The important thing to know is that you have prepared your best for this exam. You have what it takes to succeed. You should be proud of the effort you have put into studying and preparing for this exam. You’re now one step closer to becoming a great future podiatric physician.
The best advice I can give for a student in their last few days of exam preparation is to stick with what works for you. This applies to not only your trusted study materials, but also to your diet, sleep, exercise, and relationships. Be confident that the last two years of strenuous studying will be more beneficial than whatever you learn in the last week, and be reminded that it is statistically more likely for you to pass than to not. That said, whether you pass or you do not pass on your first attempt, becoming an excellent podiatrist is a goal you can still achieve.
Mental exhaustion, loss of motivation, and self-doubt are no strangers to medical or graduate school students. Many individuals come into higher education already expecting to endure the struggles necessary to graduate and attain their lofty career goals. While trading relaxation for academic success can be a noble undertaking, being in this high-stress environment without the proper work-life balance and mindset can have dire consequences. These settings often facilitate a culture that links productivity and academic achievement to self-worth, making it easy for students to internalize these beliefs and cause them to overwork themselves. This is a slippery slope that can lead to symptoms of burnout and chronic stress which continue to be increasing concerns among students of higher learning education.
Within a few months the medication had started to fail me, but I pushed forward, ignoring the signals my body sent me. This was a mistake, there’s no shame in reaching out for help, there’s no shame in your illness and that’s something it would take me a year at WesternU to realize.
Within a few months the medication had started to fail me, but I pushed forward, ignoring the signals my body sent me. This was a mistake, there’s no shame in reaching out for help, there’s no shame in your illness and that’s something it would take me a year at WesternU to realize.
If I could go back and redo my preparations, I would definitely start early to integrate Crozer-Keystone Residency Manual to clinical rotations and externships.
If there is one single thing we could impress upon you, it’s the mindset. You must buy into this process, we were determined to pass the CBSE as if we were DO students fighting for a residency.
“Things as simple as playing fantasy football, grabbing food, and playing board games strengthened these bonds. Later on, a classmate also created a Facebook group page called the WesternU DPM Supporters.”
“Quarantine brings a sense of isolation and some of us feel lonelier and must take an active approach to feel any normalcy. Such things involve asking for help or scheduling meetings with peers. As my support system did for me, I hope to aid them as well and anyone else who is in need during these times.”
“Every attending will have their own preferred way of how they would like information presented to them, but as long as you can list why you believe the patient has a condition, and what the next steps are, then you will be on the right track.”
Once a year podiatrists and podiatric medical students from across California meet in Sacramento in order to learn about and support bills that will change the way podiatrists’ practice medicine. This is a short synopsis of our experience and a peek into what it takes to change California law.
During the Special Olympics Fit Feet, my classmates and I along with some of the upperclassmen volunteered at the Special Olympics Southern California Fall Games. This took place at the Fountain Valley Recreation Center & Sports Park, on November 11th. We screened and evaluated ankles, feet, lower extremity biomechanics ….
Studying never ends. It certainly doesn't end in medical school. Many pre-medical students usually opt for a gap year to ground themselves of life beyond the books. I chose to take two years off and spent one of those years in Lambayeque, Peru learning about public health issues, the beautiful language of Spanish, and most importantly, a culture beyond my exposure and understanding. …
"In a world where medical technology and access to care are constantly improving, it can be easy to overlook the struggles of medical care in developing regions. I came to find that underserved areas tend to lack access to even the most basic medical care..."
how We started
Body and Sole, brings together the "sole" of our content with creative writing, educational pursuits, and personal reflections from podiatry students at Western University of Health Sciences.*
Between studying for classes and seeing patients in clinic, most podiatry students don't make time to write and publish. However, it is expected by residency and clerkship directors for students to be well-rounded and informed. Additionally, developing better writing skills will improve one's communication with patients, other healthcare professionals, and with the public.
This website is intended to be a place to learn more about the field of podiatric medicine from a student perspective. Here you will find reflections from podiatry students on a variety of topics.
We hope you enjoy!
*This website does not represent the views or opinions of Western University of Health Sciences or the College of Podiatric Medicine