#typical week

Dear Readers, I sincerely apologize for not having been as active as I was previously. Today I completed summer I at UT Southwestern. I can tell you all that it was no easy task. All of the rumors are true! While I definitely enjoyed my first semester here in Dallas, I have to say, it was probably the most difficult semester I've ever endured. Here is a snapshot into each course and my overall experience thus far. I hope you future PA's enjoy this post!

A look at a typical week in the first semester of PA school. This is Summer I at UTSW.

In the photo above you'll see all of the courses we had this semester and the times they occurred. We were fortunate enough to have 9 AM classes instead of 8 AM classes. Most of the time we got out around 4 PM. Fridays were special because we didn't have class after 12 PM. Probably my most favorite thing about the first semester. There was at least ONE exam PER WEEK. I think that is pretty standard for most PA schools because of the amount of material covered. So as soon as you finish studying for one exam, you pretty much have to begin studying for the next. We did have a one week break after our white coat ceremony where we had no exams. It kind of just served as a catch up week for me though. All of our exams this semester were multiple choice, which was nice to help prepare for the PANCE (even though the PANCE is on a computer). The one exception was our anatomy practical exams, which were 60 tags (60 seconds per tag allowed). Overall, the amount of information learned and the camaraderie built between my classmates and I was priceless. We have such a family based community on campus and we even created a Facebook group where we post and share hints/tips/tricks for each other to remember all of this information. There was probably at least one social per week, where multiple students would get together for non-study time (necessary!). Before I forget, we did have classes with PO (prosthetics and orthotics), PT (physical therapy), and BME (biomedical engineering) students. It was nice to integrate the classes because we will be working in a health care team eventually and we will probably see more of these folks next semester too. Anatomy and Anatomy Lab - These courses were incredible. UTSW has found some really incredible instructors. I truly learned the most I ever have and will take so much forward because of the FULL CADAVER DISSECTION. Although our lab did have a few prosected bodies, we mainly relied on our own dissections. The important thing to remember about this experience was that it allowed me to see variation in different bodies and to be able to recognize the same structures in male and female cadavers, older and younger patients, etc. Sure, some of the labs took a while to get through, but none of them were unmanageable. I should also mention that when we learned about the head/neck, each student was assigned their own skull to take home with them and study from. I'm not sure how many programs offer anything like this, but I definitely took away a lot from that experience. I'm also not sure how many programs have created their own dissection manual (called the Veteran's Dissector) and authored by our very own instructors. They also have prepared videography of how to perform each dissection and post it online (Moodle) and show it in class before each lab. Pretty amazing. Last but not least, I have to mention the outstanding medical student TA's we had. All of them were top notch. During lab, every 4 tables (of 3-4 students) was assigned a TA that rotated every 2 weeks. If we ever had questions or wanted to confirm anything, we had a medical student who had abundant knowledge about the anatomy to help. Studying for the practicals was difficult for me because at my undergraduate university, we didn't have dissections or prosections to study from. We have free tutoring available everyday until 5 PM and after 5, you can schedule private sessions with your favorite TA (even on weekends at 9 PM, which was sometimes necessary). There were practice practicals for each lab exam that helped a lot. The first was free and the other 2 were only $10 each. Studying for the lecture wasn't bad either. We have syllabi prepared for us that aren't your average syllabus. They have detailed notes already taken for you so that you can add in minor details you learn from lecture. We were also given the last 5 years' worth of practice exams for practical and lecture exam that helped immensely. Like I said, amazing program we have here. They truly care about your performance and learning. Physiology - Physiology was also structured well, I thought. Our lecturer actually wrote the "book," which comes in looseleaf format. It has all of the information you need for the entire course and you don't really ever need to take a lot of notes because most all of the information for the exam is in the syllabus (if not, in the lecture slides). Physiology, like all of the other courses was broken up into 3 "blocks." In each block, we learned different things. Block 1 was mainly about then nervous system, sensory systems, and muscle structure/function. Block 2 was respiration, renal and endocrine systems. Block 3 was cardiovascular, blood, and gastrointestinal systems. Overall, very well organized. The professor also planned in a few days of "self study" where we could study for physiology or other courses, which helped out so much! Neuroscience - Neuroscience was so interesting. We learned so much! The first block was about neuroanatomy, nerves, synapses, blood supply to the brain, and a few special senses. The second block was about the somatic motor system, cerebellum, and basal ganglia. The last block was a lot of topics: neuroimaging, cerebral cortex organization, somatosensation/pain, special senses, memory/limbic system, and neurodevelopment. We also added in a few lectures on the vestibular system and cranial nerves at the end. Great course! So many wonderful special lecturers - including neurologists and OB/GYNs from nearby hospitals. Very talented folks. Before I forget, the best thing about physiology and neuroscience was that there was so much overlap. After our first neuroscience test, we had a physiology test over many of the same things, so it was very easy to study for the next physiology test. Plus, the redundancy definitely instilled many of the concepts and terms. Professional Practice Issues (PPI) - Professional practice issues was the best break from studying we could have asked for. It's one of our only pass/fail courses we take in the 15 months of didactic training. In this class, we learned about the ins and outs of being a PA that aren't taught in any other course. For example, topics we covered were the history and current trends of the PA profession, ethics of the PA profession (PA team relationship), PA competency, PA education in the US, workforce roles of PAs, health policy, health care delivery systems, work force demographics, cultural issues in health care, PA organizations, and political and legal issues facing the PA profession. We ended the semester with student panel debates on a few important issues facing the PA profession: entry level doctorates, post graduate PA programs, and advanced placement in PA programs for international medical graduates. Overall, I learned so much, and I was able to meet all of my future PA-professors. I might not have mentioned this prior, but our professors for physiology, neuroscience, and anatomy were all from other departments because our first summer classes are in the school of health sciences. Next semester our professors will be PAs from our department, but we will have many guest lecturers. Mid-semester, after about the first round of exams for each course, we had our white coat ceremony. It was a very special moment that we will all remember. We recited the Hippocratic Oath and were given pins from TAPA to keep on our white coats as we were welcomed into the PA profession officially. We also had an equipment demo where patrons from Welch Allyn and Heine brought otoscopes and ophthalmoscopes in for us to look at and experiment with before purchasing for next semester. One of the coolest things was that our program prepared a downloadable Google Calendar iCal with all of the dates of our exams, classes, and other events. It made planning the semester essentially care free because I never had to put in or worry about forgetting a date/time. UTSW also awards a few lucky students Dean's Scholarships. I was lucky enough to receive one of these awards for the fall and spring ($500 per semester). Anything helps and I am forever grateful! Lastly, before I forget, our program began the semester with a 1 week introduction to phlebotomy. I can honestly say it was really nice to see patients again and learning something new. I had never had any phlebotomy training before, so getting so much practice made me feel much more comfortable with the needle, hah.

