itsartipatel

The start to a new semester in a new place

In January 2019 I began my second semester in Barbados. I had planned to live with people I knew from Semester 1. RUSM housing had different plans in mind. With so many students flying into Barbados at once to start this new and different journey, everyone was overwhelmed. I was startled when I was given the key to a house that I didn’t sign up for. A house that was much further out in the community than what I was expecting to live in, with strangers that I had never seen. I wanted to cry. Not because I was sad but because anxiety was taking over. I didn’t know what to do in that situation. I was told that I had to stay where I was placed by the school until Swap Week came around (which wasn’t until almost 1 month later). So here I was, an introverted, anxious girl moving into a house with strangers in a new country. I had no idea what I was going into. But, let me tell you, it was one of the best things that could have happened to me during my journey at RUSM in Barbados. My roommates were wonderful, caring, and thoughtful. We all have ups and downs with our roommates but in the end, I was happy that this housing mismatch occurred. Although we were not the best of friends or super close personally, we were still there for each other when it was needed. It did take some time to adjust to the Barbados lifestyle, especially as a student, but I will be discussing that in more detail in a different post.

2C curriculum 

Semester 2 was a little different from Semester 1. The lectures were presented in a similar fashion, but we also had an additional clinical portion that was more in-depth compared to Semester 1. I’ve decided to layout the 2C (regular track) curriculum for those who are interested in knowing what modules were included, along with the clinical sciences portion. The reason I’m talking about the curriculum in a little more detail is because the regular track (which Rossies call the “C track”) is a little different from the accelerated track. First semester is the same for everyone. During first semester there are no study blocks included in the schedule and the accelerated track is pretty much the same way (just with more difficult modules). The C-track has study blocks included in the schedule, which allows students to have more time to study, whether that be for their upcoming Minis or if they want to start reviewing material from previous semesters. Since there are breaks in the curriculum, C-track does take a total of 5 semesters to complete basic sciences while X-track (accelerated) only takes 4. Since each student is unique in their own way, it really is a preference as to which one you decide to go with. Another tip to keep in mind is that you can switch to C-track if you are doing X-track. But, you cannot switch it the other way around. 

Unfortunately, as I mentioned in my Semester 1 post, I did not get the option to choose a track. A 70% is needed in Semester 1 in order to choose if you want to do C or X. Since I did fall below that percentage, I was automatically enrolled into C. I had many moments when I got upset over this. But looking back at it now, it really did not make any difference to me. In fact, I think being in the C-track allowed me to learn so much more and use my time efficiently. There was not a single study block period where I slacked off. I used those study block periods to my advantage because that is exactly what they were there for. But, I understand that this is not the case for everyone. Some students work better under more time constraints and pressure while others may need a little extra time to digest the material. So, as I said before, it really is up to each individual to figure out which track works best for them. 

The last thing I want to mention for the tracks is to not let other peoples’ actions influence your decision. Medical school is a long journey and you will most likely be making a couple of good friends that you want to stick with throughout the semesters. And we often want to move forward while still being together. This cannot always happen. It’s not worth it, in the end, to choose the wrong track because you wanted to finish early or not be without your friends for the last semester of basic sciences. 

Basic Sciences

Clinical Sciences 

**This was the layout for my semester but I’m not sure if the curriculum has changed**

Birthday celebrations

Although not a fan of the heat, being able to spend my birthday in Barbados was beautiful. My friends and I spent the day on a Barbados tour bus that took us all around the island. It had only been 1 week into the semester, so we thought it wouldn’t be too bad to take the day off and enjoy what Barbados has to offer. And let me tell you, it was breathtaking. The day ended with dinner at a restaurant with some friends. It was a simple yet memorable birthday. And the following day, the grind towards Mini 1 began.

Disappointment once again

I had 2 weeks left to prepare for Mini 1. The cardiovascular I and pulmonology I modules were known to be the toughest for semester 2. I was doing my best to stay on top of the material and not fall behind. But it always felt like I was taking way too much time on each lecture. Being someone who takes handwritten notes, it would take me almost 3-4 hours to get through one PowerPoint. I was getting through all the material, but I was not retaining it. My studying for Mini 1 only consisted of going to lectures and taking notes on the slides. And let me tell you, it wasn’t enough. Yes, I was spending a lot of time studying but it was not efficient. I was 2% below the class average for Mini 1. I was upset and shocked when I opened my score report but looking back at it, I should not have been shocked. Because I was going through the motions the same way that I did during Semester 1. This is not how I wanted to start off the semester. I felt like I was in Semester 1 all over again. I had told myself that I needed to change but I did nothing different. I wasn’t being disciplined enough to succeed.

Giving myself no option but to improve

I was done lying to myself. I was done telling myself that I am working hard and doing my best. Because the results showed me that I was not putting in my best effort. I did not come this far to keep failing over and over. I was axing my own foot. I finally made a schedule that I had to follow no matter what happened. And I stuck to that routine the entire semester. Following my schedule and routine, I actually started feeling better both mentally and physically. I was being productive and still was able to have some time to myself almost every single day. Each Mini I was scoring higher and improving. And it wasn’t just about the score. I felt more confident explaining the material and concepts to other students as well. 

Wrapping up the semester 

The last 2 weeks of the semester included the last Mini, the clinical exam, and the final exam. I had more than enough time to study for all 3 with the study days given within those 2 weeks. The clinical exam was definitely a new door for me. It was extremely nervous about how the patient would feel and reporting back to the doctor. I tried my best to perform the physical exams how I had practiced but still missed some things. Overall, the clinical exams went super well. 

The last week rolled around and all that was left was the final exam. Having improved so much from day 1 of the semester and being excited to go home and see my family, I was super motivated to keep pushing through. As weird as it may sound, I was enjoying reviewing all the content from the entire semester. I was remembering everything I learned that semester. I felt confident walking out of the classroom once the final exam was over and my results proved it. Seeing my final exam grade, I was relieved and super stoked. I didn’t have to wait that 1 dreadful week to know if I passed. The following day, I packed my bags and enjoyed the next 10 days in NY, NJ, & IL with my family. 

[Lesson learned from Semester 2]

Wanting change means having to leave your comfort zone. And wanting results means you have to start from day 1. 

After almost failing Semester 1, I still fell back into the same routine for the beginning of Semester 2. Telling myself that I will change was not enough. Like people always say, it’s the actions that count, not the words.