How I Prepare for an Oral Exam in Medical School

Countdown: 72 days until graduation!

Life as a 6th year medical student looks like this for me right now: going to clinical exercises at the hospital every day; negotiating the class schedule to get more time to study at home; preparing for an exam; feeling like my brain is made of mashed potatoes after a long study day; taking an exam; feeling like my brain is made of mashed potatoes after an exam; sprawling on my bed for a day after my exam; making a study plan for my next exam; beginning to study for next exam. 

I’m grateful to have a few weeks between most of my finals. This helps with the monster task of reviewing a few years’ worth of material. On the other hand, it means I’m running an exam marathon that is several months long. As a result, I’ve gone into self-preservation mode! 

In this final year of study, many of our courses require us to pass not only a written theoretical exam, but also a practical exam (taking a patient history and doing a physical examination) and an oral exam (meeting a professor and answering questions verbally). Most of my exams throughout my academic career have been theoretical exams, especially with multiple choice questions. Preparing for an oral exam requires a bit of a different approach, from my experience. 

I thought I would share a few of my strategies for preparing for an oral exam. As always, I share these things with the disclaimer that everyone learns differently and my methods are by no means guaranteed to be foolproof. Perhaps someone may draw some inspiration from my methods, or at the very least one may get a glimpse of my life right now. 

Without further ado, here is how I prepare for an oral exam: 

1. I find out what I’m getting myself into.
   The unofficial GUMed (Medical University of Gdansk) student information network is tremendous. There are comment threads and Facebook groups where I can find students and alumni who have had the same examiner that I’ve been assigned. It is invaluable to hear about their experiences with that professor. You can never know for sure what an examiner will ask you during your test, but you can get an idea of what their expectations may be like. 
2. I make a plan of action! 
   I do love a plan. Before preparing for any big exam, I will actually spend my first day of “studying” simply formulating my plan! It’s an investment of time that helps me be more effective in the long run. First, I make a list of my available resources (textbooks, seminar slides, etc.). Then, I map out all the things I would ideally like to do if I had unlimited time to be perfectly prepared. I rank these tasks by priority, in order of most important (must be done to pass the course!) to least important (if I have done everything else, maybe I’ll squeeze it in). Then I look at my calendar and assign my tasks to specific weeks leading up to an exam. My last week before the exam is always a review week, because I know I have to see something AT LEAST twice for anything to stick! This is the part where I decide how much material I can realistically cover, and when I cut out the lowest priority items.  My philosophy is that it’s better to study a smaller amount of the most important material and know it really well, than to try to learn every single little detail, confuse myself, and get all mixed up during the test.

    

3. I give myself homework assignments. 
   One of the things I can miss about high school was how easy it was to finish an assignment and just be done! There is no homework in our university– just knowledge, and a brain, and it’s up to the student to find out how to put them together! I choose the most important topics based on what I’ve heard from other students, what was emphasized during the course, what seems to be a major topic in the textbook, and what I feel like is essential knowledge for passing the course and functioning as a doctor. My homework is to write myself notes on each topic, containing everything I need to know about that disease– no more, no less. 
4. ALWAYS KNOW HOW TO DIAGNOSE THE DISEASE! 
   If you don’t know how to make the diagnosis, you don’t know anything! The professor will ALWAYS ask you, “And how do you diagnose hypothyroidism/esophageal cancer/myocardial infarction/insert disease of choice?” I like to set myself up to be ready with an answer to that question. I also try to give myself a framework for how to talk about a disease, since we are often asked quite general questions which get narrowed down by follow-up questions as we go along. This framework consists of answering these points about each disease: 

   – Definition (a one-liner of what the disease actually is) 
   – Risk factors (including who is typically affected) 
   – Symptoms and signs 
   – Diagnosis (labs, imaging, clinical criteria, exclusion, biopsy, etc.) 
   – Treatment 
   – Maybe complications (if they are important)
   – Maybe prognosis (if it is relevant) 

5. I give myself a dress rehearsal. 
   I’ve spent a lot of time rehearsing for stage performances of all sorts. Before the real thing, we always have a dress rehearsal to get a feel for what the real thing will be like. To draw a parallel to exam prep, there have been psychological studies showing that students perform better when their study environment is similar to their exam environment. I know that during the real oral exam, I’m not going to be sitting at my desk with my notes on my bookstand in front of me, like training wheels to help me if I get stuck. I’m going to be sitting up straight with a polite and professional smile on my face, with no visual cues and only the contents of my head to guide me. So during those last days before my oral exam, I pull my desk chair into the center of the room, sit up straight, put on my polite and professional smile, and imagine the voice of the professor saying, “Tell me about hypercalcemia.” 

