Call it what you will, but as graduation is becoming closer, studying becomes more difficult. Actually, everything associated with school, except being in clinic and seeing patients everyday, is like trying to run through mud that is knee deep, its exhausting. Packing my car, moving, Typhon data entry, minimum requirements, studying, studying, STUDYING are exhausting. At this point, I find reading my abbreviated medical texts easiest when studying. I am so tired of reading my notes, but ultimately these are the most helpful to me at this point. Tonight I was chatting with a friend who is considering going to graduate school, she is currently taking an online course and spending hours studying, and seems really excited about. It reminded me of my excitement and fear when starting PA school over two years ago. As I was reflecting, I tried to determine when the shine of PA school wore off, and I realized that each new stage of PA school is like polishing tarnished silver, the shine comes back. Though I am lacking luster on occasion, I know I am constantly working towards the end and a new stage will start soon!
The date for graduation recently became official. Pending a few more months of school and exams, on May 23, 2014 I will receive the two masters degrees I have been working diligently to obtain. We are in single digits people, approximately 7.5 months away from graduation.
Before starting rotation 6, our clinical coordinator warned us that rotation 6 and 7 are the most difficult, because the hype of the beginning is gone, the end is near but not near enough. This is the season of burn out. I have spoken to several classmates, most of who are feeling the same way as I am. The really amazing part is when I reflect on what I have done since starting rotations in February I can reach a state of complete motivation. I have lived in six places, worked with many providers, made a lot of new friends, I have learned so much (and forgotten a lot), I have failed and succeeded, but the greatest part is I continue to fall in love with what I am doing in clinic every single day.
I recently organized all my photos from the past couple of years. During the process I came across several of my favorite quotes I found while working at Dr. Fullerton's office in Austin. We had a daily quote board, which I loved, this is one of my favorite quotes...
"A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions."
- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
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