Sos booklet

S.O.S. Secrets Of Success The Ultimate Guide : MCG, Augusta, and You EDITORS

BROOKS FICKE PHILIP ROBB JR.

Secrets Of Success Augusta, MCG and You

Editors

Philip Robb Brooks Ficke

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Dearest MCG Matriculate, Congratulations on being accepted to our favorite medical school! We don’t love it for the myriad academic and research opportunities, nor because we host the Masters (golf’s most prestigious tourney), nor because we found the cure for pellagra (it’s true – look it up!), but because of the close-knit family of people that make up MCG. So now, all you have to do is make the easiest decision of your life and meet us here in Augusta to become a physician.

This little packet of love was designed to make the transition into MCG as smooth and natural as possible. It was created by current students who wish we had this sort of thing when we were in your shoes! We figured that since we had helped each other so much this year, we ought to pass our collected knowledge on to you. In this book lies the true spirit of MCG – the willingness to help your classmates and future colleagues excel. This spirit outlasts any love of college sports or SEC football (well, maybe not) because when you leave here…. you’re a doctor – and so are all of your friends!

This book will tell you everything about the process of becoming a doctor at MCG, from orientation and class registration to good places to propose in Augusta. Ok, so maybe we’ll let you find the places to propose on your own, but everything else will be covered in this comprehensive guide to medical school the MCG way. Though we would love for med school to be like an episode of Scrubs (and though I once saw a guy kicking field goals with a bedpan by the cafeteria), we hope this book will give you a more realistic picture of what to expect from MCG and Augusta.

So please, kick back and read this puppy, and hopefully you will find it somewhat entertaining as well as extremely informative.

Philip Robb Jr. Brooks Ficke

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Table of Contents Introduction

Foreword 1 Table of Contents 2 Getting Started 3 Email/Student Account 3 Immunizations 4 Insurance 4 Parking 5 Books and Supplies 5 Scholarships Relocation Guide Address/Registration Post Offices Utilities Where Should I Live Areas of Town Out of State Student Are Ya?

8 10 10 12 12 13 14 17

Student Life at MCG 19 Curriculum 19 Exams and Study Tips 22 Five People to Know for 1st Year 24 Student Services 28 Student Organizations 31 Honor Council 31 Research 32 International Travel 35 Dating and Marriage 37 MCG Traditions 38 Help Wanted 40 Places to Study and Get Coffee On-Campus Study Spots Off-Campus Study Spots Coffee

41 41 42 42

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Getting Outdoors Canoeing and Kayaking Hiking and Biking Trips

Life Outside of School Introduction Fun & Games Sports Movies Recreation/Outdoors Golf Staying in Shape at MCG Educational/Historical Music Festivals/Fairs Sporting Events Theatre Nightlife

47 47 48 49 49 50 52 54 57 57 59 60 60 61

Restaurants On Campus Close to Campus Augusta’s Top Spots

64 64 64 68

The Necessities of Life Shopping Salons, Spas, & Barber Shops Veterinarians Dry Cleaners Mechanics Places of Worship

72 72 73 74 74 75 75

Afterword

78

44 44 46 47

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GETTING STARTED Erin Fynan So you have just received your acceptance letter, and after kicking both shoes off in a fit of joy, you are about to reach for your favorite cold beverage to celebrate this milestone achievement in your life… Go ahead! You’ve earned it! Let us be among the first to congratulate you on your acceptance to the Medical College of Georgia – we would be honored if you would become “our most junior colleagues” (that’s a joke you’ll understand when you get here). Now this is too far ahead for you to see right now, but in a week or so you will begin to freak out as you realize you are going to be moving to a new place where everything is foreign and all the comforts of your old college town are miles and miles away – this book was designed to uncover Augusta’s glory and you may just find that some of your collegiate favs are hidden in the second largest city in our state. This section is here to let you know what you NEED to do and what you DON’T need to do, so listen up, sit back and enjoy the ride…

Email/Student Account:

You’re about to start “The Medical School Marathon” that will be referenced many times in orientation, but the analogy parallels reality incredibly well. Setting up your MCG email account and accessing your student account online is like tying your shoes before you take those first steps. Once you have sent in your deposit, you should receive an email with a username and password and information on how to set up your email account. This username and password will also be used for your student account, called “Pulse.” The first part of your GRU email address will serve as your NetID or username. Login to your Microsoft Outlook e-mail BEFORE you login to PULSE. Once your password has been changed in Microsoft Outlook or at the GRU NetID page, the new password is also your PULSE password. If you have any questions, you can contact the IT Service Desk at 706-721-4000.

Your email account, student account and other important websites can be found at https://portal.georgiahealth.edu/portal/page/ portal/MyMCG/Login. A login area as well as popular links are on the right side of the screen. You can log in to “MyMCG” or choose from the

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individual link you need on the right side. Links include: 1. GeorgiaVIEW Vista 8 – This is where you will find important information for your classes. It will have links for each component, an interactive schedule with links to the class packets, as well as other instructional tools. They will explain how to set this up during orientation.

2. Microsoft Outlook – This is the email server for MCG. 3. JagCard – Once you set up your JagCard, you can go here to deposit funds (Jag Cash) for on-campus dining, vending machines and printing. It’s easy and fast but not necessary.

4. One45 – This is used for evaluations and grading.

5. Pulse – This is your student account. You can view your financial aid status, pay tuition, print transcripts and view your classes.

(Registration is automatic. Also, don’t worry that it says classes are from 8-5 every day. You’ll have class from 8 a.m. to noon most days with afternoon activities for a couple of hours about three days a week.)

Immunizations: The rest of your life you are going to be surrounded by sick people. That being said, MCG requires that you get loaded up with shots before you get here. Don’t worry, though; most of these you got as a baby: v Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) – 2 doses v Polio – primary series v Diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis – primary series and booster v Varicella (chickenpox) – series of 2 or documented immunity or history of disease v Hepatitis B – series of 3 and a positive titer v PPD (tuberculosis test) – within 3 months of starting at MCG and annually thereafter

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All of these shots can be obtained at your local health department or at GRUstudent health, and some of them may be covered by insurance.

For more information, visit www.georgiahealth.edu/shs/immuniz.htm or call Student Health at 706-721-7468.

Insurance: GRU requires that you have health insurance. If you are entering medical school uninsured, you can get covered through a GRU-affiliated provider, paying through your Pulse account. The bottom line is this: if you are covered by private insurance that meets GRU’s requirements, you don’t need to buy GRU’s. The rules for exemption are found in Table A of the link below. If you plan to use private insurance, submit a waiver on the website and obtain email confirmation. For more information, visitwww.studentinsurance.com/Schools/GA/MCG. Parking: Registering for parking can be an interesting process here. It’s fine to put it off until you get your Student ID badge during orientation.

Your second option is, before May, visit www.georgiahealth.edu/psd/ PrkgandTranspSvcs/ParkingTransportationSvcsHomePage.htm and complete the Vehicle Registration Form online. For those of you who enjoy the royal treatment, personal parking spots are available for just a bit more. ü Non-Reserved Parking: $25 per month / $300 per year ü Reserved Parking: $60 per month / $720 per year Surface parking location dedicated to a single vehicle.

Most students find non-reserved parking sufficient, although spots may be harder to come by if you suffer from chronic “snooze buttonitis.” If you require consistency or just hate five-minute walks, that reserved spot is probably more your cup of tea. With the reserved spots, you also can park in non-reserved areas if you have a meeting that’s far from your spot, but it’s frowned upon. Just FYI, parking tickets are $25, and the parking office will forgive one per year if you go by and ask them to. You can also sell your parking pass back at the end of first year if you won’t be in Augusta for the summer for $100. The parking office

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is located in Annex 2 on 15th Street. For more information, visit http:// www.georgiahealth.edu/psd/prkgandtranspsvcs/ParkingOffice.htm or call 706-721–2953.

Books and Supplies: At some point you will receive a list with enough required and recommended books to supply a small library. DO NOT BUY THEM! Many first-year students arrive having already purchased all of the required books and they are quick to regret it. Faculty provide lecture notes for first-year students that contain nearly all of the information tested. Also, many second-, third- and fourth-year students send mass emails throughout the year begging you to buy their books. The bookstore will not refund your money for returning a “required” book, so unless you really like to study with textbooks, wait until the first week and feel out what you think you’ll need. The following books are generally helpful for the first module to supplement the mountain of notes you’ll be given: Anatomy: 1. Atlas of Human Anatomy, 5th Edition by Frank H. Netter • Affectionately called “Netters” – you will become quite familiar with Dr. Netter and you may even share some meals together at 3am cramming for an anatomy lab practical – this is all normal – don’t fret.

2. Clinically Oriented Anatomy 6th Edition, K.L. Moore and A.F. Dalley, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2005 • Tenderly referred to as “Moore” – the take-away point from this book is the blue boxes – they are clinical correlations related to the pertinent anatomy – KNOW THE BLUE BOXES!

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Histology: 1. Wheater’s Functional Histology, 5th ed. B. Young and J.W. Heath Churchill, Livingstone, 2006.

• Known as “Wheaters,” nothing tender or affectionate here. Not my favorite subject, but a useful textbook for helping you survive.

Printing Although first-year students receive lecture notes, be prepared to spend $$$ to print them. Here are a couple options: (1) The campus library is convenient but charges 7 cents a page (10 cents if you don’t use your JagCard). (2) Buy a printer, but be prepared to buy ink cartridges and lots of paper (at least 5,000 sheets a week).

Enjoy your summer: Enjoy what freedom you have left. Your summers will be busy from this point on, so do something fun, travel, be lazy, fly a kite, ride a bike, whatever. Make some great memories that you will be able to refer back to in order to keep you going while studying late into the night.

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Financial Aid Kelsey White If you thought undergraduate education was expensive, hang on to your britches! Most students pay a hefty price to add “M.D.” to their signatures. But take heart! GRU provides merit- and need-based scholarships. Call the Financial Aid Office at 706-721-4901 to see if you qualify. Furthermore, if you know where to look and are willing to spend some time researching the topic, there are other ways to lessen the burden of medical school tuition. This list is NOT comprehensive, but it should point you in the right direction: Military/Government-Sponsored Programs Armed Services Health Professions Scholarship Program This program, funded by the U.S. military, covers tuition, books, fees and supplies and includes a stipend for living expenses . The program is offered by the Navy, Air Force and Army and requires a commitment to serve as a medical officer after medical school. The scholarships can be taken as two-, three- or four-year contracts, and you owe in service time the number of years the military paid for your school. There are no restrictions on what specialty of medicine you can enter. For more information, contact: Navy: 800-622-7419 Air Force: 770-432-1552 Army: 803-735-0256 National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program This program covers tuition, books, fees and supplies and includes a monthly stipend in return for a year-for-year commitment to serve in the National Health Service Corps after graduation. (The minimum service time is two years.) Instead of a military commitment, however, students commit to practice a primary care specialty at an NHSC-approved facility in a Health Professional Shortage Area. For more information, visit: http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarship/.

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Georgia Board for Physician Workforce Medical Student Scholarship Program To be eligible for this program, students must demonstrate a “strong commitment” to practice medicine in rural Georgia (a Board-approved Georgia county having a population of 35,000 or fewer persons).

Students accepted to this program will receive one year of support and will submit a renewal application each year. The award amount is subject to change, depending on the state budget, but will provide up to $20,000/year. For more information on this program, please visit: http://gbpw.georgia.gov/scholarship-programs or call (404)232-7972.

American Medical Association The AMA offers several scholarship programs each year, including: Minority Scholars Award -- Twelve first- or second-year medical students from ethnic groups underrepresented in medicine are awarded $10,000 annually. Recipients are nominated by their medical schools. Contact Student Affairs at 706-721-5115 for more information.

For more information about AMA scholarships, visit: www.ama-assn. org/ama/pub/about-ama/ama-foundation/our-programs/medicaleducation.page?.

American Medical Women’s Association AMWA awards two $1,000 scholarships annually to female MCG students who epitomize the organization’s goals. Financial need is also considered. For more information, visit www.amwa-doc.org/.

Private Scholarship Programs Many private organizations offer scholarships to students who meet certain criteria of interest to their mission statements. Some of them are pretty lucrative! Some examples: The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans This program awards 30 fellowships of up to $25,000 in maintenance grants and up to $20,000 in tuition support for up to two years of graduate study in any advanced degree program in the United States. To qualify as a “New American,” you or (at least) one of your parents must

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have been born outside the United States and become a naturalized U.S. citizen. For more information, visit: www.pdsoros.org/competition/ index.cfm.

Chinese American Medical Society This society awards three named scholarships of varying amounts to three to five medical and/or dental students each year, with two of these slots reserved for students who submit a personal letter and a letter from the dean demonstrating financial hardship. To apply, visithttp://chineseamericanmedicalsociety.cloverpad.org/Default. aspx?pageId=1070535.

RELOCATION GUIDE Alexis Bashinski If you are becoming a citizen of the great city of Augusta, you’ll have to pay the price for the privilege. You’ll need to officially change your mailing address, change the address on your driver’s license and register your vehicle in the county. If you want to be a true citizen, you’ll want to register to vote as well. My adventures in citizenship were quite trying, so hopefully these steps will make your quest a little less stressful. If you don’t remember anything else, make sure you do these things in the order listed below!

1. Change of Address https://moversguide.usps.com/?referral=USPS You can do this online, or stop by a post office to pick up the form. You can specify the date to begin forwarding. After this is set up, you can apply to have the address on your driver’s license updated.

2. License Address http://www.dds.ga.gov/drivers/index.aspxFile your change of address through the U.S. Postal Service first, then complete an online form. You’ll receive a new license within 30 days. Out-ofstaters will need to apply for a license in person within 30 days of moving and must provide proof of Georgia residency via a recent

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bank statement or utility bill, rental contract or receipt of rent payment, paycheck or letter from employer, or the Georgia driver’s license of a parent or spouse. A helpful website: http://www.DMV. org Augusta DMV 3423 Mike Padgett Hwy Augusta, GA 30916 706771-7815

Evans DMV 4408 Evans to Locks Road Evans, GA 30809 706-860-3616

3. Vehicle registration, tags and title http://www.arctax.com/secondary.aspx?pageID=146 Current Georgian, new Augustan: After you change the address on your license, you will be in the system and should be contacted about two months before your birthday to complete your vehicle registration and get stickers for your tag (see below if you have to go to the tag office).