   Then I talk out loud to the wall all by myself in my little apartment, going through all the things I wrote in my homework, until I’ve said everything I can think of. I find this really helps me find my voice and be ready to articulate my knowledge in an intelligent and coherent way. 

   Warning! I like to do this later in the game when I feel like I’m starting to actually know something. It’s better for my confidence that way. I like to save this for the part where I’m almost ready for the exam and use it as proof to myself that hey, I have learned something after all!

    

6. I take care of my mind and body. 
   My goal is always to be functioning at optimal levels of self-esteem and clarity of mind for an exam. Oral exams, in particular, demand a student to not only stay awake but also appear competent. Sleep, rest, feeding myself good food, meditating, exercising and all other forms of self-care are absolutely essential for me throughout the entire process, and especially leading up to exam day. 
7. Exam Day: I put on my costume, do my hair and makeup, and it’s showtime! 
   As someone who rarely dresses up or wears any makeup in everyday life, I associate eye shadow and the smell of hairspray with dance competitions. I feel like I’m getting in character when I put on my formal dress and tights, tidy up my hair and put on makeup. I will be playing the part of “knowledgeable student who deserves to pass exam.” Not that I think makeup is going to make or break my final score, but it can’t hurt to use all the tools I have to make a good impression! 
8. I find a hiding spot and do my power pose. 
   If you ever see me standing like a superhero somewhere in a corner, this is why: 
   Ted Talk by Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are 
9. I bring a pen. 
   I’m usually asked to write my  name and student ID on some sort of paper, and it feels nice to be prepared. I also like to have something to hold while I talk! 
10. I’m prepared not to know all the answers. 
    First of all, I don’t know everything. Out of all there is to know in all of medicine, there are absolutely undoubtedly loads and loads of things I don’t know. And there is a chance I may be asked about some of these things during the exam. I also find that professors will usually keep on asking follow-up questions until I get stumped, or until they end up in an area where they don’t expect me to know, they just want to share this really interesting new fact with me. Indeed, sometimes they are looking for a particular key word or fact which I’ve missed, which is crucial to showing my understanding. A lot of the time, though, I think they just want to see the extent of my knowledge. From my personal experience, I find that the professor often doesn’t expect me to be able to answer every question perfectly for a passing grade. 
11. I’m ready for anything. 
    Sometimes you will be asked about topics you didn’t study. Sometimes you will show up for your exam, all dressed up and ready to go, and your professor will see you and literally face-palm, because he forgot you were coming and now he is too busy to do your exam today. Sometimes you will be asked to go home and come back the next day. Sometimes your examiner will leave the room and return with a group of third year students, and the professor will just say, “Don’t worry! Don’t worry!” as he invites the students to sit down and watch you do your oral exam, because he is supposed to be teaching them and apparently this is their class today– being the audience. 

    All of these things have happened to me. Or, if you’re unlucky like my friends, sometimes you will be kept waiting for five hours while the professor performs an unexpectedly long surgery, only to be asked to come back again the next day. 

    Anything can happen! I go in expecting the unexpected. This way, when things don’t go the way I imagined, I can just take it in stride. I smile, sit up straight, and do my best with each moment. 

 

I could really keep going on and on about this topic; there’s so much more I could say. This is what my life looks like right now– lots of hard work and so much determination. It’s been so, so many years and I’m giving my education every last ounce of motivation that I can muster up! Let’s go! Let’s do this! And to all my fellow study bugs out there, I wish you good luck in your studying! 

My Summer in Photos– too many things to write!

