"I'm stuck on this emotional rollercoaster and I can't get off!!!"--Erica

Finally, a few days off of class (PA conference this week so I get days off to go but I am in grad school with no money soooo yeahhh) to catch up on some good ole classical readings of my Pathophysiology textbook, learn all about Pediatrics and brush up on Pharmacology (next week back to back patho and peds exam followed by pharm quiz). Sounds like a great few days off to me! Well, after having a couple of the hardest exams I have ever endured in Pharmacology and Adult Medicine, I am convinced I need respiratory therapy so I don't vomit on my walk to class on exam day or during the exam. I get so exhausted mentally just building up to the exam then I actually have to take it! Am I mentally strong enough to endure this for another 9 months!?! And DO NOT tell me I will be fine. People need to not tell me I am doing fine. YOU DON'T KNOW ME! I'd rather hear that there's extra credit.

So approaching the exam I must study. Preparing to study is an important task and reading over the material for the first time can sometimes be so foreign. So before starting to study I say to myself, "You are going to ACE this!" I am feeling good and some of the girls and I plan a celebratory outing one week away because we are happy PA students getting ready for a difficult week of exams ahead. Ok.. So the exam is like 5 days  away, I start studying more in depth..after a couple days I get overwhelmed with the load of material. Stress is building up and I say to myself " I just want a B. I am a B student anyways. Quality of life over grades." alright, so now 2 days away and I haven't even covered the last half of notes. " I just want to pass!" So going into the test, hyperventilation, hyperventilation, anxiety, gag reflex may come into action. Now after the test I am pretty sure I failed it. Bombed. bamboozled by the professors. Days of studying felt pointless. Sooo that is how I felt leaving the pulmonary test in adult medicine. Evening of post exam, everyone is exhausted, I am afraid that if I go out to "celebrate" the tests being over, I will drown in beer tears and advertise my failures to the public. Emotional Rollercoaster!

Well, I made a commitment to go out and I did. Luckily, no tears escaped (from me) and I woke up with a lovely headache. One week of spaghetti, minimal work outs (one week before my marathon= more stress) and caffeine overload-- Week 8 complete

Happy the morning before exam

Googling the correct answers following the exam

Trying to celebrate

Also, I had the best conversations with my PA girls after the exam. Nonsense because no one can function. Lots of repeated conversations of "did i tell you..." Yea, we just discussed it...

me: "Is Nina close to her sister?"
Erica: " eh, sister."
me: "what?"
Erica: "huh? I'm confused."