. Oh, and one more thing about the game-plan: more often than not, it changes.

This should not be happening

I'm reading about public health policy and came across a shocking statistic. Well, there are quite a few shocking statistics, but here is just one:

In 2001, approximately 2 million Americans experienced bankruptcy caused by inability to pay medical bills; 76% of these had health insurance at the onset of their illness!!!!! (Himmelstein et al., 2005).

What the heck!?!?!?! This is not right. 3/4 of the people who went bankrupt from medical bills had insurance!?!?!?

Health care is a basic right... If you don't agree with this statement, then you are a fool. Health care is a socialist policy and it SHOULD BE. In terms of health care, the wealthy SHOULD "redistribute" their wealth to the poor.

Sorry republicans, but if you buy health insurance, you are already contributing to the "socialist America." If you are healthy and paying your monthly premium, then you are subsidizing the ill.

If you disagree that health care should be a social policy, consider the following scenario. You are driving in your car and you come across a really bad accident. There is no one at the scene and you stop and find a women stuck in her car and bleeding badly. You are in the middle of nowhere and she asks for your help. She says, can you please call an ambulance for me? I'm bleeding and think I might die. You check your cell phone for service and find that you are roaming. You tell her, "I don't have any service in my phone. If I make the call, will you reimburse me for the outrageous roaming charges that I will accrue?" She says, "I'm sorry, I am totally broke, I cannot pay you anything."

What do you do? Do you make the call and save the woman's life, knowing that you will be charged for the call? or... put simply, would you pay a little $$ to save the life of a mom of 3 kids and a loving wife who is active in her community and attends church on a regular basis?

If you answered yes, then you also believe that health care SHOULD BE a socialist policy. Good for you.

the Doctor's note

Ok, ok, ok. So I'm back in Grenada and will tell you all about how the first two weeks of term 3 have been in a subsequent post, but I was just listening to a lecture and I heard something AMAZING I just had to share with the world.

So, yeah... The doctor's note. What a powerful tool. You can miss work, get out of school and pretty much do what ever you want with the appropriate note from your local physician. Oh also, I forgot to mention... change your sex on your passport?!?!?!?!?!?!?! wait.... WHAT????

Yeah, apparently, as was just explained to me by one of my behavioral science professors, with the appropriate doctor's note, you can actually CHANGE YOUR SEX ON YOUR PASSPORT. Yeah, if you have something called a gender identity disorder, or GID, apparently all you need is a note from your doctor and that's it... male to female... or female to male... what ever you want.

So, in conclusion... I knew doctor's notes were cool, but seriously, it is almost like a free pass to do whatever you want... I wonder what else you can do with a doctor's note... and... I wonder if a doctor's note would suffice if you ever need to get out of work as a doctor... probably not: ahh yes, the great paradoxes of life.

So, really in conclusion, if any of my friends want to go from M to F or F to M, hit me up in a couple years... I'll write you a note.

Dear Miami Heat,

I'm sorry, guys. You tried your best and gave it your best shot. I'm proud of you all. I hope you guys can finally get some much-needed rest and can put the 2011 Finals behind you. I commend you all for being the 2011 Eastern Conference Champions and that is quite and accomplishment in itself. You have South Florida's full support and we will always be behind you and support you!

Sincerely,
South Florida Miami Heat Fans

Jimmy Johns!!

Ok, have you ever had Jimmy Johns???? If you haven't, you should b/c it is the most greatest thing on this planet! I am craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaving some Jimmy Johns.

I discovered this place when I used to live in Indiana and it was love at first site. Anyways, just sayin... it's delish for those that don't know already.

The thing I like most about America

One word:

HULU

Transcript update

Grades just came out and I got all A's. It feels good. Again, me and all of my friends worked REALLY hard this semester. I'm proud of all of them.

Here's a quote from golfer Ben Hogan. Now, I'm not a golfer, or a fan of golf, for that matter, but I heard James Carville say it and it sounded good:

"Golf is a game of luck. The more I practice the luckier I get."
- James Carville quoting Ben Hogan

I like that quote. I think that can be applied to medical school and, probably, most aspects of life. This semester was really challenging and it feels good to have it over with. If you are wondering what I've been doing sense Monday afternoon, just think of lots of sleep and good beer and you'd probably be pretty close. Man, I love America. This country is seriously AWESOME.

