Saturday, February 27, 2016

Being Productive

Hi, guys!
Today, I want to address the issue of productivity. I had a few blogposts in the past, which talk about how to limit procrastination, be efficient, etc. Today's post, though, won't contain a lot of tips, and it will be straight up and simple:

I've realized, that people have a tendency of talking WAY more, than doing. They like to discuss things until the point, when there's no time to take actions. My advice for today is extremely simple, yet, for some reason, so hard:

LESS TALKING, MORE DOING

It is very important to discuss issues such as procrastination, and how to avoid it. But the only REAL way to avoid it, is to AVOID IT! I get it. Sometimes you come home, and you have a lot of homework from that hated subject, but - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger! Just do the homework, and forget about it, and feel cool about yourself. 
I also, don't really understand why we pity ourselves so much. I have recently researched a topic of Positive Psychology, and here is the idea: The majority of all circumstances we face are voluntary, therefore, WE ARE in control over them (not the other way around). So, whatever it is that is bothering you, look at it from a different perspective, and don't pity yourself, because IT NEVER HELPS!

Do an experiment. Think about a task you have to or you want to do, and instead of talking about it or pitying yourself, just DO IT! 
And yeah, most likely you will find yourself talking about it and pitying yourself again. 
It takes practice to develop such discipline, but COME ON. Less Talking  -  More Doing!

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Canadian Health Care: Not Flawless

Hi guys. I realised, that I haven't posted anything related to medicine in a long while, so today, I will discuss a few areas of Canadian Health Care, which need improvement. As I want to become a doctor, I will work on changing the issues to achieve a better condition, but for now, here are the problems, that I see:

1. Waiting Time
As soon as we have a health-related concern, we must go to our family doctor, since if the issue is not urgent, the visit to ER is not appreciated. The problem is, it will often take from 2 weeks, to 6 months to see the needed specialist, and as soon as your appointment happens, you'll wait some time for the results and then, for diagnosis. You can either have your issue progress or you can even die during that time! Look:


2. Family Doctors
All health-related specialties are different in their philosophies. Medicine, for the most part, focuses on diagnosing and treating illnesses. Nursing, focuses on looking at the entire patient. Pharmacists focus only on medications they provide in order to treat the condition. It is all wonderful, since it makes a great health care team!
The problem is, Family Medicine, is a type of Medicine, which focuses on the entire patient, and I feel like we need more doctors focusing on diagnosing a treating (thus, decrease waiting times). There is a wonderful specialty, in health care, called a Nurse Practitioner, and this is a nurse with extended training in Family Medicine, which is specifically educated to long-term care for the patient. Currently, NP's are taking the Family Medicine over, and more doctors are pursuing specialties!


3. More Patient Education!
Health-care providers should emphasise the patient education a little better. This is a wonderful way of interacting with patients. as well as it is, fundamentally, important for people to know what is happening and what might happen inside their bodies. We need more education, especially, on drugs!


Overall, I recognise and enjoy the way Canadian Health Care is, as it provides care to and respects all patients, disregarding their backgrounds, financial stability, choices, etc.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Taking Sciences vs Social Sciences

Hey guys,
Today, I will talk about the difference between taking sciences and taking social sciences.
I took more sciences, than humanities, although, from what I remember, I came up with some differences and tips for you.

1. Social Sciences are More Subjective
Social Sciences and Humanities are more subjective than math or other core science. The teachers mark you on grammar, structure, the use of devices, etc., although they have different marking strategies (some teachers will deduct more marks for a certain mistake, than others); and sometimes, the way you write might or might not be the way the teacher likes, therefore, there might be marks deducted for that as well.
In order to avoid that, make sure to review your paper with your teacher before submitting it, and with time, you will figure out what works best.

2. Note Taking
When I take notes in my science classes, I write them out, since there are diagrams and equations to it. With social sciences, however, I will get away with typing my notes, since the information, mostly,
consists of text.

3. Skills Required
Sciences require doing practice problems, understanding diagrams, using precision in your answers. Memorisation is very important in sciences, since it is fundamental. The success in sciences is all about applying and thinking. In order to succeed in a science class, you must know the information inside and out.
In humanities, memorisation is key. As you apply theories an principles, you must remember the details, although success in social sciences is still somewhat approachable if you will free-write something regarding the topic.

4. Research
Obviously, depending on what kind of assignment it is, it will have different requirements. However, sciences are more tangible, than humanities. As you conduct a scientific experiment, you directly interact with the information, and then, use your own, and the findings of others, to analyse the results.
Social sciences, on the other hand, also value the collection of data, but you do not get to directly interact with it.

5. Types of Assignments
In sciences, you will typically have a lab report to write, collect data, do a problem set, etc. In humanities, though, you will write entries, essays, presentations and have readings assigned on a regular basis.

