If you are looking at the massive gap in the time since my last post. I have a really good explanation. I decided to go back to college and apply to a Dental Hygiene school. After a few years of completing my pre-requisite classes, I was happily accepted to a prestigious program in my area. The program is 2 years or 4 short, 16 week semesters. Some people break it down into weeks or days, but that seems like too much work and with my class load, I'm a busy girl already.
Here's how excited I am on my first day in a human mouth.
First semester was overwhelming, but so exciting! The workload was all consuming and when I did all the homework I felt necessary, I was left with around 5 hours a week (Sunday night) to relax and do what I wanted. How could I survive you ask? Especially with having 2 kids and a husband to care for. I'm very lucky that my family totally supports my dream and everyone chips in to keep our house running. My 19 year old daughter routinely picks up and drops off her brother at school and tutoring. My husband cooks and cleans. I still grocery shop, pay bills, and basically oversee the daily operations, but mainly I've outsourced the day to day chores. It's teaching the kids good skills is what I keep telling them.
So here we are in the second semester. It's the end of week 2 and I'm still trying to determine the best study method for the new teacher we have. That's the most difficult part of each semester I feel. Until the first test, I never know exactly how the professor (or in this case Doctor) wants the information delivered. Some teachers want you to memorize information, so I usually read the books and make flashcards, but some teachers want you to understand "concepts" which is much more difficult in my opinion. Difficult because I can read the book, Google or ask in class any facts I don't quite understand completely, but what happens when your teacher didn't use the book when designing the test? Yeah, I'm pretty confused how I'm expected to study for those exams also. In fact, last semester everyone, except one lucky student, failed out radiology final. Luckily our averages were high enough to carry us across the minimum 75% necessary to pass the class, but if you understand anything about Dental Hygiene students - we are ALL "A" students. We all strive for being the best and kick serious butt each and every day. Long story short, we have that same teacher for two classes this semester and I'm planning on cracking the code in how to study for those tests and pass!!! I'll keep you in the loop in case you run into the same situation. Also if you have any tips or tricks, please, PLEASE put that info in the comments section.
What's new for this semester? We get to see actual patients. In fact we see patients 2 days a week and I'm already feeling much more comfortable with it. I have a confession, the first day I had butterflies in my tummy and eating was very difficult, but I didn't want to get low blood sugar on my first clinic day. All went well and with each patient I'm learning so much it blows my mind. What's even better is our whole class shares info so we can continue to grow from each others experiences (and mistakes) every day.
I see the seniors look so comfortable in the clinician's chair and wonder if I will look the same next year. They assure me I will and they understand my current feeling as they felt the exact same way last year. My class are considered juniors even though I will graduate with an Associates in Science degree from my community college. Most people don't understand that I've been going to school for 4-5 years already (part-time) and have 1.5 years remaining simply to earn my 2 year degree. So when I hear you tell people I'm a Dental Assisting student and I correct you immediately, please understand that I've earned the respect with the title Dental Hygienist. By the time I graduate, I'll be a health care provider completely responsible for not only cleaning your teeth, but the health of your gums, explaining optimal oral hygiene care, anesthesia, some restorative, determining the entire health of you as a person, because diseases effect the entire body and when I review your medical history, give you an extra oral & intra oral exam, I am usually the first person to see the beginnings of most diseases. If you ever have the opportunity to be in my chair and I have questions and concerns about your health, please take me seriously and go see your general physician to discuss my findings. It may save your life or at least prolong it.
I'll get off my soap box now and get back to reading and studying. I have a 4 day holiday and I'm devoting myself to getting caught up on each subject. Hahahaha - like there's enough hours in the day for that. I'll do my best and hope to see the sun or my family.
Much love until I have another spare moment to blog.
