So what am I getting at? We tell ourselves that this level of stress is “normal.” We signed up for this long trek of academic punishment, so we just have to deal with the associated stress. True, elevated stress is to be expected while earning any terminal degree, but does it have to be as high as we think? Honestly, for the majority of students here, it doesn’t.

When I interviewed at DMU’s College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (CPMS), two of the questions the interviewers asked me were what I do for fun and how do I handle stress. In retrospect, I now see how these were not two separate questions, but two parts of a single question. The faculty on the other side of the interview table know exactly what you are getting into. You, on the other hand, have no idea. They know you need an outlet and a healthy way to handle the stress.

One of the things we can do soften the blow of this torrential onslaught is to take a look at your study style. If there is one thing I could go back and change about my experience so far, it would be to come to DMU with an open mind about how I study. Your study strategy worked great in undergrad; it still works per se at DMU, but is it the most efficient and effective way to study? Be aware of how you learn. Are you an auditory, visual or kinesthetic learner? I was surprised at how much my style changed from kinesthetic in undergrad to visual now. Use this re-evaluation to strategically schedule your study time, and you have just increased your study efficiency exponentially.

But how do you schedule study time strategically? Isn’t setting aside a large chunk of your day for studying enough? I would beg to differ. Take your six-hour study block and turn it into several small blocks with a break in between each block as a reward. Setting out a stretch of time to study “subject A” creates short-term goals and (at least for me) creates a rewarding feeling of accomplishment throughout the day. When the day is over, you’ve actually had a lot more focused study time than before, because you spent less of the “study block” goofing off.

Now, what to do with those breaks and other time off? Aside from sleep, may I humbly suggest reading a book? Yes, a book and not the electronic kind. A physical, in-your-hand, made-of-paper book. You have just spent the last block of time staring at the Krebs Cycle on your computer screen; it is time for you and your computer to have a break. It can be amazing how spending some time reading can relax your mind and charge you up for another go-around. I challenge you to pick up a book this week and give it a shot. Even though these seem commonsense, try and give these simple ideas a go and see what happens to your stress level over time.

DMU has the perfect way for pre-med students to get a head start…

The DMU Health Professions Advanced Summer Scholars Program (Health P.A.S.S.) gives them a taste of what it’s like to be a student in osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, physician assistant or physical therapy.

The FREE three-week program takes place at the end of July and is open to college sophomores and juniors who want to get a taste of what med school will be like and pad their resumes with a little hands-on experience. Enrollment is limited to 10 students and applicants must have a minimum cumulative college grade point average of 3.0.

APPLY NOW!

Many of you have heard me praise the numerous qualities of Des Moines University that drew me here. They include the University’s high academic quality; its rigorous, well-equipped curriculum that supports innovative education; the interprofessional interactions among our students and faculty; and the wonderful work and support of our employees.

Another exceptional aspect of DMU is its commitment to the health of communities in Iowa and literally around the world. From our central philosophy of holistic, preventive care to the volunteer service of our students and employees to our collaborations with entities such as the World Health Organization, we demonstrate our continued leadership in improving the health of all.

These activities and leadership reinforced my decision that our mission and vision needed to better reflect what we hope to become as an institution. As we prepare for the University’s next strategic plan, we must build on your great work, on that of our predecessors, and on our extensive efforts on our self-study for reaccreditation by the Higher Learning Commission. That’s why a new mission and vision were approved on Dec. 3 by the DMU Board of Trustees – to articulate our focus on education, research and service/patient care as well as on leadership in transforming our communities to be healthy and well. I am excited to share with you our new mission and vision.

Mission

To improve lives in our global community by educating diverse groups of highly competent and compassionate health professionals.

Vision
Des Moines University will be:

• The leader in innovative health education that promotes lifelong learning
• A cultivator of distinctive faculty and student researchers who discover and disseminate new knowledge
• A leader and partner of choice in the delivery of services that enhance health, wellness, and education in our communities
• A policy consultant and catalyst in healthy community transformation

We have been very deliberate in the past few months in working together – the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students and alumni – in helping to define who we are and what we hope to convey as our purpose, our core values and our vision for the future. Thank you for your hard work, support and engagement in making these efforts successful, and thank you for all you do to enable Des Moines University to do a world of good.

All gifts shown are from Matthew’s DMU Bookstore. Listed below from left to right, top to bottom:

1. Travel coffee mug, $13.53
2. Coasters, $8.44/set of 2
3. Lumbar mug, $16.92
4. Decal, $7.95
5. Playing cards and case, $9.29
6. Glasses, $4.25/ea or $16.96/set of 4
7. Water bottle, $14.37

Matthew’s DMU Bookstore Holiday hours:

Tuesday, December 20
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 21
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 22
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

This year businesses are competing in the first annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Promenade Window Decorating Contest. Enjoy this charming district in downtown Des Moines while perusing beautiful window displays, riding a horse drawn carriage, sipping on refreshments offered by area businesses, tasting a meal at an nearby restaurant, or listening to holiday music floating through the air. The Historic East Village and Promenade Sponsors will provide bags featuring samples and special offers, plus a shopping and dining map and ballot for Viewer’s Choice Best Window. Pick up your bag at Brenton Plaza, Baby Boomer’s or The LifeServe Blood Center while supplies last.

So head on down to the East Village and get a start on your holiday shopping!

Things kick off tomorrow evening with carnival rides, food tents, live music and fireworks. They continue into Saturday with the 15th Annual Beaverdale Beaverdash, followed by the Fall Fest parade at 10 a.m. A few things not to miss: the Isiserettes performance, bingo at Holy Trinity and Dutch Welter’s egg rolls. And that is just the beginning! There is so much more that is crammed into this truly fabulous fest.

Frozen yogurt can be a healthy treat if eaten in small portions without an overload of toppings. I know, it’s hard not to pile on the Oreo crumbles and gummy bears, I can attest to that, but your waistline will thank you for it.

Interested in checking out what all the buzz is about? Here is a list of fro-yo shops in the area:

TCBY - 10201 University Ave # A11 in Clive
Lemon Tree Frozen Yogurt - 1745 SE Delaware Ave, Suite #400 in Ankeny
Yo2Go – 3816 100th Street in Urbandale
Menchie’s - 4825 EP True Parkway in West Des Moines (COMING SOON)