Sometimes, the differences overlap, but overall, those are the main differences, that I see.

Friday, February 5, 2016

How to Start "Loving" Studying

Good evening, honeys.
How to start LOVING studying? I got this question asked a lot of times. Today, I will do my best to answer it in a (hopefully) non-judgemental manner :)

The reason why I said "non-judgemental" is because I tend to judge people who radically don't like studying. Here is a thing: if you don't like studying really much, I don't think me saying anything will improve that attitude, but the fact that you're reading this blog post, makes me very proud of you ;)

"Studying" is a very broad concept. It can be self-education, school education or anything else. If you absolutely hate studying, that means you have not found the resources and the atmosphere which would promote your success and enjoyment. I know, that sometimes in high-school, or in any post-secondary institution, you will have courses that would make you hate your life for some time. The resolution of this problem, is to look for the skills you will gather after successfully completing the course.
For instance, I am thinkig of a career in Surgery but I have to take quite a few math courses. I know that I will have to know basic math in order to prescribe dosages, although I have to take calculus courses in uni. This level of math won't help me much in Surgery, but here is what I see math to me: math is a very precise, controlled and a challenging study so is Surgery. In maths I will learn how to be detail-oriented, focused and critical. This approach encourages me to study what I might or might not like. Try to use it too.

Studying becomes an enjoyment, when you see some success. Then, you will want to achieve more milestones and the struggle of studying difficult stuff will transform into pleasure, because you're gonna be feeling so good about yourself.

Also, let's look at how people think studying looks:
Who the heck will be motivated when they see this? 

I CHALLENGE YOU TO TRY TAKING PICTURES OF YOUR STUDYING ON A DAILY BASIS THROUGHOUT A WEEK, POST IN ON WHATEVER SOCIAL WEB, AND SEE IF YOUR MOTIVATION INCREASES. 


People often don't see the purpose in studying. They say "what am I studying for?". I totally understand and appreciate the complain. In fact, I was one of the worst students until the time, when I figured that I want to do Medicine. Find your goal and work for it!

Good luck! 

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Non-Academic MedSchool Requirements

Hey sweethearts!
Today, I wanted to talk about the non-academic Medical School requirements. Obviously, it varies from school to school slightly, although there is a good list of common requirements which I'm gonna address.
If you guys have not been following my blog posts, you might not know that I want to become a doctor. I honestly cannot imagine myself being somebody else. Medicine combines everything for me: all of my talents, skills and abilities. It is what I am living for.
Anyways, here we go with the non-acdemic part of the application:

1. Interview
THIS IS HUGE! The interview happens at the end of the application process, when all of your MCAT  (and/or other) scores, GPA and other parts of the applications were submitted and reviewed.
The interview is the part which decides whether you're going to go to MedSchool, or not.
Nowadays, there are multiple ways the interviews are set up, although the majority of Medical Schools are leaning towards the MMI's (Multiple Mini Interviews). The set up is the following: There  are multiple rooms with a couple of different people in it and they are asking you questions to assess your way of thinking and decide whether you will suit the profession. The questions will vary from giving you an ethical-medical scenario and you giving them resolution, to simple, standard interview questions.

2. Exposure
Obviously, the decision of becoming a doctor must be rational and solid, and a good way to solidify it, is to be exposed to the Medical Field. Whether it is through volunteering or shadowing, the decision of going into Medicine must be very well though out. The more exposure - the better. It will introduce you to different professions, specialties and responsibilities,which will help you make any decisions before you dedicate yourself to Medicine for the rest of your life.

3. Research
Medicine, is first of all a science and in order to practice Medicine, you must have been exposed to experimental science. Since it is such an innovative field, Medical Schools would love to have the applicants who possess any knowledge in research, since they will most likely be practicing it at some point later in their careers.

4. Extracurriculars
Successful MedSchool applicants are very well-rounded and in order to be well-rounded, you might want to participate in sports/clubs or any other associations of your interest. It will not only make you a well-rounded, more mature individual, but also you will have a higher chance sincerely understanding and relating to your patient's stories.

5. Certain Personal Characteristics
I will just list them in order, because I think, it's self explanatory enough :)
- leadership
- dedication
- respectfulness
- hard work
- compassion
- curiosity
- well roundedness
and many more!

6. Other
Surprisingly, there is a decent amount of people with all of those requirements, but you must make yourself very special. Whether it would be your background story, extraordinary achievements, or something else, you have to have something that makes you stand out as an applicant.

LAST, BUT ABSOLUTELY NOT LEAST:
YOU MUST WANT (WITH ALL YOUR HEART) TO BE A DOCTOR


Why are you not doing as good as you wish you did?

Hey guys! The semester got a little crazy, so this blog post is going to be rather short. That being said, I hope it will bring some light...