Tough Times

Friends!

I'm sitting here writing this and I should be going to bed but I can't help but think. Think about MERP in August 2015 then moving to Dominica January 2016 then coming home April 2017 and finally being in IMF.

It's only been 2.5 almost 3 years but I feel like I've lived a lifetime. It's been so rewarding, frustrating, exciting and nerve-racking and I can't even begin to try to put it into words.

I always end up writing these blogs when I need to hear what I'm writing in these blogs the most. I think to myself - if I need to hear this I can only imagine others do too.

I've been thinking lately about this journey... specifically my journey but I want to include everyone on this journey. I always go back and forth in my mind about sharing my journey and being public about it because I never want someone to compare their journey with mine.

Because I know I do that.

So it got me to thinking... write a blog about it.

I've heard the line (and thought the line) "well ______ is going through ______ so I can't complain".

But when I take a step back and really think about when I say something like that I'm really putting my own personal struggles and hardships down. EVERYONE... let me say this again EVERYONE is going through their own struggles. Whether it's personal or family oriented, seemingly big or seemingly small, within your control or not. We all have things we need to deal with and none of that should ever be compared. No one should ever be little their own struggles because it seems like it's not a big deal. It's important enough for you to think about - therefore it's a big deal... to YOU.

The beauty of medicine and its journey is that everyone is going to experience it very differently. We're all going to have different paths yet we all want the same thing... that MD/DO behind our names. Some students struggles may be internal - whether it be imposter syndrome, test anxiety, lack of confidence. Or external - family, friends, personal illness. Maybe some students deal with all of the above.

My point is your journey is your journey - however bumpy or smooth, internal or external. It's yours. And you should be proud of your journey. No matter how far along your journey you are. You could be in clinical rotations, basic sciences, just getting into med school, studying for your MCAT or just starting your pre-med journey.

Be proud of where you are and what you've accomplished up to this point. Never focus on someone else's road. Be proud of you.

- Jen

Positivity Breeds Positivity

Hello my friends!!!

So I've been taking my time to get to writing this haha - sorry!

I wanted to wait to make sure I passed 3X before I wrote anything but I'm officially heading to my final semester of the island in January! It's been one heck of a ride since last year at this time when I was just starting my journey to the island. Thank you to everyone who has been following my stories since then!

I'm currently in Brooks, Alberta (a little town 2 hours south of Calgary) with my family because my brother plays for the Brooks Bandits and they have a game on New Years Eve! I'm super excited about that and shockingly this is the first time I've flown domestically in Canada AND the first time I've gone west of London, Ontario. So far it's been pretty windy and cold (I'm not so good with winter) but it's beautiful here. The town is small but nice and everyone is SO friendly and welcoming. I've layered up my socks and have two on at all times since one was not cutting it. As for the hockey arena here - it is BEAUTIFUL. Looks like a professional rink and by far the nicest I've been in, and I sat in my fair share of arenas growing up.

ANYWAYS back to medicine! The mental break has been so nice and SO NECESSARY. I can't stress taking a mental break enough. You think you can just powerhouse through it and you don't need to take a break but your mind needs it. If your school gives you time in your schedule or between semesters UTILIZE THAT BREAK or you will burn out! Mind you I have started looking at my Cardiology section of First Aid (since yesterday) just to start refreshing my memory before my cardiology block in 4X! Although cardio is a difficult block and very conceptual I am interested in it and I do find it pretty darn cool.

I don't think I've actually fully processed the fact that I am heading into my final semester on the island... after this one island life is done. That's pretty scary to think about. I still feel like a medical baby. I'm also shocked at the amount of information we've packed into our minds in the last year. It's absolutely crazy and I still shock myself when I sit down and explain something to a friend or family.

When I sit back and think about how much things have changed in the past year it scares me but also makes me feel incredibly excited. If you put your mind to something and believe you can do it you will be shocked at how much things can change for you in a year. There's no reason to think you are unable to do something just because someone may have said you are unqualified or "it'll never happen". My own situation is a prime example and I use my brother - who has had MANY trials and tribulations himself - as my inspiration to keep pushing.

I'm cutting this short so I can catch the end of my brothers practice but PLEASE never give up hope or faith. You can and you will do it!

