School starts next week, and I find myself coming back to OPM and looking at the pre-med threads. I don’t know how anyone else felt on their first day of med school…but I am still in a state of disbelief, hoping that it’s true, wondering how I actually got in. (I was just looking at the Physics and MCAT threads, remembering how impossible they seemed at one time.)
Tomorrow is my last day of work…before the little-bit-scary new adventure begins. I’m just so grateful. Thanks to Old Man Dave and the other original members for creating this site.
The analogy (and it came from someone on this site) that kept me going was that we were climbing Mt. Everest, but only one step at a time. I only needed to focus on what needed to be done in that day, that week. (Sometimes I would doodle on paper in class, me on the mountain, taking one step…) I think that will work for med school, too–otherwise, it could be a bit overwhelming.
It’s been a long, emotional four years…and now here we are. It was shockingly hard at times—to pay bills, care for my daughter, take classes, etc. For me, med school as a whole won’t be nearly as hard as the years leading up to it. This is literally the dream come true, and it feels miles apart from the hope and faith of scrabbling to get here. Good luck to everyone else who’s about to start school. And good luck to those of you who are in the middle of the pre-med mountain.
good luck!!! As OMD says: hang on tight because Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is About to Begin.
I know how you feel. I remember having that “pinch me” feeling all thru the orientation week. It was so exciting to actually be here. Beware of “disorientation at apogee” - when you have been charging head down against a brick wall for so long (trying to get into medical school) and suddenly it has crumbled and you are standing there blinking in the light with the obstacles shattered, you suddenly hardly know what to do next. Don’t worry - when the first exam looms, you’ll feel very comfortable - “okay, there’s my next wall!”. And after you’ve taken it, you feel you are “really” a medical student!
So jump in and savor the excitement and try to have some fun!
- overthemoon Said:
Yeah, overthemoon. I know what you mean. For the first few days of my med school orientation, I half expected someone from administration to tap me on the shoulder and say to me, "please leave without making a fuss."
But the reality of that 1st day was truly very surreal - it was a day of basking in the warm glow of accomplishment.
The reality of the 30th day, on the other hand, was one of being curled up in a fetal position under my desk and refusing to come out.
Seriously though, medical school is an adjustment to say the least. The (first two) pre-clinical years are the equivalent of getting a bachelors degree in 2 years instead of 4, if that gives you some idea of the intense pace. But it is doable and you wouldn't be where you're about to be if the adcom had any doubts about your ability to succeed. So enjoy this final week of your pre-med life and brace yourself for the wild ride that is about to be. Good luck in school!
That’s exactly what I feel like—that I should sit in the back on the first day, because inevitably someone will tap me on the shoulder to tell me that I was the admissions mistake.
When I signed my loan paperwork, part of me felt like balloons and confetti should pop out (like Publisher’s Clearing House), because the great state of Kansas is actually paying for much of this party. After such hard times, it’s a little tough to believe that this is really happening. And it’s nice to know that some of you TOTALLY get it 
Thanks.
Funny Note: On our first day we get assigned to medical societies. It’s not exactly like Hogwart’s talking hat…but it feels that way. Hufflepuff or Slytherin? Do any of your schools do that? We already had physician mentors assigned, and I’m feeling like I won the mentor lottery. And my med school “big brother,” who is absolutely lovely by the way, is technically young enough to be my son and it works just fine. All good so far.
I absolutely love this thread–made me tear up, actually. It’s so wonderful to see the dream come to fruition for people who work so hard. Look at you! A mere number of days away from starting this next chapter…
It makes it very tangible for people like me, who won’t hit ‘submit’ on my application until next June. Seeing the journey (for better AND for worse) is an incredibly exciting thing. Thanks, as always, to each of you, for sharing your experiences! You are all proof positive that this CAN (and WILL) be reality someday…
So, I have been in med school for just about a month now - I’m doing a summer anatomy program in which the full gross anatomy course is squeezed into a shorter period of time. It has been exhilarating, nerve wracking, fascinating, satisfying, terrifying and stressful - all at once. So, as the rest of you OPMers get ready to start this fall - enjoy it. It really is a wild ride. Its an amazing feeling to be exactly where you want to be.
Good luck, everyone! 
On the subject of medical societies - our school is instituting that for the first years and the second years as well as faculty are involved in them. And it was described to me as "sort of like Slytherin or Gryffindor - like “houses” in English public schools. So I think you’ve got it!
Let us know more about them, as I’ll be somewhat involved from the mentor perspective.
I also got assigned my three mentees - and one of them is an OPM’er!!! We’ve already met and hung out on campus a little. Very cool!
Kate
Hi Kate.
I had lunch and dinner on day one with my new med society friends. Our faculty advisors (advisers?) are assigned through the societies, and so far, they seem like a great way to network and get support. It’s like a small group at a mega-church—it gives you a way to form relationships and feel a sense of community even when the class is fairly large. I hope that the concept works well for you.
As for the Hogwart’s Sorting Hat, I don’t think it worked the same way
How are things going Overthemoon?
Next week is my orientation week at KCUMB. I have already been assigned a big sister and have been emailing her. I am going to her house tomorrow for dinner - I’m brining a stew (slow cooker recipe). During that week we should get assigned our faculty adviser as well. Our white coat ceremony wraps up orientation on Thursday evening. Then classes start on Monday August 8th. Starting to get very excited!!
Wow all you other schools are way more organized than we are. We better get our act together!
I got my ‘Big Sis’ about 8 months into the term. 
Overthemoon - can you say a little about the program that Kansas has? Wondering if any other states have similar programs.