Sometimes life brings phases that are so jam-packed with impressions and experiences that it is almost overwhelming, albeit in a good way. For instance, one year ago I was in Detroit at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan for a really cool internship. I got to see how an American hospital works, learn about lots of interesting pediatrics cases, and work with some really inspiring residents and attending doctors. It was so intensely enriching that it took me a while to process everything I had taken in! I hardly knew how to talk about it, though it was a great experience and I really loved it.

Similarly, this summer has been like a movie montage of exciting new experiences– my memory shows me a series of images with different locations, people, and activities, each seeming to happen right after the other. After resting at my parents’ house in BC for a couple weeks, I’ve now had time to take a breath and reflect on all the awesome things I’ve gotten to take part of this summer. And it has indeed been a fantastic summer! I can’t even begin to describe it all, so I will share the stories in pictures.

 

II am so proud of my boyfriend who graduated as a medical doctor in June! In this photo, the graduating class of 2017 is taking the Hippocratic Oath. I was honoured to be invited to hold a speech at the ceremony, and it was really special to be a part of this important day with my boyfriend. Crazy to think that in just one more year, I will also be graduating with my MD!

In June and July I got a taste of what my career could look like a year from now. I worked as a läkarassistent at a Swedish vårdcentral– basically like a junior doctor at a family medicine clinic. There were plenty of challenges to keep me busy here, from learning all the medical terms in Swedish, to learning how to apply my medical knowledge in practical situations. I interviewed and examined patients, ordered lab tests, wrote referrals, and discussed treatment plans (thankfully, all with the support of some really inspiring family doctors who acted as my mentors). I even made my first diagnosis!

 

At the end of June, I took a weekend to fly back to Gdansk from Sweden so I could move into my new apartment. Now my life is in boxes in my new place, ready to be unpacked when I arrive back in Gdansk in the autumn! This photo is taken in Gdansk old town, not actually near my apartment but picturesque nonetheless.

While in Sweden, we made sure to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere that is the Swedish summer. Swedes really come to life during the summer, with energy and joy and a determination to make the most of the sunshine! It balances out the darkness of wintertime. Here we were taking a dip before a delicious lunch at Skärgårdsvåfflan, which specializes in waffles of all kinds.

We drove down to Skåne one weekend to visit family. This photo was taken in Lund while we were walking around and enjoying this gorgeous summer day!

Hamnen i Nyköping, where there are lots of restaurants and delicious ice cream!

Nyköpings Hamn

I went camping for the second time in my life! It was an absolutely perfect evening. What a delight to roast hot dogs and marshmallows with this glorious view!

 

 

I tried waterskiing for the first time! I managed to get about 10 seconds of success, once I got over my bafflement at the whole situation. I haven’t really worn skis before, neither on snow nor in water. What a strange sport where one straps this awkward floating boards to one’s feet and gets pulled behind a boat. Strange… but really fun! I hope to try again soon!

This lovely summer cottage was the site of several cozy warm nights!

And I went camping for the third time in my life! So far our camping trips have only lasted one night, but I figure it’s a nice way to ease into the outdoor experience. Also, this way we could fit in some camping on the weekends when we were off work.

Another campfire, another beautiful view, this time with the big experiment of using an old-fashioned waffle iron over the campfire! It took a few trial runs but finally, the waffles were a raving success. With whipped cream and blackberry jam, the crackling fire and the stars peeking in between the trees, it was a magical night.

After working in Nyköping, Sweden, I jetted off to Ontario to help my dear friend as a co-maid of honour in her wedding! I was there for two weeks of preparations, including flower shopping at the farmers market in St. Catherines.

Wedding planning is a lot of work, so it was great to take a weekend off before the wedding for a classy bachelorette party.  The other co-maid of honour and I embraced the challenge of organizing and hosting an event in Toronto; we were planning from across the country and from across the Atlantic! Thankfully we had the help some bridesmaids who are Toronto locals. This is a picture of a mural at the hostel where we stayed overnight. We took a sushi-making class, played some (cheesy) fun games, chilled at a jazz bar and had brunch the next morning. It was tons of fun!

The wedding was in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, an area known for its vineyards and wineries. We took a much-deserved afternoon off from wedding planning to go wine tasting. The course we took was called Vino and Cocoa, and I was blown away by the delicious pairings of ice wine and chocolate.

