Second Opinions (random advice)

1. If you are buying a computer for school, make sure that it is light, portable and has a long-lasting battery.  If you are thinking about getting a tablet computer, know that the best advantage is taking notes in OneNote.  Instead of having binders and binders, you have a file on your computer.  Whenever you want to add something, erase something, or include pictures with your notes, you can.  This means never having to lug your notes from previous classes with you and never having to worry about spilling water on the Krebs cycle.
2. Do not get a car your first term.  You first term will be spent in campus housing or in the library and lab losing your mind.  The bus schedule is more than adequate.  A car is a luxury at $450 a month!
3. Sometimes the buses can get crowded.  I suggest you say goodbye to personal space.
4. I have yet to use a single battery.
5. The Grenadian bus/taxi system is incredible.  Affectionately referred to as “Reggae buses”, these Red (and sometimes white) taxis scream around the streets of Grenada.  The bus stops are obvious.  The taxi will stop, the sliding door will open and you will ask, “St. George (the capital, not campus)?  Grand Anse?  Lance Aux E’pines?”  Even though the route is on the windshield, they will answer.  Climb in.  The rate jumps every year or so, but you pay a flat fee (3EC) to travel anywhere on the route.  You may have Tetris flashbacks finding a place to sit (it gets crowded).  When it is time for you to get off the bus, use your knuckles to tap on the metal frame.  The driver cannot hear you screaming, “Please!  This is my stop!”  He can hear the metal “knock”.  You pay the porter once you are out of the bus. 
6. Take the Medical Spanish selective.  If you have any kind of Spanish background (even if it is just Spanish 101) sign up for medical Spanish.  The course meets twice a week during lunch hour and is time well spent.  You will learn a great deal of medical vocabulary and have the opportunity to test your mettle in several patient interviews (en Español, of course).  It will definitely come in handy if you plan to do your clinical rotations anywhere in the US.  Or Spain.