From 1st to 2nd

So here I am, i have survived 1st year of medicine, considered by most to be the easiest year for a medical student, yet I do think it is a very important (if not the most important) year since it will test you and make you realize or understand what it is that you are (forcing?) facing for three or four more years that will actually progress or continue as we graduate and be clinicians. (remember, learning doesn't stop in the next five years of med school, it goes on. learning doesn't stop. period.)

Anyways, I did survive SLCM 1st year! yahoo! unfortunately for our batch, 13 was cut from our family and good-byes are really difficult. Sadly, 1 out of 13 included a close friend and it was really, really sad experience. I'm gonna stop there cause talking about it will probably bring tears to my eyes again (*sniffle) but let me say that med school can and will mend(tama ba?) strong bonds because the terror(ah wow) and stress it puts students into is significant.

So, you survived first year eh? Well prepare yourself to a new kind of hell that is 2nd year.

A lot of doctors would say that 2nd year is a true test for a med student. It will define your capability to be a doctor, whether you have the talent or real effort to survive this year practically defines your chances of surviving 2 or 3 more years.

First impressions.

                Well the previous batch before us gave us a pep talk (sortof warnings actually) about the year we are about to experience. They even made us a cute little guide about subjects, profs and 2nd year life in general you know?

                My first impression, more like the stand-out impression about what they said and wrote was the fact that 2nd year is a bitch. Factors to its bitchiness include the number of subjects, the paper that will pile up week by week, not to mention their deadlines will not be considerate at all, the professors are clinicians mostly, so they practically treat you like residents, the subject matter is clinical now! applications of what little (or a lot, if you're like,  really smart?) that was retained from your 1st year anatomy, physiology and biochemistry and lastly, time. It seems like time is never your ally in second year, a lot of things to do, too little time. (unless you fore go sleeping, eating, socializing, sports, *even bathing? ewwww...... to accomplish your goals) 

              Based on experience for the first block (I'll make a separate academic entry) those are true and accurate warnings (except the bathing part, I did bathe). Sortof, since the papers aren't really pilinig up yet because they're really considerate because we are babies, we don't know how to walk, talk or move around a clinical setting yet (unless you were a nursing student, then f*ck you cause you know a lot! haha...bitter me)

so they don't require papers yet (depending on the preceptor) and they don't grade the first papers you do and submit to them. The topics are toxic though, especially the clinical subjects of medicine, neurology and pediatrics. they.are.a.bitch.among.bitches. in my experience, these subjects ate me alive (though results are not out yet...) Coolest subjects are med ethics and microbiology (weird enough, i had a higher grade in patho than in micro--> which is considered easier) not to mention that patho and micro has the best teachers for the year (there, i said it, no turning back now). 

        

                I don't hate medicine, neuro and pediatrics though. On the contrary, my favorite subjects, based on topics are medicine and pediatrics. What i hate about them are the exams. They are seriously difficult. A lot comments that the exam level is that of a resident. Especially in Medicine, they ask very very clinical questions like diagnostic tools. (thank the gods for they will ask management and treatment next year!) which is confuing for a lot of us because we want to concentrate in the technical aspects of the diseases they thought us first, like signs and symptoms right? It was truly confusing for me because i did not expect diagnostics at all (like CXR, CT-Scan, Bronchoscopy etc) for very specific diseases. Plan or guideline for diagnosis depending on the history and presenting S&S (sign&symptom) of the patient was specifically asked. (like if the patient is susceptible to this or that, presenting with this S&S will have a specific diagnostic tool, if not presenting with an S&S then another tool could be used, etc) which was really ahem, difficult for my level. *cough, practically breaking my disclaimer of no academic entry here. BUt that is practically what's hard for medicine, they expect ALOT from us, which so not surprising if you think about it actually. We are in SLCM afterall, to be the best is our destiny (i typed that while the pokemon theme song is playing inside my head, weird...) Neuro is practically the same, but my real problem with this subject is the curriculum. The second topic was Lesion Localization (which includes extensive knowledge of Neuroanatomy including Sensory and Motor Systems) which are then discussed after the localization lecture. (imagine, Motor system is only being discussed now, it is the 2nd block dude, a little too late don't you think???

                Anyway, for Pediatric, because it is one of my Big 3, it deserves its own paragraph. We only had 4 lectures for pediatrics. yet those topics are very thick if you look at the book sources. In my honest opinion, the Pediatric department has one of the best sets of educators in the college. It is expected right? they handle kids and it is very difficult to impart knowledge to these little tykes and handling them requires a certain patience, light attitude and enough knowledge to a successful time with them. So what's the problem then? None at all, the exam questions were truly shocking though. A lot of the quesitons weren't mentioned in class at all. It was understandable though, Dr. Rivera did advised us to read the reference material. (though for the life of me i till didn't see some of the questions he asked there, maybe i was reading the wrong book?) It was painful to take the exam of a specialty you are considering to pursue only to find out that you might not have the raw talent for it? depressing....... anyways, the results will say it all. though a text message from the class president tells us otherwise, in the History of SLCM, lowest grades of a class in pedia was obtained by us. GO 2016! record holder!

