The life of a student is really great

I've been studying all day. We have our first block exam in a week and I have the next 10 days scheduled by the subject in need of review. Today was cancer and inflammation. Tonight is histology of the skin and connective tissue. Tomorrow, embryology. And during the following days I'll continue my crash course in genetics, cell signaling, immunology, and then the exam.

As may be apparent from the somewhat disparate list of topics to review, this first block has been a sprinkling of the medical sciences. Many students have complained about the lack of cohesion, and I understand where they are coming from. Students are also just really good at complaining, and I guarantee that as the we step into the more ordered blocks, ones that are defined by systems, such as "Cardiovascular, Renal, and Respiratory Medicine", we will continue to complain.

Its really easy to complain. Look, I'll even make a list: it's hard, there is too much material, the professors are't good, why we are learning stuff that we will never use as physicians? At this point in my medical education, however, I have no reason to complain. Not even during this eccentric block.

In fact, I have all the reason to laud what has been labeled "Foundations in Medicine". I love the fact that we skim across details and instead focus on the larger picture. This is how the immune system works, these are the basic patterns of inheritance, and check this out- this is how a baby is made!

So now, as I begin my process of review, I find it more enjoyable to be in constant awe of this beautiful painting I am creating of how the human body works, and often times doesn't work, and feel very grateful for this artistic opportunity.

Basically how I feel is that if this block has been the foundation of medicine, I can't wait for the next phase of building.