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davidmiya
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Name: David
Country: United States
State: Massachusetts
Metro: Boston
Gender: Male
Interests: Dentistry, molecular/cellular biology, real estate, finance, internet marketing, tennis, cycling, archery, photography, teriyaki, pho, bubble tea, philosophy
Expertise: Figuring out what the heck I'm gonna do with my time... since I obviously have so much of it to spare ...yea right... oh, that and sarcasm;)
Occupation: Dental Student & Researcher
Industry: Dental
Message: message me
Website: visit my website
AIM:  davidmiya
MSN: davidmiya@hotmail.com
Member Since:
11/28/2002
 True  Lifetime
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| Never have these two things been in such heated conflict. Basically, every time I go out, I basically say to myself "being out X hours means that I'm going to concede X number of points" on this upcoming exam. I'm usually accurate in my assumption.
People who are in a terminal professional program or who merely have a college degree oftentimes can't understand the plight of medical and dental students I think. The battle does not end when one gets into med/dent. You fight every day for the "privilege" of being invited to a post-doctoral specialty program. In orthodontics for example, there are probably <100 slots open each year across the country. Each year, there are about 4,000 dental students who graduate from dental school. These 100 slots are sought after not only by new grads, but also practicing dentists and international dentists. It's already established that the U.S. dental education system is the best in the world, and everyone is trying to get a spot amongst the elite surgeons and specialists.
I ask myself everyday how badly I want this. The answer is always, always VERY BADLY.
Every time I wake up, I wish I was just a bit smarter. But of course, we have what intelligence we have and are unable to change that. So, the only alternative is to make up for that deficit with hard work.. therein lies the conflict between having a social life and excelling in one's professional aspirations.
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On another note... it's that time of the year again.. the holiday is going to be coming into full swing very soon. Last holiday season was the best of my life for a number of reasons. This year, I predict, will be quite mediocre for a number of reasons as well. I won't elaborate out of respect for certain people, but suffice to say, I wish things weren't so complicated...
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| I feel like all I do these days is study... My room has gone into disarray, with boxes and papers littered everywhere. I haven't mopped the floor in a month, and do laundry like every 2 weeks. At one point, I had run out of "regular" clothes and was wearing scrubs 24/7. I've been too exhausted to slip bed sheets completely over my mattress, so I just rest them on top. I have a bag of trash that I've neglected to take out for a month. I have a jar of natural teeth sitting on my desk because I've been too lazy to put them out of sight after I'm done studying them.
I study for the next test the day I finish one, usually. I usually study about 6-8 hours a day... 10 hours a day a few days before exams, and about 12-14 hours a day on the weekends. I live on Hot Pockets and fast food. I never know what day of the week it is, or whether it's day or night.
I walk around in a perpetual stupor.
But on the flip side, I'm doing gloriously well. If I keep this up, I will be in line for a post-graduate specialty program. But seriously, this is fricken rough.
On the weekends, I go out ONE night, maybe 2 if it's a special occasion. Being so stressed out makes me want to let loose. But I know I can't party too hard, or I won't be able to get my work done. This sucks...
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| I have to say that, despite some rough spots earlier this year which a good friend of mine helped to talk me through, I've emerged from my first month of dental school mostly unscathed.
A few things that have happened:
- I scored a perfect on my first wax-up (basically you fabricate a tooth from wax and then are graded on how good it is).
- I passed my first exam block, and perhaps even did quite well on it.
- I made many more wonderful friends.
- I've partied like I've never partied before.
- I've studied like I never have before in my life.
- I'm now the VICE-PRESIDENT of the 180-person Tufts dental school class of '13.
- I've gained more self-confidence and feel like I can take on ANY challenge!
First of all, I had no idea I'd do so well at the hand-skills portion of dental school. I guess nobody really knows how they'll perform with the instruments until they pick up a handpiece and start drilling preps. It's comes very easily to me. Second of all, I had no idea that I was capable of winning an election for the SECOND HIGHEST position in a class executive board. I mean, I never could have won this before. I lacked the speaking skills, motivation, and confidence to even gain consideration. However, for the first time, I feel like I'm in my element. I'm doing what I want to do, and feel as if I can do anything.
 Oh, and I forgot to mention, I got all of my "dental bling" the other week. I like it a lot. You have NO idea how great it is to have loupes. No more squinting or bending over to do work! I think I look pretty good in this pic.. you think so? =P
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| I've never been so stressed out about life in a long time...There are things that I need to talk about, but can't really even post about it here because it'd just be incoherent ramble.
I need someone to talk to...
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I like this picture a lot... these are the people I see every day, the people who make my time at dental school special. Here's to future DMDs. *cheers*
Dude, we're all alcoholics... seriously... lol
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