We are halfway there! I have just completed week 5 midterms. It has been a struggle. I am taking a heavy course load this trimester because of my kids. My son is a senior in high school. I want to fully be present during Prom and graduation. I want to take a lighter load during the summer so we can travel before he goes off to college. Hopefully he will attend the same University as his sister–fingers crossed! They attended different high schools, and it would be nice having them in one place. My daughter is doing medical school interviews; she has one this Friday. If she needs to go for a final visit or interview during the summer, I want to be freed up to travel with her if possible.

Presently I have eight classes and two clinic shifts. I have decided to change my study routine, because the first midterms made me want to throw in the towel. I usually use QuuizletPlus — my daughter teases me, apparently there is a free platform specifically for medical students who allow you to make flashcards and it is free. It is called Anki, I looked it over I was too afraid to shift gears and try something new. But I like the different formats on Quizlet for studying purposes like match, learn, and test. The downside is that creating study sets is time consuming. Then I need to study. I am not sure this is the best use of time. So, I have decided to have days that I study the information, and days where I create the study sets. I would usually make a bunch of sets and start studying a few weeks before the exam. That was not an efficient way to study.

I also use TCMStudy.net for Materia Medica and to refresh my memory on meridians. On this site, I feel like the information is offered in a very simplistic way, and the presenter gives you fun ways to remember the information. I also have some HB Kim audio lectures on herbs a student gave me, which is nice to listen to when my brain is fried. A whiteboard is also a study tool I use when I can no longer sit and look at a computer screen…or any screen. I can write the Yuan, Luo or Xi points. The transporting points for my Acupuncture Treatments Strategies class. This class is a compilation of Point Location and Energetics, plus a whole lot of other strategies rolled into one.

I also try to have set start times, and more importantly a time to STOP! I did not have this at the beginning of the trimester. I am learning that knowing when to stop for rest, laughter, time with family and friends is paramount. This is a rigorous program, but balance is necessary for longevity. I am sure there are so many more efficient ways to study, and I will continue to adjust until I can find what works best for me. Please share what works for you!

Need help to rebalance and move forward? Check out Self Care and Burning the Candle at Both Ends to help you through.

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