This blog is open for collaborations, reviews, features, sponsorships and advertisements. Send your queries at: floresdanahelisse@gmail.com
HI GUYS!!!! Oh my, it’s been a looooooong while. I actually went through my blog and re-read everything and I’ve noticed that I was always saying how “I don’t know what to and how to do blogging anymore” in most of my previous posts but I PROMISE THIS TIME, I LEGIT DON’T KNOW WHAT TO WRITE OR HOW DO I DO THIS ANYMORE because I haven’t done this for like forever. It felt like I’m starting again!!! Okay sige, I’m not gonna babble more. Let’s just hop right into my post.
Okay, so as what I’ve mentioned on my previous posts, I’ve entered Third Year or the Medtech proper last school year 2016-2017 and that’s (also) the reason why I was gone for a very long time. Idk, I just found myself being swallowed by acads and all that jazz that I never really had the time to write a single blogpost. There’s so much that has happened in my entire Third Year life and I wish I could’ve had written any of’em and immortalize the memories on this blog and hark back to those times… but sadly, I didn’t. Anyway, as you can probably tell on the title, this post would be a “rundown” of my experience as a Third Year Medical Technology student.
(Wait, how do I start?)
We started the school year earlier than the normal students in our university due to the reason that we were trying to chase the schedule for the 1-year internship so everything would fit and we would end just right on time for the graduation (yikes chills) because as you all know, we are one of those pabibo schools who embraced the academic calendar shift. So the clinical subjects I took this year are as follows:
1st Semester
MIC111 – Bacteriology
PAR100 – Clinical Parasitology
GPHC100 – General Pathology, Histopathology and Cytopathology
CC111 – Routine Clinical Chemistry
HEMA111 – Hematology 1
MTLBE100 – Medical Technology Laws and Bioethics
LMS100 – Laboratory Management and Supervision
2nd Semester
MIC112 – Mycology and Virology
UBF100 – Urinalysis and Body Fluids (Clinical Microscopy)
HEMA112 – Hematology 2
SIM100 – Serology and Immunology
CC112 – Continuation of CC1/ Special Chemistry
CC113 – Endocrinology, Toxicology and Drug Testing
IMH100 – Immunohematology (Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine)
I can’t believe I already passed all these subjects let alone the first sem subjects!!!! Personally, I think First semester is harder than the Second Semester idk maybe because it’s the time when we were just and still adapting to the new and toxic environment of Third Year life and the transition is quite overwhelming. Also, the passing rate was raised from 60% in Second Year to 70% in Third Year. I CAN’T EVEN!!! Plus the laboratory practical exams had an upgrade to like 5x that of the Second Year pracs. There’s legit a time when I went back to my dorm during lunch break just to cry because of a practical exam and a fair share of tears were shed at nights when I have no idea how to fit and finish everything before the sunrise. Also there’s a day when, for the first time in my life, I called my mom after I got back in my dorm from school and cried for my dear life because EVERYTHING WAS SO HARD.
- It’s also during First Semester when I learned how essential it is to know the time difference from night (let’s say 7pm) to 5am the next day and how to utilize it very well because your life literally depends on how you manage and distribute it to sleeping and studying because you know, you’ll only have to read 1-3 chapters per subject and you only have like 3 quizzes the next day for the lecture and probably a practical exam or a long quiz for the laboratory in the afternoon. JUST HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO PREPARE FOR THAT IN LESS THAN 10HRS???— is all I was thinking then. That’s how resentful and pitiful I was back then.
- We were taught the laboratory skills we need— Venipuncture (of course! the freaking highlight
and a must), Blood Smearing, Staining, Pipetting!! Oh God forbid, I loathe
glass pipetting so much! Direct Fecal Smear… and all medtech-y skills. I love
Bacteriology so much. It was the subject I got the highest grade during First
Semester. The lecture and laboratory were both the bomb.com. But ofc, I wouldn’t
forget the anxiety the Unknown has
given us. For our finals in the lab, we were given unknown organisms and we
were to identify it via Biochemical Testing and everything we were taught of on
how to identify such. It took me so long to decide what my organism was because
some of the biochemical test results weren’t at par with theoretical information
so imagine my anguish. Our grades basically depended on it so… yeah.
but in the end, I decided it was Enterobacter cloacae.
- Another memory from First Semester is the time when we were to submit Enterobius swabs as additional points for our Parasitology laboratory. I took my bestfriend with me to hunt down possible patients. It was such a memorable experience, I have no more words. I poured all the feels on this Facebook post.
