Kill it - Kill it Dead....

The beast stood there, lurking in the shadows just beyond my sight. I could hear its low growls, gutteral mutterings that communicated evil intent. My breath came in short bursts: palms sweaty, muscles tense. My mind screamed at me to run but my feet remained rooted to the earth. With a supernatural resolve I forced myself to stay. Slowly, the beast lumbered toward me, greasy sinews taunt with power, fierce jaws dazzled by a thousand teeth made silver in the shifting moonlight. I felt my hand on my sword, oddly strong and sure of itself despite the huge mass that trembled before me. In a single move I drew the blade from the scabbard and held it before me. The finely tempered steel glinted as the razor sharp tip was inches from my adversary. This was it: we were going to fight...

It's been a couple of months since I learned that I failed my medical boards exam - the COMLEX Step 1 - this failure essentially bringing my young medical career to a dramatic halt until I pass. In the ensuing weeks I have taken a boards exam prep course, spending anywhere from six to ten hours a day in intense study. I have also plowed through over 2,000 practice questions. It's been good: I have re-learned a lot and secured a better grasp on two years worth of material.

During this time, though, COMLEX has grown in my mind. Before, COMLEX was merely a test, a hurdle to be jumped over en-route to becoming a physician. Now, COMLEX is the beastly creature described above, a hulking, heaving mass of sinister and destructive intent that I must destroy. Forgive me if this sound dramatic, but I'm really starting to hate this test. It's not that I find it unnecessary, it's just that I realize that now it's "kill or be killed". I love medicine and I love people, thus I will do whatever is needed to slay this beast and move on to third year, even if it takes me longer than most.

There are 17 study days left until my exam: 17 days to re-review and sharpen my sword. With God's help, I will see this thing slain and stand triumphantly over its decaying carcass.

Thank you for your time, Dear Reader. I will keep you posted.

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