                 Other subjects (Psych and Med Ethics) was considered the easiest subjects for 2nd year was surprisingly hard for me. not totally hard actually (87 transmuted score for the exam? not bad right? though my goal was 90 actually....) Psych was totally different though. results are not yet out but I'm seriously dreading that exam. It was a slap in the face. A subject people considered easy last year is kicking my ass, and it's winning..... The exam was difficult, the cases confused me and i was totally caught off guard for about 2 parts of the exam. Preparation is the key for psych i guess because my preparation of 4 hours prior to exam review didn't cut it. it needs more time apparently.....

                    So, more impressions! I was really thrown off guard in the other subjects, especially the clinical ones, (medicine, neuro, pedia, even psych) where in one topic is taught by a different professor. Also the fact that there's only 4 topics for psych, neuro and peds included in the exam was shocking since you'd think it be an easier read right? but think again, it means more reading work for us! In psych, it messed me up because I didn't put enough effort to differentiate the mechanisms deeper, probably due to my fear of flunking neuro terribly (which i think i did anyway?) which caused me disregarding psych more.... huhuhu.. An upper year advised me before that don't take psyvh for granted, yet i still did that. how could i forget her advice! damnit! I forgot to mention pharma, it is one of the difficult subjects because of memorization it requires. But in the first block, understanding is more important though. Drug names didn't come out yet, more of their activity though. The exam was relatively easy, nobody failed :) I wonder next block though...? It wasn't surprising though, the ladies of Pharma dept are really good lecturers. Doc Almoro teaches in a jolly experienced based way while Doc Tajan teaches in an intimidating, memorable manner (sobrang effective ng approach niya promise!) which practically guarantees that the topics are engraved inside your head. That's why i regret missing a class from her, most of my mistakes came from that missed lecture! damn....

                   Yup, that's practically it for my impressions, i think I actually failed in my goal of making a better impression since my mind is practically pointing to post-exam jitters but I'll try to make a better entry next time :)

 

4th Block - Digestive System

They dubbed this block the easiest last year, which is an over-estimation in my opinion. my personal highest was 1st bloc so, meh.... tho this bloc is the 2nd easiest, if not the easiest for some...

so why the heck is this block easy?
for starters, biochem was really, really easy this block. if you are in the red zone for biochem,
time to fight back and focus more since its gonna be easier to get a higher grade this time around. the topics are easy. the lectures primarily focused

3rd Block - Respiratory

My 3rd least favorite block, kating-kati ka na mag-Xmas break by this block. ang hirap magconcentrate! haha.

I think personally, Biochem + Anatomy is difficult more than ever for this block, physio is same-same for everyone more or less

Histology

harder last block (blood (difference b/w erythrocytes/leukoocytes/platelets including immunity , and blood vessels layers, different capillaries, veins VS arteries pati lymphoid tissues sininget pa sa block na ito! kaya madameng coverage)

hinabol lang kase yung histo, nakalimutan sa previous entry

Histo for this block is easier, mejo wala kase si Doc Quimbo this block, nagbakasyon, kaya lecturers ay sila Doc Decs/Chang/Roxas/Santos kaya....

mejo madali :) at mas konti ang lectures, differentiate lang epithelium ng trachea,pharynx, larynx, lungs etc, mas madali, pramis!

Anatomy

mejo complicated, kase aside from nasal sinus, pharynx, larynx, trachea, lungs, kasama pati, eyes, ears, face, scalp, head, mejo singet kase yung 40+ points kaya out of the blue sila >_< nakakashock lang...

Biochemistry

kung natikman mo ang pait at alat ng metabolic pathways last block, shocking this time around, lahat ng lectures ay puro pathways, as in! isang lecture lang yung hinde! Puro katabaan ang block nato, kase majority ay Lipids, merong Amino acids din dito, pero mas madame Lipids.

Physiology

Mejo konti lang ang topics for Physio this time around, advisable ding magGuyton this time around kase hindi naman masyadong mahaba eh, kaya 1-2 hours per Chapter. Importanteng concept sa block naito yung Respiration (yung pressures, circulation, regulation, etc) Volumes and Capacities, mejo intindihin yung difference tapos Acid-Base balance (respiratory or metabollic acidosis/alkalosis) yun lang naman, kayang kaya, kung bumaba ka last block (tulad ko) yakang bumawe, kame nung kaklase ko bumawe eh, tumaas kame ^___^

Prev Med

Okay lang tong block nato, merong epidemiology, computations lang naman, madali lang! hindi kelangang math major expertise :)

FOM

Same-same @___@ kung mababa ka sa ibang blocks, pagtuunan mo nalang ng mas madameng panahon, minsan yun lang talaga ang kulang dito, oras at pansin ^___^

Cases namin ay: Hyaline membrane Disease, Asthma, Sinusitis at Pleural Effusion

coming Next time:

4th Block, (the weeeeh~!!!! block) + Xmas Party + Xmas Break yeah!