New Georgians: Register within 30 days of moving. Bring your: • Georgia driver’s license (see above) • Title application (http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov/forms/pdf/ motor/mv-1.pdf) • Current title • Proof of insurance • Recent vehicle emissions test • Your wallet (including a checkbook) Vehicle Tag Offices Main License Tag Office

South Augusta Tag Office

491 Laney Walker Blvd Augusta, GA 30901 706-821-2476 2029 Lumpkin Road Augusta, GA 30906 706-821-2476

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4. Voting Registration: Visit www.sos.georgia.gov/elections/voter_registration/voter_ Reg_app.htm POST OFFICES Surrey Center 483 Highland Avenue Augusta, GA 30909

Main Augusta Office 525 8th Street Augusta, GA 30901

Hill Station 1434 Stovall Street Augusta, GA 30904

Forest Hills 3301 Wrightsboro Road Augusta, GA 30909 UTILITIES

1. Water Apply in person at the Augusta Utilities Department to establish an account and bring a driver’s license or Social Security number and paperwork indicating ownership of the property or a lease agreement. Same-day service is generally available, and the fee is $25.

Locations:

2760 Peach Orchard Road, 706-842-3050 530 Greene Street, 706-821-1851

2. Home Trash Collection The fee is $302.00 per year for one garbage bin, and a recycling bin can be requested for free. Call 706-592-3200 if your new residence doesn’t already have a trash bin.

3. Electric Georgia Power is the only provider in this area. Next-day service is typical. A connection fee is required, and you may have to pay a deposit. Call 1-888-660-5890 or visit https://customerservice. southerncompany.com/ElectricService/startdefault.aspx.

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4. Gas, Phone and Internet Whitefence.com enables you to search for services available at your address. You can use the website to sign up for a service or contact a utility provider.

Where Should I Live?

Casey Ward Step 1: Don’t freak out…you’ll be fine! Come visit and drive around, or facebook/randomly email a rising second-year student. We’ve all been there and are willing to help!

Step 2: Decide if you want to live on campus or off campus. Visit www. georgiahealth.edu/students/campuslife/housing/index.html for oncampus options.

Pros: Easy access to library, lab, gym, etc., parking spot right next to your residence, fully furnished Cons: Some appliances are outdated. Residence Hall 4 has a shared kitchen, with only a small fridge allowed in the room.

Residence Halls 5 and 6 are completely apartment-style and you live by yourself.

Step 3: If you choose to live off campus, decide if you want to rent or buy.

Check out GRU Classifieds, accessible only to GRU students and faculty through the MyMCG website (https://portal.georgiahealth.edu/portal/ page/portal/MyMCG/Login) for information about renting, buying or finding a roommate. Log in using your username and password and click on the “Campus Resources” tab. Under “Student Links,” click on “OffCampus Housing and Roommate Listings.”

If you decide to buy, you can find good deals on properties around Augusta. Check out www.craigslist.com to get an idea of what to expect within certain price ranges. Once you know your price range

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and have an idea of the type of area where you’d like to live, contact a local real estate agent. Students have worked with Meybohm, Re/Max and Century 21. Plan on coming down for a day or two to make your decision. Also, visit www.realtor.com to see locally listed properties.

Just a side note: if you buy, you may be able to rent out your house for Masters Week. That is our Spring Break week and it’s nice to have extra cash. You’d be surprised how much people are willing to pay to be able to stay close to the golf course! Rental choices include apartment complexes, townhomes or traditional houses. Many students live in an apartment or townhome for a year, then move into a house when they know the city better. Check below to see which area has the type of home you’re looking for. Contact the complex directly or, if you’re interested in a house or townhome, drive around the neighborhood and look for “for rent” signs. Local realtors can help as well.

Step 4: Find a roommate.

Roommate options include somebody you already know, someone random from your class or an upperclassman with an extra room.

Once you get a GRU email address, access the listserv by typing classof20xxmedicineaugusta@gru.edu (Augusta campus) or classof20xxmedicineathens@gru.edu (Athens campus) in the “To” field or check around on Facebook.

Step 5: Decide where off campus you want to live.

Augusta has many different areas and neighborhoods, each with their own pros and cons. As with any city, it is important to consider safety issues. Look around the neighborhood before signing anything and as always, use common sense: don’t walk alone at night and lock your doors. Also, frequent trains can be loud and often lengthen morning commutes, so be wary of living near the tracks. If you have kids, visit www.greatschools.net to get an idea of the local school systems. If you are looking for top-ranked public schools, look in Columbia County, Goshen, and Hephzibah.

The Hill Area (Central Avenue Walton Way, etc.): Distance: 5-10 minutes from campus Atmosphere: Mostly houses, carriage houses (a small house behind a mansion), houses separated into apartments

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Pros: C lose to campus/downtown, quiet, good for running/ biking Cons: Far from grocery stores/other conveniences, older neighbors, expensive Recommended: Hickman Arms Townhomes – very close to campus, inexpensive, community swimming pool. o Enterprise Mill – convenient lofts that are very close to campus, this newly remodeled cotton mill often fills up quickly.

Around Augusta National, Surrey Center, and Highland Avenue: Distance: ~10 minutes from campus Atmosphere: Mostly houses on residential streets Pros: C loser to conveniences, good for running, may be able to rent out for Masters Cons: Older houses that may require upkeep, older neighbors Recommended: o Bransford Townhomes – a small community of townhomes near Augusta State University, recently renovated, quiet and calm. Rent is cheap enough that you can get a two-bedroom place just for yourself and have an office. Call Deborah Tyler at 888-769-1860 Washington Road (Bertram, Alexander, Stevens Creek): Distance: 10-15 minutes from campus Atmosphere: Traditional apartment complexes, townhomes Pros: Close to grocery stores, restaurants and interstate, many students Cons: Can be noisy, traffic on Washington, noise/delay from trains near Riverwatch Parkway Recommended: o Century Hills – Gated apartment complex off Alexander Road. Tennis courts, pool, car care area, on-site garage area. 706-733-0064 o Century Glen – Gated apartment complex off Alexander Road. Newer and more expensive than Hills, pool, small workout facility, tennis courts, car care area, onsite garage area. 706-738-6205

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o Stevens Creek Commons – A large apartment community off Riverwatch, these are slightly older but still very popular with students. Pool, tennis courts, fitness facility, car care area and daily continental breakfast. 706-868-5020 o Brigham Woods – Gated apartment complex off Skinner Mill Road. A very new apartment complex that is slightly more expensive. 24- hour workout facility with personal trainer, pool, tennis courts, car care center and garages.

706-738-4500

West Augusta (West Wheeler, Augusta West): Distance: 15-20 minutes from campus Atmosphere: Houses, townhomes Pros: Quiet, safe, close to Augusta Exchange and interstate Cons: Far from campus, few students, older neighbors

Wrightsboro Road(Pendleton King Park, Kissingbower) Distance: 5-10 minutes from campus Atmosphere: Houses Pros: Quiet, good for biking, easy commute, many students, safe, nice yards Cons: Not close to grocery/other conveniences, older neighbors, few have garages, older houses may require upkeep Columbia County (Martinez and Evans): Distance: 12-40 minutes from campus Atmosphere: Houses, townhomes Pros: quiet, safe, good resale value, new stores, good schools Cons: f ar from campus, more expensive, few students Recommended: • Bay Hill Townhomes

North Augusta: Distance: 10-15 minutes from campus Atmosphere: Houses, townhomes, condos Pros: I n-state tuition, close to downtown, parks, safe, good for families. Some townhomes along the river may be available for less than advertised if you ask.

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Cons: few students, little nightlife, older neighbors

South Augusta (Goshen, Hephzibah) Distance: 20-40 minutes from campus Atmosphere: Mostly houses Pros: G ood schools, quiet, close to grocery stores and other conveniences, inexpensive land Cons: Hardly any students, far from campus, nightlife and good restaurants

Out of State Student, Are Ya? Richard Rutherford Well, first off, let me congratulate you on being one of the select few of the class. It is quite an honor to get into MCG as an out-of-state resident! Most of the information in this booklet applies to out-of-state as well as in-state students, but out-of-staters must establish Georgia residency. After one year of paying out-of-state tuition, you are eligible to apply for Georgia residency (and pay much less in tuition and fees).

Visit the Registrar’s Office for an application, which requires proof of your intent to live in Georgia. This includes: 1. Moving to Georgia as soon as possible 2. Setting up a utility account in your name at your Georgia address 3. Obtaining a Georgia driver’s license 4. Insuring/registering your car in Georgia 5. Registering to vote in Georgia (and voting at your earliest opportunity) The application requires an essay explaining why you want to become a Georgia resident. Mention any of your ties to the state (other than the medical school), as well as practical issues such as your desire to establish a bank account in Georgia. If you are buying a house, file for a homestead exemption in Georgia. It would be beneficial to pay taxes in Georgia if you paid income tax to another state in the same year. (This would require getting a job.) Mention community ties such as clubs, churches or organizations. Here are some helpful resources for the “out of stater” looking to establish residency in Georgia.

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Driver’s License Office (678) 413-8400 (GA DMV)

3423 Mike Padgett Hwy Augusta, GA 30916

Tag Office

706-821-2476

Board of Elections

706-821-2814

491 Laney-Walker Blvd Augusta, GA 30901 530 Greene St. Rom 104 Augusta, GA 30901

You ask: How do I trade in my out-of-state license?

Go to the Driver’s License Office and bring your: a. Out-of-state ID b. Proof of residency (Recent utility bill/ bank statement) c. Proof of identity (birth certificate/ passport) d. Proof of citizenship (passport) You ask: How do I get a Georgia license plate and registration?

Go to the DMV and bring your: a. Title or finance papers if the title is held by a lien holder and mailing address of lien holder. b. Current out-of-state registration. c. Insurance company binder sheet. d. Odometer reading and the date you purchased the vehicle You ask: How do I register to vote?

Go to the Georgia secretary of state’s website http://sos.georgia.gov/ elections/voter_registration/voter_reg_app.htm.It is a good idea to follow up and make sure they process your application in a timely manner.

After you have done everything possible to document your intentions to become a Georgia resident you must submit the application. A committee reviews your application and decides whether you will be considered a Georgia resident. The rule of thumb is that you need to reside in Georgia at least a year before they will consider your application, so it is in your interest to establish residency as soon as possible! Good record keeping is a must and you are going to need copies of all of these important documents you’ve worked so hard to obtain. Welcome to Georgia!

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STUDENT LIFE AT MCG Curriculum Overview Erin Fynan The curriculum at MCG is exciting, challenging, and dynamic. During the first year, you’ll have didactic lectures covering basic science (physiology, biochemistry, cell biology, histology, anatomy, development, and neuroscience) as well as anatomy and histology labs. The year is divided into modules based on organ systems starting with fundamentals and musculoskeletal. First year also incorporates clinical medicine through small groups and physical diagnosis. During small groups, you get firsthand experience communicating with colleagues about cases and ethical hot topics. During physical diagnosis you get to start seeing patients and learning about patient care and how to recognize the normal vs. abnormal.

The great thing about MCG’s curriculum is that it incorporates different ways of learning material because not every student has the same learning style. You as the student also get to have input through professor evaluations and each class has two students that act as curriculum vice presidents (see next section) so that the class has representation to voice comments and concerns about our education.

The faculty members are very approachable and attentive to our concerns as a class. They strive to tailor our education so that we have the best understanding of the material possible.

Average Day: One plus of MCG’s first-year curriculum is that no two days are the same. At the beginning of each module, the students are given a colorcoded schedule that lists the lecture topics by component. From 8 a.m. until noon, there will be a combination of lectures, anatomy labs, and histology labs. Even though you may have lecture from 8 – 12 one day, it is normally broken up with breaks at each hour. Other days, there will be an hour of lecture followed by an anatomy lab or study time depending on which dissection group is working that day. Anatomy lab is broken up into two groups. When Group A dissects, Group B has free time to study and vice versa. Normally, students who did not dissect

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will come into the lab around 11:30 for the dissecting group to teach them the anatomy they revealed. This arrangement works well because it provides a time cushion for extra studying and the opportunity for students to learn the anatomy by teaching their fellow classmates.

When I first heard about this set-up I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be doing all the cutting on my cadaver. However, I soon learned that much of the cutting is tedious work that involves searching for and exposing nerves, tendons, and arteries (not the most exhilarating dissecting in the world.) So I quickly became thankful for those days I wasn’t dissecting and could enjoy a break from the smell!

In the afternoons, there will be one day reserved for a weekly Essentials of Clinical Medicine lecture, one day reserved for a 90-minute small group discussion, and one day reserved for a physical diagnosis training session. Essentials of Clinical Medicine is a class that covers topics ranging from medical ethics to epidemiology and biostatistics.

It is normally held on Monday afternoons from 1 – 3 p.m. The small group discussions meet weekly and include ten students led by two faculty facilitators who are generally MDs. In these groups, students discuss, evaluate, and debate topics presented during the ECM lecture.

Small group is a great opportunity to practice communication skills between colleagues while gaining valuable insight from classmates. It also teaches communication, which is an untestable but extremely necessary tool in this field. Physical diagnosis meets one day every other week. During physical diagnosis, you meet with a preceptor and three other students to learn clinical skills. This includes learning how to take a history as well as learning how to present that information to an attending verbally or in a write-up. It also includes workshops with standardized patients where you learn how to navigate difficult situations such as giving bad news, addressing a behavior change, or calming an angry patient. Physical diagnosis is valuable in that we begin learning clinical skills early in our education and it helps remind us why we are spending hours studying in the library.

Here is an example of a typical student schedule. Notice all of the blank areas. That is free time you can use to study, play frisbee, or whatever you need to do to be successful.

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4–5

3–4

2–3

1-2

12 - 1

Essentials of Clinical Medicine Lecture

Anatomy Group A Dissection (Group B individual study time)

9 – 10

10 – 11 11 - 12

Heart Anatomy Lecture

8–9

Monday

Small Group

Pulmonary Histology Lecture

Pulmonary Circulation Physiology Lecture

Respiratory Development Lecture

Tuesday

Clinical Correlation Lecture

Pulmonary Histology Lab

Wednesday

Physical Diagnosis: Heart and Lung Sounds

Anatomy Group B Dissection (Group A individual study time)

Lung Anatomy Lecture

Thursday

Gas Exchange and Diffusion Physiology Lecture

Pulmonary Ventilation Physiology Lecture

Friday

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Curriculum VP’s: MCG’s curriculum is unique in that many of its changes are based on student feedback. Because the curriculum is always evolving, and because the school is most interested in the students’ well-being, the administration is very active in giving students a voice in curriculum changes, policies, and implementation. Each class elects two Academic/ Curriculum VP’s who serve as liaisons for the class on issues of academics and curriculum. These students work with the module directors during testing appeals, developing schedules, and a number of other duties. Also, these student officers sit on the Phase I/II committee and the Curriculum Oversight Committee, giving the class a voice to the administration during curriculum changes.

