so today was the official first day of classes and yet i feel completely lost. for those of you who are also starting and those of you are in higher terms can you give me some advice please!!!

1) what should i be doing /getting? forms, booklets, etc.

2) what exactly is the schedule for first term? labs in the morning, lectures in the afternoon - this i get. but is the rest of the time for you (to study, and do whatever else you need to do?) or are there other classes/lectures/meetings that we should be attending but i have yet to hear about?

any and all info. would be greatly appreciated!!
thanks!

Every thing that you must attend is printed on teh schedule. DES group postings can be picked up at DES and then histo clinical tutoring times (something i highly recommend) can be arranged with the histo secretary or with tutors themselves. You also should slot in time for meeting with your anatomy group and time for laundry, sleep, and groceries. DES will hold a time management session to help get you on tract ask the DES office when that will be.

And lastly, the first week sucks i think it is meant to scare you. Dont go crazy. You will eventually figure out your way of doing things and a good schedule in about two weeks. ANd then the msot important thing...you will fall behind and guess what so will everyone else. It is almost impossible to be caught up first term all the time/any of the time and still have the ability to fxn as a normal human. SLeep very important.

yeah, i remember i was COMPLETELY lost after the first week...i was homesick as heck, i hated my roommate, it was hot, rainy, mosquito infested and overall just NOT fun. i remember sitting in my room one night contemplating how long it would take to pack up all my stuff and get the heck out of G'da. but dont worry, things will get better. note, i didnt say easier, first term is tough not because the classes are impossible, but because you are getting used to the schedule, the amount of work, and last but not least, the island and all that. I had been away for four years at college, but i was NOT ready for this...i dont think anyone really is. regardless, as the term went on(and even through a somewhat significant hurricane), it just got slightly better, day after day, as i got more and more used to the schedule and whatnot.


dont worry, it seems pretty terrible now, but it'll get better....not easier, but med school shouldnt be easy...that's kinda the point. but you'll get used to the workload, and you'll be fine. good luck!!!

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"I like my women like I like my coffee....hot...sweet......and with a spoon in them!"--E.I.

completely normal. You'll get into things. Talk to uppertermers who will help you through. it will get better particularly after the first mid terms when you've "done it all".
steph

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Steph
If you get a warning, put on yer manpants and stop whining about it.

Completely (somewhat) normal. It's just the first day, by the end of the first week you should get a good understanding of what you have to do with yourself, and by the end of the first round of midterms, you should realize that you should double whatever effort you're doing now :-)

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