I just wanted to say how much of an inspiration to me you are. I am in nursing school, I have 4 kids and my husband is deployed and when I feel like I just don’t want to look at my books anymore I’ll watch one of your videos and I always get motivated to get back to work. I always get these “I can’t do this” moments, but I can do this. We can do this! Thank you!!!

Grinds at school Eats healthy Goes to the gym Processes her emotions and talks about them openly Is an actual cinnamon roll and a red ant!? We have no choice but to stan

I’m not even in medical school and I love this channel 😂❤️

That ECG interpretation was hilarious 😂

"When I die somebody needs to read my EKG and it'll one that I actually know: asystole" Man🤣🤣🤣🤣

Love how she chooses to be open with her emotions... everybody has an off day once in a while, and that's okay!!! The next day will always be better :)

You really are the prettiest cryer! I hope you're feeling better, and thank you for sharing. Even when you're low you're still trying to help someone, you're a wonderful person.

Thank you so much for being vulnerable and honest about how you're doing throughout your journey. I am a nontraditional premed working full-time and going to school part-time and I often struggle with anxiety and depression. It's nice to know that sometimes those bouts of random sadness are normal and completely human and that there are others who feel those things! You help me think about things from a different perspective and your videos always make me more optimistic about my own trajectory. Keep it up

hey girl, i just want to say that i am a highschool senior and i recently applied to several biology b.s. programs and pursue med school afterwards and ive been getting a lotta crap from people who say “8 years of schooling is a waste of time” and residency is literal hell and ngl, it discourages me. esp when one of my ONLY friends who intended on pursuing med school has decided to go on to nursing in fear of “wasting” her 20s in school and crappy work. watching these vlogs, and many others, just motivates me and gets me to keep on trying and knowing that its going to be hard but not impossible. thank u for being here and producing videos that inspires so many people like me doubting their decisions. i feel much secure in my decisions watching you and many student doctors.

Just got to the sad part. You're freakin awesome. Stay strong

I'm a Dental Student and your videos remind me that I'm not alone in how I feel sometimes. I'm rooting for you!!💪🏾

You are pure MOTIVATION, INSPIRATION AND RADIANCE ,I've been procrastinating for a long time ,now I'm finally on my journey as a non traditional pre med since I joined your HERD ,THANKS To you ,beautiful Rachel 💫

Me: Watches video to put off doing some studying. Rachel: Be productive today. Me: Crap. 😂

I love how you are still looking for the good even when you don’t feel good or like yourself 🙃

I’m in Veterinary school right now and I’m in cardio AND respiratory right now too... so I FEEL the stress. Trying to take things one lecture at a time. A few vids ago when I saw the cardiomyocyte action potential graph I was so excited that I could identify the phases!

When you were describing the muscles in your neck during the spasm I was like yep this girl is totally made to be a doctor lol

"When I die somebody has to read my ekg in my funeral. It'll be one I actually know: asystole" This is so relatable and I'm in my last year of med school 😂😂😂 you win me over with that one lmao

Rachel

I'm an Indian girl and right now my pre-boards of grade 10 are going on....even though it's 3am in the morning and I just got done with my studies. I can say that this vlog is an accurate representation of my life right now.

Hahaha I'm about to start med school and when my partner (he's a doctor) tries to explain something to me that I just don't get .. same feels!

I love how you "need" to go to the store for coffee! lol. Same here! I truly appreciate how transparent you are with your emotions (although they are not always helping us)! EKGs are a little challenging unless you are able to grasp the 3-D understanding of how it all comes together! I struggled HARD! But, honestly, I practiced with a lot of different ones to get the hang of how it all comes together. SKETCHY is now a part of "THE HERD"! YEEEAAAASSSS!

So relatable... I’m in med school as well and my emotions have been all over the place since then. But always remember: you’re doing something that you love so it’s all worth it!😌😍 Thanks for the amazing video!

What really helps me get through things when I'm through the worst of days in Med school is to stop whatever I'm doing and take a run. It helps to clear my mind and recalibrate my emotions. I'm glad you took a break when you felt you needed to, that's really the most important part. Hang in there!

I like your videos, they’re relatable. The crying one are appreciated as a newly single mom of 2 lol. We do what we can but it gets overwhelming at times.