Exams and Study Tips Jake Turrentine Exam Format: Down to business for a moment… In an effort to mimic USMLE (“National Board”) examinations, almost all exams in the Medical College of Georgia are multiple-choice with a single best answer.

(Questions with “two of the above” or “none of the above” are discouraged by the curriculum office and are rare on exams; they are not included in any USMLE exams). However, laboratory examinations, such as those in anatomy and histology, include questions where you are required to write-in the answers. These are not essays, though!

Most commonly, they consist of “identify” questions, where you simply have to write the name of the structure that is tagged. Occasionally, there are “tertiary” types of questions that ask you more than simple identification (Ex: “What nerve innervates the muscle that inserts on the area of bone indicated?”). ALL tests are given on the computer to mimic the format of the USMLE so a laptop is required.

Also, there are several types of learning assessments (used in addition to multiple-choice tests) in the Essentials of Clinical Medicine course.

Generally, these include more subjective assessments like small group discussions and group projects. Most important is the OSCE, or

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Objective Structured Clinical Skills Examination. During the OSCE, you are required to interview patients to obtain a medical history pertinent to their chief complaint. You are graded on a variety of clinical skills, including your ability to communicate with patients, your competence in the medical interview, and your ability to present a patient’s history to other medical professionals.

Each time you start a course, the syllabus will include a general description of the exam format for that course as well as the point break-down for each exam. Remember, grading at MCG is on an A-F scale, and grades are based on absolute numbers of points. This means that there is no “curve” and no standard distribution of grades that teachers are required to establish (everyone could, theoretically, make an “A”). If you earn 90% of all possible points in a course, you’ll make an “A”; with 80-89.99% of possible points, you’ll make a “B”; and with 7070.99% of possible points, a “C” and that’s as low as we will go because if you read this awesome guide to med school you will do great.

General Study Tips: You obviously studied quite well in order to get here, so you are starting with a leg up. Many people enjoy the cram philosophy of studying….

Hmm yeah…we’re going to have to tell you that this method will NOT be effective. After all, would you want the surgeon about to cut you open to just have crammed in surface knowledge regarding the procedure?

What you should shoot for is an overall understanding of the concepts.

Understand what’s happening instead of just memorizing the details (although memorization is important as well). Ask your “elders” in the classes above you how to study and they will tell you that you must start studying for a test early, and some people will suggest something even better: make studying a daily habit.

What happens to cause people to get seriously behind? Most of the time, the lectures make perfect sense while sitting in class, so the amount of material covered in a day is deceiving. The lecture audio is recorded and posted on GeorgiaVIEW Vista so it’s a good idea to listen to them more than once if you have time. After about a week has passed, you start to realize that there is actually a LOT of material to learn, and the sheer volume can become daunting. Think about it: you are in lecture for four hours every morning during the entire week,

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and you have some classes in the afternoon. By the end of a week, you will have covered twenty hours (or more) of lecture and you will have reading to do that corresponds to the lecture. In medical school, you need to learn not just general concepts but also many specific pieces of information, so it is very difficult to get behind on studying and then try to catch up. The best way to avoid this problem is to stay ahead with your reading or, at least, keep up with the material as you go along.

HUGE ADVICE HERE: READ THE MATERIAL BEFORE THE LECTURE – this way you won’t be thinking what did she say, how do I spell that, was that “homunculus”????????

Review for the United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE): ****** Do not worry about this until the end of second year – you will get grey hairs and cardiac arrhythmias for no reason! From day one, you are studying for MCG exams, USMLE Step exams, and to become a competent physician. Keep notes handy for later reference and stay organized – it will pay dividends in the end!

Many students have found it useful over the years to use some “Board Review” books beginning during the first year. Some people use these board review books as their primary textbooks, which they supplement with their class handouts and PowerPoint slides. The best thing about using these books is that they help you see what really matters for the National Board Exams (US Medical Licensing Examinations), and they help you to see how the teachers at MCG might ask test questions.

Some of the most highly recommended books are: 1) First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 – by Bhushan, Le, and Ozturk.

This is a MUST HAVE to review material during the first and second years of medical school. It is a concise, high-yield review of the material that you will cover in most of the classes during the first two years. Don’t depend ONLY on this book, but it is a good supplement to class notes.

2) Board Review Series (BRS) – Always a class favorite… Also known as the “Grid Books,” these are available for each subject, and they go into much more detail than First Aid. Also, the grid books have practice test questions organized based on the material being covered. Grid books are available in almost every topic (Anatomy, Embryology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry,

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Physiology, etc. etc.), but they are a must for Physiology. Some people also used them heavily during the Biochemistry and Neuroanatomy courses.

3) Lippincott’s Illustrated Review: Biochemistry – A very popular review and study source for the Biochemistry course, Lippincott’s follows the class notes almost exactly. Many people loved this resource during Biochemistry.

Other Random Study Tips: • Develop your own study style: Make sure to find a study style that helps you learn the material thoroughly. You should understand concepts and specific details. To do this, some suggestions from other classmates are: 1) make flashcards, 2) draw diagrams, 3) study in groups and discuss the material, 4) write out your own set of notes, 5) get into groups, divide up the material, and then try to teach each other, or 6) read the class packets over and over. Whatever you choose to do, remember to start STUDYING EARLY and don’t procrastinate! It doesn’t work in medical school!

• For laboratory courses, make sure to spend time in lab: It sounds obvious, but many people make the mistake of trying to learn everything for anatomy and histology from textbooks. To truly learn and understand anatomy, you need to spend time looking at bones, radiographs, and cadavers in lab. When you’re studying anatomy, make sure to focus on the relationships of anatomical structures to each other. For muscles, make sure to learn origin/insertion/action/innervation as you study them in lab. To truly understand histology specimens, you should make sure you look at as many different slides as possible. Follow along your lab manual and look at slides on the computer as well as under the microscope. Make sure you can identify anything in bold, and try to correlate the function of the structure with the way it looks under the microscope.

• Study the class handouts/packets as your primary source: Class handouts include the information that the teachers think is important, and that’s why you should focus on learning everything in the packet. For the test, if it’s in the packet, it’s fair game. If you don’t understand something in the packet, that’s when you should use a textbook as a back-up reference source.

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• Take frequent breaks: You will not remember anything that you study if you go for 4 or 5 hours straight. Make sure to study for about 1-2 hours, and then take a good 15-30 minute break doing something completely non-academic. Take a walk, check your e-mail, and go talk to friends, or do whatever you like – just don’t study. When you get back to studying, dedicate about 10-15 minutes to review the last thing you covered before your break, and then move on.

• Keep track of your notes for future reference. You never know when you’ll need to refer back to histology notes, either for another course or to review for the National Boards.

• When in doubt, ask students who have already done it! For tips on specific classes or exams, you can always ask upperclassmen (or even faculty!). Almost all of the second-year students will have some advice for exam taking, and some second-years will even be willing to help you review information in histology, anatomy lab, or any other topic on which you may want some specific help.

Five People to Know for First Year Rob Willson 1. Vadivel Ganapathy: Dr. Ganapathy is one of the most popular teachers at MCG. He has won nearly every teaching award imaginable and received many an homage (via class t-shirts, intramural team names, etc.) around campus. He is also one of the most personable and intelligent professors on campus. Dr. Ganapathy primarily teaches biochemistry and some physiology.

His lectures are engrossing, as he does not use PowerPoint, just his near-stream-of-conscious lecturing style and a dry erase marker. Any student would attest that Ganapathy’s lectures help understand the material extremely well and that they should not be missed. Dr. Ganapathy’s extracurricular review sessions are also extremely helpful. These sessions offer the students an opportunity to ask questions they might have about the material. It also gives Dr. Ganapathy a chance to offer invaluable help on the upcoming test.

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2. Dr. Anna Edmonson: Dr. Edmonson teaches gross anatomy.

Anyone looking to make a “derm quality grade” in these courses will probably find themselves seeking his help at some point during the school year. Dr. Edmonson is notorious for helping students in the anatomy lab, often times after hours upon request (especially the mornings before the lab practicals, take note!). She is always willing to help students, and her knowledge of anatomy is readily apparent by her in-class lectures and her lab reviews. Like Dr. Ganapathy, Dr. Edmonson gives extracurricular review sessions in class and anatomy lab that should never be missed.

3. Class President: Make sure that you know who this is in your class, or be sure to run if you are interested. The class president is an important resource for questions you might have about community involvement, upcoming tests, grades, social events, and student government. Even if they don’t have the answer, they can point you to someone who can help. Because the class president will be a valuable resource to you for any academic advice or questions you may have, make sure you show appreciation for their services, as many people in the class will seek their help at once. A note to possible presidents: take this position seriously – this is a big responsibility and meetings with many important people will be a weekly occurrence.

4. Dr. Kathleen Mckie: The Dean of Student Affairs. She is known as the “mother” of the first year students and works very closely with all levels of advising and is especially concerned with career choice and residency application advising. She coordinates events such as orientation, White Coat Ceremony, Match Day, and Hooding Ceremonies.

5. Dr. Andrew Albritton: The Associate Dean for Curriculum.

Although hidden much of the time, Dr. Albritton is a great resource. Any and all problems can be directed to him concerning school. He can be an important liaison who can make things happen that need to happen. He advises the Curriculum VPs of the class and makes necessary changes to educate us in the most efficient manner.

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Student Services Trish Faulkner MCG offers many services for its student’s convenience. You just need to know where to go to find what you need.

Where do I go if I need to... Ø Study on Campus o Student Center (The 2nd floor is generally quiet) o Library – Many people elect to grab a table or little cubby in the library – be wary – this can turn into a social hour and it may become difficult to get things done. § Study Kiosks are available § Lockers are available § Many text books are available to check-out § Study rooms are available for free (first come first serve) o Medical Student Study Rooms in the 2nd floor of the ECM building o Children’s Hospital– right off the 2nd floor main elevators- there are some tables set up- this is a good place as it is often quiet with a little background noise. Ø Student Services: Get Help Studying o If your average is a 74 or lower, you are eligible to sign up for a free tutor in the subject from the Supplemental Instruction Program. The tutors are normally secondyear students who excelled in this subject the year before. To request assistance, students can go to the Office of Diversity Affairs in CJ 1007 or call (706) 721 – 2522. More information on SIP can be found by going to http://www.georgiahealth.edu/careers/specop/sip.html Ø Buy Books/ Supplies o Student Center § Here you will find books, school supplies, medical equipment, MCG souvenirs, and snacks.

The staff in the bookstore is wonderful at

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helping you figure out which books you really need. o Amazon.com • Always a good and usually cheap place to buy books. Be careful though, wait time and shipping can be a killer. However, if you use your GRU email address to create an account, you are eligible for one year of Amazon Prime for free. This will give you free two-day shipping or $3.99 overnight shipping. It’s a great deal and allows you to get those last-minute books you need really cheap and really quickly! o Other Medical Students • This is a very popular route- many 3rd and 4th years will send out massive emails to your class asking if y’all want to buy any of their books – most times they will list all the books out with prices (very cheap prices), so this is a great option if you’re alright with having an old or highlighted version of the text. Ø Make Copies o Student Center- there is a copy machine in the main dining area o Library- There is a special room devoted just to makin’ copies, it’s on the right before you get to the librarian’s desk. *Making copies requires the use of your Jag Card Ø Use a Computer o All of campus has a secure wireless network, but you must go by the IT Help Desk in the library to get your computer configured to work with it. o GRU offers discounted software including the latest versions of Microsoft Office, Windows, and other Microsoft products which can be ordered online from www.srs.usg.edu. o Computer Labs § Library* § 2nd Floor Student Center*

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§ Medical Student Study Rooms – free printers here – if you’re top secret and very, very sneaky *Printers available to use with Jag Card for $.07 per copy Ø Get Technical Assistance Ø IT is located in the library (1st floor) – they are fantastic! They will spend day and night, every waking hour fixing your computer.

They stay in their office until 7pm during the week. Ø Find the Parking or ID Badge offices o Annex II (Located off of 15th St. across from Kroger) Ø Workout o Wellness Center in the Student Center § Has treadmills, ellipticals, stair-steppers, bikes, an indoor track, free-weights, weight machines, and basketball courts § Group Exercise Class: Aerobics, Muscle Toning, Pilates, Cycling…

• Most classes are free or only a small fee to students • Classes include: Pilates, spin class, body sculpting, yoga, ballet, jiu jitsu, and many more. § Intramurals • First-year students can form teams and play other classes and schools within MCG in sports year-round for a small fee • Professional schools are filled with competitive students: this means intramural sports can get pretty serious at MCG. The team names are always medical jargon – my softball team was called the Hepatitis A’s.

• The sports offered include: basketball, dodgeball, football, indoor and outdoor soccer, volleyball, softball, and tennis § Lockers • Lockers may be used while at the gym for free in exchange for a student ID, or they may be rented for extended use

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• Standard lockers are $60 a year, premium lockers are $120 a year Ø Get Financial Aid Information o 2nd Floor, Kelly Building (brick building where admissions is located, across the street from the CB building) Ø Make a payment o PULSE – direct payment via WebCheck (free) or credit card is an extra 2.75% but you get to acquire sky miles o In-Person – Business Office, 1st Floor, Fanning Hall on the Summerville Campus – cash, checks, money orders, or traveler’s checks Ø Send a transcript o Registrar, located on the 1st floor Kelly Building

Student Organizations MCG has a plethora of student organizations. Nearly every week is riddled with free lunches provided by various interest groups or awareness groups. This is a great asset to MCG as students are able to explore various aspects of medicine and also non-medical activities.

The organizations range from surgery interest group to chorus to MCG triathlon club. No matter where your interests lie, you will find some organization that will undoubtedly fit your fancy. The list of organizations can be found at http://www.georgiahealth.edu/students/ organizations/index.html.

Honor Council Joseph Pate Medical school at MCG does have a serious side; cutting corners and cheating are not tolerated and unprofessional behaviors are not welcome here. Studies have shown that dishonor in the classroom and wild behavior outside the classroom have been linked to licensing issues in the future. Additionally, I don’t want to send my family to a doctor who has cheated and short-cutted his way through school. So MCG has a system in place to stop this from happening – put students in charge!