2nd Block - Cardiovascular

The block i hate the most! this block started my spiral down the road (of bad grades)

maraming ngyare sa akin personally sa block na ito at dahil isa ito sa mga mahihirap na block,

bad combination! Again, try to avoid an eventful/ drama-laden life from now on, unless you live for the drama.....

so bakit ba mahirap ang block na ito?

madali lang ang Anatomy sa Block na ito, basta focus lang ng onti, least effort ako sa Anatomy (2-3 days review) pero mataas paren grade ko (88) sa block nato yeah! pinakamababa ko ay Physiology (thank you ha?) nabawi ko yung FOM ko dito, tapso bumaba ng onti Biochem ko, (note, bumaba ako sa physio ng 9 points! pucha....)

Anatomy:

2nd Block, so *baka* panget pa den yung trans nyo, kase hindi pa lahat nakakagawa ng trans at by the end of this block, lahat naka-experience ng gumawa, siguro gaganda na trans system by the 3rd block, pero mejo hindi paren ganun kaganda by this block...

kaya, review tips:

1. read the book, lalo na yung "Blue Boxes" kay Moore,

2. nagrerecord ka ba ng lectures? you should kase mga lectures ni doc Decs ay monologues, walang lecture notes sa slides niya, picture lang! kaya kung hindi ka mabilis magsulat/type, magrecord ka nalang para mareview mo pa ulet yung lectures!

3. lecture notes + netter, (ito yung atlas naten, puro pictures kase to) maganda magbasa ng Moore/Trans/Notes + Netter (gagawa ako ng entry for Books, just you wait) kase tulad ko (Visual learner) kailangan kong nakikita yung pictures along with text, kaya medyo nahihrapan ako kay Doc Decs eh, kase beneficial auditory learners talaga sa kanya....

yan lang,

Flash cards! kung may oras, gawa ka paden, sobra helpful nito sa finals at board exams!

Magpaka-OC ka at icategorize mo per Block, Per Subject (Colored indexes?) at per Lecture yung Notes/Flash Cards mo, (Oh yeah) para sa Finals, madaling iretrieve yung review materials!

Lab, mag-video ng mga sessions with Doc Decs, kase by 4th block onwards, sa batch namin, wala ng gumagawa ng trans, hindi ko alam kung bakit @____@

kaya magvideo kayo tapos ayun, reviewhin (night before exams?) para lam mo yung actual na itsura (lalo na yung nerve at artery, magkakulay at pareho ng itsura @____@)

start na din ng model mejo masaklap to kase dalawang lanes na sabay nageexam, so either yung left or right or yung harap at likod nung model yung mapupunta sa lane mo, (masaklap yung sa amin nun, wala sa isang model pero dun sa other model kita, anyare di ba?)

Physiology:

Nahirapan ako sa exam na ito, pero merong mga nka 95+ eh, so wala ako karapatan magreklamo @___@

nag-libro ako sa block na ito, mejo madame to, 1/4 or 1/5 ata nung libro yung para sa block na ito (1/5 ng 1100 pages = 220+ pages, yung libro eh mga isang ruler ang tangkad, Guyton, ay sus!) dito papasok ang trans+ Baby guyton (bilhin niyo ito, lakeng pagkakamali kong hindi na ako naghanap, wala kase nung 1st week of class, sumuko nako maghanap after nun)

mas effective kung naintindihan mo yung mga nangyayare, lalo na yung ECG (ay sus!) dapat gets mo yung 3 graphs, lalo na yung timing ng diastole-systole, ay sus, promise! hanggang finals(syempre sa hospital setting) kailanagan mo pa den to.

kapag naintindihan mo kase kasabay na deng memorized mo (kase ulit-ultin mong basahin+unawain = consolidated memory, hanggang pagtulog baka mapanaginipan mo na)

Biochemistry:

sa block na ito magsisimula ang impyernong idudulot ng Biochem sa inyong mga neurons,

andameng imememorize dito!

kase kailanagang memorized mo ang mga Biochemical pathways

narinig mo naman na siguro kung ano yung glycolysis at Kreb's cycle di ba?

don't worry, madame silang kamag-anak! (worry pala dapat)

not only do you have to memorize the substrates, you need to know also what the enzymes are, the rate-limiting enzymes (usually yung 1st enzyme naman lage eh) what inhibits and stiumalates that enzymes (usually high energy (ATP, NADH)=inhibit, low energy(AMP, NAD=stimulate) the diseases (symptoms) that could arise when you lack enzymes from the pathway and the medicines you could use to treat these diseases.