So exhausted

Wow. We had our last (neuro) exam this morning. I think this is the most tired I have ever been in my life. I can't believe it. After the exam this morning, I was planning to sleep but that plan was shot down immediately by my friends. Instead, beer and wings. Now I am packing because my flight leaves tomorrow at 6:30 AM!!!!!!! I am planning on going out tonight to P-A-R-T-Y before everyone leaves.... when am I going to sleep???????? It's funny, because our test today was, in part, on the importance and science of sleep. Doctors are a bunch of Hypocrites.... but you probably already knew that.

Here is a letter that I pre-transcribed for tomorrow.

Dear Bianca,

I know you just picked me up from the airport and I am already asleep in the car and it hasn't even been 5 min. You will have to forgive me. As you look beside yourself and see the drool dripping from my face and the crazy bags under my eyes while I am snoring as we are driving home from Miami International, you'll have to understand that this semester was CRAZY and EXHAUSTING. To compound the situation, I have been up for like 48 hours straight partying. This is due primarily to the immature antics of Anuj and company. So, as you sit there driving, listening to the radio, deciding whether or not you should wake me up to talk to you, just know that I love you, and as soon as the caffeinated blood is cleared from my body is metabolized by my liver, I'll give you a giant hug and tell you that I love you. But for now, it would be nice if you just let me drool.

Love,
David

Discovering New People

So here's something about me: It seems like I am always discovering new fascinating people that amaze me and I can't believe that I didn't know much about them before. A lot are political figures. Here's my new favorite:

James Carville!

Wow. What a guy. He is so fascinating and, in my opinion, motivational and inspirational. Here's what I like about James Carville:

1. He speaks his mind
2. He seems to like stirring up a little controversy when possible
3. He is very opinionated
4. He is soooooooo interesting to listen to (see no. 3)
5. He is so crazy smart. Seriously, if you listen to him talk, he is head and shoulders above his peers. It is borderline psychotic-intelligence.
6. When he talks, other people (myself included) just stare, mesmerized, like this guy is the most brilliant person they have ever heard.
7. It seems like he is comfortable wearing jeans, when everyone around him is wearing a suit and tie
8. He probably does no. 7 because he knows that he'll always be the smartest guy in the room, so he just doesn't give a damn.
9. He listens to and takes into consideration other people's (sometimes very different) opinions, where appropriate
10. He dismisses most other people's opinions, where appropriate
11. He is passionate about what he is passionate about. Seriously, I hope I have that much fight in me when I'm his age
12. He's 66 and still seems to be in pretty good shape
13. He is happily married to someone who has totally oposite opinions
14. It could be argued that he single-handedly got President Clinton elected
15. He likes beer
16. He can talk circles around you.
17. He seems courteous
17.5. He seems curious
18. He is open-minded
19. He can be so articulate, if need be. But most of the time he just ops to use "the people's language" (so everyone can understand)
20. He is offensive to Republicans

I could go on and on. I mean, seriously, what a spectacular person! This is definately my new favorite person... at least for the next week or so. I usually change my favorite person bi-weekly it seems.

Probably my all-time low was when I found out who Justin Bieber was this past November. He was my favorite person for a solid two or three days.... don't judge, that kid's got tallent, AND AND AND it seems like he is sooooo cool. And I think he kind of looks like me when I was his age. Could you immagine how cool I could have been in middle school if I had been more like Justin Bieber... wow, my life would have been incredible... If only I could go back in time to middle school so I could style my hair differently and learn how to sing... I guess it is more of retrospect-envy than anything.

But for now: James Carville is the man!!!!!!

Great Quote

"If you get caught up in the worst-case scenario and it doesn't happen, then you've wasted your time; and if you get caught up with the the worst-case scenario and it does happen, then you've lived it twice."

-Michael J. Fox

What a hero!

