jgadparad

[jgadparad]

My Life as a RadTech Freshman:

First Semester Struggles

I’m not really sure how to start this.

Being a freshman RadTech student is way harder than I thought. I figured I’d just learn how to take X-rays and maybe a bit of anatomy. Turns out, there’s a lot more — physics, positioning, medical terms, patient care, radiation safety — it’s honestly overwhelming.

The first day was a blur. I was nervous but excited. Everyone else looked nervous too, which made me feel a little better. Our professor talked about how this job is super important because we’ll be helping doctors figure out what’s wrong with patients. That’s when it hit me — this isn’t just about machines and pictures. It’s about people.

The first few weeks were tough. I kept thinking, “Did I make the wrong choice?” Memorizing bones and medical terms felt impossible. Some nights, I stared at my notes for hours but couldn’t remember anything. It sucked.

Then we had our first lab day.

Getting to use the X-ray machine for the first time was crazy. I had no idea what I was doing. My first image came out blurry and crooked, but it didn’t matter. I actually did it. It felt real for the first time — like I wasn’t just a student but a future RadTech.

I still mess up. Last week, I completely forgot how to position for a wrist X-ray and froze. My lab partner had to help me out. It was embarrassing, but I’m learning.

The best part? My classmates. We’re all struggling together, which makes it easier. We study, share notes, and laugh about how tired we are. It’s nice knowing I’m not alone in this.