simple lang di ba? (evil smile, may naalala ako bigla, pero sikret lang namin yun)

sa lab,

(bitter pa den kase ako)

may isang tinanong na diagnostic tool for prologned glucose control of patients with diabetes, essay to ah, so tipong 4 points

di ko alam eh! ang tamang sagot glycated hemoglobin (hindi ko na ito makakalimutan ever!)

mga nakakuha lang nito sa alam ko eh mga nurse + medtechs :(

anyways, yun lang naman, tapos makinig sa post-lab, alamin yung importance ng bawat chemical na ginamit! promise, pwedeng itanong kase! (pwedeng buffer siya, or pra maging acidic/basic yung solution, para pang-develop ng color, pang precipitate ng sumthing, pang-wash out ng sumthing, pampastabilzie ng sumthing, etc)

yakang-yaka yung biochem basta magmemorize ka lang, ito talaga ay demanding na subject, kaya nga Biochem ang may pinakamalaking percentage ng grade, kung nag-aabot ka ng grade/scholarship, tuunan mo ito ng pansin, 1/4 ng grade mo galeng sa subject na to.

Prev med

Same same paden sa block na ito ang prev med, reportings+exam, be creative paden sa reportings, gumawa kayo ng video/skit etc. basta dapat creative kayo! matagal ng bano ang powerpoint presentation! try sumthing new! yung discussions den, memorize yung slight details, (like yung Minamata disease, due to Mercury poisoning) tipong parte lang siya ng isang slide na pinopoint out yung mga poisonous elements/chemicals, parang nadicttate lang, pero tinanong pa den?

worry not, the prev med faculty shares their powerpoints,

carry-on

FOM

same tactics, after ng physio/ ana/histo at biochem exams, matulog ka na

joke, basahin ulet yung topics na related sa cases na nadiscuss sa inyo, malamang sa malamang, case niyo dito will include hypertension at myocardial infarction, hindi pwedeng wala yan!

(cases naming kasama ay Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Rhematic Heart Disease at Erythroblastosis Fetalis)

additional tip, reviewhin niyo yung questions sa exam sa ana, bc at physio, kase uulet mga 1-3 questions from each department kaya maghanda

sa essay part, usually laging how at why ang mga tanong, pwedeng yung medication ang itanong, paano nagwowork, or kung bakit yun yung appropriate gamitin. pwedeng situational den, tipong what if yung itanong (sa pda, instead of ductus arteriosus, paano kung foramen ovale yung patent?)

overall: mahirap yung block na ito, para sa akin 2nd hardest block to, ewan ko ba kung talagang tumapat lang sa problema ng buhay ko or talagang mahirap tong block na ito, pero bumaba grades ko dahil sa block na ito, dahil sa block na ito, hindi na ako Dean's Lister :(

oh well,

haha

(pero sa block na ito bumawe yung kaibigan ko, siya yung naging DL, inagaw niya yung pangalan ko :) jowk, mga 4 kameng nawala sa listahan sa pagkakaalam ko, di ko na matandaan eh)

kung bumaba grades mo dito, at mejo demanding na orgs mo, pagisipan mo na kung mag-stay ka or magdedefer ka, kase mas hihirap/demanding lang ang orgs..... :(

1st Block - Musculoskeletal Block

its time for another kulet blog entry from me!

Yeay!!

Due to overwhelming neurons firing (not exactly coordinated) because of prev med and CBTL's Hot Vanilla, sobrang bangag at i'm on a sugar rush (22 hours na akong gising :-D)

Forgive if sobrang sabog or parang kulang, kase super 8 months(?) ago pa ito, at sobrang daming info na dumaan (at hindi naretain?) so yeah, baka nga mali-mali pa at pwedeng 2nd or 3rd block actually ngyare ang mga to, so.... yeah... ayan.....

First day of class,

Anatomy

unang araw, so fresh, exciting ng hangin, biglang, RECITATION!!!!

so Doc Decs starts your med school.......

Right! kase hindi naman terrorizing, isang: "How do you feel today?"

naks di ba? sobrang fun, tipong,

John: "Im nervous"

Doc Decs: "Why?"

