Here I am in Week 5 of this tri, with time flying by, quizzes and projects piling up on my desk, and I’m not feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or scared.

Looking back, I remember Dr. Fan telling us in one of our first classes that everything gets easier after the third tri. At that time I just thought it will get easier because the study load will be smaller and classes fewer. Not to disappoint you, but it’s not smaller. I am taking 9 classes and 3 clinic shifts while working about 30 hours per week and there’s really very little time for anything else. Can’t explain it but somehow I manage to finish papers, to do some studying, and see patients almost every single day.

Is there any logic or a plan? I wish I could say everything is planned and it’s going accordingly! Planning and organizing usually get done during weekends. Saturday is a slower day and I’m doing all the things around the house that were left behind, plus grocery shopping, and cooking. Sunday is the day that I study, write papers, plan ahead, and so on.

What happened during last 3 weekends? Nothing! And I really mean nothing! I haven’t had weekend classes since first tri in 2015 and now, almost 2 years later, with 2 weekend classes I found myself with no time at all during weekends — no cooked meals, no clean clothes, and planning is not even a word in my vocabulary anymore.

So why am I not scared or stressed? My DCP shows more than 100 credits completed. Soon I’ll be done with all Biomed classes and I’ll take Biomed board exam. Clinic shifts bring me lots of joy, and most of the times my diagnosis is correct and I can come up with a treatment strategy. I remember points even when I don’t use them on a regular basis. Patients are feeling better even when I’m skeptical and I don’t think there’s too much hope. I am practicing more and more Japanese acupuncture and I feel not only more confident but I definitely know this is the path that I want to choose.

Did I tell you how much better I’m feeling when I’m reading my blood tests results and I actually know what they mean? 🙂 Thank you, Dr. Khan!

I know that I still have to take all those formulas classes (hopefully I’ll survive) but, in other words, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I might not have everything planned, but I do know the Biomed board exam is happening this fall and Points exam probably December or January. Since Foundations will be offered only twice per year, I’m hoping I’ll be able to take it before my last tri next year and then… GRADUATION!

Back to reality and papers and exams. 🙂 Good luck to all of us!