Almost seven months after taking the first part of my anesthesiology board exams, I received word from my program director that I scored in the top 10% in the country. This was very humbling, reassured me that hard work really does pay off, and will serve as a much-needed motivational factor in helping prepare for my in-training exam in six weeks. 🙂
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Congratulations brother! I have been reading your blog since I started my CA-1 year last year. Since, I am part of a new program without any seniors following in your foot steps helped me succeed clinically, professionally and on my Basic/ITE exams.
Thank you!
Thanks for the kind words, Tim! Keep up the great work man! 🙂
Congrats dude! You rock!!!!
I’m studying for step 1 right now… lots of things going on. Lacking motivation because it seems like forever since I last touched pre-clinical stuffs… how much I’ve forgotten!!! Any advice/help/thoughts? Thx!
Thanks Lucy!
My motivation has always been driven by the humbling fact that no matter what we go through as trainees, our patients always have it worse as they combat illness. We’re studying less for ourselves and more for our patients who entrust their lives to us on a daily basis. Eventually, you’ll have juniors who will also look to you for knowledge and try to emulate you in a multitude of ways.
So when you’re down and feel like you have no motivation, remember that there will come a day where that one extra thing you mastered TODAY could potentially educate a patient or another trainee, or more importantly, solve a crucial problem which could prevent morbidity/mortality.
Keep at it and stay focused! Good luck! 🙂
Wow, a huge congrats to you man!! 🙂 Any tips or advice for future anesthesia residents (CA1) about how to best prepare to be as awesome as you are? 🙂
Thanks Patrick! Haha, I wouldn’t say I’m awesome… just a hard worker. 🙂
My advice is applicable to residents in any speciality – become a master of your trade. We have 3 – 7 years to built a foundation for the rest of our careers, and there’s no better time than today to learn something new and useful.
Countless nights I’ve been up at 3 AM reading some journal article or doing practice questions. I learned things which I ultimately applied at the bedside weeks/months later. These “oh, I know the answer to that!” moments only reinforce the behavior of wanting to learn more and do better for my patients.
In other words, be diligent and dedicated to studying and practicing your trade! Additionally, share your tools (notes, outlines, etc.) with your colleagues, so they too can supplement their studies. 🙂