2 Years Done, 2 To Go...

It's hard to believe that I am already done with 2 years of Medical School! These last 2 weeks I took Step 1 of two different boards, USMLE (the allopathic-MD boards) and COMLEX (the osteopathic-DO boards) that officially marked the completion of 2 long years of classroom work. I had to take COMLEX (and pass...) to graduate but I opted to take USMLE to open up the residency programs that I can apply to. By taking both boards I can apply to MD or DO residency programs.
I know that it can be a bit confusing about where I am at in school and how many years I have left so I'll explain a little bit:
The first 2 years of med school are spent doing all of the basic science requirements along with the clinical course work. Basically I spent a ton of time sitting in class or studying at home. It seems a little weird that I won't see the same people every day anymore, definitely going to miss that!
The last 2 years of med school are when I get to do rotations with various physicians in their practice. I will be rotating through Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Anesthesiology, Radiology, Psychiatry, Surgery, OB/Gyn, along with electives that I choose, right now I definitely will be doing at least one rotation in oncology, the rest I am not sure yet. Each of these rotations will be 2-4 weeks long and I have to pass a shelf exam at the end of each section to graduate. I am SO excited to start clincal rotations and get back to seeing patients, I know it will be tough and long hours but I can't wait to get going!
Over the course of this next year as I rotate through the different clinics I will be figuring out what "I want to be when I grow up", and applying to residency programs through out the US next fall. Based on the results of "The Match",it is WAY confusing and convoluted, I am matched to a residency program where I will complete the next 2-4 years of my training. After 3rd year, along with applying to residency programs I will also be talking Step 2 of the boards (USMLE & COMLEX) as well as getting tested on my physical exam skills.
After completing my 4th year rotations and passing all required tests I will officially graduate from med school and gain the "Dr" title but my training will still not be complete (come to think of it, I don't think it is ever complete). I will spend the next few years learning and practicing as much as I can in the field that I choose. Once residency is complete I will be ready to get my first "Real" job as a physician!
Wow! Just writing that all down made me realize I am 2 years into 6-8 years of schooling depending on what field I go into, seems like so long but if the next few years fly by like these last few, I'll be done before I know it:)
Kind of funny to think about...Rohan will be 2 and 1/2 when I graduate and in kindergarten when I am done with residency:)