Happy People

So this weekend I was studying for a concurrent exam, that is, a test in all of our subjects at once. We have had then all year and they are very stressful to study for. However, this weekend it was particularly difficult. After weeks and weeks of rain, wind and cold dreary weather we had an absolutely beautiful weekend (the curse of spring quarter). It was sunny and in the 80s. It was perfect weather for going outside for walks, boating, or doing just about anything outside. Unfortunately, the first year med school class couldn't appreciate the sunshine like the rest of the world - we were studying for an exam covering 3 weeks of material in both of our classes: Neuroanatomy and Microbiology. Both classes are challenging, but for me Microbiology is especially difficult to study for because it involves memorizing countless details and can bee a bit overwhelming at times.


On Saturday morning I was sitting in the Health Sciences library studying micro. (Editor's note for understanding context of this blog entry: with a few modifications the UW Health Sciences Library could double as a a dungeon in a 14th century castle. It is dark and dreary and and the air smells a little stale.) I just happened to be sitting at a desk next to a window with a particularly good view of the Burke-Gilman trail that runs through Seattle. In my state of studying delirium, I kept getting distracted by all the people who were walking, biking, running, etc out on the trail. They all looked so happy! A man and a woman jogging together pushing a cute little stroller with a baby and laughing as they were enjoying the weather, girl walking her dog, a group of friends biking together. After looking up from my microbiology notes for the 100th time to see the wonderful glow of happiness spread across their faces I started to resent these people who dared enjoy the weather while I was stuck inside studying. I sort-of felt like I was in prison. There was no way that I could go out and enjoy myself like all those happy people and still do well in my classes this quarter. Then I thought: I actually voluntarily asked to place myself in this prison of learning! What was I thinking? At this point I actually had a very vicious thought: These happy people could get skin cancer from spending the day enjoying the sun. Then the happy people would regret this blissful Saturday of sun enjoyment! (Mwahahahaha = evil laugh). They might even have to come to a physician who spent their sunny days inside studying like me. Then those people would me thankful that I had spent my beautiful Saturday sitting the health sciences library and becoming vitamin D deficient while studying dutifully for my Medical school courses! Oh, yes, it could happen. Or perhaps, they are wearing sunscreen and will be able to completely enjoy themselves without the risk of any adverse health problems... probably more likely. *sigh* I really can't win.


Epilogue: I decided to leave the depressing walls of the health sciences library and return home to study out side on our little square of grass in our front yard. I probably didn't get as much studying done but I was much happier and I still passed my classes so it all worked out.

Important note: Although I really do enjoy complaining, I am still very glad that I am in medical school and there is no other place I would rather be. I look forward to the day when all my days sitting in class and studying will actually pay off and I will be able to help sick people and make the world a better place (or something like that).



(note: some times my blog entries get published after I start the first entry because it is waiting for some finishing touches, come back to look at old entries if you want to make sure you don't miss any).