At the vineyard after wine tasting

At the vineyard after wine tasting

This adorable church is where the wedding ceremony took place. It was beautiful and perfect and all our hard work was worth it when we got to celebrate on this incredibly special day!

The wedding reception was held at this charming venue, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Pumphouse Art Gallery. All the preparations paid off when we got to sit back and enjoy the great food, great music, and lots of dancing!

View across the Niagara River, to the historic fort across the border in the US

Adorable wedding centerpieces! Made with succulents grown by the bride and groom, and these Colombian coffee cans which they found while visiting family there (translates to “perfect love”).

Okanagan Lake. In August, back in BC, I helped my cousin move into UBC-Okanagan residence for her first year of study. I realized it had been 7 years since I moved in for my first day of university, at the Vancouver campus of the University of British Columbia. Time flies! My cousin’s moving day was a combination of excitement for her and nostalgia for the thrill of a first day. It feels like I’ve come full circle, now about to begin my last year of university as my cousin begins her first!

Heron at White Rock beach, seen while going for a walk not far from my parents’ neighbourhood.

My mom and I took a day trip to the Sunshine Coast, a beautiful area northwest of Vancouver. It is located on the mainland but can only be reached by ferry. Unfortunately the air was quite smokey from the BC and US wildfires, hence the strange lighting in this photo taken in Gibsons. The camera slightly exaggerated the copper tones of the smokey atmosphere.

Kayaking Sechelt Inlet by the Sunshine Coast. We saw a family of seals (with baby seals!!!) and hundreds of jellyfish, up close!

 

I feel like I’ve just skimmed the surface here of all the experiences I will take from this summer. I’m so grateful that I’ve been a part of it all! Now there are a couple more weeks before school starts and I get to dive back into one… LAST… year… of studying!

Stuff you might like to know about the USMLE Step 1

This summer I spent my vacation studying full-time for a humongous test called USMLE Step 1. I’ve already been contacted by a few of people with questions about this, so I thought I’d post something about it here for those who are interested.

What is the USMLE? 

It stands for United States Medical Licensing Exam. This is a board exam for medical students who wish to apply for residency in the US after med school. There are three (although really, four) parts.

Step 1 is the first exam you will take, commonly after fourth year (if you are in a 6-year medical program like at the Medical University of Gdansk). It can be taken later, but if you want to spread out your exams and finish the required ones in time to start residency immediately after graduation, then typically students take Step 1 after fourth year.

Step 2 consists of two parts: Step 2 Cs which is a simulation of clinical interactions with patients (actors who are evaluating your bedside manner). Step 2 Ck which is another theoretical exam based on clinical knowledge. Step 1 and 2 need to be taken before applying for residency.

Step 3 can be taken before or during residency. However, I have been advised by a current resident that it may be easier to take Step 3 before residency (understandably, as it seems quite busy to study for an exam while you’re working long hours at the hospital).

What do I need to know for Step 1?

Step 1 is the biggest and hardest of the steps, according to anecdotal evidence (ie, I’ve heard this from residents in an American hospital). This 8-hour exam consists of 280 multiple choice questions. It covers material from everything you’ve learned in medical school so far: anatomy, embryology, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, and clinical presentations of internal diseases.

A note for my colleagues at the Medical University of Gdansk: With the revised curriculum, I noticed that the exam covered some topics which we had not yet covered in fourth year. This didn’t pose any major problems, it just meant I needed to do some self-teaching. I’ll be extra prepared for those courses when they do come up at school!

Do I need to take the USMLE? 

This exam is for students who:

-want to work as a doctor in the US

-want to specialize as a doctor in the US and then move to Canada to work. This is a common route to consider for Canadian med students who study abroad.

Note that if you want to go directly to residency in Canada, you will need to take another set of board exams called MCCQE and MCCEE.

Where do I even begin? For GUMed students: 

If you are in first year, second year, or third year in our 6-year program, take a deep breath and relax! You don’t need to worry about this until fourth year, in my opinion. Just being aware of this exam for now will be enough so that you are prepared to take the appropriate steps later. Some prep books recommend studying USMLE material throughout the earlier years,  but I think this is more relevant to students in an American medical school. From my experience at GUMed, there is enough material to study and learn for our courses. You should focus on passing and doing well on school exams first.