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So here’s how it shakes out. Each class has five honor council representatives. Each representative serves ALL four years of medical school and cannot hold another class leadership position (president, secretary, etc.). The honor council’s role is that of serving as judiciary representatives for the School of Medicine. Also, the honor council organizes all elections and sets up the rotation lottery during our second year. These elected people need to be able to keep important information confidential which is why if I tell you anymore I will have to kill you…

If you would like more information, the link for the honor council and the honor code ishttp://www.georgiahealth.edu/medicine/honor/.

Student Research Intramural Research Philip Robb, Jr.

MCG has a plethora of research possibilities to choose from. Let me share a little story with you…

I decided to do research after my first year to stay competitive for a top specialty residency and an opportunity presented itself that was way too lovely to resist. Through undergrad, I hated research but I did it because I thought I had to. This summer I have learned many things (you may want to write this down): 1. Research can be fun. Get involved with something that you are interested in, something you could do your whole life.

Tackle something that you believe to be accomplishable, i.e. setting out to “cure cancer” may be a lofty goal and have tough implications when that doesn’t happen in one summer.

2. Get a good mentor – this part is huge – someone who is enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and student oriented (normally the younger the better because the student mentality is more fresh in their minds).

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I have also learned this summer that you DO NOT have to do research to be competitive. Many of my friends have landed incredible residencies in top specialties did not do research and they are doing fine – so it’s not necessary – but if you are interested there are many opportunities at MCG. Having research on your CV does make you more competitive for residencies because they like to see that you are pushing the limits of medicine, and it displays initiative in the field. Most of the attending physicians participate in some kind of research whether it is clinical or basic science. One thing that was unforeseen to me was that research at MCG is a great way to establish relationships with attendings and residents of specialties that you will be rotating through 3rd year.

A major resource for research here is the GRU Cancer Center. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in GA, so MCG built this 5-story, 167,000 sq ft., $54 million Cancer Research Center dedicated to research its causes and cures.

Every summer there are many programs that will fund your research interests. The main one is called the Dean’s Summer Research Fellowship (DSRF) is available to all students. There are also many discovery institutes around campus that will fund research in more specialized interests. This program must be applied for, and though the deadline usually falls in early February, you have to start work on the application much earlier than that. Basically it is a paid research program – what more could you ask for – experience and pay!! They also carry a high responsibility, and yield hospital access coupled with the respect of physicians and nurses at MCG. Many of the programs also require clinical shadowing. After your summer of research, there is a poster presentation to show off your completed work as well as an abstract submission for your education portfolio. Many students go on to present their research findings at local and national meetings and many become co-authors on peer-reviewed publications. Student research efforts covered a broad range, including laboratory-based biomedical, patient-oriented, community health, and medical education.

All first year students are encouraged to attend Research Day presentations. This forum provides an arena for students to discuss their

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work with a cross-departmental and cross-school audience of students and faculty, and for first year students, a chance to discuss research and possible research opportunities with their fellow colleagues. Summer research opportunities and programs will be introduced to this year’s first year medical students in late August.

Extramural Research Grier Gardner

For those of you who think you may want to do research but want to spend your last free summer away from Augusta there are options as well. I wanted to do research in case I later decide to go into a specialty that requires a good deal of it, but wanted to have some fun as well. I wanted to be in Washington DC so I sent TONS of emails to undergraduate alumni, family friends, and old professors to see if they could offer any suggestions. I also applied to the National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research, which is for all students whether in high school or graduate school and the American Pediatric Society has a summer research program as well that offers placements in a variety of cities and settings (including the NIH). Both of these programs are great if you aren’t really sure what you want to do because they essentially offer research positions in all different fields.

The MCG student affairs website has a list of many different extramural grants you can apply for (http://www.georgiahealth.edu/som/students/ ExtramuralResearch1.html). However, extramural research grants have a much more competitive application process than research grants at MCG, so it helps to networks and use contacts you know.

You can also chose to do something that is 100% clinical, 100% bench research or a combo of the two. I ended up working directly under a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellow at the NIH doing translational research, which is the “bench to bed-side” type. Most of what I did was in a lab, but there was some clinical involvement and the research I was doing was used for a clinical protocol for an upcoming clinical trial that was awaiting approval. They offer yearlong research programs for medical students as well, and being a summer intern is a great way to get to know a lab and other PIs that could later offer you a position in

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one of those programs if research is something you are interested in.

In a nutshell – research if you want to – you may learn 2,342 things – but it’s also fine to go out and have a good time after 1st year, because there will plenty of time to do research if you change your mind later in your career. Good Luck!

International Travel After 1st Year Jessie DeJarnette/Patrick Fannon

Well I must admit that I am biased when it comes to this subject because traveling and International Health are two of my greatest passions in life… but they’re not everyone’s cup of tea. I am of the mindset that you must make time for the things that you love in life, and since you only get one summer off in medical school, why not spend it doing what you love?

Many people chose to travel or volunteer abroad during their summer, and I don’t know anyone who has regretted that decision. While some people choose to work or do research over the summer, I think everyone needs to take at least a couple of weeks recharging the batteries of your soul. Although your first year is very exciting, it is also draining, and you need a break. Whether it’s spending a week at the beach with your family or volunteering for 3 months at a hospital in Ghana, I think getting out of Augusta for a little while is good for everyone.

To be quite honest, I was very fortunate that all of my plans fell into place smoothly with the help of a very close friend. Sometime during the fall of my first year at MCG, a friend and former colleague from Brazil asked what my plans were for the summer. This friend suggested I contact the director of an infectious disease hospital, who I’d met while working in a lab at the CDC the previous year. One e-mail led to another, which led to a confirmation, and suddenly I was buying a plane ticket and applying for a visa. Before I left for Brazil, I spoke very little Portuguese, so I had some help arranging accommodations with a family there. If you do travel abroad I would highly recommend a homestay. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the language and culture of wherever you’ll be going. If you are interested in volunteering or working abroad, my biggest piece of advice is start doing your research

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early. Either choose a place you want to go, or decide on the type of work you want to do, and go from there. The resources are endless; I spent hours scouring websites online and talking to different contacts, so be prepared for that….you will hold a little more weight after having a year of medical school under your belt, so don’t be afraid to go out on a limb and just start calling or emailing people you would want to work with. You may not get a response, but you will be surprised how many people in the international field love having students (especially American students) work with them. And network, network, network.

You never know who might know someone who knows someone who is a missionary in Thailand who would love some summer help at their clinic. Like I said, the possibilities are endless. But don’t wait until the last minute to do this. Ideally I would start around Christmas break and try to have some sort of plans by January, because second semester has a few tough modules that.

If you are interested in women’s health and Ob/Gyn, there is an opportunity to travel to Cusco, Peru with Dr. Daron Ferris. It is a one month program. During this month, you will become proficient in doing pap smears, breast exams, and screening for cervical cancer. There were also students that were funded to work while doing research at his clinic for the entire summer.

Students for Intercultural Medicine (SIM) is sort of the “International Health” interest group on campus, and has trip presentation meetings during the fall showing our pictures and giving stories from where everyone went over the summer. We had students in South and Central America, Africa, and Asia, just to give you some ideas of the sort of things that are out there. We will be sending out informational emails on this, so be on the lookout for those.

So in a nutshell: The possibilities are endless during the first year summer – the class scatters all over the world – just do your research and you will find something! Remember, you have the rest of your life to work….why not take 3 months off to do what you love?

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Dating and Marriage in Med School Richard Rutherford and Dick Herman

From a Married Student: Medical school is difficult and being in a relationship makes it even more difficult. Hate to be brutally honest, but it’s true. When most of your single classmates are holed up in the library focusing on their studies, you will find that abandoning your significant other for a week to study for your next test doesn’t do wonders for your relationship. When I applied to medical school, I dutifully asked the married students about how they “balanced” medical school with their family life. Everybody had a different answer, and despite my best efforts, I never discovered the formula that told me how much time to spend with my spouse during a test week. A relationship isn’t an equation that you can balance and expect to work every time. If you are committed to your relationship you can expect to spend less time with the books and more time with your significant other. You can expect to have to manage your time better than your single classmates, and if you aren’t diligent it can impact your studies.

My lessons learned from my first year are these: First, time is a precious resource during the first year. Use it wisely and make time for your significant other, whether it’s setting up a lunch date or coordinating your study breaks so you can spend time together. Second, display adaptability. If what you’re doing isn’t working, make some changes! If your spouse doesn’t recognize you when you come back from a week at the library, you may need to spend more time at home. One last piece of advice is to make sure to really let go of medical school when you decide to take a break with your loved one. You’re wasting everybody’s time if you’re thinking about biochemistry when you take your “sweet thing” for that long-awaited dinner out.

Married with Children Augusta can be a great place to raise a family. If you are one of the few married students/parents beginning medical school (there are actually a lot more married students here than you would think), there is a plethora of activities for families/kids to do around town. Plus if your kids are anything like mine, they cannot be cooped up indoors all day…

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even on the hottest of Augusta summer days. There are frequent events (almost all are family-friendly) going to the Riverwalk park downtown, from concerts to festivals to the huge fountain that runs full time for a great place to get soaked on those warmer days. There are also fun things to do at Hammond’s Ferry across the river in North Augusta, SC, from farmer’s markets to BBQ cook-offs. The Augusta Canal, Savannah River and North Augusta Greeneway offer great places to picnic, bird watch, and swim or go for a jog (even if you have a double stroller and a dog to bring along*). Augusta is absolutely full of young families so you will be in good company.

Though medical school is quite time consuming, it is possible to find time to spend with loved ones every day and even take days or weekends off from time to time. If you are proactive about time management, and are willing to set some priorities to live by, you can definitely raise a family here while still being a good student. If you really stay on top of things you might even have a good time doing it!

For those of you who are still worried about trying to commit to two huge endeavors, school and family, consider those poor single soles whose best companion is an anatomy text book in a dark corner of the library. In a lot of ways, being able to take care of your loved ones can be very rewarding and gives you a much needed break from your studies, not to mention the support that they can offer you. Honestly, we’ve got the upper hand! *NOTE: Pendleton King Park is 2.5 miles from MCG and has an off-leash dog park and two great play grounds for big kids and little kids.

MCG Traditions Brooks Ficke First Week Socials: During the first week of class, the 2nd year students throw social events for the 1st years. Each event is held at a different place so you can start to know your way around Augusta. Come out and meet us and your new classmates!

White Coat Ceremony: After a month of school, MCG hosts a very formal ceremony to present you with your white coat. This is during

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family weekend, and most students invite parents, siblings, or significant others to come and celebrate with them. This is a great time to remind yourself why you are here.

TGIF: MCG Student Government hosts monthly free events, such as cookouts, movie nights, and a casino night. These are a good chance to meet some of the students from the other schools.

Raft Debate: A surgeon, an internist and an obstetrician are aboard a sinking ship. Their only escape is a one-person raft. Who should be the sole survivor? This is a fun-filled afternoon where students and faculty gather to hear the each physician’s case before a vote is taken. Every year this event gets more witty and entertaining, including costumes, poetry, and much pandering to the student crowd - the only time you’ll get to see your attendings work for your applause.

Freshman Brawl: Your class social chairs will set up this party at the end of exam week. It’s a great way to celebrate the end of your first semester, and usually a couple professors will come out too.

Doctor Prom: Every spring, the medical students trade in their white coats for tuxes and heels for this classy event that includes all four years of students along with the faculty and administration. Free drinks and a live band make this a great chance for everyone to hit the dance floor. If your significant other lives out of town, let them know the date early so they can sure to be here for this event!

MedWAR: The Southeast Medical Wilderness Adventure Race is put on every year by volunteers from the 1st and 2nd year classes along with faculty from the Department of Emergency Medicine. For MedWAR, teams of 4 compete in a 12-15 mile foot, bike, and canoe race across the wilderness of Fort Gordon with medical scenarios and questions scattered along the way. Usually a number of MCG teams come out, and last year MCG’s “Team 3” was in 1st place!

Match Day: For one of the biggest (and final) days of our med school careers, MCG goes all out, inviting family and friends to celebrate as you find out where you’ve matched for residency in a ceremony hosted by Dean Peter Buckley.

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Help Wanted?

Rob Willson Medical school is meant to be a challenging experience. Every student, at some point in their medical school career, will encounter a situation where they do not perform as well as they had hoped. In order to be successful in medical school, it is important to be able to ask for help when faced with these situations. The important thing to remember is that the majority of students in your medical school class will seek help from the academic advisors, tutors, and counselors at some point during the year. Here are some important people to know when things aren’t going as well as you would like.

Module directors for 1st year: Anatomy: Carol Nichols, canichols@gru.edu Histology: Dale Sickles, dsickles@gru.edu Development: Anna Edmondson, aedmondson@gru.edu Biochemistry: Puttur Prasad, pprasad@gru.edu Physiology: Mike Brands, mbrands@gru.edu Essentials of Clinical Medicine (ECM): Chris Fly, cfly@gru.edu Neuroanatomy: A.K. Gulati, agulati@gru.edu Psychiatry: Donna Londino, dlondino@gru.edu Most of these faculty members have been at MCG for years and have dedicated themselves to you and your success; they will do everything in their power to help you succeed in the course they are teaching. They are easy to approach, and easy to talk to. If you are having difficulties or need advice and want to contact them, it is always better to consult them early in the semester or immediately following an unsatisfactory performance on an exam. The longer you wait to contact them, the less help they will be able to offer.

Tutors are also available for each of the above listed subjects. The tutors are typically second-year students endorsed by the course director of the subject they are tutoring. All tutors are very knowledgeable in their particular subject and genuinely want to help. Students who make use of the tutors typically see a significant increase in their next test grade.

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If you receive a C (74) or lower on two tests in succession, a free tutor will be assigned to you. For more information on tutoring, contact the Office of Diversity Affairs at (706) 721-2522 or visit their office in CJ 1007.

PLACES TO STUDY AND GET COFFEE Disha Chhabra These topics are so important, they get their own sections of this book.

You’ll need a lot of changes of scenery while studying to preserve your sanity, and if you don’t drink coffee yet, you’ll probably start soon.

On-Campus Study Spots: 1st and 2nd year study rooms – 3rd floor of CJ building (Pavilion III) – These are great places for studying alone or in a group. Small, quiet rooms with chalkboards or whiteboards, the only problem is that they are often used for classes in the afternoons. These rooms are accessible 24/7. The code to enter the rooms is 1111*.