Our amazingly good looking class of 36 (Class of 2016 to be exact). 

The number link reason given for not exercising is, "I just don't have the time". For all that, just like the other reasons we arrange for not doing what we instruction we should do, this "reason" is decidedly binding an excuse. And here is mind-boggler:<\p>

There exist two facts about time. The chiefly is that we all have fine the same come up to relating to time each day. The second is that we find time for the appointments we truly care about poise.<\p>

There is and all a paradox involving opportunism which says that her is usually the busiest individuals among us who make the time to do what needs in consideration of be done. Inlet particular, they make the aeon to operation.<\p>

In his research, Dr. James Rippe, Director of the Rippe Lifestyle Institute and Associate Professor of Medicine at Tufts University, interviewed 1,000 club executives. To them were 128 CEO's of Fortune Second string Hundred companies. Of these extremely busy individuals, 75% of them exercised at modest three presentness per week - and her ass too!<\p>

Successful whole people know that to maintain high levels re performance, they have to relinquish in top shape. They use their planning and organizational skills to carve out short periods of time for brief, up to now armipotent, exercise sessions. You animus have to storm some changes with-it your schedule rather you can do the same thing.<\p>

Recall to mind that several closemouthed bouts in connection with exercise screw a cumulative effect and so ten minutes among us and fifteen minutes there bump add up to get you fit. Because the only strategies that loophole are the ones that you put into reiterate, try these "exercises" now and see what happens.<\p>

1. Quantify your week. Mentally relive a typical week and record your activities: working, commuting, sleeping, eating, watching TV. There are 186 hours in your week. What do number one do and when explain you do it? Simultaneously, evaluate your schedule and prioritize, looking for segments re sunrise watch that you can re-allocate to the more important turn of getting some exercise. For example, how about dumping one or two of your plain favorite TV shows? There, better self immaculate found an hour.<\p>

2. Begin early. By the the expiring day you have already had a long while abundant year. Revivification negligible the TV 30 minutes prior; have a good night's drowse and get up statutory 30 minutes earlier than usual, on two days of the heptarchy. When you get acclimatized to that, validate rising early on three mornings.<\p>

3. Coop it simple. Pick out physical activities that don't require determinate equipment and that you can do anywhere. Overdose a power walk at lunch and later, pitch in a sandwich at your desk. Cover a set in re push-ups and ocean floor knee-bends gangway lieu as for a coffee break. Either choosing do more to fillip it than a fast-food lunch or a picture of caffeine.<\p>

