Sunday, February 8, 2015

2015 Updates

Gosh this year has been going by fast. Fall semester was here and gone in a blink of an eye, and even though my winter break was an extra week longer than usual, it still wasn't long enough. I've already been back in school for a month and it feels like it might as well have been just a week!

The renal domain was a bit tough. I got my lowest score on any exam in the past year, but considering that a friend attempted suicide and I was sick with the flu for about a week during this domain, I was happy just to pass. It was still frustrating because I don't think the exam really reflected the knowledge that I gained and because my goal is to master every exam, but at least it is over.

Pulmonary seems to be going well so far, but I admit it's been a bit tough to find my groove this semester. I know part of it is due to the aforementioned events of my friend's hospitalization and my illness, but my depression seems to be rearing its ugly head and throwing things out of balance.

I tried reducing my medication dose over winter break (with permission/supervision from my therapist) -- BIG MISTAKE. I did fine at first, but after about 3 weeks of the reduced medication I kept wondering why I was feeling more anxious and panicky and lashing out at people and then it hit me - duh, I should probably go back on the dose I know that works. Since then, things have been *better*, but I still feel out of sorts. My sun lamp helps when I am studying, but I just overall have been feeling lower than I would like. Hopefully this changes soon.

I added a countdown clock to my first licensing exam - 121 days as of today. I am about 30% through my first run of my question bank. I was hoping to be at around 50% by now, but the way the domain schedule works there are a lot more questions related to school stuff in the spring semester, so hopefully I will be more on track soon. I am remembering a decent amount of things from last semester, or at least remembering enough to at least be familiar with what the test is asking, so I'm feeling pretty good about having a good intensive study period in May.

I also can't believe that beside my test being in 4 months, I also move to Flint in 4 months. I've got my apartment search narrowed down to two places, possibly plus or minus a few (there are a few condos/lofts downtown that don't really advertise online that I'm going to check out in the next few weeks). K and I were going to try to live in one apartment together, but due to some family stuff, that probably isn't happening. However, we are going to try to live in the same complex, just to have someone nearby.