Senior year is unlike any other. While my course load isn't nearly as heavy as junior year, the onset of college applications multiplies my stress levels tenfold. Despite this, I am so thankful to have ISM as my outlet, a course where I can study what I want and not concern myself with my other obligations. Better yet, I don't have to worry about starting from scratch in the mentor search. Because my ISM 1 mentor agreed to mentor me for a second year, I’ve been able to shadow him in the OR both over the summer and a couple times already this school year. In the OR, time freezes, and nothing else seems to matter.
I am also extremely excited to see what my specific focus on robotic surgery will be this year. Luckily, because I am studying the same topic for a second year in a row, I have an entirely steady knowledge base on robotic surgery. In ISM 1, I had to start from square one, concerned with the mere basics of surgery and function of a da Vinci robot and focusing on the training aspects of robot-assisted surgical systems. Now, my research can be as complex and challenging as I want, and I could not be more thrilled to see what path it takes me on this year.
