Orientation week has seemed long. My school schedules a full week of orientation activities. What can possibly take an entire week? Let me give you the basics.

On Monday we had to register and have pictures taken for our IDs & class photos. Basically, this means that we all spent about 2 hours in various lines. In the afternoon, each of our classes for the semester (Gross Anatomy, Histology, Biochemistry, and Osteopathic Clinical Skills I) was introduced by the professors. We also found out which lab group we're in for the next 2 years. The day ended with skits explaining various aspects of medical school life performed by some of the second year students (very funny stuff!). All in all, a long but productive day.

Tuesday we had lab orientations for histology and anatomy. In histology, we reviewed how to properly use a microscope and got to meet the histology tutors. I may be spending a considerable amount of time with them, as I've never taken histology before. Since we have to provide our own microscopes, it meant that we had to lug them in for the day and then take them back home again (we don't get our microscope locker until next Tuesday). In anatomy lab, we met with our lab partners and got to see our cadavers. The cadavers were covered so we didn't find out much about them, although we could tell that ours is a Caucasian male. We spent time going over basic lab procedures and getting our anatomy lockers. Later in the day we got to meet with our advisors and complete the written portion of our CPR class (BLS).

Wednesday consisted of computer training and health exams (the school made sure we had or had started our hepatitis B series and they performed TB tests). I ended up sitting around talking to classmates for much of the day (my health exam was done before 10 am, but the computer training session was not until 3 pm!!).

On Thursday, our financial aid dean spoke to us (the usual loan indebtedness at graduation is $125,000!) and they held a study skills session. We also had tours of the library which has a new skeleton named Elvis T. Pelvis. Since this was the week of the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, the library went all out with various pictures of Elvis on all of the library computers. They had also made Elvis T. Pelvis pins for each of us!

Friday was only a half-day. We completed the skills portion of the CPR class. They arranged it quite well and were able to get groups of 45 of us through within 2 hrs. Friday evening the school held a picnic for all of the students (MS1-MS4), staff, and alumni. Amazingly, it wasn't too hot, which is quite a feat for Oklahoma in August! We had a nice time…good food, music (a good local band), and a Jupiter jump for the kids.

Saturday was our white coat ceremony. They had the president of the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association speak, along with an Internal Medicine resident. All of us were concerned about walking across the stage without falling and being able to have the coat put on us without too much fumbling. Fortunately, nobody fell and we all eventually ended up with our coats on. The ceremony was nicely done, and I feel somewhat official with my name embroidered on my short med student coat.

So now it's just about time to jump in with both feet. Anatomy lab begins tomorrow, but my lab section doesn't dissect for another week. The rest of the classes begin on Tuesday. We already have some of the notes sets for the week, so I've half-heartedly begun to study. I'll have to put in the full effort come Tuesday!!

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