#medtech student

[just-another-medtech-student]

a challenge for myself

Okay, so I’m starting this blog because... why not? I’m about to turn 20, and I figured it’s time to step up and do something big every year. Gotta keep pushing myself, right?

So here’s the challenge I’ve set for myself: The Battery Exam. But not just any goal... I’m aiming for the Top 10. Why settle for less when you can aim high?

It actually reminds me of something I saw in an anime last week when Hunter Cha said, “I want to stand next to him. Be as strong as him.” And that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’ve got someone I look up to, who believes I can do it, so why not follow his path? Why not trust in what he says and push through my doubts?

So, I’m not just aiming to pass—I’m going for the top spot (just like him). To show I can be just as good as the people I admire, to stand next to them.

So yeah, here it is: Top 10 in the Battery Exam. Let’s see if I can actually make this happen. 💪

P.S. I only have 55 days left, 8 weeks in total (wish me luck!)

[thoughts-of-therese]

day 1 of productivity

I actually made a previous DOP series and unfortunately, I forgot about all of it. So now, I'm trying to start again from scratch. Here's a summary of what I did throughout the day:

woke up at 4am

ate breakfast

nailed my physical ed. exams

able to get a manageable grade in theology

bought dinner

finished studying for parasitology exams (barely)

Takeaways: My day wasn't actually that productive yet alteast I was able to make some good things. Although I didn't get outstanding scores in my exams or grades in my subjects, well atleast I was able to get by. I know that I am not that good of a student but atleast I now know where I will make my improvements and where should I focus more.

I never expected that I would be this kind of person. From a straight A's student to an average student. From someone who used to aim for high grades to someone who just barely passes. I never really thought that college would really humble me this hard and of all majors, I wound up in one of the most complex majors in medicine. Well, I guess this is just how life goes and that this is also where my potential could be tested.

Take failures as challenges.

Improvements can happen without you noticing.

Carry on 🍃

[just-another-medtech-student]

📘 Day 6: self care isn't a distraction from your goals, they are fuel for your journey.

🌱Study log: Day 6

As an overwhelmed infj, I needed that.

☀️ Morning Flow:

- No classes today = a slow, calm start

- Began reading my biochem textbook around 8:30 AM (post-breakfast grind)

- Picked up where I left off last night:

- Electron Transport Chain

- Oxidative Phosphorylation

- ATP Production

Afternoon Flow:

- Time to face Carbohydrate Metabolism (with coffee in hand)

- Tackled:

- Glycolysis

- Gluconeogenesis

- Pathways, steps, terminologies, the whole metabolic mess

- Started with my textbook… but it wasn’t clicking. Like, at all.

↪️ I wasn’t retaining the info, so I changed my strategy.

New Strategy:

- Decided to use RemNote Pro!

- Uploaded YouTube links

- Watched topic-specific videos

- Answered their flashcards and quizzes

Realizations That Hit HARD:

- Asked some advices from Gemini AI since deep down, I feel like I'm missing something important.

- Saw my study plan for what it really was: ambitious but reckless

- Turns out, I was forcing productivity with external pressure and toxic motivation

- But what I really need is growth-based, peaceful focus

- Motivation should feel nourishing, not draining

Mini Reflection:

A major win today was recognizing when my initial study method wasn't working and pivoting. Discovering the power of RemNote Pro and the insights from Gemini feel like significant steps forward. 🙏 (I should start treating myself to a walk, reconnecting with nature, or reading some new books!)

[just-another-medtech-student]

Hi ka-medtech! How's everything? Looking towards your batt exam journey! Would you mind giving tips on how you're so focused and all?

Hi ka-medtech! 💉🩸

first of all—thank you for even asking that 😭 I’m honestly still in disbelief that I made it through and even placed fifth! truth is, i was so far from being focused all the time. i had burnout moments, mini meltdowns, and nights where i’d cry into my daily joe coffee and still keep studying bc the pressure was so real 😭 BUT i think what helped me stay consistent was:

reminding myself why i started, i wanted to prove to myself that i was capable. i wanted to walk out of the exam room with no regrets. (NGL, every time I walked out, I STILL had some regrets, but I think that feeling never fully goes away!)

🧎‍♀️ praying... a lot. like, whispering “Lord, help me” while highlighting lipid metabolism and lighting a candle every 1-2x week does help!

studying SMART. Use ChatGPT, Gemini AI, Quizlet, Remnote or LM Notebook (anything that could help you understand a lesson better is WORTH your money) I usually learn better with active recall, organized planning, summarized notes, detailed yet easy explanations, tables in parasitology and of course, with MCQ's so ChatGPT really helped a lot (so if you have a big exam coming up, I totally recommend ChatGPT Plus)

and lastly, MAKE IT FUN. I let ChatGPT make stories about biochem metabolism or some pick-up lines, since the more enjoyable it gets, the more it sticks to my mind. And I’d info-dump everything I learned back to ChatGPT, so it helped me find the gaps.

idk if i was responsibly focused since there were days that I only function well if I drank 2-3 cups of coffee💀, but i was in love with the dream. and i just didn’t want to let her down — the version of me who started it all.

