Sci High begins

In terms of academics, this month has been quite challenging. We are moving through a lot of difficult material very quickly, but I really enjoy the subject matter and am learning many new concepts. In about a week we have our next block exam, which is worth a large percentage of our grade so I have been vigorously studying in preparation for it. 

In our Advances in Pharmacology class, my group presented on orthostatic hypotension. I was honestly very nervous about presenting in front of the class, but my group worked together extremely well. We learned a lot on the subject and were able to give a thorough presentation. 

We also had our first team based learning exercise on ANS pharmacology. During the session, we took a quiz individually, then took the same quiz as a group, and finally answered a few questions as a group. Solving these challenging problems in a group setting really helped me better understand the material and think of the problems in new ways. Studying for the TBL also helped me begin my preparation for the exam. 

Also this month, I began volunteering at the New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School, also known as Sci High. The teacher I work with, Ms. Goldmann, teaches geometry and has a "flipped classroom". This means that her students watch videos at home and spend their class time working on problems and asking questions. I walk around answering any questions that they have and am also available to tutor them privately, if needed. I've loved the time I've spent there already, and really enjoy working with the kids. I'm really exited to get to know them better and continue working with them throughout the year. 

Total hours completed: 9 hours

the first of many

I'm back in my hometown of New Orleans after 4 years of undergrad in Austin and I couldn't be more excited to begin this next chapter! There truly is no place like New Orleans, and I couldn't think of a better place to attend graduate school. To say that time has flown by since starting the program in mid-July would be an understatement. We have already completed two blocks and are well into the third. The work piles up quickly but it is manageable with adequate planning.

The thing is though, I absolutely love it. I loved my time as an undergraduate, don't get me wrong, but the things we have learned so far in this program are so interesting and practical to me from a medical standpoint. I already feel like I have learned so much and it hasn't even been 2 months yet! I can't imagine all the knowledge I'll acquire in a year. Just this past weekend, I visited my friend who is attending medical school in Houston. She was complaining on how stumped she was on her homework and after looking at it, I realized that we've already covered all the material she was in the process of learning. This got me very excited and reassured me that this was a great stepping stone on my path to attend medical school one day.

Now for community service. I have signed up to volunteer at an institution called Sci High (The New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School). Unfortunately, however, the vetting process has not been completed, leaving us unable to begin volunteering there until September. I look forward to volunteering at Sci High, as I have heard wonderful things about the program from past students.