When you are in fourth year, you will be allowed to register for two important elective courses– one is mandatory (USMLE mock exam) and one is optional (which I shall refer to as the USMLE prep course). Important! This may change, so check with the professor to confirm updated rules!

In order to be allowed register for your USMLE exam date, you must first pass the USMLE mock exam held by GUMed in the elective course. You will be given access to a question bank for practice; those same questions will appear in your mock exam. I found that practicing and memorizing as many questions as possible was my best strategy for passing this exam. Granted, there are thousands of questions, but I found that for the sake of passing the mock exam, learning from the question bank was most effective.

I did not take the optional prep course. Knowing my own learning style, I learn best when I sit at home and teach myself, even after a teacher has said it in the classroom. I decided that my time was best spent by sticking to a self-study schedule. This worked for me because self-discipline is one of my strengths; if you are someone who requires external deadlines for motivation, you may want to consider signing up for this weekly prep course.

Meanwhile, throughout fourth year, I started studying the First Aid book (see below). I read the psychiatry chapter during the psychiatry course, the nephrology chapter during nephrology, et cetera. I also read some of the chapters I knew would be challenging for me, in order to get a bit of a head-start on those before the summer. My goal was to read all the chapters once before summer, although I had to modify that goal slightly as school exams and the mock USMLE became more demanding.

By the way, you will have a great deal of paperwork and online forms to take care of before the end of the academic year. You can start looking into that as early as October. I will admit that the bureaucratic process was a bit confusing and a bit of a blur, so I couldn’t tell you exactly the steps you have to take. I will refer you to google search “ECFMG OASIS,” and take a look in the First Aid introductory chapter.

Which resources should I use to study for USMLE Step 1? 

This is the part where I can only give a recount of my own experience, which means the same may not apply to you! Keep in mind that everyone learns differently and there is no single strategy proven to work for everyone.

1. First Aid for the USMLE Step 1. This textbook is what we may call the “bible” of USMLE Step 1. Everyone I know who has taken this exam says this is The Book to use. I was advised to buy the latest version to make sure I have updated tips on which topics are high-yield.
   
2. UWorld Question Bank. This was an excellent resource which I strongly recommend getting as early as possible. I subscribed to both the “self assessment” and the “Qbank.”The “self-assessment” consists of two simulation exams which give you an approximation of the 3-digit score you may receive if it was the real exam. I’ve heard that these predicted scores are relatively accurate, sometimes a bit lower than your true score. I took the first simulation exam at the very beginning of the summer, to help me evaluate my strengths and weaknesses. I took the second simulation exam one week before my scheduled exam date, as a final confirmation I was on the right track. This still would have allowed me enough time to re-schedule my exam if the score showed I was not ready. Fortunately, I was indeed ready! I am happy with my score (and even happier that it’s done)!

   The Qbank of practice questions is a great resource not just for continually testing yourself, but also for learning. I found that reading the answer key was really helpful to learn why the right answer was right, and also why the wrong answer was wrong (a very important skill for multiple choice exams).

   Another important benefit from using UWorld throughout your studying is that the layout of their questions is nearly identical to the format of the true USMLE. By the time I sat down for my real exam, I felt comforted by the familiarity of the exam program. This made it much easier to focus on the content of the questions!

   Click here to link to UWorld
   

3. Pathoma videos. In my opinion, the above two resources were mostly sufficient. I had already studied all the Pathoma videos at least once during the third-year pathomorphology course, so I was familiar with the material. I didn’t spend too much time on the videos. Instead, I used them occasionally as an extra resource. I turned to them especially during my last review weeks, when I wanted a concise summary of the material right before the exam.

How much do I need to study for Step 1? 

The only real answer to this question is: It depends.

It depends on how much you learned during your studies so far, how high you want to score, which specialization you want to apply for, how quickly you learn, and so on. As a general idea, most GUMed students I have talked to started reading First Aid throughout fourth year, then study hard during the summer, and plan to take Step 1 at the end of the summer.

How do I start studying? 

Anyone who knows me will know that I am a planner. Thus, it can only be expected that my subjective advice is to start out by making a plan!

