Mastering Pharmacology: Closing the Book on a Year of Growth

This month, I had the opportunity to serve as a food pantry delivery driver, thanks to bringing my car down here from Miami. Although I'm still learning to navigate the roads of New Orleans, it was a fulfilling experience driving for a good cause while enjoying the comfort of my own car.

Hours: 4 (over two weeks)

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We anticipated the final exam we had been hearing about all year—the NBME. Surprisingly, it wasn't as daunting as I had expected, considering we had ample time to prepare. I enjoyed conducting a full review of the entire semester, reinforcing key concepts, and revisiting widely used drug names. Completing my last presentation in April was also a relief. Despite the workload, I'm genuinely appreciative of the skills I've acquired throughout this process. 

With the program concluded and our last exam behind us, I can now shift my focus to MCAT. While that might not initially sound appealing, few discuss the pros of this exam. Despite its reputation for being challenging, there's true beauty in the process. It serves as a direct indicator of our determination, resilience, and hard work as pre-med majors. Appreciating the countless hours we spend studying while the rest of the world rests and enjoys their weekends, I can honestly say I've fallen in love with preparing for the MCAT. It reconnects me with my 'why' and serves as a tangible indicator of all my efforts. The only drawback is the imposed timeline, which can make studying for the exam frustrating. Despite that, I genuinely enjoy the process of studying for the MCAT! 

Looking back, it's hard to believe how quickly the year has passed. In the blink of an eye, I now hold a master's in pharmacology. I'm deeply grateful for the connections I've formed, the new city I've embraced, and, most importantly, the knowledge and professionalism I've attained during my time here. I would do it all over again

March's Academic Milestones

I had the privilege of participating once again in the Family Literacy Program offered by Catholic Charities Immigrant and Refugee Services. It was nice to reconnect with familiar faces and witness the progress made by some of the children in their English proficiency (Hours: 6 in 3 days). Additionally, this month, I seized the opportunity to volunteer at a Clothing Closet Drop Off event hosted at the St. Jude community center. They are in great need of gently used or new clothing donations like hoodies, jackets, pants, shirts, shoes and hygiene products like toiletries & bags. I felt honored to contribute some of my own previously-owned clothing items that I had intended to donate (Hours: 4) 

Total semester hours: 21

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March went by a lot faster than I expected, time really flew by. I'm feeling pretty accomplished though—I managed to stick to my goal of reducing stress this month, and it's paid off big time. Just one more presentation to go, and I can confidently say I've leveled up in understanding scientific journals and their results.The flurry of presentations, both from my peers and me, has sparked a real interest in diving deeper into research!

We've just concluded our final module of the semester, psychopharm, and it's a bit surreal to think about. Exploring the intricacies of various mental disorders has been both enlightening and enjoyable, serving as a valuable refresher. Throughout the module, we delved into familiar topics such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and psycho-stimulants in a manner that was not only comprehensible but also truly engaging, given the widespread use of these medications. Equipping ourselves with a solid understanding of pharmacokinetics and dynamics before stepping into medical school feels incredibly empowering; it's as though we're already ahead of the curve!

Embracing Sustainability and Heartfelt Gestures

I had the opportunity to participate in the "Recycle Dat" Initiative in collaboration with The City of New Orleans and The Green Project. The initiative aimed to enhance the sustainability of Mardi Gras by keeping the streets clean and reducing waste. Our focus was collecting beads, aluminum cans, and glass bottles. Not only did I get to experience my first mardi gras parade, but the collaboration between the local organizations and volunteers surpassed the collective commitment to creating a cleaner and more sustainable time of the month.

I also had the oppporuntity to make Valentine's Day cards for senior citizens in nursing homes, which was such a heartwarming experience. It felt like I was a kid again, getting creative with markers and crayons. Knowing that these cards would bring smiles to people's faces on such a special day made it all the more meaningful!

Hours: 4 + 1 (senior citizen Vday cards) = 5

Total Spring semester hours: 11

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February flew by, granted we had our one week long Mardi gras break, which, admittedly, I utilized to dive into studying for our final cumulative and the MCAT, but wow, the speed of this semester has caught me completely off guard, time seems to be sprinting ahead. I managed to complete three out of six presentations with confidence so far and am steadily honing my skills in dissecting scientific journals, a development I am so grateful for. 

We just concluded our recent dive into the neuropharmacology block. Going over diseases that impact millions of families like Alzheimer's and epilepsy, was truly eye-opening and reminded me to appreciate the intricate workings of my own cells. However, amidst this reflection, I am grateful for the depth of knowledge we've gained on these topics and on the drugs that are available for their treatment. 

Immediately after learning about stress and its nasty side effects, my stress levels were sky high for the month of February, it just feels like theres not enough time in the day!! For example, studying for the MCAT while trying stay on top of school work and presentations has been... an adjustment, but nevertheless, I've devised a system that seems to be working, and I'm optimistic that we'll navigate through March with confidence, and hopefully... with less stress. Next month we enter Psych pharm and Im excited, especially considering its relevance to the psychology section of the MCAT. It'll serve as a valuable refresher. As February comes to a close, I'm struck of how far we've already come, its honestly been journey of growth and discovery. As we transition into March, I'm eager to tackle the challenges ahead. Here's to facing the next chapter head-on and embracing the opportunities it brings :) 

Prepared to tackle the challenges of the Spring!

