Having a sibling two years ahead of me in the same program, I’ve been offered many opportunities to meet professors and classmates, get to know the area and the school, and have an insider’s view at hand. Stony Brook has set up a Big/Little program, where a second year student becomes my mentor in the case that I should need anything. Other schools might call this a ‘big sib’. I’m lucky, because I have my big…and my big sib; my actual big sib. Matter of fact, we’ll be living together.
Last week I visited our new rental house to get a feel for it. Moving down come time to begin school, it should be less of a tidal wave. One less thing I have to become accustomed to.
My first night there, I mainly wanted to relax. B (my brother) had purchased a new TV for the place, and I jumped at the opportunity to re-watch Iron Man, now on BluRay. A (our other roommate) and B, both second-years finishing up, spent most of the night studying. It was a glimpse into the life as a dental student. It was an abrupt enlightenment; they really do study a lot.
The following night, we had a party with a few other dental students. All were asking me if I am ready for the year to begin; and I had to respond that with each passing day, I become less ‘ready’ and more anxious. Surely it’s purely mental; as a scout I’ve learned to always be prepared. The students were assured to hear that I was taking my time to enjoy my remaining weeks, as I rightly should. To rest my mind before the ordeal begins.
The students were telling me of how they’ve often felt that they’d lost their lives; themselves. That they’d gone crazy. There’s so much work to be done, with so little time remaining for being yourself and indulging in your usual vices. (If I have my way, I’ll bring myself to the study party. Wine anyone?)
There were also anecdotes about other students being boring, fake. A lot of them really don’t have anything else to do but study. I feel good, then, being a social and well-rounded being entering the profession. Perhaps it will set me apart, or at least aid in maintaining happiness.
A key advice that I hope to abide by, is wisely choosing an Anatomy group. Apparently, the group consists of approximately 4 students and a lot of time is spent together; bothing dissecting and chatting during down time. A lot of the groups tend to be single-gendered, as the students devise the groups. I hope to avoid this. I find that variety in persona and gender adds variety in personal nuances and tendencies, allowing for less repetitive behavior throughout the group. As such, less chance for an annoyance. Is it bad that I’m concentrating on annoyances in such a group rather than things that might be enjoyable?