On my first day of “real” studying at the beginning of the summer, I sat down for a few hours and mapped out my study schedule for the next few months. This is the most beautiful plan I have ever made because, importantly, it proved to be realistic and effective. I realize that not everyone likes or needs to plan their time so precisely. However, I do believe that it is important to have at least a brief timeline to serve as a reference to see if you are on track. My goal was to learn as much as I could by working hard, but also not too hard so as to avoid getting burnt out.

For those seeking organizational inspiration, here’s how I approached making a study plan:

• I made a list of all the chapters in the First Aid book which I needed to cover.
• I ranked them from weakest to strongest; I wanted to start with my weaker subjects  because later in the summer when I was tired, it would be easier to study my favourite topics.
• I looked at my calendar and counted my number of weeks before my target exam date, taking into account some time off for travel and jet lag, and a couple weeks at the end for a final review of important material.
• I assigned one or two chapters per week.
• Every week, I broke down my days from Monday to Sunday, and divided up my total reading and practice questions into daily goals. My weekly cutoff was Sunday night; regardless of what I had or had not completed by that time, on Monday morning it was time to move on to the next topic. This deadline helped me cram in small doses throughout the summer, saving me from a last minute frenzy.
• Remember to schedule in regular rest-days!

I am privileged to have been able to commit myself to my plan, that I had few external responsibilities or distractions apart from studying. I am grateful to the people around me who helped make that possible!

What was the exam like? 

It was pretty much what I expected. The level of difficulty was quite similar to UWorld, in my opinion. If anything, some of the questions may have been more straightforward and easy to understand on the real exam. You are permitted to take a break after every hour-long block of questions, which I did. There were a lot of security measures as you enter and exit the exam room, though, so keep in mind that you will lose several minutes of your break time for fingerprint scanning and such things.

I am glad I brought lots of snacks and a thermos of coffee. I am also glad I dressed in lots of layers, as the air conditioning was pretty chilly in the exam room. You will have to bring photo ID (like a passport) and your Scheduling Permit. ABOVE ALL, REMEMBER TO BRING THAT STUPID PIECE OF PAPER!

The Scheduling Permit is something you will receive in an email after you have booked your test date. It is absolutely mandatory to present this piece of paper to be allowed to write your exam. I printed two copies (one in pocket, one in backpack), and also saved the PDF on my phone. During one of my breaks I overheard a girl experiencing the worst nightmare– she didn’t even know which piece of paper the examiners were talking about, let alone bring it with her. Imagine working so hard and building up all the anticipation for that big test day, only to be told you aren’t allowed to take the exam… BRING THAT PIECE OF PAPER!

The hardest part of the actual exam day is staying awake and focused until the very end. 7 hours of questions with only 1 hour total break time is not easy! Those last couple hours were a battle to keep my eyes open. I was saved by coffee, and the knowledge that it would soon be over!

I would like to wish you all the best in your USMLE endeavours! It takes a lot of hard work, but in the end it’s not as scary as it may seem. You’ll be fine. Good luck!

Living in Poland is like training at a high altitude

Things aren’t always easy when you live in a country where you don’t speak the language. I say that from personal experience, yet I have even been given an easy way out because I live in an English-speaking university bubble. I empathize with the people who move abroad to start a completely new life in a country with a new language.

Fourth year at the Medical University of Gdansk is a relatively “chill” year. Of course, there is still very much to learn and you could devote endless hours to studying. The difference between fourth year and the previous years, though, is that now we have completed all of our major theory courses, which gives us more freedom to study the clinical material at our own pace.

Thus, fourth year is giving me some time to revitalize my real life (I don’t consider staring into a textbook and clicking “następny slajd” to be a real life). I made a conscious decision to fill my free time with new and interesting experiences in fourth year. There is so much to do in Gdańsk that I have yet to discover, mainly because I haven’t had the time to venture outside of my bubble. It takes some initiative to try new things when it’s all in Polish!

(As a side note: Yes, I am still trying to learn Polish. No, I am not anywhere near being fluent. How long has it been now? Three and a half years, and I am embarrassed to say that there is still a huge language barrier for me. I am making some progress! The progress is so painstakingly slow, though, that I doubt I will ever be a fluent Polish speaker. Nonetheless, I still think it’s better to learn some Polish than to learn no Polish.)

