Fifth Avenue and Match Day

Hi, everyone!!

It's snowing! And it's the first day of spring. haha. I can't complain much though because the view outside my window is spectacular. Snow covered benches and trees.

Today is Match Day, which is the day that most 4th year medical students find out where they will do their residencies. It's one of the most exciting days of a future physician's life because they have now almost completed med school and are finding out where they'll be spending the next few years of their lives and possibly their entire lives. I can't help but imagine myself on that day. What will I be like? What specialty will I choose, and where will I end up? Many exciting things ahead.

Columbia Match Day 2015

Speaking of Columbia, somebody I know got into Teachers College! How awesome is that??

On Monday, I treated myself and took a long walk downtown. As I walked down Fifth Avenue, I couldn't help remembering being there freshman year and thinking about the changes that I see in myself since then. The maturity and the perspective that has been building since then. Being in the last couple of months of college, I can't help but continuously reflect on all that's happened. What I did right, what I did wrong, the happy moments with friends, and the anxious moments before an exam. My first walks down Madison Avenue, the long train rides to school, and going to museums.

But I should save the reflections for my last (!) post on the blog. haha. Oh gosh.

Speaking of reflections, I sat on the steps in front of Lincoln Center yesterday and was reminded of the first time that I was there. It was August 2011, just weeks before I started college. Some of my high school friends and I had gotten together for one of our last days together before we all went off in separate directions. At that point, I was just learning about the subway system. I had seen very little of Manhattan and had spent little time away from my parents. Sitting on the steps yesterday was like a full circle moment. Now taking the subway feels like the most natural thing. I've been to parts of the city that I only knew by name when I was 18. I've spent countless hours on my own and with friends crafting my sense of independence.

So much for an end to the reflections...:p

I also took my first exam of the semester yesterday, on endocrinology. It wasn't too hard, thankfully. A couple of questions that I'm unsure of but otherwise, I think that it went well.

I have a test on cancer bio on Monday so I've been prepping for that too. Wish me luck!

S.

For this last semester, I've decided that I'll share one cool/interesting/thought-provoking thing that I happen to run across during the week:

The Backlash Against Mindfulness 

Macaulay Love

Hi, everyone!

What a gorgeous week, right? OMG. I can finally feel spring in the air.

It's March and winter is officially ending and I'm graduating in just over 2 months. I'm trying to soak in every minute of my time at Hunter. Sitting in class, getting lunch, and hanging out on the bridges. In just a few months, I'll be an alumni. No longer quite belonging in the student body. Just outside of it. It makes me sad because it feels like it all happened so quickly. But at the same time, I know that I'm ready to go. :) I've done a lot in four years, and I know that there is more waiting for me just outside those doors.

Last Sunday, we had the second Macaulay Scholars Council meeting of the semester. I love going to these meetings and participating in the process of making Macaulay an increasingly fun and warm place for students. If you end up coming here, definitely try to attend these meetings by becoming a rep for your class and/or a club leader. You get to pitch ideas, and have a chance to organize student events. Drew Adair runs the meetings, and he is absolutely fabulous. He listens to what we say and encourages us to take initiative.

Speaking of Macaulay, the acceptances are supposed to come out soon, right? Ahh. It's almost exactly 4 years (March 15, 2011) since I got my acceptance. Insanity. I was so so happy when I found out. I had worked so hard, and it was the most wonderful feeling.

I've just completed my committee letter application, which is one of the most important steps of the med school application process. There are many more to come, and I am so excited to do it all. :)

My mom's birthday is on Sunday and I got her a bracelet (Shh..), which is something that I've been doing since my freshman year. Here it is:

By the way, if anyone is looking for some yummy chicken and broccoli, check out this place. They make the best that I've had.

S.

For this last semester, I've decided that I'll share one cool/interesting/thought-provoking thing that I happen to run across during the week:

Blue Bloods, Mad Men, and French food

Hi, everyone!

I spent part of tonight watching Blue Bloods with my mom because I feel like I need to spend more time with her. I'm always busy with something, and she's always saying, "You sit in your room too much, and I'm stuck here in the living room." haha. A lot of times, I'm working on something or just want to be alone, but I know that there also times when I can head over there and hang out with her. That time with family is so important, and you definitely have to fit it in into your busy schedule. As they say, the work will always be there.

We've published our first edition of the semester of The Macaulay Messenger! I'm cherishing these last couple of months of running it because I know I'm going to miss coming up with article ideas and editing pieces. It's been such a significant part of my college experience, and I hope to continue writing articles post-graduation in some other capacity. And to continue blogging as well! I have to figure out whether I want to have a personal blog or wait till I go to med school to join another school blog. Whichever it ends up being, I want to continue reflecting on my life and sharing it with other people. It's been such a joy.

I'm finishing up with the first part of season 7 of Mad Men, and it's great as usual. An eternally fantastic show that I will miss.

I'm in the process of working on med school application stuff, and it's all so exciting. Ahh. It's the culmination of years and years of hard work. Med school always seemed so far away and now, it's just around the corner. It's pretty amazing. I'll keep you all updated as things progress over the semester.

There's a misconception that med school applicants have to be these perfect people with a million things on their resume. Not the case. Med school admissions officials always say that they're interested in hearing our individual stories and what led us to our decision to be doctors. They want honesty and passion and realness above all in addition to the "regular stuff" (good grades, a good MCAT, and our experiences).

How about that snow storm that we got hit with yesterday? OMG. It made things difficult with travel, but it was so pretty at the same time. Especially the trees in Brooklyn.

S.

For this last semester, I've decided that I'll share one cool/interesting/thought-provoking thing that I happen to run across during the week:

I have to get myself to France once of these days....