Done with 1st week

I am a medical student.

I had been waiting for that acknowledgement to hit me all week but it really didn't sink in until I was sitting in the library, no less than 3 textbooks open, highlighters galore, my Mac humming away with lecture slides, my mind buzzing about a clinical case I had to analyze and I had been there for 5 hours straight with not even a bathroom break.  I had arrived.

It was truly an exhilarating feeling so I called my sis right away to tell her the news.  She had been so excited for me all week, but I really hadn't felt the same.  My mind was still focused on our family transition and distracted by all the administrative dealings that occur in the first week of school ~ IDs, syllabi's, schedules, books, loans, IT, and especially on this sprawling campus, the location of all of my classes and labs.

I had yet to really feel it.  Then the epiphany.  I am here and I am going to be a physician.

After one week, I am in the throes of anatomy, histology, cell biology, embryology, biochemistry, and medical ethics.  An upper classmate likened learning all the material to "trying to take a drink out of a fire hydrant."  I have been studying 6-8 hours everyday in addition to the 4-6 hours of class and labs.  The weekends are open season too.  Friday night, a 3 hour anatomy tutorial.  Yesterday, a 2 hour biochem review.  Today, a 2 hour group study session and a 3 hour training on CPR and advanced life support.  I am now certified to yell CLEAR and shock someone in cardiopulmonary arrest.

Ahhh, the euphoria of mental exhaustion.  I really missed it.  I realized once I left Hopkins, how fortunate I was to even be there and how little I took advantage of it.  I was completely overloaded and rarely slept but was absolutely inspired and enthusiastic about my studies.  I will take that any day over a cubicle in an office.