Last year, UNMC Today hung out with Stephanie Larson on her first day of medical school.
On Monday, we checked back with Larson on her first day as an M2 to see how the first year went and what’s on her mind as she heads into year two.
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Stephanie Larson |
It was definitely an adventure! There are quite a few adjustments to get used to, but I definitely learned you need to find stress relievers and fun things to do and not make it all about studying and school.
Have you decided on a specialty?
Yes, I am going into family medicine.
What are you most looking forward to in year two of med school?
The end … just kidding — but I would like to be half way done! I am really looking forward to getting past the basic sciences and more in depth into disease and treatment.
What classes are you taking this semester?
- Introduction to Disease Processes;
- Cardiology/Pulmonary/Endocrine/ENT;
- Neurology/Opthamology/Psych;
- Hematology/Oncology/Musculoskeletal/Derm/Basic Life Support; and
- Genitourinary/Gastroenterology.
What do you think will be different than last year?
Being used to the everyday aspects of it, knowing where I’m going, what to expect and how to achieve what I’m aiming for.
Any advice for the first year med students?
Don’t overwork or overstress yourself. Make sure to take time out for yourself and your family. Also, get comfortable shoes…you’ll need them!
Name your most important school supply this year.
That one’s tough, but if I could have, I would have gotten an iPad (or a Kindle) because then I could have gotten all my books as e-books. That’s way easier.
I think it is very unfortunate that some students see the basic sciences as something to "get past." A thorough understanding of the basic sciences is essential to the practice of medicine. The science of medicine is something to be embraced.
The notion of "getting past" the basic sciences is understandable, but I agree with Dr Hexum. There have been many times when I've struggled to remember his lessons about the pharmacology of the autonomic nervous system 30 years ago. Students would be wise to soak up as much of the basic sciences as they can while they can.