John: "Because I'm in front of the class answering your questions" (along those lines)

siya lang yung naaalala ko, kase yun lang yung fun na comment

other answers includes, "excited" "anxious" "happy"

so ayan, syempre merong introduction, tipong class rules, syllabus, schedule (intimidating kase may schedule na binibay for the whole year! woah!)

tapos papakilala din ang mga profs,definitely fun!

sabi nila, Anatomy pinakamahirap sa block nato, kasi andameng muscles nu! sabay nerves, lymph nodes, blood vessels at bone origin/attachment! weird enough, Anatomy highest ko sa block na to, sobrang takot ko lang sa Anatomy, nagreview talaga ako. nakatulong din ng madame ang flash cards. try nyo ding gamitin as Pinoy Henyo yung flash cards, reviewing is fun! swear! Anatomy lab is something to adjust den, medyo experimental nanaman kame dito, kase first block, 1 minute lang ata, tapos succeeding labs medyo hinabaan na. tapos naging multiple choice! (andameng nagselos na higher years) pero ayun, prepare in advance! Read in advance! kung takot ka, magreview/memorize ka na 3 weeks before the exam! pramis, effective.... andameng medyo nagyabang eh, hindi nag-aral, swear, cramming sa medschool ang 1week before the exams review.... promise!

maglalab na kayo for that day! kaso mejo fail, kase Bones! at parang yung lab session na yun na yung buong session for the block para sa Bones! at mejo 4 points den yun sa lab exam!

Physiology!

same procedures, intro and pakilala.

walang tanong tanong/recitation, naglecture den agad!

Physiol, my favorite undergrad subject! first time kong pumasok, excited na talaga ako sa physiology, favorite ko to eh. kase andame mong maiintindihan sa katawan mo through this subject, sobrang, *woah!* ganun pala yun! parang ito nga ata pinaka-importanteng subject para sa akin sa first year eh. syempre basic yung anatomy, you have to know *where* and *what* pero Physio answers further the questions *How* *Why* and *When*

Physiol second highest ko sa Block na ito. pero after this block, nagtampo na ako sa Physiol.

bakit kamo? kase i was expecting more.... nabasa ko kase lahat ng chapters required sa Guyton, nagfurther studies pa ako, nag-extra books ako, (Ganong and Levy) pero ayun, mas mataas pa Anatomy ko, eh parang mas matinding effort binigay ko sa Physio, ='( Anatomy nilaklak ko lang as memory work.. Physiol trying hard to understand pa gimik ko... ayun.... haha, pero award kase 1st block ang highest physio grade ko ever, hindi na nabawe... huhuhu... Lesson: mahirap ang physiol, kung madame alanganin sa Biochem, second ang Physiol, pero from what the rumours are saying, mas delikado ang grades ng mga bumabagsak sa physiol, kung tipong 1-3% lang ang kakayurin ng mga Biochem trouble babies, mas malaki daw para sa Physio. i dunno pero.... haka-haka lang yun (ata, wala akong proof eh) eh ang 4th block at 5th Block ng Biochem surprisingly easier na, (highest ko 5th Block ng Biochem =) yey!) kaya sobrang kayang-kayang bawiin, todo effort lang (may Xmas break pa nun! sobrang aral ka na nun!)

Biochemistry

kinuwestyon ko sarili ko kung bakit kailangan tong subject na ito, kase undergrad puro drawing lang kame ng structures >_< da heck, pero mejong halong molecular and cell bio ang biochemistry sa med kaya oo, kailangan siya at sobrang importante ng biochem! lahat naman ata ng subjects importante eh, (except for....? haha, joke lang)

Biochemistry, ito sobrang na-underestimate ko tong subject nato... aminado akong nagfeeling ako dito, kase Bio undergrad ko, akala ko may "edge" ako... kaso gulat ako. lakas ko magfeeling eh ano? eh may mga BS Biochem akong classmates na nagulat den, haha, surprising enough, hindi BS Biochem grad nag-top sa exam namin (shocking!) weird enough, hindi na sila nag-announce ng top scorers after ng 1st block.... wondering why?

small statistics, after the 1st sem, Biochem holds the most number of students with red-ish marks, kung hindi ako nagkakamali, 7?

kaya wag ismallin ang biochem, learn from my/our mistakes

sa totoo lang, ang ganda ng Biochem, narerealize ko siya unti-unti, nagstart nung 4th block... lalang... kaya kinakareer ko na siya ngayon

kapag pathways na ang topic, (wala pa sa first block eh)

sobrang memorize, tip na yan for 2nd-4th block (5th block 1-2 pathways nalang ata?)

try writing it down para mamemorize. lahat ha!

as in kulang ang substrate + enzyme (undergrad kasama yung structure ng substrate, dito hindi na)

dapat alam mo den yung type of reaction, (oxi-redox, transamination, deamination, dehydration, hydration, etc) kase out of the blue yun yung tanong. bakit kamo? kase ganyan kabrutal ang med boards, tipong "The only Dehydration reaction in the......"

warning ng upper years, Biochem daw ang pinakamahirap na Finals, kase walang pointers, as in, cover-to-cover @_____@ watda......

again, PLanning Lvl 100!

(dapat kinumpleto mo yung SB stickers mo, para nakakuha ka nung planner, kelangan mo, pramis! okaya ung sa moonleaf or sa CBTL? hehehe, kung tipid-tipiran, yung sa Jollibee? haha, meron pa ba nun?)

