What to expect when you're the Doctor to Be

Dear Zeek and Ophilia,

I plan on starting the DC program in a few quarters, and was wondering if you could tell me what to expect. Should I be worried? - Doctor to Be?

Dear Doctor to Be,

No doubt you’ve probably heard a lot of different things (the good, the bad, and everything in between) about the Doctor of Chiropractic program here at Life. To help alleviate some of those fears, we’ve managed to come up with a few general suggestions that might ease your transition into the program. First and foremost, put your time in! Go to class, finish assignments when they’re due, and do your best to learn the material as it’s presented to you. Waiting until the last minute to cram four or five different classes worth of material during midterm week is not only stressful but really prevents the information from being stored in your long-term memory for future classes. The Student Success Center offers tutors and supplemental instructors for the notoriously challenging courses. Also, don’t be afraid to see a professor if you feel as if you are falling behind in a class. Most of them don’t bite.

Number two. Your classmates will be your strongest allies. No one else understands exactly what you are going through. Your quarter friends will be both an emotional and academic support. If you know you are weak in a certain subject, find a friend who would be willing to study with you or organize a small study group. Study groups are a great way to relax, hang out for a bit, and get some learning in with friends (just make sure the leader of the group is motivated enough to keep everyone on task and actually knows the information!).

Number three. Upper quarter students are usually more than happy to tell you all of the horror stories of the “hard classes,” but understand that what’s difficult for one person might not be difficult for you. Just because your roommate’s girlfriend’s clinician’s roommate had trouble with anatomy doesn’t mean that you are doomed to the same fate. Try to have an optimistic outlook on the new challenges that face you, and avoid any negative expectations of impending failure simply because someone told you so.

Number four is probably one of the most overlooked. Make sure to have some fun! Take the time necessary to maintain a healthy balance between your relaxation time and the time you should be working. Your outlet can be whatever you want – mediation, taking a soothing bath, joining a sports club, or going out to the movies – just don’t forget to unwind a little. The DC curriculum is by no means easy, and if you don’t incorporate some leisure activities into your schedule, you will burn out.

And above all, take your work seriously. You will eventually be providing a healthcare service, and people will be looking to you as a doctor and educator. Your patients’ impression of you and chiropractic will rest upon your knowledge and professionalism, both of which begin right here at school. If you can keep a clear head and manage to stay on top of your tasks, there is no doubt that you will succeed.

Zeek Learly and Ophilia Paine are Life University students with absolutely no psychology credentials whatsoever.

* As printed in the February 2008 issue of Vital Source. Reprinted with permission.