One of my classmates had her backpack, filled with her laptop and STEP 1 notes, stolen last night. The response from my class was overwhelming and focused on only two things:

1. Offering all and any notes and study resources she needed
2. Offering to kill the person who stole the backpack.

Moral of the story: don’t mess with my med school class

J: What are you doing?

Me: I’m talking at your cat. About obstructive versus restrictive lung disease.

J: He’s asleep.

*cat rolls over and snores*

Me: He’s a tough one, isn’t he?

Listening to classical music and reviewing QBank questions about severed arteries and tendons makes me feel like Hannibal Lecter.

Everyone and everything for my STEP 1 prep says that adequate sleep, exercise, and a proper diet are important to STEP 1 success.

If tonight and last week Tuesday are any indication, my STEP 1 drink of choice would be beer. I have never scored higher.

Clearly there is something wrong with me.

Fourth friend this year to call or text me in looking for medical advice post-sex. 

I am flattered that people consider me a friend with whom they can share things with but uh…

I AM A MED STUDENT BUT I AM ALSO YOUR FRIEND. I DON’T WANT DETAILS. 

ellanaundomiel asked: Hey! Hope you're fine! Do you have any advice to how to prepare yourself for med school since the high school? And is it true that you don't have any social life once you're in med school? And what's your work method? Thanks you so much!! And sorry if there's any mistake, I'm from France! xoxo

Hi there, ellanaubdomiel! Ça va?

Oh gosh, when I was in high school, I wanted to draw comics for a living. Medicine was the LAST THING on my mind! But in regards to high school, work hard, play hard, and don’t listen to the haters. Being a teenager is hard. Do everything you can to create a foundation such that,  whatever you end up doing in life, you have a good launchpad to jump off from. Whether that means medicine or not! Because you never know if you’ll change your mind about medicine.

I have to say that, before studying for boards, I actually had a decent social life. Not as rambunctious as when I was in undergrad, but I still had one. Learning what it means to be personally balanced and fulfilled is one of medical school’s greatest challenges. If well-being in med school means no social life? That is up to the individual. As for me, I liked seeing friends and spending some low-key, quality time with loved ones.

And what’s my work method? I’d call myself a visual and kinesthetic learner. If I don’t see it or do it myself, it is as if I never learned it. That’s why I like using colors, drawing (I’ll memorize the hand movements; down in gross lab I HAD to cut or touch the organs), or acting things out. I have a study group of three amazing classmates. I take breaks and exercise when I can. I try to eat well and drink lots of water. If I’m stressed, I’ll take a drive or a walk, sing, or talk to a friend.

Hope that answers your questions! :)

md-a

Anonymous asked: I read your response to the anon's question about coffee and it made me wonder -- could you tell us about your first time drinking coffee? Did you like it immediately or did it take some getting used to? I want to start drinking it too, but I have heard it is not for everyone. Thanks!

Hi Anon!

My first time drinking coffee was when I was five and I took a sip of my dad’s coffee, mistaking it for hot chocolate. I spat it out as fast as I could and didn’t touch the stuff again until med school. I would sullenly drink the occasional latte if trapped at a coffee shop without tea, but that was about it.

I finally started drinking coffee in med school because I have two classmates who love coffee and love sharing it. One always makes extra and shares. It’s kind of hard to refuse when a nice person offers free coffee and you’re exhausted from studying. The second is an ex-barista who’d often give me a sip of his coffee when we were bored in the back rows of the lecture hall.

So after having really stellar coffee, I started looking into how to make good coffee at home, and I found it to be really easy. Like any food or drink, try it out multiple times and see what you think! :)

Best,

md-a

Anonymous asked: Have you always drank your coffee black? Why do you prefer it that way?

Hi Anon!

I actually drank ZERO coffee until med school. My consumption of caffeinated drinks was limited to tea.

I prefer it that way because I am a badass and black coffee is the only thing as rebellious and badass as me. 

Nah, I’m kidding. 

Something about the undertones of almost soy-sauce umami, spice, subtle fruity sweetness, and bitterness of well-brewed coffee. It’s unpretentious and honest, and it picks me up. Same reasons why I take my tea plain. Sometimes I’ll add a little honey or agave for sweetness, but that’s if I screw up and burn my coffee!

Thanks for the question! 

md-a