Supposedly, Fifth Trimester is known to be more laid back and
"easy." Well, I definitely beg to differ. It is definitely more
interesting and I enjoy studying the material more than basic
sciences, but there is more practice involved! We have a good
amount of lab/technique classes, and this is ACTUALLY relevant
information as a doctor-in-training. All the material we gained in
basic sciences is the foundation of the knowledge we will need to
survive the clinical science era. I feel more pressure to stop
memorizing (which is what got me through tri one through four),
take in all the information and really LEARN.
This week, besides having chiropractic boards to look forward to
in two weekends, I had three exams, two papers due, AND I had the
dreaded male sensitive exam that includes the infamous DRE
("Digital Rectal Exam") that I had to do on an actual live human
being! I can't say the experience was pleasant by any stretch of
the word, but learning the technique out a book definitely would
not suffice, so it was very informative, professional and helpful.
The instructors also helped us with doctor/patient communication
skills, which was extremely useful for us and very
helpful.
This month is a marathon full of non-stop exams. Let me give you
my schedule for my exam weeks so you can get a glimpse into my
world:
- February 3rd - Naturopathic Boards
- February 9th week - Clinical Diagnosis & Physical Diagnosis
Exams
- February 23rd week - Clinical Neurology, Evidenced Based
Practice, & Botanicals Exams; Botanicals & Evidenced Based
Practice papers; Male Sensitive Exam
- March 2nd week - Soft tissue practical, Physical Diagnosis Lab
practical, Naturopathic Counseling Practical, Arthritis X-Ray
practical, and midterm
- March 9th week - Soft tissue written exam & CHIROPRACTIC
BOARDS!!!
- March 16th week - Clinical Diagnosis, Physical Diagnosis 2nd
midterm, & orthopedics exam
- March 23rd week - Evidenced Based Practice Group Assignment
& Naturopathic counseling midterm paper due
In addition to all of that, I am planning a wedding! March is
hell month for sure.
Tip of the week!
So, what's the deal with the title of my blog? Well, among all
these exams and life in general, it is very important to stay
HEALTHY!! The Standard American Diet does not include enough fresh
vegetables, which can also lead to a decrease in fiber intake,
which is not good! Did you know that a majority of our immune
system is living in our gut? It's definitely easy, especially with
this constant weather change, to get sick and easily fatigued.
Well, increase your fiber intake - eat more fresh veggies and
fruit!
Tune in next week because I will be answering a very good
question, that one of my readers asked. "Is it 'worth it' going
through the Bachelor's program plus chiropractic school at NUHS
(since it will take at about five years) if I can just get my
bachelor's and physician assistant's degree in only four
years?!"