November Blog

Cumulative Hours- 4

 Wow, November is already coming to a close! This month in class, we did the renal and pulmonary module. Every time I learn about the kidney in class, I am always amazed at how complicated it is. It's crazy to think about how every part of the nephron has its own function- while they all contribute to the same end goal, each portion of the nephron contributes in slightly different ways by changing which ions and molecules can permeate through at each region. Seeing that and seeing how different drugs target different parts of the nephron really underscores the complexity of the kidney. 
I think my friends and I have solidified our study strategies for this program. We all take notes during class and sometimes study together after class, but for the most part we do the initial legwork for learning the material individually. As the exam approaches, we review together, quiz each other, and try to fill the gaps in each others’ knowledge. At the end of every module, we outline all the drugs we need to learn on a whiteboard and use a picture of the whiteboard as a one page review. 

I spent some more time this month exploring the various cafes in New Orleans. One of my favorite things to do in any city is find unique places that serve coffee- the quirks of the cafe itself add another layer to the mixed social/studious vibe you can find in most coffee shops. One of my favorites so far is Rue de la Course on S Carrollton. It is in a renovated bank building with high ceilings, gargoyles decorating the outside pillars (!!!), and an upper balcony that is less busy than the floor. I can definitely see myself spending multiple Saturday mornings in there. 


We were given over a week off for thanksgiving break, which helped me reset after almost 3 months of class. Currently I am typing this from home in New Jersey, after a great week of relaxation. I fly back in Monday morning to make it in time for class later that day, and I am excited to hit the last couple weeks of the semester refreshed and recharged. 

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