Wow, it's been awhile!  I didn't even realize, until I started reposting my old stuff this evening, how long it's been since I posted anything on my blog.  Which is kind of sad, since I feel like I've been learning a TON this past year.

It's been an interesting year.  For those of you who don't know, I spent...literally the last 12 months trying to get into medical school, and was ultimately unsuccessful (yeah.  That hurt.  A lot.).  But, I'm going to try again, and see if I can incorporate some of the lessons I've learned  - including, but not limited too, not putting all your eggs in one basket.  Instead of relying solely on med school applications (which is a dicey process anyway), I'm also looking for graduate programs to apply to.  Totally not because Mom says that I am bored, and had better be in some kind of class come this fall or next. Apparently, a Megan without proper intellectual stimulation is not pleasant to live with.  I have no idea what she's talking about ;) 

In all seriousness, though, I think part of my mistakes last time around included:

• Relying on a single thing

Solution: find a couple of graduate programs, and investigate some of the local Nurse Practitioner programs as well, to increase my chances of having SOMETHING next year, because as much as I love working at DLM, I'm not terribly interested in cashiering for the rest of my adult life.

• Not getting "Out There"

The first interview I had with OU ended in rejection (ow).  BUT, because OU is amazing (shameless-but-honest plug), they told me why I didn't get in.  The weakest part of my application was my lack of Volunteering and Shadowing experience.  So, since March, I've been volunteering at the free Open Arms clinic in Beavercreek on Tuesday evenings.  I mostly do office work, but I talk to all the medical students (they even taught me how to take vitals!!!  And last week, a wonderful patient - a former EMT - let me take his vitals!!!  I GOT TO DO REAL MEDICINE, GUYS!!!!) and whenever Dr. Jonas does is Night's Summary/Lesson with the medical students, I listen in and take notes.  I'm going to have to do a whole blog post on Open Arms alone - it's been amazing!!!  I still need more shadowing experience (although the afternoon I watched Dr. Lim precept the Internal Medicine residents was eye opening and awesome), but one thing at a time.

I have more, but Mom says that if I want strawberries on my shortcake, I'd better get them now, so I'll see you later!

~ Megan