As our Tri 10 preceptorships approach, I’ve started to realize that this part of chiropractic school feels a lot like a mini graduation. For the past few years, we’ve all been going through the same trimesters, taking the same classes, stressing over the same exams, and somehow making it through together. Now, all of a sudden, we’re getting ready to leave the classroom and head off to our individual preceptorship sites.
There’s something really exciting about this change. Preceptorship is one of the first times where everything we’ve been learning starts to feel real beyond our school campus. We’re going to be working with real patients, seeing different practice styles and figuring out what kind of doctor we want to become. I’m especially excited to finally get more hands-on experience and see how everything I’ve learned over the last few years comes together in an actual clinical setting.
Mixed Emotions
But at the same time, there’s definitely a bittersweet side to it. We’ve spent so much time with the people in our class that it’s strange to think about not seeing everyone every day. Even though we’re all still technically in school, it feels like we’re being sent off in different directions. Everyone is going to have their own experiences, their own challenges and their own stories to bring back.
And, if I’m being honest, there’s definitely some nervousness mixed in with the excitement. There’s something intimidating about going into a new environment and knowing that you’re expected to start functioning more like a doctor. It’s exciting to finally get to that point, but it also makes you realize just how much you still have to learn.
I think that’s what makes this transition feel so much like graduation. We’re celebrating how far we’ve come while also realizing that we’re not quite done yet. We’re stepping into the next chapter before we’ve had a chance to fully process the last one.
It’s exciting, nerve-wracking, and a little sad all at once. But mostly, I think I’m just grateful that we made it here. And I’m really looking forward to seeing where everyone goes from here and hearing the fun stories we will be able to share along the way.
