EDchickadee

We had a rash of folks smoking Jimsen Weed... i don't know if that would have caused her symptoms, OR if it would respond to Narcan. The patients we had were very messed up from it though... not talking.

Junior year was that stressful for me. Even now, in my senior year, I sometimes feel like I have so much to do that I literally cannot even figure out where to start. It is absolutely overwhelming some days. You're definitely not alone in that. Sometimes, it helps me to just sit down and make a list of everything that has to get done, in order. Clinicals, papers, projects, studying, cleaning, grocery shopping... everything. I write out a plan for the day, and as I accomplish each thing, I cross it off the list. That's why I even include the little things like laundry--it makes me realize that doing the laundry is still accomplishing a task that had to be done. Once the list is written, before I've even DONE any of it, I feel a little bit better just knowing that I have a plan. And as I get to cross each thing off, I feel like there's visible evidence that I'm making progress, even if it's slow. This specific method doesn't work for everybody, but I do think that everyone needs to find a way to organize all of the things that need to be done when they are feeling overwhelmed. Like I said, sometimes just having a plan and getting started is half the battle.

It varies a LOT based on what institution you're in, professor's teaching style, etc. For instance, I lucked out and got the most laid-back, helpful A&P professor you could ever ask for, and I aced A&P. Micro was the same way.. I learned SO much, but I never struggled. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, however, was hell. But then once I started Med-Surg, I realized that patho had been a cake walk in comparison. And then after I started critical care, I realized that Med-Surg had been a cake walk in comparison. So the answer is - the classes keep getting harder. But all the classes build on each other, and when you get to them, I promise you you will be ready for them if you have survived the prerequisites. Don't get discouraged. You will survive. We have several students in their 30's and 40's in my class, and they are making it just fine. And senior year is usually a light at the end of the tunnel for most programs. I'm a senior now, finishing up my first semester (one to go!), and I'm loving every minute of it. Good luck!