As a fourth year student, I look back at how the spirit of the place has held true and even grown stronger with time. The choices and opportunities in third and fourth year really helped me to feel like I was a huge participant in my own education.
In third year, everyone works to make the core rotations beneficial for the student. You’re on a floor with patients and residents, and the patient is always the top priority but it’s amazing how focused people stay on the third year student experience. They follow through with what they say about treating the patient and each other with respect. I just hope when I’m in the role of resident that I will always take time to explain what I’m doing. The nicest thing a resident can do for you in third year is to take your input seriously, even when you don’t yet know all that you need to know. It helps you feel involved—like you’re a crucial part of a patient’s progress. By third year, you feel like you’re getting up and going to work in the morning rather than going to school. By the time fourth year comes along, you basically plan your own schedule for the entire year.
