Hello, checking in on you all. How is the first round of exams going? So far, I have had three, which were completed on Sunday. I have an exam every day this week except for Friday, and the last one is on Monday, February 13. It is hard to keep up the intense studying. I like to study alone, and since I live off campus my room has become study headquarters. I am not sure if this is the healthiest situation, but I like a quiet environment. I do make time to leave the room to work out or take a breather for a while. This was not always the case.

My first year, I would literally study until I became physically ill. After a few emergency room visits I realized that I needed to change my study habits. Not all study habits are beneficial. There was an internal battle between being a good student or being a healthy student. I thought I could not be both. I was having terrible test anxiety. I felt if I was not looking at class material all the time the information would leave me and the day of the test, I would remember nothing!

I learned to let go and try my best, while being my best. Acupuncture, yoga, breathing exercises and a set bedtime has helped me. I try to study consistently and no cramming before an exam. My grades are basically the same; I did improve in Matera Medica. But my family has noticed a difference. I want to leave NUHS a better human. I want to grow in mind, body and spirit during this journey. I want to be able to help people on their healing journeys.

Do I still get a little stressed ABSOLUTELY! Do I still struggle with staying up all night to cram…I must raise my hand and say, YES! I am a work in progress, and as I continue in the AOM program, that is just fine with me.

The choice is ours. Which will you choose?

Read more about handling stress at these NUHS integrative medicine blogs: How Naturopathic Medicine Doctors Use the Therapeutic Order to Treat Stress and How Acupuncture Can Promote Your Overall Health and Wellbeing This Year.

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