Coming Up For Air

I'm back. For as long as it takes me to write this post. I'm in midst of my preparation time for the USMLE -- the United States Medical Licensing Exam -- and I frankly don't know how I'm going to keep studying. I finished class more than two weeks ago, and in that time I have been studying. All the time. I did take one quick trip to California for a full 48 hours, but other than that weekend I have been studying.

How much studying? I'm aiming for 12-14 hours/day. I usually get in about 9 to 10, maybe 11 if I'm really on top of things. The schedule is pretty simple:

8 am: Wake up
9am - 12pm: Study block 1
12pm - 3pm: Study block 2
3pm-4pm: Magical afternoon free time for errands, recovering my sanity, talking to myself, etc.
4pm-7pm: Study block 3
7pm-9pm: Eat, go to the gym, eat, sit around in a stupor.
9pm-12am: Study block 4
12am: Bed.

Now, let's be honest. Am I really following this schedule? No. But am I trying? Yes. Sort of. Keep in mind that it's 2am now and I'm just finishing for tonight. Eh, so it goes.

And this is what I aim to do between now and March 7th. On March 8th, I will do my best to relax. On March 9th, I take the exam. And the next morning, I'm on a flight to San Diego.

For now, though, it's time to sleep. Tomorrow's Study Block 1 is rapidly approaching, and neuroanatomy is on the schedule. Good times.

Mood: determination, mixed with a little cabin fever
Song: Boston, "More than a Feeling" and David Gray, "The One I Love"