My favorite words in Medical School

My favorite words to hear in medical school:

"... but the exact mechanism is unknown."

Translated into layman terms: "don't bother learning this."

YES!!!!

Neuroscience in Mortal Kombat 9!!!!!!

A friend of mine told me that the new Mortal Kombat 9 video game came out today. (If you don't know what Mortal Kombat is, I don't think you and I can ever be friends... seriously). I went to youtube to watch some of the fatalities AND...... Oh my gosh, neuroscience makes a cameo in one of them!!!!! Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised.

Classic example of an upper motor neuron lesion with unilateral right-sided decorticate and unilateral left-sided decerebrate position. Awesome.

Go to this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSJ9SiwohUs and watch from 15:00 minutes in.

**Disclaimer**
If you don't already know what a Mortal Kombat Fatality is, chances are you should not click on the link. Sorry, old-people.

I CAN SEE THE LIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once you get behind in medical school, it is close to near impossible to catch up. I know from experience. I got a little behind a few weeks back (for the first time sense I have been at St. George's) and I have been just trying to catch up sense then. Guess what??? It is REALLY hard to do. Every day you are presented with a ton of new material. That alone takes up almost all or all of your time. So you can only catch up a tiny bit every day. Well ladies and gentleman, the semester is coming to an end and you know what that means??? No more new material for Neuroscience!!!!!! woooot. Even though I love this class, the less material the better. From now on, it's all clinical cases: like how someone can be paralyzed on half of their body, etc. All of which comes from material we have already learned.

There are 3 more weeks of class and I finally feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so pumped. I think I am going to make it [as I cry tears of joy]. Here's the plan: I think I can pretty much finish all of this semester's material within the next week!!!!!!! Do you know how exciting this is?????? Oh my god, I think I can do it.... It is going to be super tough, but yes, I see the light! That means 2 weeks to study everything before the start of midterms. Holy cow, this next month is going to be crazy. My last exam is May 16... One month from now. That seriously seems like tomorrow. Ok back to studying.

The "success in medical school" equation:

(Study, Sleep, Study, Eat, Study) X (100) = Straight A's

Or at least... that's the plan

I've never had a class like this before

We had one of the most unique lectures today that I have ever had in my life.... ever. Unlike any class that I have ever been in, out of all of my years of going to class in medical school, undergrad, and highschool. It was a class on how to write a death certificate. I'm not even joking. An entire hour devoted to how to fill out a death certificate and figure out the cause of death. Oh, and don't forget to check to see if the guy is dead and pronounce death, I almost forgot.

So needless to say, it was quite odd. I thought we were supposed to be learning about how to be do-gooders and to save people and help the world and hand out lollypops to crying babies, not learning about how to throw in the towel.

In all seriousness, I'm sure it's a good skill to have, but to be honest I would have probably just liked to have learned this one on the job. I kind of felt like I was in that class in elementary school when they were teaching you how to write a check becuase it is such an IMPORTANT life lesson to have, but the only thing you are concerned with is the kid sitting next to you picking his nose, or whether or not your mom gave you a snack-pack for lunch. Did you have that class in the 3rd grade? I certainly did. You know what, I'm still not 100% sure at how to write a check. Who uses checks nowadays, anyways?

Am I turning into a Grenadian?

I found a U.S. one dollar bill on my desk today, most likely from when Bianca was here last week. I thought to myself when I looked at it... what a strange-looking currency... I found myself staring at it for a few minutes. I was fascinated by this currency that I had not seen in so long. It looked so much different from the $EC that I have grown accustom to. Then I starting thinking about the differences in the US and Grenada. I am growing very fond of this place. It is so beautiful and the people here are so genuine and hospitable. When I elbow-up to a restaurant bar and ask for something to eat, it makes me feel good that I will inevitably be greeted with a kind, "Whacha be haaaaaaaaavin'?" from a local Grenadian. I am starting to feel really at home in what used to be a very strange environment.