Greenblatt Library – Your classic library, there are many great places to study here. I recommend sitting by the bay windows upstairs so you can watch the helicopters taking off. If you’re feeling social, the tables downstairs are in view of the entrance so you can see and chat with anyone who comes in. The library isn’t open all the time, but if it’s closed, you should probably be taking a break anyways.

Student Center upstairs – If you like studying with background noise, this is the place to be. Music and voices drift over from the food court, and there are often tables set up for events (especially free food giveaways).

Histology Rooms – Good-sized classrooms, these are right next to the microscope lockers and convenient for studying histology, especially when you have a group together quizzing each other on slides. The histology study room on the 2nd floor is pretty old, but it’s the only place you can watch videos of the histology labs, so it’s very useful if you tend to sleep in.

CL building, room 1101 (classroom) – the first lecture hall. It’s a nice spot if you need a giant whiteboard.

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Off-Campus Study Spots: If you’re like me, you can’t stand being trapped on campus 24/7 and will need other places to study. When it’s nice out, you should definitely take advantage of Augusta’s outdoor spaces for studying, such as Savannah Rapids Park and the Riverwalk, Augusta Commons downtown (free wireless), and Pendleton King Park off Wrightsboro Road. When it gets cold, there are plenty of places to hide and study if you need to get away and concentrate. GRU’s Summerville campus has many secret spots, the Columbia County Public Library is very nice, and Barnes & Noble has plenty of seats. Also, many restaurants make good places to meet people for a study dinner – I’m partial to the Atlanta Bread Company, but Panera is good too and Moe’s Southwest Grill’s patio is great on a nice evening.

Coffee: Abbi’s Coffee Mill and Roastery– 502 Furys Ferry Road, Suite 1

Great for Columbia county residents. Free wireless.

This is a very cute little coffee shop with live music on the weekends. The coffee is well priced and the place has a very comfortable and homey environment. The tables are few, but it usually isn’t very crowded.

Atlanta Bread Company – Augusta Exchange A place where you can get your study on and get delicious munchies, too. Free wireless and has both snacks and meals.

Dunkin’ Donuts – 3024 Washington Road Situated right across the street from Starbucks on Washington Road, the coffee is cheap and there are lots of high-calorie snack foods to go around.

Metro A Coffeehouse – 1054 Broad Street The place tends to be smoky inside, but the outdoor tables are a perfect to study on a nice day. The coffee is decent and if you decide to sit inside, earplugs may be a good idea because the music tends to be pretty loud. Metro is also a bar, so once you are done studying, you don’t have to go very far for some relaxation.

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New Moon Café For all you Hot Corner residents of Aiken, here is your new haven. The place is equipped with lots of delicious vegan food, free internet, and a bottomless cup of coffee. The coffee is great and they even have a selection of iced teas (including anti-sweet T).

Panera Bread – Augusta Exchange Comfortable and roomy with both snacks and meals. My only study complaint is that they call the names of the orders – this can be distracting but if you’re not bothered by these things be my guest.

Starbucks Coffee - Augusta Exchange, 3018 Washington Road, Mullins Crossing, Augusta Mall, and 1234 Knox Avenue (N. Augusta) The Starbucks on Washington is open the latest in Augusta (around 11 or 12), so even though it is cliché, it works if you are a night person. The AC tends to be on high usually so bring a sweatshirt.

On campus, you can find coffee in the Terrace Café (the cafeteria), GRU Student Center, library coffee shop/café, and in the coffee shop in the faculty building on Harper St. If you want a real latte, flavored coffee, or chai tea, I’d check out library coffee shop/cafe in the library. Lecture breaks give you just enough time to make it.

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GETTING OUTDOORS Michael Chang and Matt Stewart

Canoeing and Kayaking Around Augusta: Augusta is fortunate to have two easily accessible waterways right in town. The Augusta Canal and the Savannah River run parallel to each other and provide quick outdoor fixes. My canoe’s maiden voyage in Augusta started slow and easy on the Augusta Canal, a calm ride with a fairly strong current, historically a passage for trade. Back in the day, they walked horses along the Canal road (Augusta Levee Rd) to pull ships and barges toward their respective points of sale. Now, the Canal is a place to regale a date with stories of compassion and heroism in ECM (paddling downstream) or to tone the traps and biceps (paddling upstream). The Canal road is a popular place to run, walk, and bike, and it is dog-friendly. There’s a meadow between Eisenhower Park and I-20, about half a mile from the park, where dogs can socialize (and you can use your dogs to meet potential dates).

Points of Interest - The Augusta Canal: The canal starts at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion (www.savannahrapids.com), a nice, well-developed complex with easy boat launches, excellent views of the Savannah, and lots of parking. This is the head of the Canal road as well, so marathon trainers can start here and run a 17-mile round trip to the Riverwalk downtown. Drive your boats down the gravel road past the little white building to access the dock and some low banks on the Canal. If you want to put in on the river, drive a little further down the gravel road and walk your boats over the bridge. On the other end of the bridge are stairs to the river.

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Eisenhower Athletic Complex and Park: The park is at the end of Eisenhower Drive, which branches off Washington Rd between IHOP and the main gate of Augusta National. When you pull into the park, turn right after the railroad tracks and follow that road down to the parking lot and footpath. A footbridge crosses the Canal and brings you to the Canal road.

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The Dirt Road: Also known as Goodrich Street (from Broad St, head north on Eve St, cross the bridge and railroad tracks, and it’ll be on your left), this dirt/gravel road becomes the

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Canal road and is the golden ticket to both the Canal and the Savannah River. o At the end of this road is a parking lot close to the Eisenhower Park footbridge. o About halfway along the road, just past the S-curve and the RR crossing, is a rock wall fit for rappelling and climbing, and below that rock wall is Green Creek, which leads to the river. This is a great put-in/ take-out if you want to paddle around on the Savannah and you only have one vehicle. It’s also a good crossing point between the river and the canal.

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Alligators have been known to live in Augusta, but they’re likely people shy and scared of big things (people, boats, tubes).

We’ve paddled and tubed in both the River and the Canal, and we’ve never seen one, but as with anything, be careful. Dogs can play in the river, but keep them away from the banks of the canal (advice from an M.D. at MCG).

The Savannah River As the name implies, this river will take you to Savannah if you’re wellequipped and motivated. In dry months, the river can be pretty low and rocky, but we still have had a lot of fun canoeing, kayaking, and tubing it. There are some laid back Class 1 rapids and, after a good rain, at least one decent Class 2, which is river left and about half a mile past the meadow. Below the Class 2, you’ll find that the river smooth’s out, large houses appear on the South Carolina bank, and motor boats frequent the area. Stick to river right and when you see a tall concrete structure and a rope swing on the left bank, Green Creek will be on your right.

Outdoor Rentals Augusta Wilderness Outfitters, Ltd. (AWOL) 2328 Washington Road Augusta,GA 30904 (706) 738-8500 getawol.com Broadway Bait & Tackle 1730 Broad Street Augusta, GA 30904 (706) 738-8848 www.broadwaytackle.com $40/boat/day—canoe only (includes paddle and PFD)

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Hiking and Biking Around Augusta: Augusta occupies a prime location with access to many outstanding outdoor opportunities. The local canal offers a wide open 6 mile path for walking and biking, which also has access to a river. Additionally there is a 2-3 mile trail located near the dam at the beginning of the canal path, which is an excellent place for beginning mountain bikers, intimate walks in the woods, and walking dogs. The canal can be accessed by heading north on Eve St. and then turning left on a dirt road and following it a to a parking lot. Additional access off of Washington Road is also available.

Augusta is located approximately 3.5 hours away from the mountains of north Georgia, which offers superb hiking and biking. The north Georgia Mountains offer stunning views and are home to the southern terminus of the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail, Springer Mountain. Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge near Spring Mountain along Highway 53 is great place to spend a sunny fall afternoon. Day hikes and multi-day hikes can be easily organized out of Dahlonega or Helen, GA along the Appalachian Trail or various side trails. Helen hosts an Oktoberfest each year for one month that is sure to satisfy all southern cultural cravings. The north Georgia Mountains also provide amazing roads for challenging road cycling and great trails for mountain biking at Bull and Jake Mountains.

If you enjoy riding bicycles, Augusta boasts an excellent and close-knit cycling community. Due to the lack of mountains, road cycling is much more accessible than mountain biking. The country roads of South Carolina provide a quiet and safe place to explore the countryside on two wheels. Chain Reaction (706-855-2024) and Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse (706-724-2453) offer group rides on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday while Outspokin’ Bicycles (706-736-2486) on Walton Way has group rides on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. All three shops have options for group rides on the weekend. Length and difficulty varies for each ride, so be sure to call ahead for specific information. The primary mountain biking venue near Augusta is located at the FATS trails (Forks Area Trail System) in Edgefield County, approximately 30 minutes from downtown Augusta. The FATS trails are perfect for beginner to intermediate riders and have fast flowing transitions intermingled with a few obstacles to hone your skills. Whether you are a serious racer or would like to discover biking for the first time, you will and can easily find a niche among the Augusta cycling community.

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WEEKEND TRIPS - Dahlonega, GA: 3:00 - Asheville, NC: 3:00 - St. Simons Island, GA: 3:30 - Chattanooga, TN: 3:30 - Smokies: 3:30 - Jacksonville, FL: 4:00 - Birmingham, AL: 4:00

- Athens, GA: 1:30 - Lake Hartwell, GA: 1:30 - Atlanta, GA: 2:15 - Beaufort, SC: 2:30 - Savannah, GA: 2:30 - Charlotte, NC: 2:30 - Charleston, SC: 3:00 - Hilton Head, SC: 3:00

CAMPING - Blood Mountain – 3:30 - Trey Mountain – 3:00 - Pisgah National Park, NC – 4:00 o Davidson River Campground - Tallulah Gorge State Park – 2:30 - Mistletoe State Park – 0:30

- Strom Thurmond Lake – 0:30 - Chattooga River Trails – 3:00 - Vogel State Park – 3:30 - Amicalola Falls – 3:00 - Panther Creek – 3:30

MOUNTAIN BIKING -

Bull Mountain – 3:00

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Jake Mountain – 3:00

LIFE OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL Alexis Bashinski and Philip Robb, Jr. So, it’s true, medical school is a lot of work, but there is definitely time for fun too! Somehow in all the hustle and bustle of first year, I still managed to make it to the Georgia-Florida game, to a few weddings, to the beach a couple of times, and to visit my best friend from college.

Some classmates and I also tended to frequent either Fox’s Lair (a teeny, tiny bar off Broad Street) to see our classmates or Dr. Fisher (a 2nd year SOM professor) sing, and we were often at Bee’s Knees for wine night on Tuesdays with half-price bottles! The key to succeeding in medical school is having a well-balanced life; it is important to study hard then

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realize when it’s time to kick back and enjoy the companionship of friends. In medical school, perhaps unlike college, your friends are your classmates; you spend all day with them, and then you will spend your free time with them, whether at class-planned social events or on your own. While you will find that the nights spent at bars or fancy dinners number fewer than in your undergrad years, you’ll notice that you do actually have a bit of free time to enjoy yourself the first two years. I’d even recommend that you take time to do such, even if it appears that there is no time. You’re more productive in the long run if you take some time for yourself. If you polled medical students (as my unofficial poll showed), most would admit to going out once a week on average.

The night right after a test is often an especially big night. The social chairs usually plan a gathering with drink specials, and most people love to come and let off some steam. It really just depends on what works best for you. As you come to understand how much time you must devote to studying, you’ll discover how much free time you can allow yourself.

Augusta is all you need for pampering yourself. The second-largest city in Georgia provides everything you need for a fulfilling time outside of school. While it may appear at a quick glance down Washington Road that Augusta is just one chain after another, this guide will show you that if you look a little harder, you’ll find quaint restaurants, fun boutiques, and an active nightlife. And if that isn’t enough, we’re less than 3 hours from Atlanta, Charlotte, Savannah, Athens, Charleston, the beach, and the mountains.

FUN & GAMES: Putt-Putt Golf and Games: Attractions include miniature golf, water bumper boats, laser tag, batting cages (great for pre-season IM softball training), and arcade games

3763 Martinez Blvd., Martinez, GA 30907 (706) 868-0083

Adventure Crossing: Attractions include go karts, rides, miniature golf, laser tag, and Augusta’s largest arcade

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4350 Wheeler Road, Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 863-3087

SPORTS: Augusta Greenjackets: Augusta’s Class A minor league baseball affiliate, games feature cheap tickets and fun promotions. This is a popular event for GRU functions, Thursdays are dollar beers and fountain drinks, and it’s a great, fun, family environment. Also, the bleachers are the most comfortable I’ve ever been in, with a roof and giant fans to keep you cool during summer games.

L ake Olmstead Stadium: 78 Milledge Road, Augusta, GA 30904 (706)-922-9467 Augusta Mavericks: Augusta’s brand new Arena Football team

Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center (James Brown Arena)

GRU Athletics – The Jaguars: GRU’s baseball and basketball teams stay in the hunt every year for the Division II National Championships, and Men’s Golf won the Division 1 National Championship in 2010 and 2011.

Lake Olmstead Stadium (baseball), Christenberry Fieldhouse (basketball) Ice Forum: Local ice-skating rink offers lessons and hosts group events (hint, future social chairs) 1249 Augusta West Pkwy, Augusta, GA 30909 (706) 863-0061 www.augustaicesports.com MOVIES: Masters 7 Cinemas: offers $2.50 for all movies without the dingy feel of most dollar theatres. Most of the big flicks make it here, so if you missed a big movie because of studying, drop in a couple months later and catch the matinee.

2824 Washington Rd, Augusta, GA 30909 (706) 736-4444

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Regal 20 Augusta Exchange Movie Theatre: Augusta’s largest and nicest movie theatre located in the Augusta area.

1144 Agerton Lane, Augusta, GA 30909 (706) 667-9713

Evans Movie Theatre: Out in Evans, a nice theatre with new movies all the time.

4365 Towne Center Drive, Evans, GA (706) 869-1269

RECREATION/OUTDOORS: Riverwalk: Riverside walkway by the Savannah River offers historical landmarks and scenic views. A beautiful place to watch a sunset with your significant other while walking down by the water.

Downtown Augusta on the river Fishing: North GA is a great place for Trout fishing (Chattooga River area) and very scenic, there are also guided tours on Amelia Island and the Chattahoochee River Hunting: Information about hunting areas is primarily passed through word-of-mouth, so ask your classmates about good areas.

