Monday, July 17, 2006

D-day

I take the USMLE step 2 ten days from today,inshallah.Its an 8 hour long exam with an hour of break time and so not only tests clinical knowledge but is also a test of stamina.I am doing ok so far but every day is a fight....its hard not to feel low or have self doubts and this has to be my greatest weakness.Its not just the exam but also the fact that a lot hinges on how I do on this.I went through a terrible pre-exam phase last December when I took step 1....its not that bad this time but the uncertainity is still there.To the few who visit my blog regularly...your prayers are needed and will be much appreciated.

6 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Salaams Aya,

I didn't have any idea that the exam was THIS long. It must be excruitingly tiring. But anyway, you'll sail through it insha'Allah. Make sure you recite the necessary duas to ward of anxiety.

Insha'Allah, you're in our prayers so you need not worry abt that. Just concentrate and try to relax yourself.

Take care and loads of good luck!

3:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

gud luck.when u get tired of studying just think how free ur gona b in a few days...and then study!

3:16 PM  
Blogger Aya said...

writer's creek:
Thankyou for dropping by and the prayers of course.It IS a really long exam...step 1 was 7 hrs long plus one hour of break time.I am hoping the pain killers I take with me will make it more bearable.

rai:
Thankyou!Its funny but I was really tired today and I thought of how you are going to be having fun with your friends!!LOL!I am afraid I won't be free after this...I have another exam scheduled for august 15th(in your town btw)...so you just have ALL the fun! * sniff *

4:17 PM  
Blogger Sarah Ozcandarli said...

Aya,

Take deep slow breaths every time you think of this test. Deep breaths that expand the rib cage sideways, not puff the tummy out and breathe in and out slowly. It's a yoga and music and acting thing. Best anti-anxiety drug out there. You'll feel your heart rate dropping. Practice this whenever you worry. At first it's easier to do lying down. Can you lie down on the floor during the test?

There are successes, of course, but in one person's life there are no failures. What looks like a failure at first is just an opportunity to pick yourself up and try again, with greater strength and wisdom.

Life will hand you reversals, if not now, than later. A priest told me once that Jesus respected us humans because we had to keep trying in the face of failure, whereas Jesus never had that experience. I know Christianity is not your religion, but you get the idea.

You're bad experience in Dec. made you stronger for step 2. The 8-hour test will give you a complete break from the family problems. I once did a really stupid thing before a test I was dreading and it helped me concentrate on the test - because I didn't want to think about the other thing!

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, and Thursday when I'm at the doctor! And I bet you'll do fine.

4:50 PM  
Blogger Aya said...

Thanks so much sozzy!!
Nope,not allowed to lie on the floor "during" the test...but hey...I could try it on one my breaks if I am panicky!My father is a strong advocate of the deep breathing thing as well.....it does work.And you're right...I gotta keep the faith.Thanks once again!

p.s: Can't wait to be done with this so I can resume visiting your blog more often!

7:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Best of luck . You will get through insha Allah .

3:16 PM  

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