New to microtomy
Hi everyone!
I’m new to microtomy and I’ve been training for about a month. Lately I’ve been feeling really anxious and insecure, and I was wondering if anyone else felt the same way when they first started (or maybe it’s just me being this anxious).
My biggest fear is damaging or losing a patient’s tissue. To make things even more challenging, I have essential tremor. It’s usually mild, but it gets worse when I’m anxious or under pressure, and I’ve also noticed that caffeine—especially coffee and energy drinks—can make it worse. Sometimes that makes me worry that it will affect my performance.
Another thing that’s been stressing me out is the pressure to become faster. In my lab, it’s common for experienced microtomists to cut more than 150 blocks a day. I know they’re highly skilled and have years/months of experience, but it’s hard not to compare myself to them and feel like I’m falling behind.
Besides venting a little, I’d really love to hear your experiences. Did you also feel anxious or afraid when you started? How long did it take before you felt confident? And if you have any tips, habits, or little tricks that helped you improve your technique—or if you also have essential tremor or another condition that affects fine motor skills—I would be so grateful to hear your advice.