Halfway Done....

We just finished week 6 of my first 10 week quarter in Chiropractic school.  I'm finally getting the hang of being back in school and hitting the books again.  I will say that as a whole it is more challenging than I first anticipated.  I'm not the biggest studier, but certainly spend my share of time glued to my class notes and books.  Here are some highlights and lowlights from my first 6 weeks of class.

• $200 is all I've needed to spend on class textbooks, class notes, and medical equipment (most classes rely heavily on bounded notes which are PowerPoint slides printed out)
• Got to experience my first "real" cadaver in Anatomy lab.  It is so cool to see the body and what's under the skin.  It makes me appreciate God's design as His hand is so evident in the intricacies of the human body. 
• Been able to meet and befriend great people from all over the states and even world, who are passionate about health and helping others.
• Able to play on intramural soccer team and scored go ahead goal in a shootout.  Then week later, tore my ACL and meniscus within the first 3 minutes of game which required surgery :( My classmates and doctors have been exceptionally supportive and understanding.  (I guess they should be if there doctors right?)
• In Care Lab we've been able to learn how to palpate (feel) and identity each of the cervical (7), thoracic (12) and lumbar (5) vertebrae in the spine.  Also, we've been able to learn posture analysis and leg checks for evaluating patients.
• In Physical Exam Lab we've been able to perfect taking blood pressure, pulse, respirations, and temperature like every good doctor knows how to do. Also, we've learn muscle testing techniques and will practice reflexes next week.
• Actually been able to understand Biochemistry. We've learned DNA replication, RNA translation and transcription, Glycolysis, Kreb's cycle, Cori Cycle, Electron Transport Chains, and Vitamins.

Classes and Schedule

If you cared to know how Chiropractic school works and what a typical schedule is that well you are in store for a treat. 

• Most Chiropractic schools run on the quarter (4 terms) or trimester (3 terms) each academic year
• To receive a D.C. or Doctor of Chiropractic you must complete an accredited program and pass all academic class and complete clinical experience
• Most schools are 5 year doctorate program condensed into 3-3.5 years

The school I attend is on 4 10 week quarters, which means classes year round.  We have an integrated curriculum broken into 4 areas of focus: Care, Function, Structure, and Foundations.  There is much over lap in the classes as we are concentrated on the spine this first quarter.

Here are my class:
Care (6 credit hours)- Technique Lab and Lecture (4), Physical Exam Lab and Lecture (2)

Function (11 credit hours)- Biochemistry (7), Research Methods and Medical Terminology (3) and Literacy Skills (1)

Structure (11 credit hours)- Anatomy and Physiology of Spine, Shoulder and Hip (7), Lab (2), Advanced Learning Discussion (2)

Foundations (3 credit hours)- Introduction to Practice and Philosophy

That brings a grand total of 31 credit hours (hours meet in class each week) which is quite a hefty load!!!

Week One Completed!

So just finished week one of Chiropractic School and wanted to comment on the first week.

Initial impressions:

- At 31, I'm an old Fart as most student in our class are right out of undergrad or year or two removed
- A good foundation in the sciences is certainly useful and very beneficial (teaching math won't help too much)
- Bio-Chemistry is not as easy as you think and will be a tough class
- Not all Chiropractors are men, our class is about 50/50 in male to female
- Some fellow students have never been to a Chiropractor themselves, weird
- We are in the classroom A LOT, typical schedule is roughly 7-9 hours of lecture and lab time
- Word to the wise from upperclassmen: 1) Don't buy the textbooks as most teachers don't use them 2) Be disciplined to stay on top of the work and study an hour or so a night

Check back later for more exciting developments as I give YOU the inside scoop of Chiropractor School!

I know you can't wait :)