Bianca and I even rented a car and circumnavigated the entire island. It was fascinating. EVERYONE we ran into was so genuinely helpful and kind. We even got lost a few times, and the locals helped us to find our way back to the main-roads. What I find so interesting about Grenada is the sense of community that the island seems to have.

In the US, it is a common site to see someone standing on the side of the road, next to their broke-down car, all by themselves, waiting for AAA to come and give them some help. In Grenada, however, it's different. I have never once seen someone standing next to their broke-down car all by themselves. EVERY TIME there is a stranded driver on the road, there are ALWAYS a few people next to him, helping him or trying to work on the car. You see, in Grenada, there is no AAA to save your butt if your car breaks down. Your neighbor is the only one that can help you.... and they do.... willingly. And when THEIR car breaks down... you help them.

Oh oh, and one more thing: Don't even get me started on the public bus system in this country!!!!!! It is soooooo good. I'm not kidding. I am a huge fan. The public transport in this country is some of the best I have ever seen. It is fascinating how effective the system is. Every time I ride the buses in Grenada, I think to myself, would this system work in the states? Has this been tried in the states? The public transportation is privately run, in a way... Here's how it works: I am a Grenadian citizen who needs to make a living. I decide on "bus driver," even though it is a little more like reggae driver (I'll post videos of the buses. they're AWESOME). I buy myself a van, go to the state department and register my van / pay a monthly fee. and get a large sticker for the front that say's "A route, or B route, or C route, etc." That's it. I'm ready to roll. Start driving the route and let the $$$ flow. At least, I think that's how it works. In any case, there are as many public buses in Grenada as there are cabs in NYC. It is awesome... and CHEAP.

That's it

Bianca and Beer

Ahhh yes, the two best things in the world. So it is super-late Saturday night and our Physiology test is Monday morning. I'm doing pretty good. I'm pretty much done with physiology. Just going to do a butt-load of practice questions tomorrow and I'll be set.

But that is not the point of this blog. The point is: Bianca and Beer. Bianca is coming Friday and I cannot wait! We are definitely going out on Friday night (It will be my first time going out in 2011!!!) and I am really excited. And the best part, Bianca might try to import some Seasonal Blue Moon (which I haven't tried) or Shock Top into Grenada! Lol! Is that legal? I don't know. Bianca was reading the laws earlier, so hopefully she can decipher through them and bring in some Beer. yeah!

I'm telling you: you're Beer options in Grenada are really limited. Basically, anywhere you go, you can get Heineken, Stag, or.... wait for it: Carib, the local beer of the islands. Here's how I'll explain what Carib tastes like: think of the worst frat party that you've ever been to that was serving up the cheapest, no-name, only-buy-in-bulk, keg beer you can think of: It's a step down from that. And I'm only a fan on Heineken after I've finished a few beers to begin with, if you know what I mean.

Every time I think about going out on Friday, I get really excited, then I get really sad because I think of how bad the beer selection will be. So, if Bianca can figure out a legal way to bring in some beer (how hard can it be? After all, she WAS an immigration lawyer. Doesn't she know the beer immigration laws too?) Friday will be AMAZING!!!!

Game plan

So, there is a week before midterms for physiology and neuroscience. Lucky for me, these are my favorite subjects, so this week should be pretty enjoyable, study-wise. The past few days, all I have been studying is physiology, specifically, Gastrointestinal physiology. I have not even touched neuroscience. Why? Well, because we still have a week left of lectures in physiology. That's right, we just started learning GI physiology a few days ago, and we have lectures all this week (including Friday) of new material.

Here is how I view learning: The first time you learn something, it is the hardest... and it takes the longest time. Then after a week or so, you forget it. Then you have to review it, which does not take quite as long as the first time, but it is still a descent chunk of time. Then after a few weeks, you forget it. Review a little again... after a month you forget it... Review just a little.... Remember for a few months... The cycle continues, and the more times you see the material, the longer you remember, and the less time you need to review.

As a side note: In my opinion, only about 1% or less of that material is stored "permanently," that is to say you can remember it 2 or 3 years later without reviewing at all.

The point is, the first time you learn something, as we all know, takes the longes time. So I have been learning the upcoming week's material of physiology this weekend.