- Also, I’ll never forget about First Semester is the day when we had our Grand Practical Exam in our laboratory subjects and it was the time when 3rd Floor HSC was in a total dishevelment. We were taking turns and rotating in different labs to have our moving practical exams simultaneously— one section is having their Histopath moving pracs, the other is having their Bacte moving pracs, then another section is on the roil in Hematology moving pracs while the other one is having their Parasitology Moving Pracs and the like. That was the most intense day ever imaginable.
- Also on that day, was the first time I was able to extract blood on a practical exam!!! I can never forget how stupid I may have looked for shouting “Hala may dugo” when blood oozed out from my partner’s vein. I was never able to bleed my partner in almost all the practicals we had due to my infamous phobia with needles and I was legit surprised and awed when a blood came out that day!!!
For the events of Second Semester… I’m not really sure?? lol even though it’s the more recent semester, I can’t remember much from it coz it went like a blur to me. It was so fast it was so unreal that it actually happened!!! (and that I passed!)
- Okay. One thing I could say about Second Semester is that I fancy UBF hahahaha I’m not sure if it’s the subject itself or teacher factor hahahaha but to be honest, it was so fun to study and probably the easiest of the panel of subjects for second semester (or so I thought).
- The
laboratory learning and insights this semester gave me more of the medtech
feels because most of the experiments/tests we did in the lab were the ones
that are being performed in the actual laboratory setting. I will never forget
the struggle of dilution in Serology lab. We aren’t allowed to use calculators
during the entire semester and of course as someone who absolutely hates math
and computation, that’s. the. worst. nightmare. ever. So given that situation,
imagine our surprise during the Final Laboratory Written examination when our
instructor finally allowed us to use calculator. Everybody in the class was in
awe because that’s super unexpected. We didn’t have much of moving practical
exams this sem compared to the numerous ones we had on first semester. The
practical exams this time were more like skills-based and principle application. Slide
identification-kind-of-moving practicals was surprisingly nakakamiss.
Self-pity time: Two semester have passed and no one was able to extract blood from me huhuhu do I even have veins??? :——(
Just to give you some insight, there are:
- 4
major examinations in each lecture subjects
- 2
major written examination in each laboratory subjects
- (100-item identification)
- Moving
Practical Exam in each laboratory subjects
- Skills/Application
Practical Exam in each laboratory subjects
- Pre
and post quizzes in every meeting in each lecture subjects
- Pre
and post quizzes in every laboratory experiments
- Long
Quizzes every after chapter
- Long
Quizzes before major examination in each lecture subject
- Long
Quizzes before major examination in each laboratory subjects
- Surprise
quizzes whenever the professor would like
- Not
to mention the drawings of each specimen in laboratory manuals in each
laboratory subject
- 2 Journal readings in each lecture subject
So ayun, hindi po kami OA and nag-iinarte. Our lives literally revolve in exams and quizzes.
Moving on, last May 09, we had our Pre-Internship Program which is a prerequisite before you can proceed to the actual internship. On that exact day,we took a 700-item Diagnostic Examination without any notice and I literally just came back from an 8-hour trip because I went home in Bicol so I was sitting for like 14 hours straight!!! We had series of practical examinations for two weeks, a Phlebotomy seminar with BD Philippines, a tour in a National Reference Laboratory which is the National Kidney Institute and an Oral Revalida.
CAUTION: Photospam ahead.
I’m not sure if this is enough to summarize everything because I can feel that it’s not even in the slightest bit justified on this post. Maybe it’s one of the wonders of life that cannot be really put into words. (But you tried, self what are you doing hahaha)
Suffice to say that all these experiences; the nerve-racking and heartbreaking quizzes, no-sleep days, tears, sweats, blood (hahahaha legit), cramming moments and all other hardships are the variables which played significant roles in this endeavour which lead me to where I am heading right now. I’m so happy and proud to share to you guys the next step I’m taking in this career path. I am now officially a Medical Technology Intern at St. Luke’s Medical Center – Quezon City under the Institute of Pathology. I know, I can’t believe it myself that I was able to pass through the needle-hole like hurdle you call “Third Year life”. SLMC is actually my first-in since we are to undergo 1-year internship and we will be having our second-in next semester in another hospital.
I will be forever thankful to Trinity University of Asia especially to Dean Rodriguez for always making sure that the quality of education/ training is there. Thank you for a super hands-on laboratory experience and our very own DIagnostic Laboratory in the 4th Floor. It’s like a simulation of the environment that we will be facing in the near future. Would also like to thank our Clinical Instructors:
- Mam Majo
Liao
- Sir Jude
Anthony Trinidad
- Dra. Mary
Anne Isip
- Sir Mark
Francisco
- Sir Mel
Destacamento
- Mam Gigi
Dayrit
- Mam
Violie Bascao
- Mam
Suzzette Lumanga
- Mam Rona
Gonzaga
- Sir
Joshua Descamparado
- Sir
Nikko Onate
- Mam Krystal
Tio
for gearing us up with all the lectures, wisdom and skills that we would need to be the Medical Technologists that we are aiming to be.
