Battle of the Night Owl and the Early Bird

In life we all have our own rhythm, circadian rhythm that is.

As a child I was always forced to get up early. That, at the time, had a lot to do with tradition - as it is felt that the female should be early risers to take care of the household. I was never an early riser (an early bird). Mornings are the worse part of my day. Morning for me, begins at 10:00am.
Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that I can not go to bed before 12:00am. I am a night owl. Because of the traditions I've been brought up in and because of the norms of society, I can't help but sometimes feel inadequate, lazy, or that I'm missing out on part of the day by getting up at that time. But not any more! After reading a fellow blog about the "night owl" versus "early bird" I am now convinced that getting up early is just not in my DNA - (Yes, there's a gene for it!). While I get up early when I HAVE TO, it is not a natural part of me. It's not my normal rhythm, circadian rhythm that is. This blog post is backed by facts and several researches done by prominent researchers and published in prominent journals. It even goes as far as to demerit Benjamin Franklin's " Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise" and John Ray's very popular "The early bird catcheth the first worm."

Read on here with my new friend Aaron, and tell me - Are you a Night Owl or an Early Bird?

That Time of Year

It's that time of year again! Yep, application season! and time for the almighty DAT...
This time of year always proves to be a stressful time for most Pre-Dents. From studying for the DATs, making sure to get those LORs, writing that personal statement, requesting those transcripts, filling out the AADSAS application, and OH! *gulp, actually sitting the Dental Admission Test (DAT). It all seems soo much! right?     ------   Actually, it doesn't have to be.
The 2011 application cycle opens on June 3rd 2010. The aim of the game is to get all your required documents in on-time and with that I mean early (emphasis placed here). Don't get bogged down and stressed about the number of things to be done - Just do it, and relax.
Here, let me give you a hand:

• Don't get yourself worked up because you may not have done so well in a particular semester, or year - Remember GPA Isn't Everything and it's not just the grades that matter, but your overall package.
• Speaking of overall package, are you well-rounded? Ensure you gain some form of experience in the field of Dentistry and that you are involved in some way in your community, in extra curricular activities and the like.
• Your personal statement is well, personal. It answers the basic questions: Who are you? Why Dentistry? and where do you see yourself in the future? It doesn't have to be anything spectacular. Just ensure that it flows and holds interest.  Have family members read it over, a friend and of course, your pre-health profession advisor.
• LORs are important! They give the admissions committee a visual of you through someone else's eye - someone who supposedly knows you well. It's their chance to make an impression for you - choose who write them wisely.
• Ah, The DATs...Biggest mistake we make in preparation of this test is, we overestimate it - or underestimate. See, the DATs fall somewhere between the two. For your prep., ensure you are well equipped with the right study materials, and follow these tips on how to go about studying for it. On test day RELAX! Get a good score, and keep it moving...
• Choose schools based on your credentials. It is okay to choose your "dream" school - u may get lucky, but be sure to always choose a "safe" school  as well- a school that you know you're probably guaranteed to get into based on your credentials, and a few others in between.
• Submit your application (early) and wait. Wait for the interviews, wait for the acceptances; and the rest is history...

Aaah! Not so bad eh? See? Relax.

Poor David

Nitrous Wednesday!
Your weekly dose of Nitrous oxide...

LOL!!                            LMAO!!                              ROFL!!                                   LOL!!

Too cute!

Show Some Love!

Stu-DENT Diaries appreciates all it's readers and followers, it means a whole lot! The blog is about sharing information as it pertains to health care profession students, particularly those in the Dental field. It is also a documentary/diary of the day-to-day happenings of a soon-to-be Dental Student (88 days to be exact) - me, Patrice.
I would love for this journey to be shared with people of similar interests and any other interested people alike. So please, Show some love! Become a follower/member! Make a comment or two and let's enjoy this journey together! Tell your friends, and even find us on facebook. Let's go!!

No Frills Dentist Appointment

Nitrous Wednesday!

Your weekly dose of Nitrous Oxide...

No frills Dentist Appointment

The Smiths were shown into the dentist's office, where Mr. Smith made it clear he was in a big hurry. "No fancy stuff, Doctor," he ordered, "No gas or needles or any of that stuff. Just pull the tooth and get it over with."  "I wish more of my patients were as stoic as you," said the dentist admiringly. "Now, which tooth is it?"  Mr. Smith turned to his wife Sue. "Show him, honey."
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   LOL!!!!                          LMAO!!!!                             ROFL!!!!                            LOL!!!!

So I've been thinking

The start of Dental school is only 2+ months away - approximately 89 days and I've been thinking, actually I've been worrying (sshhh)
First of all I can't get over the fact that time is going by so quickly-lightning speed! Did I not just get my acceptance letter...yesterday? It's Mid-May and there is still so much to get done in preparation for school. While I'm at it have you:
~ Filed FAFSA?
~ Found an Apartment?
~Found a roommate?
~Secured Scholarships?
~Secured loans?
~Shopped for furniture for your apartment?
~Shopped for school supplies?  This is only to name a few, Phew!

 Moving to a new city is exciting, liberating and... terrifying all at the  same time. You never really know what to expect or how you'll cope.  It's that time when you leave the roost and go out on your own - you become an adult - with responsibilities O_O (O.M.G).
The next thing I wonder is what my classmates will be like. I'm really looking forward to a fulfilling, fun-filled, gratifying and rewarding 4  years. I intend on creating some fond memories, make some wonderful friends and learn some very valuable lessons. However, what if  my expectations are too high? I'm a team player and I beleieve in the saying "Each one reach one" but, what if my classmates turn out to be selfish, cut-throat opportunists? *Sigh...

