Curtain Call For First Semester

OK, so I'm officially done with my first semester of medical school! While I know I'll have to revisit first semester materials over and over again for future exams, I am so unbelievably happy to finally be able to put first semester behind me. I just can't believe I am now a second semester student.

The past four months were certainly difficult for me. For one, Biochem (the class I failed) didn't get any easier the second time around. Even with one less class (I chose not to repeat Histo), my repeat semester was just as challenging as my original first semester. Just because I was repeating, it didn't mean I could put in any less effort than the first time around. In fact, in some ways, my repeat semester was even worse. The thought of failing again was constantly on my mind. I figured that there was no way I could try harder than I did in my original first semester but I still failed. Plus, a second "fail" earns you a one-way ticket out of Ross for good. Talk about added pressure! So, before every exam, I had the worst panic attacks. The shaking, the heart palpitations, the sweating, the nausea... the whole deal. But once that test began and I got to work, it all subsided and my head was clear. Also, while I had accepted that I had to repeat, I never really got over it. I was constantly reminded that I was "left behind" as I watched my boyfriend, cousin, and friends move through their second semester. Even now, I struggle with the thought of being left alone on this island when I'm in 4th and everyone I know has moved on to 5th in Miami. But, that's 8 months away and I'll deal with it when it gets here I suppose. So, in my opinion, repeating a semester comes with its own problems.

Does the material get easier? I suppose it depends on the person. For me, I flew through Anatomy, DPS, and Physio with no problems whatsoever much like my original first semester. In the end, I got an "A" in Physio and DPS and I ended up with a 79 in Anatomy (a "B"). That grade really upsets me because I had an "A" the whole way through till the final and I let it slip away. Much like last semester, by the time the final came, I had already passed every class except for Biochem. So, the goal was to PASS BIOCHEM. In the four days leading up to the final exam, I studied NOTHING but Bio. Thankfully, my "A's" in DPS and Physio were strong enough that they could absorb a hit on the final and still remain "A's." As for Biochem, for me personally, the material did not get easier. I still struggled with it much like I did in my original first semester. I definitely had to give Biochem more attention the second time around. Thankfully, not retaking Histo freed up time for Biochem. So, in the end, I received a "B" in Biochem. *YaY*

GPA-wise, I ended-up with a 3.45 for my repeat semester. Personally, I'm happy with that GPA and I hope I can continue to do better and better. After all, that "F" for Biochem in my original first semester stays on my transcript and is included in my cumulative GPA. So, that "F" will always be like an anchor weighing down my GPA. Hopefully, my GPA will improve with each coming semester so that my cumulative GPA also goes up. In the end, I can only hope that I can bury that "F" with a high cumulative GPA. I've got lots of hard work ahead of me!

As you can see, the consequences of repeating stay with you looooong after your repeat semester. Still, you CAN do well in your repeat semester and you CAN finally move on. My motivation is a 4th semester student I met last semester. She repeated her first semester for Physio. After her repeat semester, she sailed through 2nd, 3rd, and 4th semester with A's and B's and never had to repeat again. I hope I can follow in her footsteps. Repeating first semester is just a bump in the road on the long journey to that elusive "M.D." So, for those that are repeating now and are reading this, please know that you can get past it! Just figure out what went wrong the first time around and don't do it again! Work hard and keep your eye on the prize! [Insert every other cliche in the book.] Before you know it, the semester will be over and you will be able to finally move on. Trust me on this. I've lived it.

So, here's to second semester (raising my hypothetical cup) and no more writing about first semester! lol... see you all on the other side for my 1st second semester post!

~ Melissa


PS: I can't thank everyone enough for all the kind words, encouragement, and prayers sent my way. I appreciate it so much!

Double PS: I made a little table that has the minimum passing scores for each Mini exam. I've also listed the cumulative MPS (the minimum score for passing each class) for both the January and May first semesters. The "?" where the final exam MPS score should be indicates that we weren't given MPS scores for the final exam. Hope this gives you idea what kind of scores are needed to pass each exam and the course in general.