And.....breathe

So, it's been a really long 2 weeks. Four exams, 12 days. It seems like such a trivial thing to be concerned about, I know other people have real problems, but such is the stress of my life. On the one hand it's such a relief to have those over. On the other hand, the exam on Friday, well...that exam!

So Friday was an exam where a standardized patient is assessing our ability to perform a physical exam and take a medical history. That part was not so bad. We knew exactly what exam we'd be performing and pretty much if you aren't completely mute you'll be alright with the history. Then we had to write a SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) note. This is where the trouble started. I think mine was way too narrative and I really ran short on time toward the end. After the SOAP note we had to give an oral presentation of the patient to a fake attending, also a standardized patient. I felt like my presentation was a bit on the rushed/disorganized side. We won't get our results from that one for about a week I think. Worst case scenario I have to re-write my SOAP note, which might actually be a good thing since we'll have to do these third year, and I feel utterly unprepared. If all goes well then a week from Friday I'll have a review of the assessment with a real doctor to just go over what I did well/need to improve upon.

The exam this morning didn't feel as great as I'd hope. Big surprise. The last 4 exams I've taken have felt like I've done poorly, but they've all turned out alright. Hopefully this one will too. I should find out in a few hours.

Also this week I should get the results of my practice boards exam. I am anxious to find out how I did so I can tailor my studies to do as well as I feel I need to. But I'd rather not find out today. I just feel too stressed out to deal with it today. I think it's just the let down of the exams being over but not having many scores.

I know these are trivial things, but in med school it seems like they take over your whole life. I think I will take the dogs for a nice, long walk and clean the house a bit to destress.

On the plus side, though, it's Denver Restaurant week! Wednesday we're heading to Red Door Euro Bistro with a friend from med school. I'm pretty pumped about it! I will take pictures, so at least there will be a fun post to read rather than all this gloom and doom. I'm sure once I'm organized and get my score things will be on the up and up.