Jen

That arena...

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

21 Days to Relocation

Helloooooo friends!

Since I've written Mini 3 I have been going non-stop getting ready for the big move down to Dominica. Not only am I working full time (until the 19th) but I'm packing, organizing my visa application and most importantly trying to see everyone I care about before I leave.

I know that last task is impossible but I'm doing my best.

I honestly thought this day would never come. I've always had a part of me that wanted to travel and experience difference parts of the world but that time has never come - until now. I know it's going to be an adjustment, I won't have the same comforts as I do at home (bread is $15.00 - I'll be living without carbs) but it'll be an adventure.

Half of this adventure is figuring out what I'm going to need while I'm down there. I can't pack for this like I do vacations - the night before - it takes weeks of planning. Here's a rough list of things I'm bringing down:

- Paper, spiral note books, pens, pencils, highlighters, post its, apple chargers, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shorts, t-shirts, 1 sweater, socks, running shoes, birks, hiking boots, insect repellant, filtering water bottle, mosquito netting, canteens, sunscreen, hats, workout attire, summer dresses, peanut butter, nutella, crackers, granola bars, sheets, pillows, kleenex, toilet paper, aloe vera, coffee, french press, rain jacket, old textbooks

And that's all I can think of off the top of my head. As you can see I'm bringing everything down that I possibly can. Not only regular things to bring on a trip but also ALL of my schooling materials plus extra.

I'll be flying out January 1st at 6:25 am - here's to an amazing last few weeks in the homeland!

Jen

Searching For A World With 40 Hours

I've said the title of my post too many times to count in the past 12 weeks. As we get to the end of our semesters (I've got three weeks left) we have everything starting to pile up. Assignments, final projects, "midterms", presentations - you name it. As a normal student we start to burn out. We've been pushing ourselves for the earlier part of the semester and our brain is starting to go a little crazy.

I find that my time management skills always come into scrutiny at this point of the year. "How do I utilize my time properly?" I've been thinking this myself - along with crying to some friends about how stressed we were. So I have decided to do a post on time management skills.

I've asked countless profs, done research online, talked to other students and here are my top five time management techniques that work for me.

1. ALWAYS MAKE TIME TO WORK OUT
I've done a study on myself throughout undergrad and now - every time I don't work out I find it very difficult to study and my grades suffer. If working out isn't for you, then do something that will recharge your batteries and get your mind back in the game.

2. Schedule your day
I'm a very organized person. I need to plan what I'm doing that day. But I'm not saying plan to learn a whole subject if that's unattainable. Plan your day and schedule your time realistically. For example I cannot block off 4 hours straight studying and think I will get through a weeks worth of material. I know I can't sit and work on something for that long. Instead I will block hour slots with realistic tasks for me to complete in those hours.

3. Balance
I guess this goes with rule one... but it's so important I'm going to reiterate it again. Talk with family or friends, go for a walk... ect. I know after every hour I will have a five minute dance party to pull myself back together and focus again. The little breaks and time for your brain to decompress is so beneficial - rather than staring at that concept you can't figure out, have a dance party and then come back to it and look at it with a new perspective.

4. Change your study spot
I get very bored if I have the same study spot. Every once and a while switch it up! Go to a new cafe, or that library down the street. Having a different visual stimulations stops your brain from processing things redundantly and has shown to actually increase memory.

5. Sleep
I know what you're thinking. Sleep? This is a time management list... You always need to fit sleep in. Numerous studies have shown that your brain can think much more logically. So if you have that 8 am exam - don't stay up until 4 am studying. You won't be able to logically think your way through the exam or you may sleep right through it.

Hope that helps!

Jen

It Takes All Kinds

Hello!

So I'm thinking I'll post a new life lesson I've learnt every week I've been at work.

I'll start with the one that shocked me the most. 

I miss being in school. 

Take that in for a second. 

I miss the simplicity of going to class and doing assignments. Once you're in the working world you have a lot more resting on your shoulders.

For me, right in front of my face with patients. You don't want to mess up their payments or their bookings. Although it's nice to come home from work and not have anything to do I do miss learning. 

For those of you still in school don't take it for granted. Enjoy the classes and enjoy the process. You'll miss it once it's gone. 

- Jen