On Packing

4 ish days until school!! Guess it's time to get packing.

Being the obsessive organizer that I am, I've compiled somewhat of a packing list. This isn't comprehensive or anything, but it's what I've come up with in preparation. Some of it's taken from the SGU website's suggested list, and others I've added on my own, or suggested from other blogs/advice pieces that I've read.

For those who's significant others are joining, here's a significant other packing list.


SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Backpack/Tote bag
Flashdrive
External hard drive
Planner
Calculator (with the sq root function)
Latex gloves
Desk lamp (with replacement bulbs)
Stapler (and staples)
Sticky notes
Index cards
Binders
Paper
Pens/Pencils/Highlighters
Sharpies/dry erase markers
Small whiteboard
Scrubs

ELECTRONICS
Camera
Laptop
Phone
Ipad/Tablet
Extra chargers for phone/laptop

**SGU covers the duties for 3 electronics (but they must be laptop, phone, tablet), and the student is responsible for any others. Here's the Travel Folder section of the SGU site. Students are required to bring receipts for the electronic items that aren't covered by school (otherwise it will be at the discretion of the customs people)

HEALTHCARE
Pepto Bismol, GasX, Immodium, etc
Antibiotics
Tylenol, Advil, Aleve
Any prescription medications
Band-aids
Aquaphor/Vaseline
Sunblock
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Makeup
Tweezers
Face products
Contact lenses/glasses/solution
Body wash
Shampoo
Bug spray

CLOTHING/SHOES
Pajamas
Light jacket
Hoodie
Sweats
Dress
Slacks
Pumps
Sandals
Flipflops
Sneakers

COMFORT/OTHER
Pillow
Bedset
Yoga/exercise mat
Converter
Flashlight
Batteries
Travel clock
Hangers
Laundry bag
Headphones
Sunglasses (2)
Umbrella
Laundry detergent
Raincoat/Poncho

KITCHEN
Drinking glasses
Brita & filters
Cups, bowls, mugs, utensils
Coffeemaker
Electric kettle
Saucepan
Spatula
Can opener
Dish detergent/sponges
Tupperware
Ziploc bags

I'm also trying to pack a few bins and things to store all my stuff. I don't quite like the dump-it-all-in-the-drawer look. Let's hope all of this fits in two suitcases and a carry-on.

Cruising to the Eastern Caribbean

I wanted to share a couple of pictures from our cruise over my birthday this past October. We went on a Carnival Cruise starting in NYC to Puerto Rico, stopping at US Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Antigua, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten. It was such a relaxing vacation after months and months of MCAT studying, medical school applications, essays, and interviews. Click here for more information of the cruise option that we chose.

The 3 days of "Fun Day At Sea" got a bit old after a while though. It was nice to just disconnect for a couple of days. I never noticed how much time I spent on social media and browsing the web until I stopped!

Holidays & Stuff

Two more days left in 2014! I hope everyone's had a great holiday. Over the last few days, I've:

• Purchased my ticket (one-way! ahh)
• Filled out health forms
• Shopped a bit for warm weather clothes 
• Made a packing list (this will be a separate post)
• Probably annoyed the heck out of the student who answered the phone for the "speak to a current student" line. He was extremely helpful though!
• Listed a bunch of things on my eBay store as I've been cleaning and purging 

...even though I don't think it has all settled in yet, you know, the fact that I'm moving to start medical school in 12 days. I've definitely been enjoying myself though.

Last Minute Acceptance

Happy Friday! I got into St. George's yesterday! Which is quite exciting considering how late it is in the month. It's too late for the Global Scholars Program that I initially applied for, so I was accepted for the Grenada campus, with orientation beginning on Janury 14, 2015. I've submitted my deposit, and so it's official. I'll keep updated with packing lists, and all of that.

Side note!
The Global Scholar's Program is where first year students spend their first year of basic sciences in Newcastle, UK at Northumbria University. The second year would be spent in Grenada. The program is properly accredited in the United States, so clinicals, residencies and beyond wouldn't be an issue. One big thing is that students are not eligible for ANY financial aid during the 4 years if they participate in the program. Their application is a separate essay along with the regular application.

Where is Grenada?

