"B" Word

On the second day of the second year of medical school, they finally dropped the "B" word.

During lunch, the School of Medicine and class representatives hosted the Med II Welcome Back Program. We were promised lunch, so most of the class remained after our Lymphocyte Development and Immunodeficiencies lecture. The falafel did not arrive right away. So, we all sat and waited while being regaled with announcements and updates.

We learned about what others did over the summer, including research (my group), traveling and non-medical activities. In addition to a plethora of announcements from the class reps and fellow classmates, we were introduced to the Student & Curricular Affairs staff (new and old faces) and a road map for the second year

During the second year overview, our faculty discussed our clerkship preparation and finally dropped the "B" word. You guessed it- the "Boards." Our second year will culminate with this monstrosity of an exam, or as one faculty member puts it "a big quiz," a rite of passage to third year, if you will.

To date, our faculty have done a great job safeguarding us from any needless board anxiety (mum has been the word). But now the floodgates have opened and we have been made aware.

In all honesty, most of us are fully aware of this exam on the horizon. I've pushed into the back of my mind. But now it's slowly making its way forward, akin to a cold, harsh reality that we will soon face.

Oh well. The "B" word is out and there is no taking that one word back.