This month, I had the privilege of volunteering with the Catholic Charities Immigrant and Refugee Services' Family Literacy Program. As a volunteer, my role was primarily that of a tutor. I worked one-on-one or in small groups to assist in learning English. Volunteering in this capacity allowed me to connect with the migrant community more individually and personally. I remember when I was in kindergarten and didn't understand the language but thankfully was equipped with such great support at my school at the time, I was able to learn English by 1st grade. Likewise with these individuals, thankfully to this program. It was a really rewarding experience to contribute to their journey of integration and empowerment in the local community.

Hours: 6 (in 3 days) 

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In the blink of an eye, were already back from winter break. Just like that before I know it, my classmates and I will be graduating soon, something I look immensely towards to but with a saddened heart at the same time. January, wow, my birthday month, trying to organize and get the feel for this new semester, completing service hours, and preparing for medical school admissions and graduate programs... talk about chaos! We started the semester off strong with the Endocrine (insulin) and Reproductive (FSh/LH/estrogen) modules, something Ive always learned about being a pre-med but never really took the time to understand the depths of them until now. Diabesity trends have increasingly gone up in the past 15 years so I am thrilled to be so knowledgeable on it. Knowledge is power, right? On a different note, whew! 6 presentations this semester. Ironically, we are learning about stress and how detrimental it could be to our health chronically.. well this semester screams stress!! But hey, every cloud has a silver lining—I'm already feeling more confident about giving presentations and deciphering those lengthy scientific manuscripts. Despite the chaos, I'm incredibly grateful for this program. Even amidst the MCAT prep madness, key concepts and terms we have gone over keep popping up in my studies. 

Turning the final page of the fall semester!

I had the opportunity to be a part of the New Orleans Holiday Toy Giveaway this past week. We helped distribute toys to children ages 4-12 as part of the 2023 Neighborhood Cares Initiative Holiday Toy Giveaway. I helped the kids select toys that sparked their interest, ensuring each received a gift tailored to bring them joy. The event showcased a community coming together to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most during the holiday season. It ignited the holiday spirit that I will soon spend with my family. I find myself grateful for the opportunity to have played a part in this transformative experience :)

Hours: 4

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As the semester comes to an end, we just completed the GI/Neoplasia module. Learning about different drug classes and how they attack cancer cells and their receptors was incredibly interesting and allowed me to wrap my head around the whole disease itself. Reflecting on my fall semester journey, I'm genuinely grateful for the depth of learning and the diverse insights gained. I am excited to see what the spring semester has in store for me and to embark on the next steps in my medical career. I had no idea I would enjoy learning about pharmacokinetics the way I do before starting this program but I am privileged I can be a part of such a community 

 

Shifting gears from the hustle to a tranquil rhythm

This month I had the privilege to volunteer at the children's hospital in New Orleans. Immediately I saw the profound impact a team of volunteers can have on a hospital's overall community and functioning. I assisted in engaging with the children during wait times and provided guidance with any assistance needed in directions. While my volunteer experience did not involve shadowing healthcare providers directly, the opportunity to be in the environment I thrive to work in one day left a lasting impression, It's a rewarding journey that goes beyond the volunteer hours. 

Hours: 5

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As we conclude the renal/pulmonary block, the journey has been nothing short of captivating. Coming out from such a hefty topic like cardiovascular to jump into renal and pulmonary, I definitely found the list of drugs to be memorized a lot easier and digestible. Most of the information taught was things we previously learned or heard of before but just in greater detail this time. I found the renal physiology/ACEi/diuretics section the most interesting as it always fascinates me what the body does in order to stay in homeostasis. I can also nag my friends about their asthma inhalers and what key ingredients they contain in them now, which I'm really happy about. Overall, nonetheless, I am beyond grateful to be a part of this program and to have learned everything I have learned so far. 

Navigating the academic peaks & mastering the most demanding topic with resilience

Happy Halloween! In order to fully embrace the Halloween spirit, I had the opportunity to volunteer at Trick or Treatmoor this past weekend at a premier fundraising and neighborhood engagement event. I contributed to the transformation of the event space by assisting with setting up the different booths they had to offer with Halloween decorations and assisting in preparing refreshments, food, and raffle tickets one could buy for the event. Whether it was helping kids create their own masterpieces at the coloring booth, guiding them to carve their spooky pumpkins, or immersing them at the tye dying table, the event was full of creativity and fun. I am fortunate to have been part of this experience where the Halloween spirit flooded the atmosphere all while contributing to a worthy meaningful cause.

Hours: 4

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As the second month into the pharmacology program comes to an end, we've just conquered the most demanding topic to date. I really enjoyed the autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular block, the material made a lot of sense that we apply to our everyday lives and it was fascinating to follow along with. I think creating table charts to memorize the different drug classes and drugs within them made studying a lot easier as well as drawing flow charts for certain mechanisms to immensely grasp the bigger picture. The SIM lab we attended also put things into perspective big time! Overall, I'm eagerly looking forward to applying all the knowledge I've learned so far to future topics we will discuss.