Put on a Happy Face

Today is Friday, July 31st - the last day of summer vacation. On this coming Monday the second year of medical school begins and with it my final year of purely didactic lessons on this journey of becoming a doctor! (After this year is over there are two years of clinical rotations: the time when we get to actually apply what we have learned in a clinical environment with real patients.)

As this second year approaches I cannot help but recall the beginning of my first year. I was so nervous! I had no idea what to expect, I didn't know any of my future colleagues, and I wasn't even sure that I could handle the enormous academic load that awaited me.

My, my how things have changed.

I face this year with enthusiastic expectation. It was a miracle that I passed first year and I know that it will be God and my family that will miraculously help me pass this coming year. I find myself infused with a quiet confidence - I know that we will make this year. I know that I will be ok.

I am under no delusions. I understand that, like the first year, this year will be very difficult and stressful, all the more knowing that I must pass not only all of my classes but also study for and pass the coming COMLEX - an eight hour test that is the first of three of my physician licensure exams. COMLEX is in June 2016 and I must pass it before becoming an official "3rd year" med student. Happily, the amazing folks at my school (DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine - love you!) will be there every step of the way helping my classmates and myself pass.

So, I'm encouraged. God is good, my family is amazing, and I will one day be a doctor. Whoo-hoo!

I better get ready for school.......

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