I wrote my finals yesterday, things went well; though I'm not sure if all of my class will make it through pharmacology.

We were supposed to have a "shelf" exam that was worth 25% of our grade on Monday.  Turns out some med student somewhere in the universe posted all of the questions (and answers) on the internet. 

 

Since these questions are 'retired' US medical licensing exam questions, the school has to order this exam way, way in advance.  The school was notified on Friday that the exam was compromised, therefore throwing our grading system for pharm in flux.

We still took the shelf on Monday...but our prof said that it wouldn't count for anything.  So now our grading is on the previous 4 block exams, plus the final block exam I wrote yesterday.  Since supposedly 15-20% of my class was failing the exam going into that final, and with the shelf not counting, I was expecting a very straightforward, piece of cake exam.

 

Instead of cake, we got an instruction manual for how to make the oven, using chewing gum, paperclips and balsa wood....it was a tough bugger.  I studied like a maniac for it, came out with an 88%.  I guess this is finally the semester where the prof doesn't push everyone on through.  Hard to say though, since our final marks won't be posted online until probably next week.....stay tuned.

 

Either way for me, ended up with an A and felt like I had good command of the material...so I'm smiling, just not sure if those people that are borderline will be frowning, or turning the frown upside down or just downright miffed.

 

Anyways, had my big B-day yesterday: I have to do math now to figure it out, but 35 years....good thing I still feel like I'm 25, normally I don't even think of my B-day: but with the posts here, along with the oodles of posts on facebook, and a class anouncement: I was a celebrity for one day.  Thanks though for the B-day wishes.

 

Speaking of celebrity.....Did you guys read the National Post paper on Monday?  I was front page news (I'm serious).  My school's administration was aware of my effort to get an article in Toronto Star: which totally fell through.  A senior reporter from the post was writing an article regarding Canadians that have to go abroad to study medicine, since we have a grand total of oh....17 medical schools for the whole friggin' country.

 

Anyways check it out, it's honestly a bit of a lame-O article, but at least it gets the word out to the public that without IMG (international med grads...Canada will ALWAYS have a physician shortage).  25% of Ontario doctors study out of country according to the provincial licensing body.

 

National Post: "Would-be MDs forced overseas for studies"

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=d65c3773-f81d-42d1-a707-0a55a24ef0b1&k=99299

 

I'm looking to hire an agent with my new found fame and notoriety....right.

 

Actually, i'm hangin out with the kids as much as possible...since I won't be seeing them for 4 months (Kim travels home for good in early May).  Will post again and upload photos in the next couple days.

 

C