Food For the Soul: Best Places to Find Books that Inspire You

 

If you are a current student or you are preparing for grad school, you are CONSTANTLY reading. Whether it is your Calc II book, the latest issue of Marie Claire, the Skimm on your phone, or the academic prerequisites for that school you are dying to go to, your eyes are tenaciously on the move. You work them out more than you do your legs at the gym... I know I am guilty of this one. However, for me, books are my soul food. They fill me up after the day to day grind dwindles my spirit. After I read all of these technical and mandatory materials, I want to read something I actually enjoy. The key to success is to make time for YOU. That's right. Treat yo self. The way I treat my mind is by reading a good book at the end of the day before I go to bed. I love reading books about medicine because that's what I enjoy. I am passionate about it, so I seek books based on a medical mentality. The key is to find a genre that lights a fire in you. Whether its romance, comics, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, etc., find something that leaves a smile on your face and thoughts in your head the moment you crack it open. Below are the places I find my soul food. Comment your favorite books/ where you find them!

1. Goodreads- This is the app I use the most data for on my phone! Who would have thought?! This app beats out Instagram and Facebook because it is like a book diary but for thousands of people. The app/website allows you to document what you've read, what you want to read, and what you're currently reading. The website then uses this information to provide recommendations. You can rate the books you've read, review them, and read the opinions of other people. It is basically a giant book club. Explore lists and different genres. This is where I keep my stack of books which prevents a bunch of books cluttering my room. I LOVE this app.

2. Half Priced Books- If you're on a budget like me, this is like the Goodwill of books. I go here if I want to purchase a tangible book because they are dirt cheap and they have anything you can imagine. Whether its a GRE prep book, the Twilight books, or a Rachel Ray cookbook, they've got you covered. And, you can make money while doing it. Have a stack of books you don't read/ need to get rid of? Take them hear. They will buy your books and provide a fund to buy more!

3. Amazon- If you're anything like me, you need to listen to music or something on the way to work, dinner, the gym...pretty much anywhere I drive or go. I hate silence, so I love buying audiobooks to put on my Iphone so I can listen whenever or wherever I want. The good thing about these is you can rent them or buy them. Recycle them. Listen to them multiple times. Delete them. Some people HATE reading so this is the perfect way to get your daily dose of soul food.

If you know of any apps, website, or bookstores that you love, let me know! Comment the places and books that light a fire in your soul :)

Spice Up Scrub Life

This morning, as I woke up and started getting ready for work, I couldn't help but be thankful that I wear the same thing everyday. The stress of trying outfits on, only to find them scattered on the floor when they made me look fat or the color was all wrong was enough to make me go nuts. I love wearing scrubs everyday: they are comfy and they provide for stress free mornings. However, the monotony of this uniform can be depressing for a fashionista. There's no sense of style; every pair is the same despite the color. If you're anything like me, you appreciate clothes, shoes, and makeup. Not only do they make me feel beautiful and confident, but they compliment my personal style. They allow me to express myself without saying a word. So, the only way I found to display my personal style while donning scrubs was through accessories. Here are a few of my favorite accessories to spice up scrub life.

1. Kate Spade Watch- Depending on what medical setting you work in, you may or may not be allowed to wear jewelry. I work in an urgent care clinic, so a watch is an essential. We are constantly working to make sure patients are in and out of there, hence URGENT care. My Kate Spade watch keeps me focused, and it provides a preppy piece to style my scrubs.

2. Pearly Whites- I absolutely love pearl earrings. I admire them so because they are simple, classy, and match every outfit, even medical garb. I got these beauties from Forever 21, my go to store for accessories. They are cheap and they last me awhile. If I lose them, I don't feel bad because I didn't spend a mint. Stud earrings work best for me because they don't get in the way while dealing with patients. The perfect accessory for saving lives.

3. Si Perfume- Good smells go a long way. I love perfume because it keeps me smelling fresh even after 12 hours shifts where I am running around like a crazy woman. I use this roller on my wrist and behind my ears so I feel clean all day long. I try to aim for subtle scents so my patients aren't nauseous at first smell ;)

4. Monogrammed Necklace- If you are a prepster like me, you have your monogram stamped on everything. From bags, to water bottles, to napkins, you name it. MBM is all over my stuff. This gold monogrammed necklace from Marleylilly is classic when it comes to necklaces. It is lightweight and the perfect compliment to my navy blue scrubs.

5. Alex and Ani Bangles- The perfect baubles to boast about. These bracelets work perfectly for me when I want to add a little bling to my body. Accessorize with these and really portray your style because they are 100% customizable. You can get all sorts of charms, including medical ones for those scrub-life queens out there!

6. Whimsical Wristlet- I adore this pin striped wristlet for long days at work. I hate lugging a large purse in there because it barely fits in a locker. I keep my ID, credit card, cash, lip gloss, and keys in here. The perfect way to store your stuff so you can grab and go.