I’m so glad that you’re so open about what you’re going through with school and emotions. Since starting Pharmacy school, my highs have been really high and my lows have been really, REALLY low. Makes me feel like I’m going insane sometimes honestly. My best comfort is, in 3.5 years the stress of coursework will be off of my back, and it will all have been worth it. Not every one of my days is going to be fantastic, but on the flip side not every day is going to be horrible. I’m learning to accept that and keep moving forward.

i LOVED this vlog!! it’s really real and raw and i like how you show all the emotions you went through. that’s really helpful so that people can know they’re not alone. 💛💛

You’re such a strong person Rachel and you’ve been fighting for what you want and i admire you so much because of how strong you are for doing med school in general. But just think about the fact that all of this will be worth it in the end, KEEP IT UP YOU’RE DOING AMAZING !!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Emotional people are the one with best hearts 💓

This semester's exam period is so hard on me and im crying a lot too. You're videos are so amazing and relatable. You go girl! We can do this! 💪💪

Girllll I’m in school for sonography /DMS. I soooo understand the frustration. The medical field is hard 😩 I often wonder if I picked the right career. I love when I can scan, so I think it is the right one. It’s just daunting! Hang in there!

Currently an M1 in my second week of cardio block and I think I’ve gone through the same 50 emotions just this week.

I’m not in medical school nor do I plan to but I’m in nursing school so whenever I feel down, I watch you for motivation. Here I am complaining about nursing school and you are actually in medical school! Lol. So thank you for being such an inspiration beautiful 💚

I’m a med student aswell (currently on my fourth year) and I can relate so much! It’s really a rollercoaster but it’s definitely worth it 💪🏼

rachel, i just wanted to thank you sooooo much for sharing your emotions and letting us know that it's ok to not always feel ok. i sometimes have those days when i feel "off" or not like myself, and it's so reassuring to know that other people feel like that too

You have a STRIVE sweater from StriveStudies!!!!! I love how all you vloggers support each other, keep goin girl!

I love that you share ALL of you with us. The happy. The sad. It's refreshing to see the real you.

9:25 I thought you said "we have an 80 hour mandatory lecture" and I was so confused until I replayed and it was actually "an 8 am mandatory lecture" 😂

it takes strength to express vulnerability, I've always tried to hide mine all these years! You're so strong ,we're red ants ,we're resilient!

I'm literally having one of those days where I don't feel like myself and I am so glad I watched your video it makes me feel like i'm not alone and not crazy for having bad days when it seems like everyone else always has their life together. Been watching your videos for a while now and I LOVE your channel, you always put me in a better mood and help me realize I don't have to take myself so seriously all the time!! THANK YOU

Great way to see mondays! Monday motivation incoming!

Mad love for you Rachel. Keep your head up, remember that everything gets better eventually. But until then just hold on :) Dont forget to breathe!!

You are really helping me Rachel thank you ❤️

I wish I cried like you. So much healthier than not being able to let it out

Aww Rachel. You are so relatable thank you for being vulnerable and letting yourself be human. Life is hard and it has ups and downs so thank you for being vulnerable.

I love your videos! I’m currently a full time nursing student with a full time job and also *trying* to manage my fitness and relationship! Your channel is like a breath of fresh air 💖

Thank you for being you and sharing you with the rest of us!!

You're such a wonderful person. Thank you for the motivation you give us, and I can only hope that you know we wish the best for you!

I feel you :( I’m in a class at my high school that prepares you to become an MA and I still don’t understand EKGs and it was our first unit 🤭

When she was studying EKG that’s how I felt in Calculus 1 😂

I’m about to start PA school & girl I’d be blessed to have you as my supervising physician. You’re amazing and so relatable and raw and thank you.

Hey Rachel, I am obsessed with your videos! I’m a junior studying a biology b.s. right now and I have a chronic pain condition called Interstital Cystitis. Some days are really challenging to do the things I have to get done. Even with my pain condition, I would love to go to medical school. You motivate me more than you know, to just get up, stay strong, and just get stuff done even when you’re not feeling your best and you will get through the bad days!! No other person motivates me like your videos do. Please don’t ever stop making them!! 🐜❤️

Yes! It’s okay to not be okay! I feel that Rachel! You don’t have to be okay all the time! You’ve got this! Make sure to take a breather every now and then! God bless you! Thank you for the videos!

