First Day of Class

So after 2 and 1/2 days of orientation, today was my first official class day of medical school. The FAU campus of UMMSM starts out with a 3 week course called "Introduction to the Medical Profession." This consists mostly of non-science "personal" skills. I spent most of the day trying to figure out where I was supposed to be and when, what I am supposed to be wearing, what things I am supposed to read in advance, and what equipment I am supposed to own/bring with me. At least I think I have tomorrow figured out: I just need to show up and bring my new stethoscope.

There are 48 people in my incoming class at FAU, 24 men and 24 women. It seems that almost everyone else in the class has achieved at a very high level in some random extracurricular activity. For example we have a competitive cyclist, a high level triathlete, a singer, a semi-pro rugby player, a former beauty queen, and a writer for a watersports magazine just to name a few. At least I don't need to worry about outdoing everyone in those areas anymore since I'm no longer applying to schools. We all seem to get along pretty well so far. Our pass/fail grading system should help ease some of the competitiveness that med students are known for.