I'm worrying about all these things but in actuality whatever happens, whatever hand I'm dealt it will be all part of the overall experience. Four years from now I'll be whoever I become because of all these that i now fear. My experiences; good, bad or in-between will make me the great Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) I intend to be.

How about you? What are you thinking?

HONDA

Nitrous Wednesday!

Your weekly dose of nitrous oxide...

HONDA

A businessman was in Japan to make a presentation to the Toyota motor people. Needless to say, this was an especially important deal, and it was imperative that he make the best possible impression. On the morning of the presentation he awoke to find himself passing gas, in large volumes, with the unpleasant characteristic of sounding like "HONDA." The man was besides himself. Every few minutes "HONDA", "HONDA".... Unable to stop this aberrant behavior, and in desperate need to terminate these odious and rather embarrassing emissions, he sought a physicians aid. After a full examination, the doctor told him that there was nothing inherently wrong with him and that he would just have to wait it out. Being unwilling to accept this state of affairs he visited a second and then a third doctor all of whom told him the same thing. Finally one medic suggested that he visit a dentist. Well although he could not see how a dentist was going to be of any help, he visited one anyway. Lo and behold, the dentist said, "Ah, there's the problem" "What is it?" the man asked. "Why you have an abscess," said the dentist. "An abscess. How could that be causing my problem?" asked the man. "That's easy," replied the dentist. "Why everyone knows... Abscess makes the fart go Honda."

{Don't get it? Know the saying: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"?}
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LOL!!                                     LMAO!!                                   ROFL!!!                               LOL!!

Almighty H2O

Flavored waters like Propel Fit Water, SoBe Life Water nd Vitamin Water may do more than just quench your thirst:
Sipping on these trendy drinks over the course of a day can soften protective tooth enamel and increase sensitivity, say scientists involved in a trial at NYU College of Dentistry. The drinks' acid levels are to blame (not the sugar, as you might think). Brushing the teeth after drinking won't counter the effects, in fact, because softened enamel is more vulnerable to damage, it may weaken teeth even more.
So here's the trick: Wait at least 30 minutes to brush after drinking one of these drinks - that's about how long it takes the enamel to re-harden.
Another smart strategy: Quit the drinks! Make plain water your go-to drink.
(From Good Housekeeping Magazine)

Nitrous Wednesday

Your weekly dose of Nitrous Oxide...

  Naughty or Nice

 A particularly voluptuous lady entered the dentists surgery in an obvious state of agitation. The dentist tried to calm her down assuring her that he would do nothing to hurt her. She sat down in the chair and started fidgeting nervously as the dentist began sterilizing all the required equipment. When he asked her to open her mouth, she screamed.
So he tried to calm her down again even though he was losing patience.
Almost immediately the lady threw a hysterical fit, then realizing that the dentist had begun glaring at her, she said, "Oh doctor, I'm so nervous. I hate dentists. Why, I think I'd rather have a baby than have a tooth drilled."
Replied the dentist " Well Miss, better make up your mind fast so that I can accordingly adjust the chair."

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LOL !!                         LMAO!!                      ROFL !!                             LOL!!

Scholarship Opportunities

We don't have many scholarships to take advantage of. The very few that may be available are in very minimal amounts and are highly competitive! There are some scholarships however, that often go unexplored. Here are a few:

  
1. National Health Service Corps Scholarship (NHSC)
This scholarship, from the Department of Health and Human Services provides their scholars with full tuition, fees, books, clinical supplies, instruments and other education costs. It also awards the recipient a monthly stipend of $1,326.00. This scholar is required to serve an underprivileged area for the amount of years of support of this scholarship (2 yrs being the minimum).  This is a great opportunity to get help with the cost of professional school. To be eligible you MUST:
                        i. Be a U.S Citizen or National
                       ii. Enrolled or Accepted for Enrollment
                      iii. Pursuing any of the following degrees in an accredited U.S School:
                                  a. Physician: M.D or D.O
                                  b. Dentist: DDS or DMD
                                  c. Family Nurse Practitioner
                                  d. Certified Nurse Mid-Wife
                                  e. Physician Assistant
If you would like to off-set the expenses of a health profession program and are committed to services, this scholarship would be a great opportunity to explore. You may go to the National Health Service Corps Website here for more information on this wonderful opportunity.

2. Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)

This scholarship is offered by the U.S Navy, U.S Army and the U.S Air Force. This is very similar to the previous scholarship as the Armed Forces covers the full tuition plus a $20,000 sign-on bonus, fees, books, clinical supplies, instruments and other education costs. They all award their scholars with a monthly stipend of approximately $1900.00 . These awards are made with a commitment that after the scholar has graduated, he/she will serve as a commissioned medical department officer in the armed forces - each year of service for each year of scholarship support. To learn more about these scholarship you may visit their websites:

The U.S Army HPSP

The U.S Navy HPSP 

The U.S Air Force HPSP

Take advantage of these opportunities! If you are eligible and are committed to serving the under-represented of this country - these scholarships would be ideal.

*Periodically come back for more scholarship opportunities!

*If you are a Dental Student and a Minority, join the Aid for Minority dental Students cause on facebook.

* Don't forget to visit The Stu-DENT Shoppe! Lots of great things for the soon to be Dentistas!!