I really don’t know how we’re already in Week 13… I feel like I’m still in Week 1 trying to see what my schedule looks like and getting used to the new classes. 

This trimester has definitely been very challenging, not because of classes or workload, but just because of the things that happened and how I had to stay on top of everything joggling my personal life with my student life.

I’m happy to say that even with all the challenges, I passed all my exams, maybe not with flying colors, but I’m still doing pretty good. I estimate that by the end of this trimester I will be close to 300 patient visits and that will allow me more freedom during my last trimester so I can study for the rest of the boards and plan my business.

I have already registered for all my new classes and 4 classes will be just about herbal formulas plus 2 advanced acupuncture seminars. I will finally have the time to focus more on understanding and actually remembering some of these Chinese formulas that right now are still puzzling and giving me a hard time.

I’ll miss the clinic and seeing patients, but I know this will allow me to study more and also do other things that I haven’t managed to do until now with all the time spent in clinic. Maybe I’ll even be able to take more care of myself and finish school on a strong and healthy note.

During the next 4 weeks I’ll have to take all my finals, write one more paper, travel for another seminar, and be in clinic till December 29th to makeup for all the times I wasn’t able to come in. It still feels like a lot of work but the thought of being even closer to graduation makes everything better.

I believe that the key to going smoothly through a medical school is to not get stuck on grades, certain things that you don’t get at some point, or comparing yourself with others. In the end you’ll realize that a good health care practitioner is so much more than grades or technique. Plus, even if you don’t get something right now, later on everything comes together and you’ll be amazed that you remember so many things, and you can actually take care of patients and have all these great results.

Good luck with finals and if you have any questions you can always email me at [email protected].