Find your Tribe

Hey guys!

So I was asked a really good question and I thought it would give me a perfect opportunity to write a blog post.

"How do you keep going when people doubt you?"

I have a long and a short answer to this one...

In short - DON'T LISTEN TO THEM!

Now my longer response. Everyone I've spoken to has had their fair share of people who didn't believe in them or didn't think that they would be able to get to whatever their dream goal was. I can only speak from my own experience but I've had my own non-believers in my life. It's difficult when you are seeing any sort of academic advisors and they tell you to "quit" or "drop out" or "try again later". So negative... and such a bone breaking way to crush someones soul. Coming back from situations like that are very difficult. But it all boils down to your support system.

I've been so incredibly grateful that my friends and family have always stood behind my back 150%. Whether they be at home (hi Mom, Dad, Alex and Babcia!), on the other side of the country (hi Mary Anne!) or on the other side of the world (hi Susan!) I know I have people who have so much belief and faith in me that it just keeps me going.

But back to getting over that initial soul crushing moment - it's going to be hard... and it will never get easier when someone says you can't do something. Turn those emotions around and take all that sadness and all of those tears and fight. Do everything you can to prove that person wrong. So what if they don't think you can make it into medical school. Half of the time they may not really even know what it takes to get into medical school (other than your usual GPA and MCAT statistics). And find someone who does believe in you.

I've been so fortunate that my parents have always told me to follow my dreams and they will always be there for me. Internally that wasn't enough. I wanted someone from an academic standpoint to believe in me too. Fortunately I was able to find professors who believed in me when I couldn't believe in myself. And I want to say thank you to them - for writing my letters of recommendation, letting me sit in your office to talk, welcoming me into your lab and for most importantly not putting any weight on my transcript and basing their opinion on me after knowing me as a person and as a student.

All in all - you will have people who will doubt you or criticize you on the way but take everything they say with a grain of salt and keep on pursuing your dreams.

- Jen

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Hi friends!

Just thought I’d throw in a blog post before I go into an intense month filled with exams, finals, practical’s and classes. If you want to know what I’ve been up to – I’ve just been studying away in my cubicle in the library. I will take some time off and enjoy the outdoors (the beach) or go for a work out.

The reason I’m writing this blog post is to thank all of the beautiful people I have in my life.

For those of you who don’t know my father is going in for a third heart catheterization on Monday and it’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for me. But there is no way I could be where I am mentally without the amazing friends I have in my life both on and off the island. From the moment I found out that my dad was going to have to go in for another surgery I have received nothing but total love and support from everyone around me. From a hug, to a “I’ll send prayers to him”, to a smile, to any other kind words that have come out of my friends mouths I just want you all to know how grateful I am to have you all in my life.

There is nowhere I’d rather be than at home with my family but being here is the second best place I could be. I could have never imagined the support and family like vibes I would receive here (after only a month). But it brings me to tears… I’m trying to hold mine back as I write this in the library.

After going through all of this and being on the receiving end of such kindness, it really solidified to me that a smile can make a persons day. You never know what people may be going through in their personal life. I always try to keep a smile on my face and share kind words with friends and acquaintances but I am making sure that no matter how stressed out or frustrated I am – I will always share a smile, or a hug with my friends around me.

There is no way you can get through this program alone. Use your friends for support, guidance and love. They’re not family – but they’re the closest you’ve got to it on the island.

Love you all,

Jen

MCAT is done!

Hey all!

I just wrote my MCAT yesterday and it was unlike any other test I've written! Still in recovery mode aka sitting on my couch watching TV shows.

If anyone has any idea for upcoming posts please feel free to send me a message and I will be happy to try and accommodate you ideas!

- Jen