Decisions, Decisions

So my plan for the summer was to head home after exams (June 12th). Study like crazy for the USMLE for a month, write it mid July, take the last two weeks of July off, return to Ireland to start placements Aug 1st.

Life has offered up a bit of a curve ball and I am unsure as to what I should do.

I have been given the chance to be involved in a very cool clinical trial here in Ireland during the summer break (where I'll actually get to have some hands-on contact with patients). Problem is, the project will be full time for most of my holiday.

Everyone is always droning on about research and how important it is to have some papers on your CV, especially if I want to specialize or study in the US (I'd like to do both). So I am definitely keen on getting started on a project.

Flip-side is, when will I write the USMLE then? Remembering that our curriculum isn't based on preparing us for the exam, we have a MOUNTAIN of extra-learning to do on material that isn't part of my program. Yes, there is a long Christmas break, I could potentially study for it then, and write in January. But if I do my surgery rotation in the fall it'll leave me very little time to do any continous prep: it'll be one giant cram-fest over Christmas. Yeah, the Christmas break that I was planning to do nothing but drink egg nog and skate on the canal (not necessarily in that order).

Scales: USMLE vs. Research

Thoughts?

(Keep in mind that I am no pro-star when it comes to GIANT EVIL EXAMS OF DOOM.)

See the problem is, none of our faculty are Canadians who have studied in Ireland, written the USMLE, done research, organized international electives, or gone through residency applications for returning to North America. This means there is no one here that I can go to and say, "based on your experiences and your understanding of all these processes, what is your advice?"

We are left a little in the dark here in terms of guidance for our future careers.

Slacker

Today I went to the Annual Research Day forum that the school puts on, which showcases relevant medically related studies that are being conducted by faculty and students.

I have already decided that I will likely be doing a lit review for my research project next year, so I was mostly going just out of interest to see what the kids are up to these days.

Turns out, I am a crazy slacker. I mean, I am a playing-videogames-in-my-mom's-basement-and surviving-on-delivery-pizza-and-cheetos level slacker in comparison to some of the other medical students in my program.

Yeah, like the 4th year who is on the National kickboxing team and also doing this extensive colon cancer gene marker study, looking at metastasis likelihood and risk/benefit of surgical intervention .

Oh and the 3rd year who is helping set the guidelines for radiation therapy in rectal cancer, thanks to his study. He's the class rep as well.

I could go on.

It could have been inspiring if it hadn't been such a 'kick up the hole' as they say here. What the hell people? I am barely holding on to regular exercise and a wee mandolin hobby here. You're out CURING friggin' CANCER! How??? They better have a pharmaceutical addiction or something.