Soooo, this is actually happening. It’s real. I’m officially in medical school. Well, way past that now, it’s been 100 days. 100 days of BLOOD, SWEAT and TEARS! LOL, just kidding. It’s actually been pretty good, not as grueling as some may make it seem. Orientation was great, it felt good to be treated grand and feel like you finally made it….everyone smiles and you get plenty of free food and paraphernalia for you to show off to make sure everyone knows you’re in medical school. Our dean made sure we knew her expectations upfront, all A’s would not impress her….just when you thought you had a goal right. *Sigh* We have to go beyond our studies and engage in community projects and research. I’m up for the challenge. I actually set my alarm to a quote she gave us, MEDIOCRITY is unacceptable! It’s like I hear her voice in my head each morning. Lol. One time for 9:00 am classes though!

My first week of medical school was going really great. My classmates were nice, friendly and everyone was either from different cities, states or countries. It was really cool getting to know everyone. I had a survival skills session with a veteran from Ty Ty, Georgia and a dance session with a classmate originally from Cameroon. We all went out during the weekend and had a get together on July 4th too… 2 socials in 7 days AND I’m keeping up with my lectures (I thought to myself), let’s do this! Until a wonderful woman came along and changed everything. She strolled down the aisle of the NCPC auditorium with shades and head high. Then then proceeded to insert her jump drive into the computer and which displayed 3 powerpoints. I laughed as I looked at my fellow classmates, “Not today, ha! She can’t get through them all”. Someone screamed 4 rows back, “Right!” and we all laughed hysterically. She began lecture and the longest terms rolled off her tongue with open ended questions that followed. Some of us looked around and sat silently while we were still trying to figure out how to spell them. Of course some of our classmates were willing to shoot their shot and she would politely state “No” with a lovely smile while others attempted and received praise for correct answers. We identified histology slide stains and cell structures while learning their functions and locations all at once. I’m so thankful I was a medical scribe because that is the only thing that saved me. Some classmates struggled to keep up typing as fast as they could and others wrote abbreviations and in the most unique script while we looked on, hoping she wasn’t moving to the next slide.

Others bowed out and simply tried to understand terminology and the overall concepts. Medical school just became real.
I eventually learned to keep up during lectures and could even split the computer screen to take notes and find tables and diagrams that summarized concepts. I survived BP (Basic Principles)! My study group is so supportive I love them all—Soso, Rob and Pat! I can’t leave out my generous and caring sib! We have sibs aka siblings that help us adjust to the stresses of first year and ultimately provide us with resources and guidance. Collectively my classmates were awesome and always willing to help. I remember our first lecture on Statistics and Epidemiology…our professor was amazing and some would say I stared at her in awe. However, it was really because I was being a typical medical student—scared of graphs and figures. A friend of mine, an alumni of the MSMS program had a review session with me resulting in the use of our shoes to get the concepts. LOL! Another friend reviewed membranes and diffusion with me and wouldn’t let me leave the room until I understood it. We forced each other to study at times when we were weak…..even if it was just having someone sit in the room studying in silence so you wouldn’t check our phones, FB or insta…

I could write for hours…lol…but I need to go study. Overall, medical school is definitely a challenge but one I have been preparing for academically and mentally for years now. I’m currently in OS1, Organ Systems 1 which means we now have Gross Anatomy Lab, lectures pertaining to the biochemistry, anatomy, histology and physiology of various organ systems along with community health, learning communities and preceptorships. [Insert crying emoji here] I promised myself I would stick to my studies and not get too involved but…I am who I am. Hehehe. I just finished volunteering for First Look last Saturday as a presenter and member of the student panel. Also, I serve on the MD1 and Pediatric Interest Group E-board and I just joined a slew of other organizations today. It’s pretty manageable as long as I have effective studying and time management skills. Dr. Knight, Dr. Garrison and Mr. Gay help me with that…yes it takes a village people. Above all, my academics come first so that will always be my priority. I am enjoying my experience thus far and I look forward to what’s to come. I am literally taking it a few weeks at a time, which is a huge change for me since I’m usually planning things 6 months in advance….I know I know, yes I am one of those. But there is nothing else I’d rather do but invest in my own future.

❤ Future Dr. Jones