—————————
Other significant life events during the course of Third Year life:
- I became an Altar Server at the Shrine of Jesus the Divine Word. Hashtag dream come true.
- I was elected Medical Technology
Councilor in the University Student Council. Hashtag unreal.
All glory and praise to the Lord God above. Thank you for guiding me in almost everything I do. Thank you also St. Jude Thaddeus for interceding for me. Forever grateful and blessed.
That’s pretty much how I can sum up my Third Year life. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing it! Thank you so much for reading yet another long blog post of mine. See you on my next post (hopefully there’s a next)!!!
One semester down, 10 semesters to go and I’m done with pre-med.
Finally done with (serious) first semester of my first year life. Woah, time flies so fast! It’s like yesterday, I’ve finished a semester in USI and by this moment, I am officially out-of-school and now, I just finished a semester in TUA—currently on a sembreak and waiting for 2nd semester. I admit, it was pretty challenging but it was lighter and more bearable than my previous first semester experience. Maybe because of having only four subjects (transferee perks!) or maybe because I already prepared myself for all possible things that I may encounter. Studying away from home … been there, done that! In my previous school, I also lived in a dormitory because the university I was enrolled to is a two-hour drive away from my native land. It was a challenge to me this semester because studying and living in a dormitory in NCR is another story. Compared to my previous school, I can go home on weekends as often as I like but now, going home during long weekends would be my rarest option other than going home during term and holiday breaks; nostalgia is my biggest foe.
- One thing I love about this semester is it made me utilize solitude as a tool for making me somehow self-actualized. Due to my irregular status, I was enrolled in different courses, blocks and sections in each subjects, making friendships turn unsteady and blurry for me. During the first meeting, I hid my introvert self and tried my best to socialize with different people in each class but it seems as though that making friends is not really my thing. During the second meeting, some of them have already found cliques in their blocks. They still remark my presence in some ways but not like the way we were during the first meeting. It made me feel like I was used — they were only on my side when they have no one to be with, when no one seemed to like being with them and the moment they found new people, they just left me unaccompanied. Maybe they just notice me to decry civility. I, then, decided to befriend myself rather. I acknowledge the idea of some of them calling me as one of their friends and I’m very thankful for that but for me, they weren’t my friends, just acquaintances. A friend for me isn’t just someone who gives you a company, it’s more than that.
It’s cool standing on your own feet. I also found being friendless beneficial because it made my self-discipline game to be perfectly on point. I learned to answer problem sets with my own knowledge because no one’s gonna aid me. I’ve never depended in my seatmate during quizzes and examinations because I don’t know who my seatmate is. Clearly, how can I ask for help? Having my situation last semester made my old study habits (when I was in highschool during the time when I have a fixed position in Top 5) go tight. And made my cheater-hater self possessed me once again. (Mind you, I was somehow notorious in our class when I was in highschool for slaying the evil tails of cheaters; I always report activities of cheating to the teachers) I never felt sad while I was walking along the patio alone. It was actually better to be kissed by the cool (but polluted) city air than to be kissed by a fake friend. I also had more fun hearing the buzz of the busy streets than hearing gossips and etcetera of my “friends”. I may have ached for a friend’s shoulder some time in previous semester but I didn’t mean it to be a new one, ‘twas my bicol friends whom I was referring to.
You must actually could tell that I am a complete wallflower. Well, I couldn’t agree more. It’s hardly impossible for me to not have fun even if I’m alone. Maybe because I grew up like this. I’ve never been so outgoing since childhood. Are you going to believe me if I tell you that I have no friends nor any acquaintances here in our barangay? I find pleasure and company in inanimate things that surrounds me. I can befriend a Barbie doll, pictures but mostly books. I imagine my parents blaming themselves for letting me stay in my room the entire day reading books of any class; a textbook, encyclopedia, dictionary, tales and Disney pocketbooks during my childhood while some of my cousins were out in the front yard playing hide and seek. Sometimes, I ask myself if it was the situation’s fault that’s why I’m like this or was it my fault because I am constantly dragging myself to a situation I created where I would think it was the situation’s fault that’s why I’m like this?