I have not been studying much neuroscience even though it is my favorite subject to study. I am looking forward to tomorrow when I will spend 90% of my time on reviewing neuroscience. I am such a nerd, but I really love the material. It is soooooooo interesting.

The rest of the week will consist of random reviewing of both neuro and physio (along with my other subjects) and organizing this material neatly in my mind, for easy access on the exam. :-)

If all goes to plan, I will write another blog post in 5 days, on Friday night, (it is Sunday night now) saying that I am totally ready for my exams on Monday.

Should be an interesting/productive/relatively non-stressful week before exams.

We'll see

Addendum to last post:

Also, I wanted to point out...

There are some REALLY smart people here.

i.e. every one of my friends!

Studying in Grenada is great

You know what. I was thinking about it.... being able to study in Grenada is fantastic. And here is why:

1. We are on a freakin island, so there are not many distractions (aside from the beautiful beaches).
2. The teachers here are PHENOMENAL! Seriously, all of the professors here are (for the most part) fantastic. They are paid to teach, not to do research.
3. I live on campus, so everywhere you go, people are studying. It can be, at times, really motivational.
4. The level of extra help and study resources that this school provides is EXCELLENT. There are SOOOOO many options for extra help or study groups if you want it.
5. Again, we are on an island, so really all we have to concentrate on is studying.

After reading about and talking to some students and professors at other (state side) medical schools, I really feel strongly that the quality of education we are getting here is probably some of the best in the world... and while some medical students have to decide if they are going to go out to a night club, go to a local sporting event, see the latest movie that just opened, or study.... We, here in Grenada, only have one option: Study... always. but we get the beautiful views out our windows.

Back to rocking it out with one week til midterms.

Parasitology: WOOT WOOT!

I am so relieved. I got an A in parasitology! I have no idea how this happened. It was so hard. I ended up with a 94% in the class. If I never ever have to take another parasitology class in my life, I will be a happy person. Having said that, I am pretty sure that I could recognize malaria in a patient had it or treat the parasitic diseases that I am likely to come across. Thank GOD that class is over. I'm so drained from it.

HARDEST... CLASS... EVER.

So, I figured I'd give a quick update since I haven't posted anything in like 2 months. Here's the deal: Term 2 is underway. Classes I'm taking right now: Physiology, Neuroscience, Genetics, and.... PARASITOLOGY (noooooooooo)!

Physiology and neuroscience run all semester long and are 6 and 5 credits, respectively. Biochem, uhh, I mean genetics is a 2 credit class run by the same dept. as biochemistry and is VERY similar. It is pretty much some of my easy undergraduate molecular biology courses crammed into 36 lectures.

...and PARASITOLOGY! Oh my gosh. This class just started two weeks ago and is ending Monday ( in 2 days). It is 1 credit. Ok. Let me tell you something! THIS CLASS SHOULD NOT BE 1 credit!!!!!! This is by far the hardest class I have EVER taken! It is straight up memorizing life cycles and infective stages of about 50 different parasites, and how to treat them (drugs, etc.). My sister would LOVE this class. She's a biologist and likes crawly things. This class is KILLING ME! I have spent sooooooooooooooooooo much time studying for this class! It is, in my opinion, a 3 or 4 credit class crammed into 2 weeks.

We have our parasitology final exam on Monday and our genetics midterm on Tuesday. In terms of studying: I have spent about 20X more time studying for parasitology than genetics. RE-donk-u-less. I am probably only going to spend one day studying genetics and I have been studying almost all parasitology everyday for the last 2 weeks.

Anyways, that's my rant. Physiology is just physics 101 for the body. I like it a lot. It is pretty easy for me. Neuroscience is AWESOME. It is really, really interesting. I love studying for this class. Definately my favorite class I've taken so far in medical school. Really neat and really exciting.

Well, I'm going to get back to studying.
I feel pretty good about genetics even though I have spent like no time at all studying for it. I think I'll be able to get an A on the midterm.

As for parasitology.... well, let's just say, I'd better get back to studying. My life will be so much better after Monday morning.