Use these. Seriously. We’re not kidding. Do it. Don’t make me come over there…
In addition to this guide, we would like to direct you to other sources that will contain a lot of useful information that will be helpful during your careers at the Big U.
Student Web Site
This is a great place to find class information, post questions, and track down other resources. Last year most of us used it to download extra class materials (like co-op notes and digital images of the anatomy radiographs), but it’s a good place to post general questions, find answers, and make known any social events. We’ve been working on getting more faculty participation and class information on the website, while including such items as restaurant guides, city information, and entertainment ideas. Hopefully, this endeavor will continuously expand and your class will get even more use out of it than we did.
Student Handbook
This is that little book put together by Meredith and Jill that you get during orientation with the planner in it, and that half of us barely even glance at (other than to ostensibly use the planner for a few weeks in some doomed attempt to become organized). This “little book” is a “gold mine” of “information” that you should definitely “take advantage of.” Seriously, facetious quotated commentations aside, this book has everything: Student services, campus resources, academic support services, policies and regulations, student organizations, and even basic Chicago “getting around” info (mmmm, quotated commentations…).
Fellow Medical Students – especially M2s and Big Sibs
Take advantage of your classmates! This is the very best advice we can give you. We’re nice people, honest, and we don’t bite (hard). The best thing about Rush is how approachable and friendly everyone is. Usually, the quickest way to find what you need, whether it’s advice on a class, where to pick up men and/or women, or where the best 2 AM gyros are (ask HR), is to ask someone who’s been there and done that.
Faculty, Advisors, etc.
These are the people that stand at the front of the class yelling incomprehensible things at you about “IgG” and Stroke Volume, but prepare yourself for this: They’re actually really nice people, and they even want to help! Ask them about class, ask them about life, ask them about the best place to get a mean bowl of fried rice – you’ll be surprised by how helpful they can be. Most of the faculty actually want to you pass, do well, and become good doctors, and most of them will bend over backwards to help you however they can. So go out there and introduce yourself, and don’t be intimidated by their white coats and graying (or thinning) hair.