Wednesday, April 19, 2017

I came across this post on how to study for your step exams and your Boards to get really good scores. I thought it will be beneficial so I'm sharing it.

Here it is:

Kevinmd post

Thursday, April 13, 2017

The power of momentum and how to maintain it

Momentum has been one of the things that has made life so much easier. Doing a little bit everyday is the way I undertook the gargantuan journey of studying for my Step 3 exam. By doing a little bit everyday you can stave off cramming, which will not help you with your Step exam.

Keeping the momentum through consistent action is very difficult. If there is any doubt about how difficult this is ask yourself, "have I ever said meh not today, i will do it tomorrow," and then proceeded to not do anything for the next few days losing track of time. Remember when you said you will work out weekly and then you took a day off and then boom you lost a few days, months or years. That happened to me.

I got sick 3 weeks ago so I stopped my morning exercise routine of push ups, sit ups, and squats. Then I got better and still did not work out. "I will start tomorrow." That tomorrow came and I still did not work out. This continued for 3 weeks. However, I am glad to say that I am back on track today.

I rolled out of bed and did my exercise routine. I started small, doing only about 1/3 of the number of reps I usually do. I have found starting small to be very beneficial in maintaining momentum.

By doing only a few reps to start out, I basically give myself no out to make excuses. I can't say I do not have time, because this will take me only about 5 minutes. I can't say it is too hard because it is 1/3 the normal amount of reps I do. Lastly, knowing that I can do it quickly and knowing that i have no excuse to bail I end up working out consistently gradually building momentum.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

The ordeal of purchasing a used car!

How many of you have attempted to buy a used car? How many of you have being duped when you bought said used car? Ehem…


I had a car last year. I called her Akosua. I lost her a month later due to an accident. Insert sad face. Due to mourning – cough being broke cough cough – I decided I was not going to purchase another car till June, right before residency starts. Then I was convinced to get one now. I saw cars sold by private sellers, cars sold by dealers. I came within inches of being duped into making a big mistake. In my next few posts I’ll share my car chronicles, and if I feel like it maybe post some tips on what to do when you are searching for cars. 

Monday, April 3, 2017

Memories from 2017 interview season


After going on a few of my interviews I wrote down my thoughts on how things will go. In this post I will share with you what I wrote at that day, 1/24/2017; I will also share something that should give you a better chance of matching next season if you did not match this season, or even if you are applying for the first time. 

First, here is what I wrote on 1/24/17.

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Snap shot of my residency application till now:

“I like you and I will rank you.” I was shocked. I did not know how to respond. I’m sure I mumbled something after the program director said this. This application season I have 5 interviews. I have gone on 4 and have one more remaining, coming up this Thursday. Today, I want to have a quick snap shot of how things have been going so far.

Last season, I had 3 interviews during the regular match. I also had 3 soap interviews. Whoa, yes. The closest thing I got to an indication that one program was interested in me was “don’t forget to rank your programs” from one of the programs, and enthusiastic responses to my thank you notes from a program in the south.

This year has been different. I planned out my year to get more interviews and I did – 2 more. Of my 5 interviews I received clear indications of interest from 3 programs.

I still ask myself, do these mean anything since a program might like you and rank you but still not rank you in the safe zone. If this happens you will not match. Therefore, I am still hesitant to be elated by what they said. That said, it is a step in the right direction.


All that’s left is to wait and see. 

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As we all know, I ended up matching so the "I'll rank you" refrain meant something. Out of my 5 programs I received clear signs of interest from 4 of them. 

I am sharing this with you so that you learn the value of interviewing and interviewing well. The number of times that I have heard "I have only one interview but I wasn't ready for that question" baffles me. I mean sure at times there are questions that are meant to stump you, but for the basic questions that they all ask there is no excuse to not know how to respond to them. 

If you have to get help practicing for an interview get it. If you have to pay for that help pay for it. Find someone knowledgeable. I was lucky to have some good friends that helped me understand what questions to expect and what type of answer each question expected from me. 

Interviewing is a skill. Do not neglect it and solely depend on your scores and your resume. Remember residency programs do not want a resume they want a person that will work well in their program. If you are that person make sure you let that shine through during your interview!


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Saturday, April 1, 2017

Yayyyy

A friend just got a residency position yesterday!!!! I screamed when I read the text with the good news, and I almost run around the whole house.

She applied during ERAS and then during the SOAP as well to no avail. However, she kept pushing and finally she got an interview post-soap. 

I helped her prepare for her interview for 2 days, polishing up her answers etc. She then went on and killed her interview!!!

Congratulations!!! I'm proud of you! With all the hard work you put in, you are absolutely deserving of this!