"Daydream at 20,000 feet" by MSIH rising second year Alexa Becker
Currently sprawled out on two economy seats (yes, I lucked out) sporting reading glasses, covered in text books, flashcards, and electronic devices - I can't help but revel in this fantastic mess of a scene. You see, I am returning back to Israel after spending a week with my family in America. I always try to make the most of my short time with loved ones, so (with the exception of some occasional glances at flashcards) I proudly did not crack open a textbook once. Seaside pictures and Sanskrit aside, the most important lesson I have learned in this first year of medical school is that of balance, balance of work and of personal time. Not surprisingly, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the amount of information that is thrown at students in medical school. As my father (who is also a physician) warned me, "it's like drinking from a fire hydrant with a straw." And while I have found this analogy rings true, it does not scare me. You have to find comfort in the ...