You're my go to KZfaqr when I need somebody who is real, genuine, funny, and works hard! I've already watched your most recent video, so I'm watching older ones because you always make me feel good!

I love this soooo much ❤️❤️sometimes I feel like I’m over dramatic when I’m stressed from school and just feel in the dump but thank u for being transparent makes me feel like I’m not the only one and a better day is coming❤️❤️❤️❤️

it literally makes me cry to see you cry 😭 you got this girl!!

Fellow med student here 😊 When it comes to ECGs my biggest advice is to have a system of how you approach them. I.e. rate, rhythm, p waves, axis deviation, ST elevation etc etc. and just keep practicing that. Then move onto learning what those changes you’re finding mean. Two sites I found to be really helpful are: - Life in the fast lane (has an ECG section and explains the different changes for each part of an ecg and what it means) - wave-maven (developed by Harvard - it has ECG practice questions and you can filter the difficulty, so I just started on level 1 questions and worked my way up) I know how it feels girl and you’re doing so well! Keep it up, you’ll be a pro at them in no time xxx

I have really rough days too. Thank you so much for sharing this video because i feel like at least i’m not alone in this crazy studying schedule which constantly makes me feel overwhelmed and vulnerable.

So much respect for you, Rachel! Best of luck to you on your journey. ❤️

You’re doing incredible, if anyone can push through the hard study days it’s definitely you. 💙

Can u do a video on how to take notes in medicine school??? As well as if u take it on ur iPad or I'm an actual book. Love you❤❤

currently going through CRRAB 1 and learning EKGs and I am SOOOO glad I'm not the only one that felt anger and sadness at the same time trying to understand it!!!

u can do this rachel we all believe in you

Girrrrrrrrl you are not alone in understanding EKG's...... I could not for the life of me remember or understand any of it. I bombed that part of my exam, especially all of the leads and the negative and positive charges haha

i am just going to say thank you for being you love you Rachel

I just can't see you cry without sheddin a tear myself... .. But I feel better !?! Thanks .

I took a Telemetry Tech course a few months ago, coming from a computer science background. Those EKG strips will make anyone absolutely crazy. It takes time but, if anyone can do it it's YOU!!! Thanks for all of the inspiration.

5:03 look where you are now rachel Watching these now bcs I’m in this situation currently

Watching your videos makes everything feel better😂 med school is definitely hard. But I’m grateful I’m graduating later this year and finally becoming a doctor🙏🏾 Goodluck on your journey Rachel, you’re doing amazing 💕

That crack at the end was delicious lmao

Just want to say, thank you for helping me through accelerated nursing school

my daily dose of trudging-through-MCAT-content motivation

I never told you that ... but I love your vlogs !! They give me motivation to study! I am studying biomedical sciences (in Portugal) it is not exactly the same thing, but most of my classes are the same as those in medicine. I have been lacking motivation to study for the remaining 2 exams ... glad you published a new vlog! Wish you the best you're an inspiration to me 😘

Just wanted to hop on here and say I seriously enjoy watching your vlogs Rachel! Even if it’s a simple day it’s very interesting to me !

I hate reading EKGs as well but I’m not sure if you know of Cathy Parkes she just unleashed her new EKG cards they are a big help. I’m in nursing school I’ll be finished up in May, you motivate me to keep pushing . You got this 💗

Thanks for another great and inspirational video!! And I’m glad your neck is doing better! It sucks that unnecessary things like that tend to happen to us at the worse times lol good luck with your studies! We’re all rooting for you💕💕

The neck crack killed me 😂 I watch chiropractic videos all the time, it’s calming to watch other people get fixed 💀

If you're struggling w/ EKGs, I recommend "Rapid Interpretation of EKGs by Dale Dubin". It's a great book and it's super easy to read.

Anki is life

Thanks for mentioning what you make notes on. :)

You are the best Rach!

I felt all of these emotions LMAO

you inspire me soo much 💓 you’re such a Hard worker !

Girl you got this! I'm an RN, and it took me 4 years of nursing school, plus three night shifts worth of studying to grasp the basics. Its complicated stuff! and you're doing so good! stay strong!!