Note pala, sa mga grade Conscious/Scholarship maintainers, Biochem ang may pinakamalaking chunk of your GWA, next ang Physiol, interms of Block exams ah! (Mas malaki actually yung Anatomy, kaso hati siya ng Anatomy -70% Histology-30% kaya mas mabigat yung contribution ng Physiol Periodic Exam sa GWA mo kaysa Anatomy) third Anatomy, 4th and 5th ang Prev Med at FOM (not sure, pero mas malaki ata yung FOM, 80-20 kase ata yung FOM)

next subject,

Preventive Medicine I (kase may II pa)

Sobrang Bias ako sa subject na to. announcement, nanganganib scholarship ko dahil sa subject nato. disclaimer, hindi ako nag-iisa =)

kaya beware.

Disclaimer, malamang sa malamang maiiba ang syllabus ng incoming 2017 sa prev med. things didn't work-out sa 2016 eh (hence our grades) kaya rest assured, mag-iiba talaga yan for sure.

at sigurado ako, mag-iiba for the better (which makes us biter, kase ginawa kameng guinea pigs)

para sa first block, okay ang prev med

reporting will pull your grades up! and the exam is not that toxic... pero seryoso, ayaw kong magsulat ng prev med part, baka kasi pointless, at ibahin naman...... ibang entry nalang siya kapag ginanahan na ako....

Last subject, FOM

disclaimer, first sem, nanganganib scholarship ko dahil sa FOM, hindi ko kase mapataas taas ng lagpas 83 eh

pero for some reason, yung mga mataas/hindi nanganganib sa basic sciences (Anat/Biochem/Physiol) ang baba nila dito (hindi siya definite rule ah, observation lang namin) tapos yung mga may sabit sa isa o dalawang subject, mas mataas pa sila, tipong 85-89 :( nakakainggit! eh tipong FOM defines what being a doctor is eh.... dinescribe ko na ba ang FOM? grades agad kase ako agad.

FOM = Foundations of Medicine. walang textbook to

ito ay integration ng Basic Sciences, Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology to a clinical setting.

tipong dito mo marerealize kung anu kahalagahan ng anatomy, biochemistry at physiology sa iyong pag-aaral ng medisina. rare + common disease and conditions ang ilelecture dito, kaya masaya talaga! may kaabang-abang pang tour sa hospital! wow!

dito nyo makikita yung CT Scan, MRI, mga labs, mga Centers, ang saya lang talaga!

pinakagusto ko tong subject, hate lang niya ako.... ( in terms of grades.....)

quiz din dito every friday, kaya review-review related topics/lectures ng ana-biochem at physio regarding sa case, don't worry, may study question naman, tipong related yung question sa quiz sa study guide

masaya talaga FOM, kung sinu-sinong Docs from the Hospital sa QC at Global ang pumupunta, usually Heads ng mga Dept (Ortho, Onco, Radio, Peds) gosh, kaka-inspire talaga! Sino ba namang hindi gaganahan/inspired sa ganun di ba? tipong gusto mo ding marating narating nila? Right? right?

sa quiz questions, Ang anatomy mahilig sa direct questions, tipong mga *what* kaya minsan madali, kung memorized mo. tipong anong blood vessels, bone, anung level ng vertebra, anatomic landmarks, shape, structure, anung epithelium, anong cells, anong organs, mga ganong tanong, pinakamadaling natanong sa Anatomy, yung cause ng Down Syndrome? sagot? weh di mo alam? Trisomy 21! easy 5points dude! (pasko kase nun)

FOM, typical FOM, kung anu strategy mo, konting adjustment, pagnag-improve, stick to what you know best. Nasabi ko na din naman eh. para sa Block exams, read the cases again. Reiew guide questions+quiz questions, chances are, they repeat atleast 1-3 questions, minsan mas madame pa. Ingat sa multiple choice, lalo sa anatomy, inuulit nila questions nila from the Anatomy exam, kaya kung meron kang di sure na mga sagot, group study, compare answers, sobrang helpful para sa FOM, at para na den sa Lab exam yun, nakalimutan ko sabihin un. sa Anat Lab kase, may pointed Structure, tapos may side-question, like ano function, ano katabi nung structure, ganong blues, na tipong tinanong den sa Written exam, kaya importanteng mag-review ng exam... kahit feeling mong andame mong mali, okay lang yan, atleast alam mo na yung tamang sagot, chances are, masasagot mo na sa lab kung itanong ulet.

multiple choice ng FOM, kasama na dito yung diagnosis (minsan pati ata differential) tapos signs and symptoms, treatment, sa quiz kase usually hindi tinatanong to eh. unless kung surgical operation pwedeng itanong sa anatomy, sa biochem naman kapag kasama sa isang pathway, pwede nilang itanong yung drug.

