The weather has been following my school schedule closely this trimester… peculiarly so. This trimester has been full of exams, papers, and an assortment of other “busy work” — a hybrid trimester (a tribrid if you will). In many ways, this tribrid has signified a shift in educational focus, from sciences to clinical sciences and procedures, from knowledge to wise application.

The weather has been shifting too. Much of the trimester has been a bleak, wintery mix of rain, sleet and snow — a seasonal identity crisis that has magically resulted in sunny, warm days that predominantly transpired on the weekends that my workload was light. But finally, winter is not coming — not right away anyway. And, to dispel any doubt, the swans have been reinstated in Lake Janse; it’s an annual ceremony that serves as a subtle signal that the end is near. 

This morning, with the sun shining and the promise of more heat in the forecast, I felt truly psyched to push through finals and into break! My first two finals took place this morning with Dr. Robert Humphreys and Dr. Ed Bifulco (Evaluation and Management of the Cervical Spine and Manipulations). It was the perfect exam to get out of the way right off the bat, as it is a one-on-one exam on procedural skills. This has been the best E&M class to date — in my opinion — so, naturally, I crushed it. I do, however, owe it all to the phenomenal teaching I received throughout the trimester, as both teachers are involved and passionate about the subjects that they teach.

It may sound strange, but Finals is the time of trimester during which I feel most calm. Finals are the culmination of the trimester — the culmination of all the knowledge gained throughout the trimester. At the end, there is a crystal-clear perspective of the trimester. As a result the full, big picture is attainable. During Finals, the material has never seemed so clear. It’s refreshing and uplifting to know that I’ve somehow managed to shove yet more material into my head.

Needless to say, I’m excited for both the change of seasons and the change of scholastic pace. First, though, I’m excited to spend two weeks of beautiful weather recuperating and preparing for what is next. This is the halfway point of my doctoral schooling and it will be nice to take some time to reflect on where I’ve come from and where I’m going. It’s like New Year all over again. It’s time to adjust my sails so I can get where I mean to go. I hope you all have a wonderful couple of weeks! I will see you next trimester!