The Thing About Medical School

So this medical school application thing has seemingly gone on forever and I couldn't be more thrilled that I sent in my last essay yesterday morning. I hope to provide useful information for other students making the transition to a Caribbean school (or out of the country, for that matter), as I know how first-hand accounts have been an immense help to me.

For family reasons, I've missed the deadlines for most US allopathic schools and my MCAT didn't exactly go as I had hoped (My college GPA was fine though, 3.6). Knowing that the exam is about to change for 2015, and my already being out of school for a year or so, I didn't want to wait and re-take and reapply. I know that the Caribbean application process is faster, and would allow for more flexibility given the time constraints.

So far...

St. George's - Waiting for a response...Interviewed 10/5/14 (last week), for the January semester. Ahh so soon. I applied for their KBT program, where you spend the first year in Newcastle in the UK. I've always wanted to study abroad, and never got the chance in college.

Ross - Interviewed 10/4/14, accepted into MERP. Welp. Initially I was accepted to the class that begins on TUESDAY. Yes, as in today. Obviously, that didn't happen.

AUA (Antigua) - Accepted. Interviewed in November. Apparently they also have an MBA program, which I'm interested in doing. Two degrees in 4 years? Sounds good.

SABA - Wanted me to retake the MCAT...What's with this MCAT obsession? I think that 4 years of studies, habits, and performance shows way more than 4 hours out of one day. But it is what it is.

MUA (Nevis) - Accepted. Interviewed in November.


As of now, I've deposited for my seat at AUA, and am waiting on St. George's.
Let's see how this all goes.

December Update

OHMYGOODNESS it's December. I just got back to the city from visiting my parents for Thanksgiving. I'm surprised I haven't forgotten how to drive! They live in a super small town, so it was a good break from the city.

I've been so super super busy the past couple of months, and I'm glad things are finally winding down (sort of). I ended up taking the MCAT on September 5 and it was, put simply, the worst. It takes over your life and leaves you being a shell of science facts. Following the exam was a ton of application business, essay writing, professor stalking, and interviews. 

I did manage to take a break though, the boyfriend and I took a cruise and went to Las Vegas (I'll definitely show pictures in a following blog post). I've started another blog regarding premed, MCAT, applications, and so forth as well. I know I've found those blogs to be SUPER helpful.

Anyway, I hope you're all having a wonderful fall/beginning of winter. I'm off to go Christmas shopping! Until next time.

The Self-Tanner Thing: Jergens Review and St. Tropez First Impressions

Since I'm spending all my days this summer studying for the dreaded MCAT, I've also missed out on quite a bit of sun. I know it's not good for anyone to be laying out anyway, but it's fun to have that summery glow. I've always strayed away from self tanners in the past, especially seeing examples of how they've gone HIDEOUSLY wrong. Right? We've all seen girls walking around looking like they've dipped themselves in orange paint. Not the look I'm going for.

 I've used Jergens Natural Glow once before a few years back, and I remember that it worked quite well. I just finished a bottle of the medium/dark this week, and I have to say it's still pretty good. The new formula is AMAZING, and it smells SO good. Lightly and pleasantly scented (which is a lot better than other tanners), and applied evenly. It doesn't streak if you let it dry before you get dressed. I only had some streaking on my wrists- I guess I wasn't careful enough when washing my hands after application. Everything dried in under 10 minutes, and I was good to go. No stains on my white sheets either!

Instead of repurchasing another bottle of Jergens, I opted to try the St. Tropez Gradual Tan. I don't know why I can't just bite the bullet and get a regular self tanner, but the gradual ones seem a bit less intimidating, and more forgiving if you mess up. I applied it for the first time today (I'm actually waiting for it to dry as we speak here). My first impressions is that it doesn't smell nearly as good as Jergens. I mean, it doesn't smell awful by any means, but its really strong and not necessarily pleasant. Its taking FOREVER to dry, and so far it's leaving my skin a bit shiny and sticky. (My left arm is a little shinier than my right. I probably applied to much on that arm. oops). You're supposed to wait until it all dries before you get dressed. 25 minutes and counting. Grr.

So far:

• Jergens smells better
• Jergens dries faster
• Jergens is less expensive

These are just my first impressions of the St. Tropez. I won't judge anything from the first try, I'll definitely continue and see which tanner I like better. Have you tried either of these? Which are your favorites?