Overall tips:

SCHEDULE YOUR TIME!

pinakaimportanteng advice yan

i-note ang submission dates, exam scheds, lecture scheds, reporting

plan study sessions in advance!

general advice, review 2-3 weeks before the exam.

basa-basa na ng libro. lalo na ang guyton, dapat mabasa mo ang buong libro! promise, sarap ng pakiramdam na natapos mo yung librong yan.... parang feeling doktor na doktor ka nan talaga! oh yeah!

TRANS, ang magical artifact ng medlife, as a rule, pag-first block, ampapanget pa ng mga TRANS, (kung di mo talaga dets kung ano ang trans, TRANS=transcript, notes, as in, buong class gagawa nito, may maaasign na lecture sa trans team mo, at gagawen niyo yung notes ng lecture na to, wait lang, ang dame dame niyo sa buong class, tipong once kalang mapipilitang gumawa nito sa isang Block okay? kaya wag kang mapressure agad.) yun nga lang, dahil super unfamiliar pa ang mga katauhan sa First Block, nakakashock na halos barren ang naging trans namin

payo ko lang, sana ruthless yung Trans officer niyo, tipong mahigpit siya na walang pakialam kung may maasar sa kanyang kahigpitan. haha, para mapilitan yung mga katauhan.

set strict deadlines , enforce yung fees for wrong spellings, wrong infos, late transes, wrong formats, lacks book notes promise, mapipilitan sigurado mga tao niyan, tapos yung fees na maiipon saktong pandagdag para sa Xmas Party funds ninyo, FYI, freshies handles the Xmas party of the whole school, kaya pressured kaya na gandahan ito.

medyo mabait kase trans officers namin eh, kaya relak-relak lang mga trans namin, tipong 1 week before exams, may mga trans pang wala. kaya ito, ngingiti nalang ako ng sobrang laki :D

ayan, medyo parang nasabi ko na lahat for the 1st Block, baka halos wala na akong masulat for the following blocks......

Events for the 1st Block,

orientation,

ice breaker party ng first years

Election of officers (2nd day)

Meeting with the cadaver, (3rd day of medschool)

Lab experiment (4th day of medschool)

bakuna for Hepa

fieldtrip sa prev med

reportings sa prev med

presentation ng 2nd years sa naging paper nila nung first year sila sa prev med

meet new friends

decide kung medschool / quasha is for you

and many more! tipong i'll leave it up to you to discover the joys and wonders (and hardhips) of medschool!

Ciao baby

Interview!? Chicken lang yan!!!!

wow, kahi na block exams ko in like 3 days, heto ako, gumagawa ng blogpost!!!

talk about (gaga? tanga? procrastination level: Asian!, kasi asa 9gag din ako)

pwede magcomment, tipong,

"omg, you're so awesome, i love you!"

okaya

"loser! mag-aral ka nga" or "get a life pre!" okay lang sakin yun,

vain ako eh,,

(actually forever alone lang talaga) *insert forever alone meme*

ito na ang interview sa St. Luke's experience ko, may nagmessage lang sa akin eh, at nagdesisyon akong ibahagai na rin yung message ko dito,

kaya,

*start*

Interview!? Chicken lang yan!!!!

hello, sorry busy kase exam season ngayong linggo, oo ako yung sa pinoymd, haha, at blog ko nga yun, kaso hindi ko na nadagdagan kasi nga busy-busyhan pa

interview, hmmm...

sa experience ko, tsaka narin sa ibang classmates ko, iba-iba talaga eh. pero ang general feeling kase mabait talaga sila.

sa case ko kase dahil sa eng'g ako galing, tinanong nila kung bakit ako nagshift ng course, tapos ayun, may sabit kase ako sa grades kaya tinanong din sa akin mga nangyare nun. ayun, okay lang, mejo sobrang pagdefend ng sarili, naanticipate ko na kaseng itatanong sa akin yun.

tapos tinanong din kung may specialization na akong nagugustuhan, sinabi ko yung top 3 ko, pero sabi ko, honestly, ang hirap sabihin na desidido na ako dun kase ineexpect ko na during my 5 years sa St. Luke's (medschool pala ata ginamit kong term) baka mamulat pa ako sa ibang specialization... tapos ayun, okay lang naman sila, tapos sinabi pa nilang OB at ENT daw pinakakonti sa medical center atm, baka daw maconvince nila ako. sobrang mabait sila, pero nung time ko, mejo good cop, bad cop ang role nila.

tatanungin ka nila about dun sa essay, parang titingnan nila kung how prepared ka nga ba sa medschool, nagcocomment sila pero hindi naman na sobrang terrorized ka, concerned lang sila kung ready ka na ba talagang magmedschool, five years din kase yung time na gugugulin mo for studying eh, baka naman kase hindi ka ready or parang napilitan ka lang mag med, mga ganung angle

sa finances, tatanungin nila, kung running for scholarship, sinisigurado na nilang merong kang back-up if ever hindi mo mamaintain kase ayaw nilang masayang yung opportunity, yung tipong kung hindi mo man mamaintain ang scholarship, sayang yung 1 year eh, sana sobrang ready ka na para sa lahat ng pwedeng mangyari.

