When you are in school, we tend to enter a world that is a tad bit unlike life outside.  Going to classes, going to labs, studying and taking tests are all done safely within the confines of the walls of the school.  I loved going to Palmer West and what I learned there has faithfully served me through my years in practice.  But as students, we tend to get into a mindset, especially midway through school, where we forget that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I felt school was quite grueling with the way the long days, the afternoons and evenings of studying, board reviews, etc.  It is only natural to get a little cabin fever at times because we are in the classroom so much. 

What I don’t want to happen is for any of you to get into a rut with school and lose sight of the big picture.  One day soon, you will  leave school and join us as a Chiropractor out in the field.  It is an exciting prospect, isn’t it?  Close your eyes for a second and visualize what you think  you will look like, feel like and act like as a licensed D.C. 

If you are not really sure what it will feel like to a graduate, let me give you a few things to think about:

1. Your required schooling will be done.  No more studying, tests or papers to write unless you pursue diplomate programs or other degrees.

2. You will be in the real world using the knowledge you have learned to make a living.

3. You get to make a difference in people’s lives every day.  For the most part, patients walk in to our offices in pain and walk out feeling better. It is a wonderful thing.

4. Practice will help you to become an awesome Chiropractor. Over time as a student, you refined your studying and test taking and became better at it.  So it also goes with practicing Chiropractic.  Time makes you more skilled.

5. It is very fulfilling making a difference in people’s lives. We go to work every day and help people and it makes all of the long days of studying and all of the tests worthwhile. 

No matter where you are in your schooling at this point, graduation will be here sooner than you think.  From time to time you may have to re-focus your learning in each class and poise yourself to excel once you leave school.  It is a fun world out there for being a Chiropractor.  Get excited, Get jazzed and enjoy school as much as you can.  I hope you love this profession as much as I do. 

Can you feel it!