Cutting precisely on the lines, making sure I didn’t stray and accidently cut out part of an article, I carefully extracted the Sudoku puzzle from the daily newspaper before my father came to the breakfast table to read it. Then, working as fast as I could, I began deciphering the puzzle, eliminating numbers I knew didn’t belong in a certain box and writing, in tiny print, all the numbers that could potentially fit. Gradually, as the pieces came together, the completed puzzle unfolded. I glanced at the clock, scarfed down my cereal (which had gone soggy), and raced out the door just in time to catch the bus. During my hour long bus ride to school I would reflect on how I had solved the puzzle, wondering if there was a better way to approach
…show more content…
The process of taking bits of information and synthesizing them into an integrated whole captivates me. In college I explored the connectedness between subjects in my studies of psychology, biology, and chemistry. I found it fascinating that all of these topics were interconnected and that one could directly affect another. For example, a genetic mutation in the genome can lead to an underdeveloped organ, which may result in lower hormone production and lead to a psychological disorder. Likewise, environmental factors can influence gene expression, leading to the up- or down-regulation of hormones which in turn affect mood and psychopathology. Unraveling the mystery of how the body works pulls at the puzzle-solver in me and leaves me yearning to learn more. For this reason, I am drawn to the field of medicine and the opportunity to form connections and disentangle …show more content…
This endless supply of puzzles can be likened to the perpetual number of diseases in medicine and a doctor’s job to solve the mysteries. By beginning with a simple 9x9 grid, one learns the basics of Sudoku and the tricks to solving a puzzle faster and more accurately. Once this small grid has been completed, new challenges can be found in the 12x12 and 16x16 grids. It is at this point in the process of understanding where including others, such as fellow classmates or a team of healthcare professionals, becomes more advantageous and invites fresh ideas, expanding the possibility of discovering a solution to a particular problem or managing a disease as a whole. I find this pattern of confronting challenges and working with others similar to my education: my undergraduate studies represented a 9x9 grid in which I worked primarily independently, and now I am preparing for the challenge of medical school, a 12x12 grid, in which working collaboratively with others will benefit my ultimate understanding and learning. Furthermore, medical school will provide me with the knowledge necessary to confidently move on to the challenges of a 16x16 grid encountered during residency and future practice. While my knowledge is limited in comparison to what is to come, I am prepared to make mistakes and learn from them. After all, not every puzzle
The process of taking bits of information and synthesizing them into an integrated whole captivates me. In college I explored the connectedness between subjects in my studies of psychology, biology, and chemistry. I found it fascinating that all of these topics were interconnected and that one could directly affect another. For example, a genetic mutation in the genome can lead to an underdeveloped organ, which may result in lower hormone production and lead to a psychological disorder. Likewise, environmental factors can influence gene expression, leading to the up- or down-regulation of hormones which in turn affect mood and psychopathology. Unraveling the mystery of how the body works pulls at the puzzle-solver in me and leaves me yearning to learn more. For this reason, I am drawn to the field of medicine and the opportunity to form connections and disentangle …show more content…
This endless supply of puzzles can be likened to the perpetual number of diseases in medicine and a doctor’s job to solve the mysteries. By beginning with a simple 9x9 grid, one learns the basics of Sudoku and the tricks to solving a puzzle faster and more accurately. Once this small grid has been completed, new challenges can be found in the 12x12 and 16x16 grids. It is at this point in the process of understanding where including others, such as fellow classmates or a team of healthcare professionals, becomes more advantageous and invites fresh ideas, expanding the possibility of discovering a solution to a particular problem or managing a disease as a whole. I find this pattern of confronting challenges and working with others similar to my education: my undergraduate studies represented a 9x9 grid in which I worked primarily independently, and now I am preparing for the challenge of medical school, a 12x12 grid, in which working collaboratively with others will benefit my ultimate understanding and learning. Furthermore, medical school will provide me with the knowledge necessary to confidently move on to the challenges of a 16x16 grid encountered during residency and future practice. While my knowledge is limited in comparison to what is to come, I am prepared to make mistakes and learn from them. After all, not every puzzle