So yeah! you got this katusok!!🫶✨ Rooting for you always, future RMT 💪🩸

[just-another-medtech-student]

☀️ Day 4: What's meant for you will always find its way

🌙Study log: Day 4

A not so productive morning, but definitely needed that rest! (a lunch with my fav. person)

🕰️ Start Time:

Night grind kicked in at 9:30 PM 🌙

(Sometimes, that’s just when the mind finally cooperates :'))

Topics Covered:

Biochemical Energy Production (started but paused halfway lol)

Carbohydrates (summary + practice questions)

Total: 6 topics in energy production, 1.5 hours spent on carbs grind

How It Went:

The morning was more of a rest day, and honestly, I loved it. Spent some quality time with my favorite person—it’s the kind of energy that doesn’t come from caffeine or flashcards :))

By nighttime, I cracked open my biochem book and started reviewing biochemical energy production. Made it through 6 foundational topics… until I saw it: the Citric Acid Cycle. And my brain? Immediately said “not tonight 😵‍💫”

I’ve memorized it before, so I know I’ll get there again, just… not right now. So I pivoted! I went back to carbs and spent 1.5 hours making summaries and answering more questions. This topic is finally starting to click—especially the structures! I’m recognizing monosaccharides, disaccharides, and getting a real grip on those reducing vs. non-reducing sugars.

Study Tools Used:

LM notebook 📓 for note reinforcement

Gizmo flashcards 🔁

Practice Qs

Little Life Moment:

Learning to shift gears when your brain isn’t cooperating is such a life skill. No guilt, just redirection. (orrrr am I just gaslighting myself? hahaha)

Looking Ahead:

Gonna tackle that Citric Acid Cycle like it owes me money tomorrow 😤 (with the full brain power it deserves). Will tackle the rest 6 topics of biochemical energy production tomorrow and will go straight ahead to Carbohydrate metabolism!

Mini Reflection:

Not every day has to be 100% beast mode. Sometimes the win is knowing when to pivot, rest, and still push forward.

[lei-monade]

SENIOR YEAR

This is why I haven’t been blogging for 2 years because I focused on my studies to pass each semester until I reached the finish line of being a college student. I haven’t blogged about any of my travel trips due to busy life. All I could say is thank you God for giving me the strength to survive the school year. The pictures above are the memories in bacteriology lab, moving exams, research defense and clinical internship. From breakdowns of failing quizzes and exams to joyous moments of being an intern. Though i have many stories to tell about my internship experience to graduation and passing the board exam but I have no time already to blog about it since I have been very busy now for work and other priorities. 

[lei-monade]

Third Year

“Welcome to hell year!”

This is a common greeting to incoming Juniors in college especially when you're taking up Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science.

On the August of 2016th, it was the year for me becoming a 3rd year college student. The year where everyone would be excited at the same time scared. I wanted to describe the exact detail of my experience but I have to keep it low because some may be controversial (like usually half of my batch failed the semester, some students failed 2 major subjects and were considered out of the program) so it was really a tough year.  

When school started after 2 months of summer break, I had officially started the first semester of 3rd Year.  I have made new friends due to the shuffling of block mates and learn a lot like really A LOT. I give emphasis on that since 3rd year made me realized of what a medical technologist does. I had great adjustments and culture shock. I learned how to do phlebotomy, properly manipulate the microscope, and observe bacteria on agar plate and so much more. I find it to be a good premed course since it requires a lot of studying. I spent the night reading my academic books, sacrificed hanging out with friends by studying in coffee shops, and having breakdowns due to failed quizzes and exams. It was also the year I practiced acceptance, this is because failure will always be there.  All I had to do was do my best to study hard and aim high.

For me, I find the first semester to be really fun and with the most memories. It is because I tried so many things for the first time. Despite the busy schedule and school works, I found myself enjoying what I’m doing. I like my classmates, my professors and subjects (shout out to BMLS 3G).  That was when I passed first semester. Everyone was so happy but some of them did not make it though and somehow it is God’s other plan for them. Not until Second semester started, so new classmates again and adjustments. I could say it was one of a tiring experience. I find the subjects really hard and difficult to cope up. I nearly experience anxiety due to my consistent failure in my quizzes. The worst part is, I had a failing grade starting from prelim to midterm. It was the toughest semester because most people would see how stressed I am. I lost weight and had eye bags every day. Every night I studied hard for my subjects just to pass. I cried a lot in the morning or at night thinking if I couldn’t make it and be a disappointment to my parents.

But guess what? I made it through Second Semester. I couldn’t contain my happiness the time when I looked at my grades at our school website. I called and texted my family and friends that I’ve survived. In every struggle, there comes a reward in the end. I can’t believe I’ve made it this far, for all the sleepless nights, coffees and books. God gave me the best reward which is to survive 3rd Year. I thanked Him so much and thanked the people who believed in me.