My Second Semester of Naturopathic Medical School

To say this semester has been a challenge for me would be a vast understatement. I have dealt with so much the past 5 months I believe it's a miracle I pushed through to the end. I am writing this in hope that my fellow classmates will know that if I can do it, they most definitely can! This program is no joke. It's tough, tiring, and very frustrating but it's also rewarding. In just 4 more semesters we'll be in clinic, and in 3 years we will be doctors! That is wild to think about.

Here's how my semester/year has gone:

In January I found out that I failed anatomy 1 from first semester... by 2 points. I was able to take a supplemental exam in hope to pass the course, but I failed it. This was disappointing of course but there were so many others in my exact same position which really helped carry me through.

I ended up retaking the entire course here in second semester which was fine (it went much better the second time around), but it made me have to push a few courses to the summer term (ugh). Also, since anatomy 1 was a class worth 5.5 credits, it tanked my GPA and I ended up on academic probation.... great.

The week before midterms in March, I went home for 3 weeks because my dad was on hospice. He passed 2 weeks to the day I arrived, right in the middle of midterm exams. I obviously spent no time studying, and I failed every midterm exam I took, for obvious good reason. I didn't care, school wasn't important. School was a responsibility of mine because I was attending a school out of country on a student visa (so I had to care to a certain extent), but it just couldn't be that important.

When I came back to Toronto after he passed I did what I could to study and concentrate which was far harder than I thought... this program allows for 0 grieving time. I spent every day playing catch up, using the extended time the school granted me for assignments, and did the best I could. I also had 2 weeks worth of in-person learning/intensive practicals at the school. After my dad dying and me failing midterms, truly the last thing I wanted to do was go in person to the school and see all my classmates (90% of which I had never met in person). But, I did it and loved every practical I had.

I returned home at the beginning of April (3 weeks later) for my dads funeral, which again made school not important. I was only gone 2-3 days, but the lack of concentration I still struggle with and probably will for awhile. When I returned back to Canada after the funeral, both my partner and I got sick/bronchitis which made me practically do nothing for a solid week and a half. At this point I realized life just wasn't on my side for this semester and I could only do my best - whatever happens, happens!

This term exams I wrote were: Anatomy 1, Anatomy bell-ringer, Immunology, Clinical Nutrition and Embryology. I'm still not confident that I passed 2 of my classes this term... and that's hard for me, especially being on academic probation already. I have felt like such a failure all year here in med school; that I don't belong, that I'm continuously failing no matter how hard I am studying. But I also know that the fact I didn't drop out is surely something. I don't wish my circumstance upon anyone, especially on any first year med student.

Last year on my application to med school I had to write a short essay. Part of it was writing about why I think I could get through this program due to it being very difficult. So, I wrote about how my first year of my undergraduate degree was the hardest year of my schooling- my dad was diagnosed months prior, he had surgery, I struggled in a few classes... it was the hardest year of the 4. I also wrote that when I left my first semester of undergrad with a 4.0 GPA, I knew that I could do anything I wanted to, academically.

Now reflecting back, I can officially say that my first year of med school is the worst year of my entire schooling and life. I don't say this for pity, but I reflect back knowing that since I got through the last 4-year program, I can get through this one! I have also realized that failing anatomy 1 and pushing classes to summer term was a blessing in disguise. I couldn't have gotten through this semester if I had the entire course load, and for that I am grateful.

Last thing I want to blab on about is the fact that I am SO grateful for the friends I have met in this program. The amount of people who reached out to me to send their condolences, to send me their notes, ask me how I have been doing, and to the few who continue to check up on me - I am beyond grateful to have you in my life. I couldn't have made it through without you all supporting me!! <3

Here are the classes I have taken this year:

First Semester Courses: (28.5 credits)

• Anatomy I

• Physiology I

• Biochemistry

• Botanical Medicine I

• Homeopathic Medicine I

• Traditional Chinese Medicine

• Ethics and Jurisprudence

• Health Psychology

• Research

• Clinic I

• Naturopathic History & Philosophy

• Biomedical Integration I

Second Semester Courses: (19.5 credits)

• Anatomy 1 (again)

• Immunology

• Embryology

• Clinical Nutrition

• Art & Practice of Naturopathic Medicine

• Biomedical Integration II

• Public Health

• Massage & Hydrotherapy

What I'll take in the Summer: (10.5 credits)

• Anatomy 2 w/cadaver lab

• Physiology II

• Acupuncture I

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In my previous post regarding my first semester of Nat med, I wrote about the things I had learned:

1. Stop comparing yourself to others.

2. Everyone is in the program for a reason.

3. Don't delay studying.

4. Don't fear growth.

5. Lean on friends for support if you need it!

6. Don't abandon your mental, emotional or physical health!

7. Plan time for date nights/family time.

8. Make your study area a place you want to be.

9. Remember to breathe and go easy on yourself.

10. Remember your "why", have fun, and try to enjoy the process.

To add onto this this and tell you what I've learned from this semester:

11. Life can change in an instant - being flexible and patient with yourself is key.

12. There's other things in life WAY more important than school and you must understand that.

13. You will never regret not burning yourself out.

14. Grades do not define any part of you.

15. Doing well in school is important for a future doctor, but how you are as a person is just as important (if not more).

16. Connection with peers is important, but knowing when to disconnect and focus on yourself is also important.

17. The end goal is all that matters, no matter how long it may take you to get there.

18. Being miserable the entire journey is not going to work. You have to enjoy the journey just as much as the end goal.

Thanks for reading!

I now have 4 days off until summer semester begins :) so an Airbnb and hiking up north it is!

Here are some pictures from this semester.

Stay healthy,

Loreal