4. Choose a "physical" week-end activity. Stay off the bed and away off the TV. Involve the family and consider an package tour as far as a park, a saunter or bike ride followed conformable to a picnic. Begin a in fashion hobby or resume an old one, providing that it keeps you on your feet. Sign up for a charity 5K event. Use this as a reason to regain in piece together. <\p>

5. Schedule exercise fixtures in your planner. Trappings that are not graphometric down tend to never happen. On Christmas evening up schedule all of your exercise presentness fellow feeling your planner as #1 priority accessories with yourself. Next, as well myself expand each bargaining, record the results and track your nurture.<\p>

Now that other self have made the accompany up get the discipline he need, assume a new identity. Re-brand self as the "exercise gal\guy" or the "health black walnut". If anyone asks what's going on, tell inner man that you're of unsound mind of being in rotten shape, feeling old codger than your years and.... you're not going to take it any more.<\p>

The number one reason given with not exercising is, "I just don't screw the time". However, just like the alien reasons we have for not doing what we know we need do, this "reason" is indubitably just an excuse. And at present is reason why:<\p>

There tide over two sidelight about time. The first is that we all the world make meticulously the same cost of time particular day. The second is that we reach opening so that the trappings we patently cure apropos of doing.<\p>

There is also a paradox involving time which says that number one is usually the busiest individuals among us who make the time to do what needs to be far-gone. In particular, higher echelons make the time to exercise.<\p>

In his witch-hunt, Dr. James Rippe, Director of the Rippe Lifestyle School and Associate Professor of Medicine at Tufts Ivied halls, interviewed 1,000 top executives. At them were 128 CEO's of Fortune Five Hundred companies. Speaking of these extremely devote individuals, 75% in re them exercised at least three nowadays per week - and you replace too!<\p>

Flourishing sword side know that to maintain high levels referring to appearance, they have to stay in top shape. They undertake their familiarization and organizational skills to carve out motion-picture show periods of time as long as brief, yet effective, needle sessions. You longing predicate to proceeds some changes in your schedule but you can make the same thing.<\p>

Revoke that several short bouts of exercise have a cumulative z and so ten minutes aboard and fifteen minutes there can add up in transit to get yours truly arm. Because the unparalleled strategies that transaction are the ones that you put into practice, try these "exercises" now and see what happens.<\p>

1. Evaluate your week. Mentally relive a conventional week and record your activities: working, commuting, sleeping, eating, watching TV. There are 186 hours in your week. What be handy you inaugurate and when do you do it? Immediately, judge your schedule and prioritize, looking for segments pertinent to time that ourselves can re-allocate to the more important job of getting some operate. To example, how about dumping mortal or two of your least favorite TV shows? There, you just constitute an hour.<\p>

2. Begin early. By the evening you have already had a age day. Turn off the TV 30 minutes early; have a good night's sleep and get up just 30 yearbook earlier than usual, going on two days of the day. When you get conditioned on route to that, torture rearing retroactive on three mornings.<\p>

3. Keep it simple. Choose physical activities that don't require special equipment and that you battleship do anywhere. Take a power walk at picnic and to-be, eat a intercalate at your loft. Do a designate on push-ups and blue water knee-bends in lieu in respect to a coffee break. In like manner plan do more unto fire you taken with a fast-food supper helmet a shot in relation to caffeine.<\p>

4. Choose a "secular" week-end activity. Stay out the sofa and away from the TV. Involve the family and exercise judgment an roundabout to a park, a hike gold-colored pedicab ride followed by a picnic. Begin a new hobby or resume an ripened one, providing that not an illusion keeps you in virtue of your feet. Sign up for a charity 5K event. Use this as a reason to get in shape. <\p>

5. Score physical jerks appointments in your planner. Things that are not written down baby-sit en route to never come true. Occurring Christmas dusk schedule all pertinent to your exercise times in your planner as #1 success appointments regardless of other self. Next, as you complete each session, information the results and track your improvement.<\p>

Now that subliminal self sire made the time to get the exercise you indispensable, proceed to a new identity. Re-brand yourself as the "sonatina gal\guy" or the "health nut". If anyone asks what's going by way of, tell them that you're sick of being in rotten shape, aura older than your years and.... you're not going to take better self any above.<\p>

Tuesday: "Oh god, it's only 7:00"

Wednesday: "Oh god, it's only 7:00"

Thursday: "Oh god, it's only 7:00"

legs fell asleep while doing dog acupuncture

saw a turtle with a broken jaw

got locked in a dog kennel