Showing posts with label Drexel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Drexel. Show all posts

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Spring Quarter '13

Well, in the middle of spring quarter now, and busy as ever.  I've finished my clinical rotations for the spring quarter already, and they were great.  I really like the fact that we get to work with our professors in a clinical setting, in addition to seeing them in the classroom.  It really helps me integrate the class material.

My classes this quarter aren't quite like the last two quarters, which is making it a bit more challenging.  For the first two quarters we had 3 classes that basically followed along with each other.  Now, our classes are a little bit more separated, but of course they are all tied to PT. This quarter, we have to take Ortho: Upper Extermity, Pathophysiology, Physical Agents, Neuroscience, and Motor Learning.  I'm really enjoying all of it.  The only thing is, I wish I knew what field I wanted to go into after graduation.  We'll see what happens though.  That's it for now.

Still here, still studying...

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Fall Midterms 2012

Well, Midterms are almost over now.  I've taken 2 out of the 3 I have to take this quarter.  We were originally supposed to have Kinesiology on Monday, and Anatomy today (Thursday).  Unfortunately, Drexel canceled classes Monday and Tuesday of this week. That meant that my tests were scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday respectively.  It didn't make for an easy week, or couple of days.  However, I shouldn't complain because me and my family all made it through Hurricane Sandy without any issues.  My thoughts are with those who will be trying to pick up the pieces in the days, weeks, and months.

Overall, I did not think the tests were too bad.  I know it did not get a perfect score, but I don't believe I am in danger of a failing grade.  However, that could change when I get the actual score back.  Anatomy was tough, but easier than I thought it was going to be.  The main thing I had to do during the test was sit back and think of what the answer was.  Both tests were tricky.  The professors wanted to make sure we knew the topic.  Both professors provided answers where one answer was one word off from being the correct answer.  Also, there were questions that two answers could be correct, but one was a better answer than the other.  I'll have to remember that for next time.

My last test is in PT Exam & Intervention.  I definitely have some studying to do for that test, but I think I should be alright with it.  Hopefully I'll be posting next week to update my progress.  For now, it  is time to prepare for tomorrow's classes.  Tomorrow night will be time to start studying again.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Fall Quarter Week 1

Week one is done!!!

It is hard to believe it, but I have finished my first full week of DPT school.  One thing is for sure, there is a lot of work.  Maybe its because I'm trying to make sure I keep ahead of the work and keep things planned out so I don't have to do anything last minute, but there is definitely a lot to do.  I have done all my assignments for this week, and am working on next weeks now as well as studying what we've gone over in class.  We will see how it goes.

One way I've surprised myself is, I didn't have a problem with the cadaver lab at all.  The worst part about it was the anticipation leading up to the first unveiling and then making the first cuts.  Every once and a while I'll get a whiff of something that will turn my stomach, but overall I am not having a problem with any of the dissections.  

Other classes are going well.  Kinesiology is fun because it deals with Physics so far.  I struggled a little bit the first few days with the terminology, but now that I am getting that down I am starting to understand the concepts.  

One of the things that is going to be key to my learning the material across all my classes and doing well on the tests is to integrate the material throughout the curriculum.  Really understanding the material is going to take some work, but I can already see how the classes all tie together and why the material is taught the way it is.  

I can't wait until I know even more about everything. It is all so interesting and I can't wait to get to a point where I can really apply it. 

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Counting down the days

Well, Monday is the day.  We had orientation for the DPT program yesterday, and it went well.  Everybody has been asking me what they said and wanting details... well, I guess all I can say is they were very honest with us about the amount of work and how quick the pace would be.  I know it will be an adjustment going from 16 week semesters to 10 week quarters, so I'm going to have to stay on top of everything.  I plan on being in the library or some room somewhere studying from day 1.  It is going to be a lot of work, and I know this.

The biggest piece of advice that I heard echoed from the Professors was to make sure we take some time for ourselves.  They said, if we don't, we may burnout.  It is a ton of work so we need some time to relax and unwind a bit.  I can tell already that this whole process is going to be extremely rewarding.

I was able to talk with one of the Pediatric Clinicians on staff.  She was very excited to hear that I was interested in Peds.  Right now it seems like that is what I'm going to want to go into,  but there is a long time till graduation and I have plenty of time to figure that out.  However, she did mention that if any of us know what we want to do when we get out, residencies are a way to go to start on the track of being a specialist.  I guess I will just have to wait and see what all happens.

Getting out of the city for a couple of days while I can.  A little fresh air before I start the daily grind of class, reading, and studying...

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Moved In

Well, I'm in Philly now.  I've moved into my new place Drexel's campus in Center City. It has been quite a day.  Somehow I fit all my stuff into a 10x10ish room.  Tomorrow I have my first orientation.  This one is the University orientation, so I'm not sure how long I'm going to stay.  I guess I'll just have to go and see how it goes.  I'll probably at least stay until lunch.  Tomorrow should be an interesting day.  I'm getting a visitor tomorrow evening...!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Moving to Philly

Well, its almost that time.  I'll be moving to Philly tomorrow.  I'm living on campus so there isn't much that I'll need to do down there in the apartment.  I'll basically move all my stuff in and figure out where everything goes.  Hopefully I'll be able to start exploring the city a bit on Thursday (my girlfriend is coming to visit on Friday).  I don't start school until the 24th, but I have a couple of orientations to go to in the next week, the first one being on Friday.

I've ordered all my books, which was a fairly big bill, but nothing that wasn't expected.  My schedule is fairly full, with Tuesdays looking the hardest of all of them.  Overall, I'm nervous about two things, the workload and anatomy lab.  I think I'm prepared mentally, but you never know.  One thing I know, is that I have a great support system around me.  The next 2.5 years are going to be tough, and I know there will be some changes, but I'm very confident things are going to work out.

I'm going to be updating this blog more frequently, I hope, but for now I need to finish packing and finish all the last minute preparations.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Early Summer Update

Well not a lot has happened in regards to Drexel.  I did complete my housing already.  Unfortunately, I found out after I had it completed that it wasn't necessary to finish complete the housing questionnaire yet.  Oh well.  The important thing is I have a room.

One other thing that I've been struggling through is the Financial Aid process.  My mom thought it would be a good idea for me to complete as much of it as possible as soon as possible.  I completed my FASFA, as well as all of my institutional Financial Aid info on time.  What she was really interested in me completing was the government loan information.  I figured it wouldn't hurt so I completed it back in late April or early May. What I found out after finishing it was that if the institution did not request the money within 90 days, I would have to reapply  and they would have to look at my financial info again.  This information was probably somewhere in the fine print, which I only skimmed at best.  Oh well, it isn't a big deal to fill out the application again.  It was a very easy form to fill out.

I actually put in my notice 2 weeks ago that I will be leaving my job September 9th.  Hopefully by giving Alvernia 3 months notice, my position can be filled by the time I'm going to leave.  I honestly want to make it as easy for them as possible when I leave.  It won't be easy to fill my position (and my supervisor's as well).  My supervisor's last night is tonight.  This is going to mean an increase in my "work" at night, as I will be responsible for answering any questions that come up.  I won't have her to differ to anymore.  Its not a big deal, just something else for me to do during the long nights in the Library.

Well, that's all for now.  Time to watch some more soccer.

G