These are some of my accessory essentials. I love dressing up my scrubs because let's face it, doctors and nurses can be fashion forward too!
Share some of your favorite accessories you wear in the comments below. 💋💋

XOXO,

Madison

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Dos and Donts of Direct Patient Care

The one thing about applying to PA school that makes me want to pull my hair out is seeing the words: "direct patient care" on the admissions requirements. Ugh. That opens a can of questions.
How do you know how many hours? How do you know what counts as "direct" patient care? Does shadowing count? Is volunteering at a hospital good enough? Or does it have to be paid hours? These questions and many more flooded my mind and frustrated me to no end. My always solution to frustration is Google. However, in this case, Google was the antagonist. It further overwhelmed me because there are so many different viewpoints and perspectives on the subject. However, after weeks of trying to figure it out, I came up with a list of Dos and Donts for getting those hours and getting into PA school. 😀

DO Know the definition of Direct Patient Care. The definition is exactly what you would think. DIRECTLY interacting with the patient. This includes taking vitals, drawing blood, administering immunizations, educating patients, and talking to them about symptoms. If you are not touching or talking to a patient, it probably doesn't count for the hours requirement. Some examples include: Phelbotomy, Certified Nursing Assisting, Patient Care Tech, Volunteer in the ER, Physical Therapy Technician, etc.

DONT Assume that an activity or volunteer experience will suffice. Most schools will tell you what kind of direct patient care counts. However, as a rule of thumb, medical office receptionist, lifeguard, babysitter, etc. does not count. Kind of seems like common sense, but you'd be surprised. If you are wearing scrubs and are in a professional medical setting, you are on the right track.

DO Look at each school's healthcare experience requirements. There is no need to go the extra mile if you don't have to. Make a list of schools you'd like to apply to, and then visit the website of each one. Do they require a certain amount of hours? If so, what is acceptable? Each school is different, so make sure you take note. Write it down on your notebook or keep track on an Excel sheet; whatever will make it easiest for you to refer to.


DONT Lie about your patient care hours. As a future physician or PA, you should be honest and value integrity, so this is something you shouldn't do anyway. But, another reason to truthfully portray your experience is that some schools will call the facility and confirm your hours. If you lie about them....awk. Let's avoid that uncomfortable and compromising situation all together.

DO Keep track of your hours. To prevent making up hours or stress during the CASPA application process, record hours as you do them. Use an Excel sheet and take down the date, the number of hours, and the activity performed. Piece of cake.

DONT Stress. Most of y'all may still be finishing up your undergraduate degree. And that is completely okay! Between school, clubs, activities, studying, jobs, and a social life,  you may not have time to volunteer or work in a medical setting 40 hours a week. I know I definitely didn't have time. So, I decided to take a year off and study for the GRE and work at an urgent care clinic as a medical assistant. But, that is something that is completely up to you. Do a little bit at a time. Volunteer here and there. Shadow on weekends or over holiday/ spring break. Do it at your pace.

DO Ask for help. I know when I was exploring ways to get my patient care hours in, I didn't know where to start. I felt completely overwhelmed. However, after talking to some friends in my major and using some networking skills, I found a job that works with my schedule and it is something I really enjoy. If you aren't enjoying what you do, then you probably aren't doing the right thing.

DONT Be afraid to call or email the admissions director at the school or schools you are applying to! There are admissions counselors there in order to help you. If you are questioning whether an experience will count, ask. Always ask if you are unsure. Best piece of advice I have friends. 

Alright loves, that wraps up my take on direct patient care. Tell me what you do or did to get those hours! Per usual, I'd love to chat 💋

XOXO, 

Madison

Book Worm Wins: Best Study Material for the GRE

So, you've decided to continue your education. You know there will be a lot more studying, flashcards, all-nighters, and coffee in your future. However, the studying commences even before your acceptance into a graduate or doctoral program. You must take the entry exam. Whether it's the GRE, the MCAT, the GMAT, or the LSAT, I can guarantee this right of passage will not be anywhere near enjoyable. Because I had applied to medical school last year, I have taken the MCAT. And let me tell you, it's as menacing and nightmarish as it seems. I studied for months on end; I paid a pocket full of change for a Kaplan course, only to find that it increased my score about 3 points. I felt defeated and utterly exhausted.Therefore, the thought of taking the GRE for acceptance into PA school made me nervous. My test anxiety snuck back into the crevices of my mind as quickly as it vanished after the MCAT. Here I was, about to take the test preparation plunge once again.

Standardized tests are often dreaded by students; it seems test writers are out to get us. Constantly creating troublesome problem sets that result in success only if you have a photographic memory (that has been my birthday wish for years). Unfortunately for most of us, we must rely on basic skills and procedural memory to pass an exam such as this. But friends, let me tell you this. It IS possible to do well. You can outsmart the test makers by beating them at their own game. How you may ask? By preparing for any trick they may throw your way. Once you figure out the method to their madness, you will be taking the exam as if you were the one writing it.

After lots of research and questioning my peers and friends about the exam, I have come up with my favorite resources to study for the GRE specifically. I am in month 2 of my study plan, and I can honestly say I feel more comfortable with the content and strategies than I ever did while studying for the MCAT. I am not an expert on this by any means, but I know what works for me. Use this list as a guideline when deciding how you should prepare; everyone learns differently. If you have any suggestions on how you study, let me know! I would love to find more resources to increase my chances for success.