Anyway, I was interviewed by the moderator of the HUGSociety. She asked me how well I am doing in the school, in each of my class considering that I am living independently. I told her about me not showing any affection in gaining friends and she hardly believed what am I saying. She asked for reasons and I gave her some. Like what I told her, one thing I don’t want in having “friends” is the peer pressure. We all go through some points wherein we can no longer have a tight grasp with our self-discipline and we completely drench ourselves to the rhythm of whatever the peer was telling you to do and that’s what I am avoiding. Second, I went to NCR to study. Making friends is good but it is not that necessary isn’t it? She asked me how could I simply do it like I took a masteral degree of it. I told her: 'the moment I enter the classroom, my attention is on the board and the professor. I don’t care whoever’s beside me. It’s like the moment the lecture starts, it feels as though that I, the professor and the words inscribed in the board or in the textbook I have were the only things that matter.’ (except during Chem class where there’s my crush. He’s kinda bugging this concentration I have tho hahaha) She also asked me how could I handle it all by myself whenever I have problems or situations that requires a talk and everything. I told her that I don’t (often) ask for help whenever I have problems. Mostly, I keep it to myself and to this blog. She uttered some words that expressed a mild ridicule but yeah, no one could actually understand how significant a blog is if you’re not a blogger, am I right? Eventually, I get to realize that the problems I keep weren’t really problems. If you’re gonna ask how … I’m sorry, idk either.
Moving on …
- This semester had let me do things I haven’t done before and I was longing and hoping to do. Like meeting my idols and all that stuff. This previous semester have let me do a shit ton of accomplishments–I must say, in my fangirling life. I’ve seen Christina Grimmie perform live. I watched Renee Pionso live and got that chance to meet and have a couple of pictures with her. I even saw Juan Karlos but he was in disguise. I also got to watch Daniel Padilla play basketball up-close and of course, I would never forget that time when Rhap Salazar sang/ dedicated a song I love for me while I was reviewing for Midterm Examinations. I’m really looking forward for more of this in the coming semesters.
- This semester also showed me how the voice of the students was being handled by the university I chose to transfer to. It’s not a fine sight actually but whatever commotion there is, I’m a Trinitian because I am studying. Even if the entire studentry is rallying, I’m going to school to study. As long as my rights is not being stepped on, me and the administration won't have any problem.
- I also got to meet a Twitter friend. She was a super-duper famous blogger sometime in 2012 and we hypothetically concluded that we might have known each other sometime here in Tumblr but we’re not aware of it. She handed me her journal during our first meet. I read one of her writings, and I realized I read it somewhere here and yeah, the woah sensation came to vial us. She’s a part of Trinity Observer and she’s the key why I entered the TO Office even though I am not a part of the Editorial Staff and the key why I got a glossy copy of their recent issue and some folios that was published last year (it was a big deal for me, okay?). Sadly, she mentioned some words about leaving. I hope she’ll stay in TUA so that I can still enroll in her class and make all our plans came into action.
- The previous semester also let me author my own book. I just made a damn compendium of newspapers from 2004 to 2014. I wish I had the money to reproduce it but nuh, I’m too broke.
- My English101 professor offered me to transfer in UP. He asked me my grades and told me my grades were qualified to UP standards (as they call it). At first, I really want to bite it. Not all students were given such opportunity. I’ve heard that the process is easier if you have a “backer”. UP is not actually my dream university (and I didn’t even take UPCAT because there is no uniform lol) but the tuition … my parents could actually save 75% of my tuition in TUA if I grab that offer but I’m afraid I would fail my subjects the moment I’m already in UP. I’m afraid my brain won’t fit in the UP standards.
I hope all my hard-works will be paid off. I might not have exerted all my best but I know I’ve given enough effort to deserve an A grade. The grades will be released on December 1 and I feel so nervous. Unlike in USI, my previous school, the grades were being encoded starting from prelim to finals but now, in TUA, I’ll only know my final grade.
This semester had spoiled me with lots of free time because I only have four subjects and by next semester, it will be 10. I hope it’ll be bearable and I hope it won’t drive me nuts. Since I only have 14 units this semester, I am not qualified for Dean’s List. I really want to qualify for DL because of (1) the scholarship, (2) it’s the least I can do for my parents and (3) the glory of being in it will serve as the remuneration for all the efforts I would possibly give. I hope during the end of next semester, I ’ll be able to see my name posted in bulletin boards under the banner of Dean’s Lister.
(Anyway, if you’re wondering why was it “1 down and 10 semesters to go” … we have summer classes and it was some kind of required like we were trisem but we’re not actually trisem. They only hid it behind the name “Summer Classes” but it’s not optional because you need to take those subjects during summer … or so I think?)