The Scalpel is Always Shinier on the Other Side of the Operating Table

Kendra Campbell -- I’m currently sitting in a new chair at a new table in my new apartment in Brooklyn, New York. I’ve had the past two and a half weeks off from school and I will be starting my surgery rotation at a nearby hospital in just a few short days. It’s been quite an adventure relocating all of my belongings to a new city and a new state yet again. This will be my fourth move in less than two years, and it’s definitely becoming a little taxing.

It’s taken me almost my whole break to find an apartment, move all my belongings, unpack my stuff and get completely situated. However, now I am completely finished and I no longer have anything to do. Yes, I am only a fifteen minute subway ride away from Manhattan, and yes there are approximately eight billion things to do and see in NYC, but strangely enough I am still bored. I think I am just one of those people who always needs something to do, and it’s difficult for me to switch from “unpacking mode” to “fun and relaxation mode.”

When I begin my surgery rotation, I know that I’ll be working an insane amount of hours every week. I’ve been told by other students that this rotation is especially difficult, and that I won’t have a lot of time for sleep or relaxation. And interestingly, I am awaiting this with eager anticipation.

During my first two years of med school, there were times when I was incredibly busy. I went without sleep and fun for many days in the name of studying. At the time, all I wanted was a few extra hours to run errands and enjoy myself. All I could think about was my next break, and how much fun I’d have.

Now, here I am with all the time in the world, in one of the coolest cities on earth, and I’m absolutely bored out of my mind! I’m starting to think that maybe I’m just a chronic complainer at times. However, on the other hand, I definitely do know how to appreciate many things.

So, it seems that whatever I’m doing, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, or if you will, the scalpel is always shinier on the other side of the operating table. When I have no free time, it’s all I can think about. When I have too much free time, I long for a busy schedule.

Actually, I think what it comes down to is the amount of time involved. I do need breaks, and I can enjoy myself. But if I have too much free time, I tend to go a little whacky. Perhaps two weeks would have been enough time in this case, but I got three.

Okay, I’ll stop complaining now and try to enjoy my last few days before I join the ranks of all the other sleep deprived med students on my surgical rotation. Perhaps I will go take that fifteen minute subway ride to Manhattan. Hopefully my next post will not involve me complaining about my busy schedule!