Public, state-managed Wildlife Management Areas in Burke, Screven, McDuffie and other counties offer small-game opportunities and plenty of deer and turkey. For more info on WMAs in the Augusta area, contact the local Georgia DNR office (www.gadnr.org) Climbing: Savannah River Quarry in North Augusta offers outdoor climbing and Stronghold Athletic Club in Columbia, SC offers indoor walls. , Columbia, SC 29201 803.256.9001 Biking: There are many bike trails in the Augusta area including the North Augusta Greeneway, FATS trail, Augusta Canal Towpath, Bartram Trail, Stevens Creek Trail, and BMX tracks. For more info on trails and riding groups, call Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse, Outspokin, or Chain Reaction.

For road cycling: all 3 local bike shops have group rides

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Outspokin: A friendly group of riders, rides with courtesy and respect to all ridersSee website for starting locations and times.

1904 Walton Way Augusta, GA 30904 (706) 736-2486 (outspokinaugusta.com) Chain Reaction: All riders welcome (chainreactionbicycles.net) 3920 Roberts Road Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 855-2024 Andy Jordan: Friendly to all riders. (andyjordans.com) 527 13th St., Augusta, GA 30901 (706) 724-6777 Camping: Flynn’s Inn Camping Village offers hiking trails and whitewater on the Savannah River

3746 Peach Orchard Rd, Augusta, Georgia 30916 (706) 798-6912

Intramural sports: As previously mentioned, GRU offers several different IM sports including basketball, softball, dodgeball, soccer, flag football, and volleyball, and it’s a great way to meet your classmates! Put together a team and sign up at the Wellness Center.

Newman Tennis Center: Large tennis complex that offers lessons and hosts tournaments year round.

3103 Wrightsboro Road, Augusta, GA 30909 (706) 821-1600

Riverview Park Activities Center: Public Park in North Augusta has the closest athletic fields to GRU and a frisbee golf course, ideal place for pickup games and group outings.

Just across the 13th Street Bridge in North Augusta 100 Riverview Park Drive, North Augusta, SC 29841 (803) 4414300 Augusta Canal: A great place to walk, run, bike, or fish (8.5 miles). The Canal trail can be accessed at Savannah River Rapids Pavilion (easy to get to for those living off Washington Road, Steven’s Creek, or Riverwatch Parkway) and has miles of dirt pathways

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for jogging or walking a dog. Michael and Matt did a great write-up about it earlier in this book, check it out!

3300 Evans-to-Locks Road, Martinez, Georgia 30907 (706) 8683349 www.augustacanal.com GOLF: Hmmm… Augusta is home to the most prestigious course in the world… But if you’re not part of Bill Gates’s weekly foursome, Augusta has golf course options across many price ranges.

Augusta Municipal Golf Course: 18 holes over 6,019 yards, par 72 (Public) This course plays tough, with tight fairways and small greens to make up for its short yardage.

18 holes - Walking $10, with cart $202023 Highland Ave., Augusta, GA 30904 (706) 731-9344 Bartram Trail Golf Club: 18 holes over 6,700 yards, par 72 (Public) One of the newest and best-maintained courses in the area, this gently rolling course is well worth the drive out to it.

18 holes – Walking $25.50 Mon-Thurs, $28.50 Fri, $35.50 SatSun, with cart $16.25 470 Bartram Trail Club Dr., Evans, GA 30809 (706) 210-4681 First Tee of Augusta: 6 holes (Public) First Tee is oriented towards introducing youth to golf, but is a great place to get a quick game in without spending a whole afternoon playing. It’s also an inexpensive range close to campus (Friday is buy-one-get-one-free buckets). If you’re practicing on the putting green, expect a kid to challenge you to (and beat you at) a putting competition.

6 holes - Walking $8 , with cart $13, closed Mondays 3165 Damascus Rd, Augusta, GA 30909 (706) 364-4653

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Forest Hills Golf Club: 18 holes over 7,231 yards, par 72 (Public) Forest Hills is home to the 2010 & 2011 Division 1 National Champion GRU Men’s Golf Team. This course is one of the nicer public courses in town and is very close to campus.

18 holes – Walking $25, with cart $35 Mon-Thur, Walking $35, with cart $45 Fri-Sun 1500 Comfort Rd, Augusta, GA 30909-3044 (706) 733-0001 Gordon Lakes Golf Courses: Three 18-hole courses, 3400 yards each, par 36 (Public/Military) Designed by Robert Trent Jones, these courses at Fort Gordon are great to play and feature GPS on the carts.

18 holes – Walking $25 weekdays, $27 weekends , with cart add $17 per person Building 537, Range Road, Fort Gordon, GA 30905 (706) 791-2433 Goshen Plantation Golf Course: 1 8 holes over 7,423 yards, par 72 (Public) T his course is much improved after renovations and is a lot of fun to play.

8 holes $35 with cart Mon-Thurs, $45 with cartFri-Sun1601 1 Goshen Clubhouse Dr., Augusta, GA 30906 (706) 793-1168 Pointe South Golf Club: 18 holes over 6,460 yards, par 72 (Public)

Covered in azaleas, this course is beautiful to play in the spring.

18 holes – Walking $17, with cart $27 Mon-Thurs, Walking $20, with cart$29 Fri, Walking $22, with cart $34 Sat-Sun 324 Peach Orchard Rd., Hephzibah, GA 30815-4703 (706) 5924 2222 River Club Golf Course: 18 holes over 6,380 yards, par 71 (Public) Just across the Savannah River in South Carolina, this course uses the river to create unique water situations and beautiful holes.

Call the course for current rates.

307 Riverside Blvd., North Augusta, SC 29841 (803) 202-0110

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Staying in Shape at MCG Jake Turrentine When it comes to working out, there are several options around GRU. Some people simply exercise at their apartment complexes or in their neighborhoods, and others prefer to go to gyms and sports complexes around town. It would be virtually impossible to list every possible place to exercise in Augusta, but the list of places included in this section should to give you a flavor of what Augusta has to offer: GRU Wellness Center: Located within the Student Center on campus, the GRU Wellness Center is probably the most common place that MCG students choose to exercise. On the first floor, you will find a weight room, several basketball courts, and aerobic machines. Many of the aerobic machines, including exercise bikes, treadmills and ellipticals, have individual TVs on them. On the second floor, you will find weight machines, an indoor jogging track, and bikes for spinning classes. Locker rooms and showers are on the first floor. Remember to bring your own towels if you’re going to shower here! Hours are M-F 5:30am-10pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, and Sunday 12pm-8pm. Check out the website at www.gru.edu/wellness/ for information about group exercise classes, or just drop by the desk inside the student center.

Augusta Aquatics Center (3157 Damascus Road, Augusta, GA 30904): Offers a 50-meter pool for lap swimming and a 25-yard pool for recreational swimming. Other amenities include a weight room, fully equipped locker rooms (w/ showers), and a hydraulic lift system for anyone with special needs. For GRU students, passes to the Augusta Aquatics center can be purchased from the GRU Wellness Center desk (12 visits for $24; 1 pass per student per semester). If you would like to visit more often, the current student membership fee is $70 quarterly or $185 annually. Hours for lap swim are M-F from 6am-8pm and Saturday from 9am-3pm; hours for recreational swimming are Mon.-Thurs. from 12pm-4pm, Friday from 12pm-6pm, and Saturday from 12pm-3pm. For more information, call (706) 261-0424.

Augusta Canal National Heritage Area (Trail starts at Savannah River Rapids Pavilion at 3300 Evans-to-Lock Road, Martinez, GA 30907 and extends to downtown Augusta): This is a very popular place for GRU students wanting to exercise outside along a historic trail set away from

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busy Augusta roads. On the trail, many people choose to ride bikes or run, and the adjacent canal is a great place for kayaking or canoeing. A map of the trail can be found online at http://www.augustacanal.com/ canalmap.pdf. There are several access points along the trail, but most people start at the Savannah River Rapids Pavilion where the head gates of the canal are located and run/bike/walk in the direction of Downtown Augusta. Also, the Savannah River Rapids Pavilion has an access point for kayaks/canoes for anyone wanting to paddle down the canal and back.

Hilltop Riding Stable (Building 508, N. Range Road, Fort Gordon, GA 30905): For anyone interested in horseback riding, Hilltop Riding Stable offers open riding (for intermediate and advanced riders) with a 24hr. advance reservation from Wednesday-Friday and on a first-come, first serve basis on Saturday-Tuesday. Riding is offered between 9am and 3pm. Guided trail rides are also available on Saturdays (9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm, and 2pm) and Sundays (9:30am, 11am, and 12:30pm). For more information, visit http://www.fortgordon.com/ sports_and_recreation/hilltop_riding_stable.php or call 706-791-4864.

The OMNI Club (Augusta location at 3637 Walton Way Ext., Augusta, GA 30909 (706) 481-0502; Evans location at 4408 Evans-to-Lock Road, Evans, GA 30809 (706) 210-1140): If you are looking for a gym where you can work out at ANY time of night all week, this is the place. The OMNI Club has treadmills, exercise bikes, ellipticals, and almost any type of weight machine imaginable. TVs are on every machine to keep you going during your workout. There is also a room for free-weights and a room for aerobics. Several group exercise classes are offered, and personal trainers are available for anyone interested. When you’re done with your workout, there is a nice locker room to clean up and shower, including a lounge with a TV and couch to watch sports or the morning news. Another small perk: the OMNI provides towels for you, so you don’t have to worry about remembering your own each time you go.

The OMNI on Walton Way Extension is open 24-hours from Monday at 5am through Friday at 10pm, on Saturday 8am-8pm, and on Sunday 10am-6pm. Call (706) 481-0502 for current membership rates.

The Family Y – Wilson Branch (3570 Wheeler Rd., Augusta, GA 30909): If you’ve been going to a YMCA for years, or if you have children, the YMCA here in Augusta is a great option. The closest YMCA is on Wheeler Road and offers what you would expect from a family-oriented

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place to work out. Here, you can lift weights, swim, play basketball or join an aerobics class. There are also several exercise options for the rest of the family, and there is childcare available if you’re interested.

Check out the website at www.thefamilyy.org or call 706-922-YMCA (9622) for more information.

Newman Tennis Center (3103 Wrightsboro Road, Augusta GA 30909): A municipal tennis facility located right near Forest Hills Golf Course, the Newman Tennis Center has 18 hard courts, 12 of which are lighted.

This is a huge facility with nice courts for a tennis enthusiast. The cost for students is $1.50 per person per hour during the day and $2.00 per person per hour at night. Hours of operation are: Mon-Thurs 8:30am to 9pm, Friday 8:30am to 7pm, Saturday 8:30am to 5pm, and Sunday 12:30pm to 8:00pm. Call 706-821-1600 or visit the website at http:// www.augustaga.gov/index.aspx?NID=771 for more information.

Riverview Park (100 Riverview Park Drive, North Augusta, SC 29841): One of those great places across the river, Riverview Park is very close to GHSU and is an extremely popular place for MCG students. Cross the 13th Street Bridge (which becomes Georgia Ave. in SC) and take a left on Buena Vista Avenue to find the park. Here you will find a 1-mile jogging/walking track, baseball fields, tennis courts, soccer fields and an 18-hole Frisbee golf course. There is also a covered picnic pavilion that MCG organizations often use for cookouts. Additionally, the Riverview Park Activities Center includes an indoor track, basketball courts, racquetball courts, and weight/fitness areas. For more information about the activities center, call 803-441-4305 or visit the website at http://www.northaugusta.net/Departments/ParksRecreation/ RiverviewParkActivitiesCenter/tabid/118/Default.aspx .The Greeneway Trail (North side of Savannah River, in South Carolina): This is a 7-mile long paved trail on the North side of the Savannah River with many points of access along its length. The nice thing about this trail is that it has a lot of really nice views along the Savannah River and the nearby parks. The trail is great for running/walking and, because it is paved during its entire length, people can also bike or rollerblade down the trail. The easternmost point where parking is available is on Riverside Boulevard, and the westernmost point where parking is available is on Pisgah Road. You can also park at Riverview Park or near the large pedestrian bridge at SC-230/Martintown Road. For more information, call 803-441-4311 or visit http://www.northaugusta.net/Departments/ ParksRecreation/GreenewayTrail/tabid/115/Default.aspx

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EDUCATIONAL/HISTORICAL: Morris Museum of Art: Located on the Riverwalk in downtown, it is the first museum dedicated to the art and artists of the American South.

1 10th St. Augusta, GA 30901 (707) 724-7501 themorris.org Augusta Museum of History: Established in 1937 for the purpose of preserving and sharing the material history of Augusta and the region.

560 Reynolds St. Augusta, GA 30901 (706) 722-8454 www. augustamuseum.org MUSIC: Guitar Pull What: Annual country music concert hosted by Kicks 99 Country radio station including performances from the likes ofLuke Bryan, Brantley Gilbert, Billy Currington, Little Big Town, and Lauren Alaina. This concert benefits Million Pennies for Kids Campaign ( a part of the United Way).

Where: James Brown Arena

When: November

A Day in the Country

What: Country music concert bringing out acts such as Florida Georgia Line, Casey James and The Lacs.

Where: Riverfront Marina – Downtown Augusta

When: May

Augusta Symphony

What: Classical music played by Augusta’s most skilled musicians.

Where: Venue subject to change, including Columbia County’s Lady Antebellum Pavilion, Imperial Theatre, GRU Maxwell Perfoming Arts TheaterWhen: Check the website: www. augustasymphony.org

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Columbia County Amphitheatre What: Hosts concerts and music series throughout the year. Past acts have included Bo Bice, Gin Blossoms, Luke Bryan, and Lady Antebellum.

Where: 7022 Evans Towne Center Blvd, Evans, GA

When: Year round, check listings (http://www.columbiacountyga. gov/index.aspx?page=3346) The Country Club - Dance Hall and Saloon What: The Country Club Dance Hall & Saloon hosts bands weekly on one of the largest dance floors in Augusta; past acts include Eddie Money, LoCash Cowboys, and Eric Church.

Where: 2834 Washington Road, Augusta, GA

When: Year round, check listings (http://www.augustacountry. com/)

Wild Wing Live Music What: The Wild Wing Café offers live local music every night of the week along with great food.

Where: 3035 Washington Road, Augusta, GA(near I-20)

When: Year round, check listings (http://www.wildwingcafe.com/ our-locations/augusta-ga.php)

Rock Fore! Dough

What: Benefit concert featuring acts like NEEDTOBREATHE, Grace Potter, Ed Roland & The Sweet Tea Project, and Mark Bryan from Hootie and the Blowfish.

