Welcome to my very first procrastination medical school musing!  I’ve been going back and forth about what to write, when to write, and how to write since last week.  I suppose I’ll just give it a go and talk about what is on my mind!

The first years have officially arrived.  They have been fashionably attired in their starched white coats with looks of excitement and motivation plastered across their faces.  I remember being in their shoes, however I don’t remember excitement.  I remember fear.  Nothing…but…fear.  That fear stuck with me until well into the second quarter.  This year the new class is way ahead of where I was.  They have already had two tests (anatomy and biochemistry) and I’m seeing the number of studious bodies bent over books in the library dwindling day by day.  I’m so proud!

Perhaps I should clarify.  I’m not “proud” that they are already lowering their academic standards.  I’m proud because they realized WAY ahead of the game that during these 4 years of medical school, there is life outside of the school/hospital walls.  During my first year, I avoided the activities fair thinking that I was going to be too busy with academics to join clubs for fun.  I didn’t even go in the TCC (the recreation facility) until the 4th quarter.  Boy, do I regret it.  Luckily, I’ve since had the opportunity to mend my ways and have become overinvolved.  Lesson here:  it’s all about balance.

Osteopathic students need to remember to practice what they preach:  mind, body, and spirit.  Neglect of one aspect will lead to a teetering effect and your world becomes out of balance and you struggle to hold things together.  Trust me, I’ve been there.  If I could change things, I would have picked up running and yoga earlier in the year, I would have had more date nights with my significant other, and I would spent more time on the phone with my nieces and nephews back home.  Hindsight is always 20/20.

I guess what it all comes down to is that I’m really proud that the class of 2013 is digging in to the osteopathic approach with themselves first.  I’m glad they are remembering the old adage, “I am my own first patient.”  I can’t wait to see all the great things they will accomplish in their years at Kirksville.  Good Luck Class of 2013!!