Here's how to think about EKG's EKG's give a complex overview of cardiac activity and you need to unpack different parts of the data an EKG presents. First how much info does the EKG contain because all EKG's don't contain the same info. Normal EKG's contain the most info but that info only confirms normalcy, but that's important in diagnosis. Some EKG's like bundle branch block EKG's have their maximum data obscured by the conduction defect. The fact the wave that depolarizes the ventricle is slowed causes the contraction of the ventricle to occur in a way that masks things like ST segment analysis. So that's the first thing all EKG's do not contain the same amount of information. The next thing is if the EKG is abnormal what does trace tell you. Ischemia (tissue injury or unstable angina) for example is consistent with ST segment depression. Infarct (actual tissue death or heart attack) is consistent with ST elevation. What leads these abnormalities occur in tell you what wall of the heart is going undergoing damage, so the leads are like an electrical lens which allows you to "look" at different sides of the heart. Since the sides are fed by specific coronary anatomy you can trace back to which arteries are likely blocked. The data is correlation data so it's not 1:1 absolute. So the lead pattern of SD depression across leads so ST depression and T wave changes in 2, 3 and AVF are consistent with ischemia in the inferior wall and ST depression an T wave changes in leads V3 V4 are consistent with anterior wall ischemia. The anterior wall is primarily Right coronary artery the inferior wall is primarily left coronary but the left immediately splits into LAD and circumflex so just one of those occluded may be the culprit or some combination of LAD CIRC and LCA in a complex way causing ischemia. The EKG also tells you about rhythm and conduction systems and may indicate which arteries are diseased. For example AFIB may be from RCA ischemia which feeds the SA node, so an ischemic SA may loose it's pace maker ability and that is then taken over by lower escape beat pacemakers along the conduction chain. The SA is under vagus control lower pacemakers are not necessarily so the rhythm may become somewhat erratic and fibrulative. You can also pick up things like WPW syndrome which are called re-entrant tachycardia's from EKG. WPW has a classic short PR and delta wave associated EKG findings. You can also pick up evidence of old infarcts by studying the T waves and you can pick up metabolic and electrolyte abnormalities like high or low K+ or Mg2+ and others. Finally there are some unique patterns like Mobitz drops of beats an Weinkebach and since they are unique are easily testable to med students. Learning EKG's is like learning to read and speak a foreign language. The traces are but symbols that unpack a wealth of physiological knowledge and like a language it takes time and effort as in years to become proficient. You won't be proficient today, but learn what you can as this will form the basis upon which to grow your knowledge EKG's therefore contain a wealth of knowledge about the anatomy, physiology, electrophysiology and information about the blood and electrolytes in the body

I love youuu❤❤❤ You're sooo inspiring💙

Will you be making an updated study routine video? Looking forward to the weekly vlogs now that school is starting up again!

Admiring the Strive to Fit shirt-- But where is your merch???

2:58 lmaooooo I'm ded🤣🤣

I would rec getting a heating/massage pad, they work wonderings when you have muscle problems like that, or even after just a really long and tense day! It makes a world of difference! 😄

I am your great fan....and love watching your videos ...as i also had started my medical studies this year..

How to deal with anxiety been a student?.... You are helping me thanks

Hey Second Year Medical Student here. I also struggled with EKGs a lot the first time I had to learn them. Make sure you get the "Rapid Interpretation of EKG's by Dale Dubin" it walks you through how to read almost any EKG. Literally a life saver you can read the entire book in a couple of hours it is not a big book or anything. Good Luck Study Hard!!

what is that sith lord sweater it looks so comfy i need it 😍😍

Don't worry we'll be using AI to read EKGs anyhow in the future. Machine Learning Algorithms already outperform many Cardiologists Reading EKGs. I have not taken Cardiovascular/Pulmonary yet, but upper years told me it is one of the hardest courses at my med school with a considerable percentage of the class failing. I and others in my class can expect to feel down as well when we are hit with cardiology. Seeing you persevere is motivational, and your candor will help others push through similar struggles they'll face in med school.

Not a medical professional but that asystole jab got me rolling. Rooting for ya Racheal, anyway you got this 💗

The Boards and Beyond EKG videos are the best!! ❤️

Hi, i love your vlog, I’m a med student in México

she's so pretty

Your videos are great and super transparent! Thank you. Any advice for a new youtuber beginning med school??

What's so complex about ECG? It measures electrical activity in the heart - atrial depolarisation, ventricular depolarisation, ventricular repolarisation...