Few mnemonics For Biochem

MD2

Finished block 1, which consists of neuroanatomy, physiology, biochemistry and doctor patient society. I am enjoying MD2 compare to MD1, lot of information to remember but hard work pays off.

I will be updating my blogs regularly now so stay updated :)

:)

MD1 is too much!!

Guys/Girls prepare yourself for MD1, because it is not a joke at least not at AUSOM. Our classes start at 8AM and we are done by 3PM except days when we are going to have Anatomy Lab we will be out by 5PM. There is so much material that one has to study for example in Anatomy we will be covering Intro, upper limb, lower limb and general biology including labs for Block 1, and thorax, abdomen and relevant systematic embryology and labs for Block. For Block3 which is our final block exam consists of pelvis & perineum, head and neck and relevant systematic embryology including labs. 

This is just Anatomy portion mind you we have cell biology/histology and epidemiology/DPS/Behavioral science on top of that and we have to finish everything in just 4 months...WHAT!!!!! yup. 

But our school is excellent we have only 9 students in our MD1 class and prof:student ratio is excellent. All professors are really smart and know what they talking about and always finding way to help students including school dean.

I can't wait to finish MD1 and move on to MD2. But for now have to study hard.

Any questions hit me up!!!

MD1 Day 1

Interesting day today. I am just glad that i studied Bsc in chemistry and biology because without that i think i would have been lost. So for prospective students thinking to study medicine please major in biology or chemistry because that will help alot. One thing that i didn't like about school is that students were not given Portal Login in advance so no one has access to power points or lecture notes.

Lectures for Day 1:

8AM- Anatomy: started with introduction of terminology of different views, surface anatomy, gross, neuroanatomy. It was taught well and i enjoyed it kinda reminded me off undergraduate days lol.

10AM- Cell Biology: I love this class it is taught by Prof who is from John Hopkins and is really good, i have a feeling i am going to enjoy his class compare to others lol

1PM- DPS which stands for doctor patient skills: It is about how to effectively communicate with patients, empathy VS sympathy and how to write notes and interview patients. It is interesting class .

Any questions shoot a message!!

Good Luck

GMC Accreditation

Prospective students who are looking to attend Atlantic University School Of Medicine in St.Lucia  should know that school has GMC accreditation, upon graduation from school graduated are eligible to apply PLAB exam which is of two steps; PLAB1 and PLAB 2. All information can found at http://www.gmc-uk.org .

Medical School Orientation Day 05/05/13

So i have been in St.Lucia for 3 days now, and today was orientation day for MD and Pre Med ( 1) students. Faculty and student government body was very professional and very helpful. I think for MD1 there were total 5 or 6 students and other 10 or so were transfer students who were transferring in MD2, MD3 and MD4 from different caribbean schools. 

SGA president had a good chat with all new students and was very helpful. 

School itself is small and is built above restaurant, which is weird if you think about about medical school but its caribbean and you got to start somewhere correct? 

Can't wait to start first day of classes tomorrow and will post Day 1 experience.

Long term rental st.lucia

I highly recommend contacting school admin for housing information because they will have all the latest availability. I ended up emailing couple of real estate agents and gave them my details; my budget per month and amenities etc. Most of the housing for long term rental come fully furnished and most utilities are included like water, internet, gas and electricity. Rentals that include electricity do not have A/C in them so just make sure you confirm that we real estate agent or manager.

Here are list of real estate companies in st.lucia that i emailed and feel free to email them and tell them you go to AUSOM school etc etc.

758-717-2379 

Please update me  if anyone has more information on real estate agents.

I ended up taking studio from option (1) They were quick to response and had good options for me.

Thanks and good luck!!!

Update: Just an update if anyone is looking for housing, from other than website i listed above be careful because there have incidence that one of the student was shown wrong apartment in pictures and took deposit, but when he arrived he was shown different apartment and now he is in process of getting his deposit back. This is something you have to be really careful do not wire transfer any deposit unless you it is reputable real estate company.

Good luck

Bulking before shredding

I decided to join Sportiva gym which is on the way to school and has decent weights for training. Monthly fees is EC$150 plus one time EC$60 registration fees. They have shower as well so you can train and take shower and go to school.

As of today i am making good progress and sticking to my meal plans, will post stats next week.

STAY STRONG!!!

Airline ticket, Housing, Books and other stuff for MD1

Airline Tickets:

I booked British Airways for May 01st,  but Virgin Atlantic flies to st.lucia as well. I chose BA for two reasons 1) I am frequent flyer with them 2) I like there service than VA sorry VA. One thing that pisses me off is that i am only allowed one check in bag!!! if traveling economy :( . But i shopped around different websites for airfares, and i ended up getting from my local airline agent for 50 GBP cheaper. 

Housing:

Housing is something i am not sure upon arrival, so i will be staying in Hotel for couple of days and will find housing once there, i really don't think i want to put deposit on housing that i haven't seen physically. Most of the pictures of houses that i have seen are not current apparently. I am sure there will be plenty oh housing for students on island. I will post links and details of real estate agents once i am on island and get housing.

Books/ETC

 

I did not get First Aid for USMLE1 due to the fact that i am not taking USMLE exam, i will be taking PLAB1/PLAB2 similar to USMLE1 but kind of easier version than USMLE ( hope so ) lol, so i ended up buying Oxford Handbook Of Clinical Medicine 9th ed ( OHCM) and Oxford Handbook Of Clinical Speciality ( OHCS). I have also ordered essential clinical anatomy by Keith L Moore and color atlas of anatomy by Rohen. I did not order Histology books or DPS. My cousin had extra stethoscope so stole from him lol ( joke). Thats about it.

Other Stuff:

Notebooks

Flashcards

Lot of pens/pencils/highlighters/staplers/folders

Insect repellent

Bedding

work out supplements !!! Important if you work out or lift

About Me

Hello prospective physicians!!!

About myself:

 I am 29 y/o from London, UK and been accepted to study Medicine at AUSOM, St.Lucia in May 2014. I am so excited and looking forward to start my life long dream in paradise :). My educational background : I graduated from University Of Sydney in Bsc-chemistry in 2012 and believe it or not i joined flying school in Melbourne Australia after graduation. I always wanted to fly planes and what other place to learn huh?? . I know i am all over place but you got to do what you dream of ryte??

Lot of my friends asked me why St.Lucia for Medicine?? Well i love to travel and honestly after doing some research i decided to chose AUSOM. Tuition is low, have clinical rotations in UK ( which i love) ;) AUSOM weather.

Reason i started this BLOG ( Journey to Medical school) is to express my own opinions, and hopefully give  advice future doctors who are interested in Medicine especially who are looking to study in St.Lucia @ AUSOM. I will try my best to blog everyday.