So, what have I done with my spare time in fourth year? There has been some time to take a weekend trip as well as host a visitor to catch up with my relatives in Sweden. I’m a member of the Pediatric Oncology Scientific Circle at the university, helping organize events for the kids and working on learning resources for the students (thankfully, this is mostly in English). I’ve been exploring other parts of Gdansk to discover more cafes and restaurants. I’ve also been very active, trying out all sorts of classes: ballet, jazz, west coast swing, pilates, body shape, zumba marathons, salsation marathons (which is basically like another brand of zumba, although everyone who loves salsation insists that it’s different from zumba), step aerobics, bouldering, swimming, and so on.

It’s great to have some time and the mental capacity to try new things in addition to studying. The challenge, though, is that 99% of these new things are in Polish. Websites, facebook events, class descriptions, the reception desk when you get there, not to mention that almost all dance/fitness instructors teach in Polish.

The nice thing about dance and fitness classes is that you can get pretty far by being a good copy cat. In dance classes, I tend to get even one step further by anticipating what the teacher is going to say. During ballet class my teacher gives corrections about technique, as is typical in a ballet class. While she speaks rapid Polish and points to various body parts, I hear my Canadian ballet teacher’s voice in my head interpreting, “Keep your hips square, chest lifted, push into the floor as you begin your grand battement, relax your shoulders, keep your weight shifted forward when you rise!”

I’ve learned to function pretty well in Gdansk over the last few years. I still love living in Poland and I would not want to be anywhere else right now. Sometimes, though, I feel tired of not understanding. I try my best, but I really haven’t learned enough Polish for it to feel easy. The reality is that it takes a lot of effort to achieve even the simplest tasks when you don’t really know what people are saying.

But it’s at times like these that I decide to appreciate the challenge. And later, just imagine how easy life will be when I am in a country where I do speak the language! I have already found this to be true, that life is so very easy in Canada and in Sweden. I am shocked at how effortlessly I can look something up on the internet or ask someone a question in my native languages.

I could compare it to the way athletes train at higher altitudes. The air is thinner up there, so there is less oxygen and everything takes more effort. At first you get tired and everything feels difficult, but eventually your body produces more erythropoietin and you produce more red blood cells to help you cope. When your body is accustomed to the difficult higher altitude, you return to sea level and suddenly you’re in super good shape because you’re used to more challenging conditions.

I’m at a high altitude right now, but it’s good training! And besides, what’s life without a challenge?

Yesterday’s sunrise on the way to school (Gdansk)

 

FREEDOM AT LAST!

TODAY WE HAD OUR LAST EXAM AND FINALLY THE EXAM SESSION IS OVER WE ARE DONE DONE DONE! Finally I can say goodbye to third year, and hello fourth year!

I always expected to feel immediate relief and joy after I finish my exams. I used to picture myself leaping into sunshine and dancing down the streets, waving my arms in the air and whooping with joy. I expect to feel a sudden weight off my shoulders, as if I were taking off heavy backpack that I’ve been carrying for months.

But the relief of finishing an intense, exhausting, gruelling, and LONG exam period doesn’t feel like that. It’s more like ice melting, slowly and gradually. It feels great to be done, it really does, but now I’m so used to not-relaxing that I have to periodically remind myself to relax. You don’t have to go back to studying! There’s no time limit, you can lie on the couch as long as you want!

That said, I do have a time limit and I actually can’t lie on the couch as long as I want. Today I have to pack for my trip to Norway and pack up our apartment. Tomorrow I have to move out of our apartment. On Sunday I will exchange the keys for the deposit, and then fly to Oslo, catch another flight to Bodø, rush to the ferry that will take me to a little island and then find my way to my summer apartment. Then on Monday it’s my first day of work at a senior care home in Norway!

A lot of things are going to happen in the next four days, and I will deal with it all as it comes. For now, I am going to lie on the couch and do exactly what I’ve been dreaming about doing for months– absolutely nothing!

Starting again, one last time!

One more final is done, and now it’s time to start again on my new study plan for the next subject. Today, tomorrow, pediatrics final on Friday… THEN IT’S SUMMER VACATION! Come on brain, just a little longer! We’re almost there!