This year and beyond.

We're knee deep in the GI module. From here on, the coursework marches to the steady beat of systems-based modules, which makes things very interesting. We cover all the standard goodies in each module: physiology, anatomy, histology, pathology, and biochemistry. It's called an integrated approach, which seems to be the way of teaching medicine that many schools are opting for these days. The classic method was to teach function of the healthy body the first year, and follow it up by disease the second year. In any case, I'm growing to like the integrated approach, since it feels like seeing all the dishes on the table and having a chance to sample all of them.

Up next are the renal and musculoskeletal modules--one month apiece. Exams will pretty much be with us on weekly basis, except for the spring break which is coming up at the end of March. Things will cool off a bit during renal & muscoskeletal, but the pressure, as always, will be on. Classes end in the last week of May, which gives us the very last summer vacation. There will be a bit of time off during the summer of the second year, but that will be spent preparing for USMLE Part 1, the famous board exam. The first part of the boards makes or breaks the career. A high score opens the doors to the competitive residencies. I'm sure I don't have to explain what happens with the low score.