Island Med Student

I’ve received some emails from students about making it through their first semester here at Ross University. Here is a list (I’ve probably missed some things that I’ll add later), which may be helpful. If you’re an old skool Rosser like me, feel free to add anything that I’ve missed.

1) The first week is crazy, and you’re figuring everything out. Try to not get stressed out, and just roll with the punches .

2) The printroom is especially crazy the first week. If you need to print stuff, try to do it early in the morning or late at night when the library isn’t a zoo. Otherwise you will wait 100 years to get your stuff, and everyone is freaking out (which is super stressful).

3) Many first semesters are immature and they bitch A LOT! Try not to get dragged down in their crap.

4) Focus on developing a good study schedule that works for YOU. But don’t be upset if you have to try a few different approaches before you figure out one that works for you.

5) Expect lines everywhere (the bank, Subway, library, etc). Nothing will be short and sweet.

6) Figure out how you want to take notes—electronic or paper, etc. If you do choose to go electronic, make sure you back up your data somewhere in case your computer freaks out on you (like mine did). If you decide to print out your lectures, don’t forget to print them double sided (and I like to do 6 slides per page). Otherwise you’ll have more paper than you can handle in a few weeks.

7) Don’t feel like you have to study EVERY second. You don’t. Trust me. Study well, but don’t study every second, otherwise you’ll burn out early. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

8 ) There are many helpful files floating around on campus. Ask any upperclassman, and they will most likely give you copies. If not, let me know and I will be more than happy to give them to you.

9) Getting adjusted to the island isn’t easy. Like most things, it takes time. Try your best to relax and realize that you’re in a new country, with new rules. You can’t expect everything here to be like it was back home.

For more tips on studying, you can check out this post.

Note: The pic above was taken today. Look closely, it’s me, and my pups Scope and Molly in our standard post-studying /post-eating naptime scene.