Dear Proud Parents, Siblings, Spouses, Life Partners, and Friends,

Each year loved ones of the MSIs (first year medical students) converse with their panic-stricken medical student by Wednesday of the first week. They listen as the medical student recites the perils of what lies ahead, the copious amount of work, and the sleepless nights although they are more fatigued than they have ever been in their lives. This isn’t college anymore. And each year parents/friends/spouses are sometimes taken aback, sometimes supportive, and sometimes clueless as to where these emotions are coming from.

I should know. After graduating from the University of Chicago, I thought I was ready for anything, and I already had the advantage of knowing the school, administration, campus, and city. However, I also called up my parents on Wednesday of first week to laugh, somewhat hysterically with a tinge of anxiety, that I didn’t think I could make it through the first week, much less the year. My mom listened, told me the famous parent lines, "this is what you wanted" and "I will kill you if you quit," and put my dad on the line to share in this moment. My dad thought I was pulling a prank on him since we love to joke, but as he began to understand the seriousness of the conversation he started into his speech about his football days and not quitting and even brought up some good old baseball tips like: "College was just the minor league, now you’re in the majors, so you have to get tough and you will make it," and cited famous sports players who have gone on to victory. He gave me this sporty pep talk for another ten minutes and then handed the phone back to my mom while whispering, "I am not going to sleep well tonight."

So, that was how my parents were introduced to medical school. The same went for my friends, my boyfriend, and all my cousins. No matter to whom I spoke, I just couldn’t get them to understand what happened after the emotional White Coat Ceremony and explain that I was hitting the "D-zone" (depression zone) 4 months earlier than I should. This is where the Orientation Committee comes in to play. We want friends and family to gain insight into what lies ahead after we all put on our white coats and open the overpriced textbooks. For this purpose, we have created a new discussion and invited everyone who will be close to their medical student through these trying and exciting four years. This introduction to medical school for family and friends, "What Medical School Means for All," is designed, through the experience of others, to provide information concerning how to cope with these trials and tribulations.

We cordially invite you to take part in this discussion on Sunday, Sept. 16^th from 2:00pm-3:30pm in the Biological Sciences Learning Center, 924 E. 57^th Street, Room 115. Afterwards, you will be united with your medical student to explore the campus, go out to eat, or just relax until the White Coat Ceremony.

For complete directions and maps to the University of Chicago please visit:

www.uchicago.edu/docs/maps/directions/index.html

Warmly,

Jennifer Gnerlich

[email protected]

(773)256-0961