It’s astonishing to feel like so little time has passed but as I study and review the depth of what we have covered in class is clear to me. It’s week 5 here at NUHS Illinois, and not only does that mean we are one third of the way into this fall trimester, it also marks the start of early assessments. This week I have my first round of midterm exams in topics such as Medical Microbiology, Nutritional Biochemistry, Radiology anatomy and a few others. This trimester is an ambitious fall for me, but also a marker that holds true that I’m developing a strong base of knowledge and now it’s time to start applying what I know.
The Shifting Mood
As I head to campus I can sense a shift in the mood around me. Our library that was calm and sparse in people in the beginning of the trimester is now packed with students and chatter as we work in groups, quizzing one another and going over slides. I think most would describe it as grind time but it’s not merely the grind. I see it as a shared devotion that magnifies our camaraderie in this field of study. I can truly say that it helps me to stay focused, confident and encouraged as we muscle through the hard parts of being a student. In community, we constantly reinforce one another to be better and show that we are ready to rise to the challenges.
Steady Progress
So, while midterms feel like a sprint, they are an important indicator of our efforts and proof that we are making steady progress in our path of becoming health care professionals. The deeper we go into our naturopathic medicine studies while holding a curious perspective and a playful mindset, the more our confidence builds; not from a place of trying to be perfect but from solidarity and passion. Week 5 is a fresh reminder that the success we have here isn’t just personal, but collective and that makes all the difference.
Learn more about NUHS Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program.
