I remember studying very hard in Chiropractic college.  Back in those days, I had no one else to worry about except myself.  I could come home from school, take a short break and hit the books.  I studied a lot and with that hard work brought me a lot of perceived success.  It means I did well in school and I was able to maintain that level of performance all the way to graduation.  I graduated top of my class in December of 1996 with a 4.0 grade point average. 

Do I tell you this story to impress you? No way!  I tell you this story, because there has never been a patient that has ever asked me how well I did in school.  When you eventually get into student clinic and then out into the field to work for a living, the patients are only going to care if you can help them feel better.  The patients want their pain to go away and you are the one they are looking to for help.

Does this mean getting good grades in school is meaningless? Of course not.  Work hard in school; learn your material, but keep your eye on the prize.  You need to arm yourself with as many tools for success as possible.  Sign up for technique electives when they are offered.  Go to technique and practice seminars to learn more information at great student prices (some seminars are even FREE for students—so take advantage!).  Go volunteer or observe with Chiropractors practicing nearby to see how offices are run. 

Grades are important but so is learning how to be a great Chiropractor.  Get your head out of the books every so often so you can look around and take advantage of all that you have access to as a student.