Where: L ady Antebellum Pavilion at Evans Towne Center Park, Evans, GA

When: April (Masters Week) (http://www.rockforedough.com/)

Rock’n 4 the River What: Rock’n 4 the River is a free day-long festival with artists and musicians from all over the Southeast joining together to spread awareness for the need of a mercury-free Savannah River.

Where: Augusta River Front Marina

When: April/May

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James Brown Festival What: Musical festival in tribute to Augusta native James Brown, past acts include the Doobie Brothers.

Where: A ugusta Commons (b/w Reynolds and Broad Streets downtown)

When: May FESTIVALS/FAIRS: Border Bash What: A beer-soaked celebration of the annual college football match-up between the University of Georgia and the University of South Carolina. It raised over $750,000 for the last 19 years for twelve charities inlcuding the Children’s Hospital of Georgia.

Where: Riverwalk

When: September/October (http://www.borderbash.net/) Arts in the Heart of Augusta What: Festival stages featuring musicians, dancers, actors, and artists from all walks of life and backgrounds.

Where: Downtown

When: September (http://www.artsintheheart.com/) First Friday What: Local artists and downtown boosters feature local bands, art galleries, and street performers along with extended evening hours for downtown businesses.

Where: D owntown – 7th Street to 12th Street When: The first Friday evening of each month (http://www. augustaarts.com/firstfriday.htm) Georgia –Carolina State Fair What: This annual county fair offers all the standard fair attractions including a beauty pageant and livestock shows.

Where: Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds- Downtown

When: October (http://www.georgiacarolinastatefair.org/)

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SPORTING EVENTS: Bass Masters Fishing Tournament What: This annual fishing tournament matches up the best local anglers to see who can pull in the biggest bass.

Where: Wildwood Park

When: May

Augusta Futurity

What: B arrel racing and horse cutting highlight this annual display of cowboy skills.

Where: James Brown Arena

When: January (http://augustafuturity.com/)

Southern Nationals Boat Race

What: D rag boats tear up the Savannah River every year for this unique spectacle.

Where: 800 Block of Broad and Reynolds, Downtown

When: July (http://www.augustasouthernnationals.org/)

The Masters What: O ne of the four “Major” golf tournaments each year, the greatest golfers in the world compete for a chance to win The Green Jacket.

Where: Augusta National Golf Club

When: First full week in April (http://www.augusta.com/)

THEATRE: Augusta Players

What: A n award-winning troupe of local actors who perform the classics.

Where: Imperial Theatre

When: Year round, check listings (http://augustaplayers.org/)

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Augusta Ballet

What: A nationally recognized, professional Ballet that makes for a very classy night out.

Where: They use a host of local theatres visit: www.augustaballet. org for more info When: Year round visit the website about for more details (http:// www.augustaballet.org/)

Columbia County Ballet What: Started in 1985, the CCB continues to perform and teach ballet for the people of Columbia County and Martinez.

Where: Dance studios in Martinez When: Year round, visit the website for more information (http://www.columbiacountyballet. com/) NIGHTLIFE: Bar on Broad: 917 Broad Street (http://www.baronbroad.com/) One of medical students’ favorite hangout spots downtown. It is a bar with a club atmosphere. Great place to go dancing on Friday and Saturday nights when they play top 40 music and usually have drink specials.

Still Water Tap Room: 974 Broad Street The relaxed atmosphere works well for hanging out with a group of friends. The prices are decent, they’ve got a good selection on tap, and it usually doesn’t take long to get a drink. Upstairs you’ll find pool, darts, and foosball.

The Bee’s Knees: 211 10th Street (http://www.beeskneestapas.com/) This favorite tapas restaurant is a great place for a fun and delicious dinner, but plan on spending a while here as the service isn’t the quickest. On Tuesdays, they have half-priced bottles of wine, so the bar gets pretty crowded.

Soul Bar: 984 Broad Street (http://www.soulbar.com/)

80s nights, fun bands

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Metro A Coffeehouse: 1054 Broad Street Chill, eclectic crowd, townie bar. Big-screen TV’s are good for when you want to watch sports while you’re out.

1102 Downtown Bar & Grill: 1102 Broad Street (http:// www.1102augusta.com/) Beer pong tournament. Happy Hour daily. A little something every night.

Pizza Joint: 1 245 Broad Street in Downtown Augusta, 4301 Washington Road in Evans (http://www.thepizzajoint.net/) Huge beer selection, cheap pitchers, large outdoor patio Fox’s Lair: 349 Telfair Street (parking entrance is off 4th Street) (http:// thefoxslair.com/) Adorable little bar downtown in the basement of a cute B&B. Dr. John Fisher performs there every Tuesday night, and students sometimes play during their open mic nights.

Greene Streets Karaoke Bar: 402 11th Street (corner of 11th & Greene Streets) If you love karaoke, you’ll enjoy Greene Streets. The bar itself is very dated, but it can be a fun atmosphere if you go with a large group of friends.

The Playground Bar: 978 Broad Street Local and national live music with drink specials and trivia, open mic, and karaoke.

Tropicabana: 1251 Broad Street

Salsa Dancing.

Wild Wing Cafe: 3035 Washington Road (http://www.wildwingcafe.com/ our-locations/augusta-ga.php) Go to watch the big game, they have all the sports channels. Be warned though, it is a pretty popular place with the locals and can get crowded.

Somewhere in Augusta: 2820 Washington Road (http://www. somewhereinaugusta.com/)

Great sports bar with burgers, etc.

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Vallarta: 2802 Washington Road, 3144 Wrightsboro Road (http://www. vallartamexican.com/index.php) 2 locations in Augusta, both with outdoor patios perfect for sipping margaritas. Try one frozen with salt with your lunch after a test.

Surrey Tavern: Upper Level Surrey Center, 47 Highland Avenue (http:// www.augustasurreytavern.com/) This bar is frequented by a lot of young locals as well as GRU students. There’s usually a live band on the weekends (which means you have to pay a $5 cover, but it’s worth it to see TuTu D’Vyne). The drinks are a little pricier here than at other bars.

GRU events are common here.

Thirsty Thursday at the Greenjackets: Lake Olmstead Stadium – 78 Milledge Road Every Thursday home game - $1 beers. Tuesday home games, two-for-one beer.

Helga’s Lounge: 2015 Central Avenue Helga’s is a classic neighborhood bar, right down to the moose head on the wall. Features include foosball, pool tables, good food and a great location on Central Avenue with local townie flavor. A good spot to grab a beer and relax for those who aren’t concerned with appearances. The food is greasy, greasy, greasy, and suprisingly tasty.

An interesting menu item: fried macaroni and cheese. Helga’s is also MCG-friendly, and has hosted several MCG-only social events in the past. Watch out for local barflies otherwise.

Partridge Inn: 2110 Walton Way (http://www.partridgeinn.com/) Great live jazz and an excellent Sunday brunch - see “Augusta’s Top Spots.”

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RESTAURANTS (FOOD, Y’ALL) Brandi Villarreal In an attempt to satisfy a wide array of tastes, we polled a class of MCG students for a list of favorite restaurants. Needless to say, the list was a long one. For the sake of time (and space) we’ve only covered those near campus and our favorites.

For a longer list of Augusta eateries, visit The Metro Spirit’s “Bite This”: http://www.metrospirit.com/?page_id=76 Cost (per person), based on entrée, side, and drink: <$5 >$20

$5-10

$10-15

$15-20

Ratings: Poor

Fair Outstanding

Good

Very Good

Other designations: Veggie friendly Coffee available WiFi available reservations)

Walking distance to campus/hospital Good date spot (you should probably make

Doubles as a bar (you may or may not “eat” there)

On Campus: The Terrace Cafe (Hospital Cafeteria) —Cafeteria—Located on the 2nd floor of the Georgia Regents Medical Center, the Terrace Cafe is a convenient dining facility for clinical days. There is a salad bar, a buildyour-own sandwich line, a variety of special menu items which rotate through, and standard pizzas and burgers. The food is pretty good for a hospital cafeteria, and you can’t beat the location.

• • NOTE: The Terrace takes cash, the Jag Card, Visa, and Mastercard. There is also an ATM machine (Bank of America) right outside in the hallway.

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The menu is available online at https://georgiahealth.catertrax.com/ index.asp?intOrderID=&intCustomerID=.McDonald’s —Fast Food—Not much to say here. There is a location on the 1st floor of the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, and one at 1464 Walton Way within walking distance of the hospital.

Student Center There are three establishments currently in the student center, which is convenient when you are on campus. The only downside is they all close before 2pm, so they’re only available during and right after class time. All three take cash, credit, or your GHSU card. v Fat Man’s Too –Comfort food—So it’s not the best for you, but sometimes it’s needed. Entrees include meatloaf, chili, and barbeque pork. There are always various soups, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken breasts, fried chicken and chicken fingers available. You can also get a sandwich, but they’re pretty basic. I highly recommend the black bean soup and the chicken stir-fry. Unfortunately this place isn’t too vegetarian friendly, but you could probably get a simple sandwich in a pinch. This is also the only place on campus to get sushi. v Chik-fil-A —Fast Food—A southern tradition. This is a satellite location, so they keep the basics in stock: classic chicken sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, cool wraps. You can get fries, a fruit cup, or a brownie with a combo. v Firehouse Subs —Subs—Firehouse is a step above Subway, but not quite as good as Quizno’s. They are one of the few places I can get Jalapeno flavored chips, however, and for this I am grateful. This is also a satellite location, so the full menu is not available, but there is a permanent location just across 15th street. I like the Hook and Ladder.

Coffee Cafe —Café—Located in the Greenblatt Library on campus.

They have basic snacks, sandwiches, drinks, and coffee coffee coffee.

The fare is a little expensive for what it is, but extraordinarily convenient.

Unlike the Student Center eateries, CoffeeLine is open until 8:30pm Monday through Thursday, and until 5pm on Friday.

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Last but not least, “Cart Lady” —Snacks—Located in the lobby of the EC Building aka Health Sciences Building aka Building where the Anatomy lab is. Supplied with stock from Fat Man’s Too, “Cart Lady” (as she is affectionately known) offers us a selection of basic snacks, sandwiches, fruit cups, cookies, muffins, etc, as well as a steady stream of coffee. She is a guardian angel during hourly lecture breaks. Note: Does take cards, but she has to write the card number down and enter it back at Fat Man’s Too. Cash or express is easier.

Not on campus, but really close (e.g. you can go there on a lunch break): Firehouse Subs —Subs—Same as above, with the full menu.

1509 Walton Way 706-364-4220 Subway —Subs— Same as everywhere else, and remember the $5 foot-longs.

1569 Walton Way 706-737-8205 S&S Cafeteria —Cafeteria/Comfort food—A Southeastern restaurant chain, serving southern classics like fried chicken, deviled eggs, and sweet potato balls. And heck, if you’re feeling frisky and for some reason want to host your family for Thanksgiving in Augusta, you can probably pick up a turkey and some “fixins” there too with the elderly population of the A-U-G. 1616 Walton Way 706-736-2972, menu line 706-736-7559 Szechuan Garden —Chinese—Don’t let the shabby blue painted brick exterior fool you. The food here is pretty good as far as American-style Chinese food goes. And it’s CHEAP—$5 buys you a lunch buffet with a decent selection, and $8 buys you dinner with a yummy soup (egg drop or hot-n-sour).

1535 Walton Way 706-738-2302 Walton Way Deli —Delicatessen—Run by a former Partridge Inn chef, Walton Way Deli is a quaint little lunch spot just half a mile from GHSU. The menu contains an array of picnic fare, as well as a nice selection of soups, which are great for the winter. This is the best spot for a lunch meeting near campus, and you can count on running into someone you know. Try their (grilled) Monte Cristo, but make sure to hold your breath

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when you take a bite. Trust me, it’s for your own good. Note: WWD is only open for lunch.

1944 Walton Way 706-736-4008 Arby’s—Fast Food—1823 Walton Way 706-736-0350 Checkers—Fast Food— Burgers and peppered fries. Drive-through or sit outside only.

1720 Walton Way 706-737-2301 Happy China II —Chinese— A little Chinese joint next to Kroger that serves a cheap all-you-can-eat lunch. Don’t plan on working out right afterwards though! It’s also a good place to get take-out when you are studying late.

523 15th Street 706-722-0288 Pizza Hut/Wing Street—Pizza/Wings—615 15th Street 706-724-3302 Teresa’s —Mexican— A local Mexican favorite.

235 Boy Scout Road 706-737-8917 Wendy’s—Fast Food—1730 Walton Way 706-738-5096 Zaxby’s—Fast Food— Good chicken strips, and you can get them on their own, in a sandwich, or on a salad. If you’ve never been, go at least once just to find out what people are talking about.

1702 Walton Way 706-481-0717

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Food Choices: Augusta’s Top Spots Brooks Ficke A Top 10 just doesn’t cut it for discussing the many excellent dining options in the AUG, so we divided it up into two categories to provide you with more guaranteed good eats.

Fancy Schmancy: For dates and when your parents come to town.

Bistro 491 —Gourmet—A popular special occasion/date spot for GRU students and staff alike in beautiful Surrey Center. Open for dinner only Monday through Saturday. This is a hugely popular restaurant, so if you want to make a night special (and not wait hours for a table), make a reservation at least a week in advance. I recommend the “chicken under a brick.” A great place to take you parents when they come for the White Coat Ceremony - mine thoroughly enjoyed it. www.bistro491.com 491 Highland Avenue 706-738-6491 Calvert’s —Steakhouse/Gourmet—Also in Surrey Center, and also only open for dinner. Calvert’s has been serving up excellent steaks and seafood with a slice of southern hospitality for thirty years. Check out the Sunset Dinner for Two – your and your date can both eat for less than $30 if you go before 6:30. www.calvertsrestaurant.com 475 Highland Avenue 706-738-4514 The P.I. Bar & Grill at the Patridge Inn —Steakhouse/Gourmet— Located at the historic Partridge Inn, The Verandah blends “casual” steakhouse with gourmet cuisine with Southern flair (for example, fried green tomatoes with goat cheese—get the picture?). The atmosphere and price (especially for the $11.95 Ultimate Southern Lunch) make this a wonderful spot for a business lunch or a special occasion dinner.

Also boasts a “best of Augusta” Sunday brunch and live music Saturday evenings - stop by with some friends for a cocktail. http://www.partridgeinn.com/dining-en.html 2110 Walton Way 706-737-8888

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French Market Grill —Creole/Cajun—Unlike its Surrey Center neighbors, FMG is also open for lunch Monday through Saturday, giving the eatery a slightly more casual feel. There are many many good options to try, but if you get a salad try the creamy avacado dressing.

