A Lesson in Humility

Hey!

After about a month on the job, AND ABSOLUTELY LOVING IT, I've found one reoccurring theme in my daily activities.

As many of you know I have my BSc in Kinesiology, so I came into this job thinking it would be relatively easy. Boy was I mistaken.

*My med school interview*

"Jennifer, what do you think the most important quality of a doctor is?"

"Humility. As a doctor I believe you will never be the best at anything. Sure you may have mastered your way of a treatment but there is always going to be someone out there who has a different way of approaching the situation - and their way could work better"

*End Scene*

Now, you may be wondering why I've decided to relive that nerve wracking moment in my life. I believe humility is not only the best quality you could have as a doctor but as a person as well.

I've done it, you've done it, we've all done it. You look at a job and you think to yourself, "That job looks so easy. I'd be able to do X, Y & Z". After doing this job I have decided to never do that again.

I always thought being a receptionist wasn't going to be too difficult of a job, take peoples payments, book them appointments... ect. After working for a month and getting to points where I was about to cry behind the front desk I've realized it's one hell of a difficult job.

As a receptionist you are the front line of the clinic. If people come in angry they take it out on you, if they call angry it's on you, if scheduling doesn't work out it's on you... basically if anything doesn't work out the way they want it to it's automatically your fault.

With saying that, I have met some very pleasant and amazing people at the clinic so obviously anywhere you go you're going to meet those bad apples. I'm just vocalizing the fact that I didn't realize and appreciate how much receptionists do and what they deal with.

All the best,

Jen

You Get What You Give

Hello friends!

I've just finished up my fourth week at the clinic and I couldn't be happier with the people I work with. They've inspired me so much that I've decided to write a blog post dedicated to them.

I've always kind of thought that the energy you put out in the world you get back. I say "kind of" because I thought it but I wasn't totally convinced. I've seen examples of it and have experienced it myself but have never been immersed in it.

At my job I am the new employee, fresh out of undergrad, nervous as ever about her first big girl job. Ever since I first stepped foot in the clinic I have felt very welcome and supported by every other physiotherapist, chiropractor, sports med doctor, massage therapist and other admin.

From always shouting a warm welcome as I come in (or they come in) to asking how the adjustment to the new job is going or offering free treatment to me. I've always felt so welcome into their little clinic family and for that I am forever grateful.

I'd like to pass that message on out to the public (or people reading this) that no matter how crappy of a day you're having you should ALWAYS try to put positivity and happiness out into the universe.

It'll come back to help ya!

- Jen

Beginning of the End

Today is my last, first day of my undergrad. How time flies. I remember my first year in university, it feels like it was yesterday. I came from a small all girls private school so you can only imagine how different university was for me. It was the first time (like many other students) I was away from home. Anyone who knows me knows how big of a home body I am so this was a huge adjustment for me.

As wildly different university was for me I have to say these have been the best four years of my life. From the people I've met, to the experiences I've gone through they've all allowed me to grow into the woman I am today. I wouldn't change anything I've gone through these past four years because whether it was good or bad it was necessary for me to go through.

Although graduating and leaving behind such an amazing group of friends will be difficult I know, deep in my heart, that it's time to continue on my journey. I've done all the growing I can possibly grow in Waterloo and now I will be off to bigger and better things. I'm not sure what those things will be, but whatever they are I will take their challenges and rewards and use them to grow even more.

It's been a slice Waterloo, here's to a phenomenal final year!

Not Wanting to Study

MCAT Prep is coming to an end with my last day of classes tomorrow! I'm also finishing up with my major assignments for my online courses. It's kinda scary how quickly this summer has gone by. I feel like I've been studying the whole time!

Oh wait I have. I've got just over two weeks until the dreaded day of my MCAT and then a week later I have three online course exams... Call me crazy I know I am. So I'm not too sure how much I'll be posting in that time since my life will probably be even less exciting than it is now. So if I go AWOL you will know why.

I don't know about anywhere else in the world but it has been very rainy and cloudy at home which is not the best pick me up when you're trying to pump yourself up to study and not fall asleep on your books. So I'm working on being as positive as possible during this stressful time.

On a more exciting note, I got my courses all selected for the fall so I've already gone into prep mode for scheduling the semester in all three of my calendars (I know I'm a little OCD about this stuff). Figuring out voluneering, books, holidays... the whole nine yards. I like to start the semester running! Now that I've finished all those general science courses I needed for medical school I'm able to take Kinesiology courses that actually interest me. I'm taking anatomy of the central nervous system, injuries of work and sport, nutrition, biomechanical modeling of human movement and the psychology of sport. Sounds like it will be an interesting semester, hopefully not too heavy so I can spend some time on my medical school applications. If anyone wants to share what courses they're taking feel free to comment!

I've also been spending my time looking at different medical schools around the world and I wanted to see if anyone has any insight on places they're looking at, or study at because I am open to traveling before residency and settling down.

- Jen