Posts Tagged ‘black’
Like A Fish Outta Water….. :-)
Posted on: October 12, 2008
I go to a Top 20 institution, and most of my classmates came from prestigious undergrads; I have quite a few classmates from Harvard. I definitely felt intimidated when I first got here, because I went to a small HBCU in the South. I loved my experience, and if I had the choice, I would do it again. Still, my undergraduate experience was very different from a lot of my classmates, some of whom had no idea what an HBCU is.
I had a conversation with the Dean of Multicultural Affairs, and he told me that the medical school had not had very good success with graduates from HBCUs, leading me to think that the small representation of HBCU here might be intentional. While they have had students from HBCUs in the past, they have not had many, and I believe I am the only student they have ever had from my undergrad.
Anyways, I do feel some pressure to do well here, because my performance here could very well influence their attitude towards HBCU students in the future. I would hate for a talented and hardworking student’s application to be called into question because of my performance here. So I tried to work a little harder this week. I think it paid off, because I scored higher than the class average for the first time on the test this week.
Unfortunately we’re almost done with Anatomy so it doesn’t mean much, but I hopefully will take this attitude with me through the rest of the year. I came in here with the expectation that I wasn’t as competitive a student as the rest of my classmates, and that’s wrong. While there is a steeper learning curve to step up to, that is the case for anyone who enters med school. We’re all new at this lol.
My lack of confidence in myself and my abilities isn’t new. There was a point in my life when I had a very low self-esteem and was always putting myself down. My self-esteem isn’t low anymore, but many people do disparage the education at HBCUs, and I think I allowed myself to internalize that.
We may have come from different places, some of my classmates may have come from prestigious backgrounds, some from lots of money, some from exotic places, but we’re all here. My experiences may be different, less glossy, but it doesn’t make them any less relevant. I forgot that, and I think it showed in my grades.
Either way, I’m on an upward trend, and I believe it will continue. My goal is to score above 90% on my next 2 exams. I mean, above average is cool, but not cool enough. I have one next Friday and the other a week from Monday so I have quite a bit of studying to get through.
Oh and in response to that last comment, in the words of Eric Cartman: “Whateva! Whateva! *snaps fingers*, I do what I want!”
My first post.
Posted on: July 5, 2008
I decided to start a new blog today. I have done this in the past, tried and failed several times. But it won’t happen this time…. I have a feeling about this one.
I think I’m a maverick. I looked up the definition today:
“One that refuses to abide by the dictates of or resists adherence to a group; a dissenter.adj. Being independent in thought and action or exhibiting such independence…”
Anyways, thats where the blog title came from. Cuz I be maverickin’. It can be used as a verb, you know (wiki definition) or so says Wikipedia.
A little bit about me. Right now, I am without money. My credit card company decreased the limit on my card WITHOUT WARNING (click here!) and my phone company cut off my cell phone bill so I can’t call them to cuss them out. I also can’t get my phone back on because my credit card is now useless so…. yeah, I’m in a pretty pathetic situation.
I am also looking for a place to live in a little place called Chicago starting August 1. Today is July 5 and I still have NO IDEA where I will be living. I have even less time than it sounds because I’m going to Miami on July 23-27…. a trip that I still don’t know how I will be paying for *tears*.
I got paid yesterday and my check was immediately swallowed up due to my past few months of bad spending habits and irresponsible financial choices (see, I can take ownership of my faults). It sucks because this should have been a weekend of GREAT SHOPPING for me…. there were so many AMAZING sales this weekend *sobs*.
Alas, I am reaping the consequences of my actions. I know its my fault, but I didn’t think life after college would be like this. Bush and his abysmal leadership skills have wreaked havoc on the economy and my life! And I know I’m not the only one who’s crying. At least I got into med school…. can’t tell you how many friends I have wandering around aimlessly and jobless… and broke. Just last summer our eyes were starry-eyed and full of hope.
And now….. oh well.
Anyways as Ella said so beautifully, goodnight my love.
OH AND GO SEE HANCOCK! Saw it last night and LOVED IT!
A Black Female Medical Student 