tinanong ako kung san daw ako titira, kase from the province ako, siguro niraramdam nila kung gaano ako kamature para tumira on my own. mejo yun yung sobrang nega comment nila sa akin kase sabi ko hindi pa ako naghahanap talaga ng titirhan, kase nga interview palang naman yun, tapos sabi ko i have the option to live with my sister kaso malayo siya (cainta) kaya pwedeng sa malapit nalang muna, pero sabi ko, wala pa talagang arrangement for that.. tapos ayun, para daw hindi ako prepared kasi daw dapat pati yun pinaghandaan ko na daw... tapos ayun, advice thingy sila na importante daw yun sa doctor etc, eh mejo naasar ako, kaya sinabi ko na nakangiti, eh hindi pa naman po kasi ako siguradong tanggap dito sa st. luke's di ba po? kaya kesa naman po i'll get my hopes high at magpareserve na ako ng rent sa isang dorm or apartment, tanggapin nyo na po muna ako, kasi from my experience, kapag sobrang taas ng expectations mo at hindi mo nakuha, sobrang sakit sa puso na mag-fail. sabay ngiti, add nalang ni Doc Visda (sya ay prof namin ngayon, at sya yung good cop sa interview session ko) Doc...(i forgot his name) What can you say about that.....? haha, ayun tawa/ngitian nalang kame,,,

at the end, it was a nice session, sabi nila with my grades, my NMAT score na 99 (yun kase una nilang titingnan) and my credentials (pisay-up daw, pero sobrang eh anu ngayon....) pretty much tanggap na daw ako (which is parang totoo, kase parang mga nainterview ay halos pasok na nga)

ayun, advice siguro, yung essay, (kase mejo dalawang page yung ginawa ko) at talagang binasa nila, reviewhin....

tapos ngiti, parang sobra sakit ng panga ko after ng interview, kase puro ngiti lang ako. confident na aura din, sobrang helpful!

tapos kung confident ka mag tagalog sabihin mo from the start na mas confident kang magtagalog kaya yun gagamitin mo sa pagsagot.

ayun lang, feeling ko naman yun mga pointers na natatandaan ko. pakwento din ako sa iba kong classmates, pero pretty much yun yung nangyare sa akin tsaka mga pinagtatatanong...

pero sa totoo lang, sobrang bait ng mga tao dito sa St. Luke's, studyante staff at profs, kumpara sa other schools talaga, yun kasi talaga nagustuhan ko sa St. Luke's, apart sa scholarship at passing rate nya, kaya masaya ako andito ako ngayon. :) Sobrang saya lang talaga ng interview, hindi nakakapressure!

sayang sa Friday interview mo, exams namin yun eh, pero kung sa library lang naman yun, baka makita pa kita, mag-aaral kase kami malamang lamang ng 11-1 doon, unless tapos na by then interview mo, haha.

good luck sa friday!

masaya lang talagang experience yun!

*end*

magpapakwento pa ako bukas, aside from asking about blood vessels, muscles at nerves tomorrow, isisingit ko,

"So, interview season na, how's your interview experience here in SLCM?"

karagdagans,

checheck nila units, dapat nakuha lahat, ng units, kung may isang kulang, (mga 1-2 units of chem or physics) pwedeng ihabol by summer ^____^

merong si Doc Dimamay daw ay nag-interview, mejo puro about research ang tanong niya, mejo hindi daw siya nagtanong ng question related sa medschool, more of units and such lang daw

merong interviewers na tatanungin ka ng mga typical questions like, what made you apply to med schools? why do you want to be a doctor, aside from gasgas answers, siguro they would like to ask for more, mejo try to be personal as much kase they really want to know if you are ready for med school, kase after the interview, sinabi yun sa isa kong classmate

for some reason, they want students who wants to learn more than anything, for some reason, isang interview session came up na, parang having an opinion on things is bad, siguro nagmukha lang know-it-all or parang liberal / revolutionary yung classmate ko kaya parang nacomment yun sa kanya, pero i don't know, sa pagkwento niya kase parang ganun daw yung naramdaman niya, idk, mejo na-off ako sa kinwento niya. Dr. Atienza pala yun, one of the Big 3 sa school

ako masaya lang talaga yung experience, all smiles and light laughs kame, isa kong kaklase naging teary daw kase naging personal ang kwentuhan, sa isa mejo naging tense, others mejo bored, kase seryosong technical lang, like requirements and all lang

pero don't fret too much, hindi parang UPM tong experience na tong tipong tatanungin kang

"Define Loyalty or Define Spirituality" wow naman,

treat it lightly lang talaga, be honest, confident, the fact na na-interview ka, mataas ang chance mong matanggap, just make an impression na ready ka for med school

good luck!