The Martinez branch is somewhat more formal and a great spot for a date. www.frenchmarketaugusta.com Surrey Center, 425 Highland Avenue 706-737-4865 TakoSushi —Casual—Yet another Surry Center restaurant to make it into our Top 10, TakoSushi serves exactly what its name suggests – tacos (both classic and fish) and sushi. Funky recipes and a great selection of wines and drinks makes this a great place to hang out. It’s very small though, so be prepared to wait and know that it’s difficult for them to handle large groups. Also beware, TakoSushi is not open on Sundays, and I finally remember that after 3 Sunday evening attempts. There are also branches in Evans and Aiken. www.tako-sushi.com/restaurant.html 437 Highland Avenue 706-736-9191 Bonefish Grill —Gourmet/Seafood—A seafood specialist, Bonefish Grill is a popular place to go with your parents, or to take someone on a first date. Fresh fish, tender steaks, and unique specialties – you can’t pick wrong. We’d recommend reservations, since it can get a bit busy.

Try the wine list (but try less of it than one of our editors did). www.bonefishgrill.com/ 2911 Washington Road 706-737-2929

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Affordable: Still excellent fare but more amenable to a medical student budget, these will fill you up and never let you down.

The Boll Weevil —Casual—This downtown eatery offers hearty foods and specializes in desserts, with over 20 on the menu. Built in an old cotton warehouse, the ambiance is great, with multiple small rooms to create an cozy atmosphere. The jerk chicken sandwich is great if you want a little spice with your lunch, and for true chocalate lovers, try the Seventh Heaven Cake – seven types of chocolate in one dish. www.thebollweevil.com 10 Ninth Street 706-722-7772 Nacho Mama’s —Casual/Mexican—A burrito joint gone slightly nuts, Nacho Mama’s is a start to a night downtown. They serve nachos and burritos both traditional style and with unusual twists, such as mango habanero salsa, mahi mahi, or red chile shrimp. Take your pick, grab a beer, and hang out with your classmates. http://nachomamasaugusta.com 976 Broad Street 706-724-0501 The Pizza Joint —Casual—For the best pizza south of New York, skip Mellow Mushroom and head down the block to the Pizza Joint. The patio is a great place to eat your pie, and is dog-friendly too. They have a $5 lunch pizza buffet that’s one of the best deals in Augusta, and keep your eye out for their nightly drink specials, and they’ve got a long beer list if the special doesn’t float your boat. http://www.thepizzajoint.net 1245 Broad Street 706-774-0037 Wife Saver —Fast Food—A personal favorite simply because I love being able to get fried okra at a fast food joint. You know it’s good because the only other chain to make it onto my list is Bonefish. Wife Saver serves up fried chicken and fried fish with a selection of sides worthy of Thanksgiving dinner. It can take a little while at the drivethrough window, but that’s because they’re cooking it fresh. There are a number of locations around town.

3316 Washington Road, (706) 860-2605

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Rhinehart’s Oyster Bar —Casual/Bar—Get ‘em raw, get ‘em steamed, get ‘em fried, or get ‘em with 37X sauce – this is the place to go to for all the oysters and shrimp you can eat. A casual seafood joint, the gradeskippers among you should be aware that after 5 pm you have to be 21 just to get in to eat. http://www.rhineharts.com 3051 Washington Road 706-860-BEER (2337) Yo Pizza —Casual—A funky little place on Wrightsboro Road that promises to make yo’ pizza any way you like it. Seafood, Taco, Popeye it seems there’s no flavor they’re unwilling to let you try (they even offer cherries as an option on their Hawaiian). If you get there and decide you’re not in the mood for pizza, you can wander next door to the Village Deli too.

2803 Wrightsboro Road 706-737-9696 BBQ Barn —Casual—Serving up mouth-watering pulled pork and fall-off-the-bone ribs, this place is worth the drive into North Augusta.

For the barbeque connoisseurs, they serve hash instead of Brunswick stew, and it’s good. Since your authors have lived in Texas, Mississippi, and North Carolina, we can’t resist mentioning a few other excellent Q joints around town: Motts, Sconyers, and Sticky Fingers are all worth a visit, and if you’re ever in Waynesboro for a rotation, don’t miss Taylor’s (beware of food coma while driving home).

605 Atomic Road, North Augusta, SC 803-278-7202

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THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE SHOPPING Augusta Mall: You will wonder if you are on Wrightsboro or Rodeo drive…. The newly renovated Augusta mall brings shopping in the A-U-G to a new level. At Wrightsboro Road and Bobby Jones (I-520). Just expanded, it will cover your basics. Department stores include Dillards, Macy’s, Sears, and JC Penney. Other stores include Banana Republic, Gap, Abercrombie and Fitch, Ann Taylor, White House Black Market, American Eagle, Coach, William Sonoma, Barnes and Noble, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and lots more. You’ll also find McAlister’s Deli, PF Changs and The Chop House. http://www.augustamall.com/ Surrey Center: At the corner of Highland/Berckmans and Wheeler Roads, this upscale shopping center offers a handful of boutiques for men, women, and children in addition to stores where you’ll find the perfect gift or can plan your party. Some of the main shops are Jos. A. Bank, Talbots, Orvis, and The Red Dress Boutique. Restaurants and Bars include: The French Market, Calvert’s, Bistro 491, Tako Sushi, Public House, My Friends Place Deli, Wife Saver, Surrey Tavern, The Vue, and Aroma Coffee House and Wine Bar. http://www.surreycenter.com/ Augusta Exchange: Robert C. Daniel Parkway between Wheeler Road and Walton Way Extension, this shopping center has your everyday essentials. Here you’ll find Regal Cinemas, Target, Best Buy, HH Gregg, Staples, Office Depot, Borders, Sports Authority, Bed Bath and Beyond, Petsmart, Rack Room Shoes, Pier 1, and many more. Some of the restaurants include: Brusters, Panera, Atlanta Bread Co, Chili’s, Macaroni Grill, Logan’s, O’Charley’s, Sticky Fingers, Chick-fil-A, Subway, and Cold Stone Creamery.

Mullins Crossing: You can’t miss this large shopping center on Washington Road heading out towards Evans. Essentially the same as Augusta Exchange. You’ll find Target, Kohl’s, La-Z-Boy, Academy Sports, Ross, Marshalls, Petco, OfficeMax, Babies-R-Us. Food: Great Wraps, Moe’s Southwest Grille, Starbucks, Ruby Tuesday, Red Robin, and Chick-fil-A.

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Artists’ Row – 700-1200 Blocks of Broad Street http://www. artistsrowaugusta.com/ The first Friday of every month, local artists and art galleries set up along Broad Street for a street festival. There is usually live music, and it’s a good time to go grab dinner downtown.

SALONS, SPAS, and BARBER SHOPS Aqua Salon and Spa: 3637-A Walton Way Ext. (706)481-9301

Matador Styling Shop for Men: 107 8th Street (706)724-0419

Daniel Village Barber Shop: (David or Brent) 2522 Wrightsboro Road (706)736-7230

Modish Salon & Spa (Patty): 1018 Broad Street (706)922-1418

Elements Salon: 441 Highland Avenue (Lower Level Surrey Center) (706)667-0780

Serenity Day Spa: 106 Pleasant Home Road (706)863-7599

Halo A Salon and Spa: 1122 Broad Street (706)828-4856 His and Her at the Verandah: 3604 Verandah Drive (off Wheeler) (706)736-5158 K B Barber Shop Inc 3821 Washington Rd. (706) 364-7055 La Dolce Vita Salon and Spa: (Kyle) 1141 Broad Street (706)724-0040

Tuscany A Classic Italian Spa: (Michael) 608 Ponder Place Drive (Evans) (706) 210-5335 Vonda’s Hair Studio: 2475 Wrightsboro Road (706)736-7061 The Men’s Refinery Barber Spa Jackson Square, Suite 106 336 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta (803) 441-0071

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VETERINARIANS Westside Animal Hospital: 244 Boy Scout Rd. (706)738-4589 National Hills Animal Hospital: 2633 Washington Rd. (706)733-0860 Highland Animal Hospital: 2124 Highland Ave. (706)736-1443 St. Francis Animal Hospital: 2647 Perimeter Pkwy (706)860-6617 DRY CLEANERS Brickle’s Cleaners and Laundry: 1944 Walton Way 706-736-4548 3706 Washington Rd. 706-863-7728 Silversteins (GRU discount) 2568 Central Ave. 706-733-3685 3818 Washington Rd. 706-863-6850 Top Cleaners 3515 Walton Way Ext. 706-738-8337 Vogue Cleaners 499 Highland Ave. 706-2273 3635 Walton Way Ext. 706-736-3403 1803 Central Ave. 706-733-1798 104 S. Belair Rd. 706-860-8096 White House 2803 Wrightsboro Rd. 706-733-9644 3318 Washington Rd. 706-650-8805 4165 Wheeler Rd. 706-855-9557 4475 Columbia Rd. 706-650-2494

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MECHANICS Smith’s Chevron: 3600 Walton Way Ext. (706)736-1259 Precision Tune: 3224 Wrightsboro Road (706)733-7722 Butler Automotive: 1401 Reynolds Street, (706)724-7281 187 Baston Road, (706)854-0888 Tire Kingdom: 1238 Knox Ave, N.Augusta, (803) 279-7788 252 Bobby Jones Expy, (706)855-2955 2818 Washington Road, (706)733-3132 PLACES OF WORSHIP Christian – Baptist – First Baptist Church • Traditional services at 8:30a and 11:00a, Contemporary service at 10:55a.

• 3500 Walton Way - (corner of Walton Way Extension and Wheeler Rd.) • http://www.fbcaugusta.org/ Christian- Baptist- Tabernacle Baptist Church • Traditional services 7:30a, 9:30a, and 11:30a • 1223 Laney Walker Blvd http://www.tbcaugusta.org/default.asp Christian- Baptist- Mount Calvary Baptist Church • Traditional services 7:45a and 11:00a • 1260 Wrightsboro Rd.http://www.mountcalvary1260.org/ Christian – Methodist – Trinity on the Hill • Traditional services at 8:30a and 11:00a.

• 1320 Monte Sano Ave. - The Hill (Monte Sano near Walton Way) • http://www.trinityonthehill.net/

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Christian – Catholic – St. Mary’s on the Hill • Sunday Mass at 7:45a, 10:30a, 12:15p, and 6:00p • 1420 Monte Sano Ave. - The Hill (Monte Sano and Bellevue) • http://stmaryonthehill.org/ Christian – Catholic – Church of the Most Holy Trinity • Sunday Mass at 8:00a, 10:30a, and 12:30p • 720 Telfair St. - Downtown (corner of 8th and Telfair) • http://www.themostholytrinity.org/ Christian – Episcopalian – Church of the Good Shepherd • Holy Eucharist at 8:00a, 9:00a, 11:15a, and 6:00p • 2230 Walton Way - The Hill (Walton Way near Milledge Rd.) • http://www.goodshepherd-augusta.org/Christian – Presbyterian - First Presbyterian – very involved with MCG through a program called MCO (Medical Campus Outreach), go on Wednesday night on-campus for free pizza.

• Traditional services at 8:30a, 11:00a, and 6:30p • 642 Telfair St. - Downtown (7th and Telfair) • http://www.firstpresaugusta.org/ , http://firstpresaugusta.org/ mco-missions Christian - Journey Community Church • Services at 9:30a and 11:15a4798 Hardy McManus Road, Evans • http://www.journeycommunity.net Christian - Stevens Creek Church • Services at 9:30a, 11:15a, 5:00p, 6:30p600 Stevens Creek Rd. (Stevens Creek Rd. and Riverwatch Pkwy.)

• http://www.stevenscreekchurch.com/ Hindu – Hindu Temple Society of Augusta • 1421 Lukes Rd. (Wrightsboro Rd. and Lukes Rd.) • http://www.augustahts.orgIslamic – Islamic Society of Augusta • 465 Old Evans Road, Martinez West on Washington (Middleton Dr. and Davant St.) • http://www.isaugusta.com/

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Jewish – Reform – Congregation Children of Israel • Shabbat: Sept.-May - First Fridays at 7:00p, other Fridays at 7:30p, June-Aug. – 6:00p • Morning Services and Torah Study Saturdays at 9:30 and 10:00 • 3005 Walton Way - The Hill (Walton Way and Bransford Rd.) • http://www.cciaugusta.org/Jewish – Conservative – Adas Yeshurun Synagogue • Mon.-Thurs. at 7:15a, Sat. at 9:00a, Sun.-Fri. at 5:30p, Sat. at 5:935 Johns Rd. - The Hill (Johns Rd. near Walton Way) • http://www.adasyeshurun.net/ Jewish – Orthodox – Chabad of Augusta • Daily services, see schedule on website • 3924 Old Fury’s Ferry Rd. http://www.chabadaugusta.org/

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AFTERWORD This book has been an outpouring of our souls. We have meditated upon every aspect of medical school for your benefit. The information collected in this book does not represent the beliefs or opinions of the Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University. It was designed by the class of 2011 to provide insight on the various intricacies of Augusta. The facets of our life outlined in this book have taken people many years to discover, and our lives have benefitted from their experiences.

While the process of applying to medical school is famously scary, a less recognized but equally intimidating aspect of med school matriculation is the uncertainty of relocation. The decision to attend medical school requires the willingness to make a new home and recreate your life.

Whether this means relocating your wife and four kids, or just your desk and some old binders, we hope that this book has opened your eyes as to what Augusta and MCG have to offer.

Why did we choose this title you ask? Well, between the bounds of this book, the secrets of centuries are revealed like a cryptex designed by da Vinci. S.O.S. is nautical code for “save our ship.” You are all sailors together; you will need each other’s support and the counsel of those who have sailed before you in order to face the storms of medical school. Seek advice like a compass seeks North, discover all you can, and excel. You will all be superb physicians before you know it.

We hope that your transition into life in Augusta will be as smooth as ours was. Failure to adhere to the guidelines listed previously will result in Porphyria Cutanea Tarda. Follow all of our instructions and you will be fine. If you don’t, we can’t be held responsible for the ensuing light sensitivity, hypertrichosis, and severe anemia.

Congratulations on your acceptance to MCG and we hope to see you next year.

Sincerely, Brooks Ficke Philip Robb Jr.

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S.O.S. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Augusta, MCG, and You