1. Magoosh GRE Blog- I love this site because it is absolutely FREE. In college, I was notorious for spending money on Jack Rogers sandals and Lauren James t-shirts when I should have been saving. Now, I have become more conscientious about money, so I have been seeking out resources that are free. This blog provides a variety of information regarding the GRE. They have posts about every single subject covered; they review content, as well as providing sample problems. I check it daily for new posts, and I often reference their content review PDFs which are downloadable and so easy to print out. Stick these on your bathroom mirror and constantly review tough equations or troublesome subjects before test day.

2. Kaplan GRE Math Workbook- If you're anything like me, then you struggle with math. Math has always clouded my mind; I often get so caught up in the numbers, symbols, and equations, I end up confusing myself and getting frustrated. I knew going into my study plan that the Quantitative Analysis portion of the GRE would be my lowest score, so I decided to take the bull by the horns right away and hone in on it. I went to my local library and got all of the Math workbooks available. The best thing about the GRE is that the content remains constant; the test writers never really introduce any new material so you can use books from a few years back (another great way to save money). I use the workbooks DAILY. That's right, daily. Make it part of your routine. Before I do anything else in the morning, I get up, brew some coffee (that's an essential :)), and do one problem set. Usually each set is 20 questions, so ideally it will take about 20 minutes. That's 1.39% of your day. If I can do it, you can do it!

3. Magoosh GRE Vocabulary Flashcards- When I wake up, the first thing I do is check my phone as if it's the morning paper. I check Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, etc. A bad habit I know, but nowadays, technology is our connection to everything. I am glued to my phone, and the best way I found to study for the Verbal section of the GRE was this app. They have lists and lists of common GRE vocab words. I wake up and do a few, I eat breakfast and do a few, I take breaks at work and do a few, and I lay in bed at the end of the day and do a few. Practice makes perfect, and the more you go through these, the better off you'll be on test day. 

4. Manhattan Prep 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems- Yes, this book is actually 5 lbs. Skip the gym and haul this baby to the library and back. You'll get a nice arm workout and a killer GRE workout. The book provides a variety of questions regarding every section of the GRE. The difficulty is diverse, so it will give you a holistic preparation for test day.  

5. Books- I'm a book worm by nature, so this portion of the GRE would be the easiest for me. However, not everyone enjoys spending their free time with their noses stuck in a book. Which is completely understandable. I must say, the best way to prepare for the reading comprehension and even the essay section is to read. Read anything and everything. Read articles in the New York Times, read studies in Nature Journal, read fiction books, read news articles, read anything you can get your hands on. I promise you, this is ultimately the best way to prepare for this section of the GRE.


Obviously, there are thousands of other resources out there to study for the GRE. I am not saying this is exactly what it takes to succeed. Some of these may work for you, and some of them may not. And that's completely alright. If you use other resources and would like to share, comment below! I would love to hear how y'all are preparing/prepared for the GRE. Have a fabulous week friends!

XOXO, 

Madison 

Post Grad Probs

Now, I won't bore you with all the details of my undergraduate roller coaster ride, but, I will give you a little background info on why I chose PA school. As an undergraduate, I studied at Purdue University, and I dreamed of donning a white coat and becoming a doctor. I could picture myself with my favorite Kate Spade watch peeping from underneath my crisp white sleeve as I advised patients on how to better their health and ultimately, better their lives. However, as most events in life, that did not go as planned. I applied to medical school only to be denied by EVERY SINGLE ONE. Quite the blow to my self confidence. I decided to rethink my career of choice. Was I willing to sacrifice time, money, and my sanity for a career in medicine? Did I want to take the risk of reapplying only to find that I could be rejected again? I knew I wanted to work in medicine, but was there another option that would afford me the life I desired? The answer was yes, absolutely! After talking to some peers and friends in my major, lots of research, and many late nights where streams of  thought prevented any sort of sleep, I concluded a Physician's Assistant program was right for me. 

I am not an expert by any means, but because of my exposure to both medical school and Master's programs, I have gathered some knowledge about both. If you have any advice or just wanna chat about either paths, comment below! I'd love to talk.

P.S. In the picture are my amazing siblings. On the left is my beautiful twin sister Morgan, and in the middle is my brother Jack. I could not have done it without their support. 

XOXO, 

Madison 

The Path to PA School

Hey y’all my name is Madison Baker! I am a small town, Indiana native with a big heart and even bigger dreams. I aspire to be a Physician’s Assistant who is patient focused with a passion for preppy style. I have three loves in this world: medicine, writing, and fashion. I wanted to combine my loves and share them because lets be honest, even science nerds can be creative. I’ll be sharing the ins and outs of my journey to PA school: the tears, the triumphs and the times when a whole bottle of wine is a necessity. I hope y’all will find this blog useful; we can learn together, and I would love for this to turn into a collaborative conversation about preppy fashion and practicing medicine.

XOXO,

Madison