#ple 2025

[greighgalliguez]

One More Day

During our send-off, our dean read a snippet from his diary on the day of his boards. It was inspiring—beautifully written, steady, and real. It made me think of my own words, so I dug up my old Tumblr entries from before the nursing boards.

Reading them now, I can feel the pressure I carried, the rawness of my fear as the exam date came closer. I was anxious, overwhelmed, convinced I wasn’t enough. But if I could speak to that Greigh from 7 years ago, I’d tell her: “You’ll be fine. It’s almost always worse in your head. You’ve prepared, and you’ll reap what you sow. God has got you—trust Him.”

And maybe, just maybe, the Greigh 7 years from now would want to tell me the very same thing.

[greighgalliguez]

Pearls B

I think I finally understand why people who’ve gone through this season say it’s important to keep your emotions in check before the boards. Lately, I’ve been getting messages from friends who are right on the edge of breaking down. Strangely enough, instead of unraveling too, I’ve felt more steady—like I have to be stable for them.

If I were alone, I’d probably be in the same messy state. But they need a rock, and I’m willing to be that.

Funny, isn’t it? How being strong for others comes easier than being strong for ourselves? Doubt roars the loudest inside our own heads, but the moment it’s said out loud, it starts to fade.

The devil’s working overtime to plant negativity—but Hail Mary, full of grace, kick the devil in the face.

Let’s get this bread.

[greighgalliguez]

What Made Me Happy Today?

A lot of things.

Today was our send-off for the Board Exams. This was something new to me—I’d never attended one, nor had any real insider view from someone who already did.

I remember last year, during the October 2024 boards, I was on duty at TMC, the hospital across our school. I heard the drums beating for the board takers then. Today, those same drums beat for me. With every pound, my heart raced—not just with fear, anxiety, and pressure—but also with gratitude. I was touched by the community, by the prayers of people who aren't related to me, yet choose to root for me.

I’m happy with the school I was led to. I’m happy—and blessed—that despite being sickly, I haven’t fallen ill once this whole review season. I’m happy with the sincerity of the palancas I received. I’m happy that I got to experience my send-off, even after debating for so long whether to attend, worried about my backlogs. I’m happy for the personal support of someone whose nickname I spell a little differently. I’m happy for the love surrounding me—from family, friends, schoolmates, mentors, teachers, batchmates… everyone.

Yes, I’m under an inexplicable amount of pressure and anxiety, weighed down by all the heavy emotions that come with this season. But I’m not alone in lifting myself up. Even when it’s hard to feel fully confident in myself, I’m happy—and deeply thankful—for everyone who believes in me.

God is with me. And through Him, I have been blessed with all of you.

[greighgalliguez]

Day 7

1. How do I feel today? How do I even begin to name this feeling? Since our usual conversations paused, I’ve been living off glimpses of you—online sightings, fleeting posts. You look well. When I miss your voice, I play your song on repeat. It never feels like enough. I miss you deeply. But I remind myself: I deserve a love that longs for me, too. So I wait, and I keep our last chat open like a doorway—hoping that one day, it will lead to good news.

2. What are my goals for this study session? Funny how I almost forgot I’m supposed to be studying. Even in your absence, you take up so much space in my head. But this daily journaling keeps me anchored. My goal is to finish all the Preventive Medicine videos today so I’m ready for tomorrow’s face-to-face session.

3. What distractions might come up, and how will I manage them? Errands, emotions, and everything in between. The weight of missing you could pull me off track. But I have to push through. I need to feel these things—but not let them hold me back.

Today, I pray for consistency. I want to end this day proud of the way I showed up for myself. I pray for lightness in my heart—and in his. I pray his event goes well, that he shines, and smiles with ease. And I pray we find our way back to each other, under better circumstances—with clarity, with peace, and with freedom.

Someday, I hope the good news I’m waiting for finally comes: That he told his mom about me. That he’s ready—with a plan, and with purpose—to truly choose me.

[greighgalliguez]

Day 6

1. How do I feel today? I don’t really know what I feel today—it’s a neutral day, I guess. But if I try to name the small emotions: I woke up feeling sad, mostly because I slept too late again and woke up in the afternoon. Still, I feel somewhat productive—I got to drive around with my sister and run errands. At the same time, there’s a lingering guilt creeping in because I’m about to start a new subject, yet I still haven’t finished the last two Pharma videos. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll even watch them anymore. I also feel happy, because yesterday I found my graduation dress. I’m so excited to wear it—but not too soon, because that also means the board exams are getting closer. I feel nervous and anxious. Are these little hours I spend on leisure, instead of studying, going to cost me passing the boards? And yes, I feel sad too—because soon, the sun will set again, and I’ll be reminded of the love I yearned for. But I am also hopeful—you told me to wait, and wait I shall.

2. What are my goals for this study session? Today, my goal is simple: to start. To finish all the videos I planned to watch. To keep going. To make it worth it that I’m not at school. I want to remind myself that I can be productive, even from home.

3. What distractions might come up, and how will I manage them? I know distractions will come. I’m in the middle of a really good series—it speaks to my ideals of rebellion, femininity, and a glimpse of romance. I’m also in the middle of… not quite a heartbreak, but a pause. A necessary pause, I think, for me to learn my worth to someone I’ve been willing to give my world for.

Today, I pray for the fire in my heart to keep burning. I pray for the love of my life. I pray for the love I desire. I pray for a fullness of heart. I pray that I’ll be reminded of my purpose—and of the point of all this.

[greighgalliguez]

Day 5

Before Studying

1. How do I feel today? I am heartbroken. I don’t want to do anything. I need to think straight.

2. What are my goals for this study session? I just hope to make progress—however small. I need to push past this.

3. What distractions might come up, and how will I manage them? Myself. My anxiety. My heart. I will pray through it.

A friend sent this ysterday:

Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV) 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Today, I pray for peace. For calmness in my heart. For clarity in the midst of whatever this is I’m feeling.

[greighgalliguez]

Day 4

Before Studying

1. How do I feel today? I feel sad. I wasn’t proud of my progress yesterday, and now I’m starting to feel the pressure—Sunday is drawing near. Even with all these class suspensions, the date of the boards remains unmoved. I also haven’t been setting my alarm lately, and waking up really late doesn’t help.

2. What are my goals for this study session? Ideally, I need to do more today. Make the most of the time I have. Maximize progress. Regain momentum.

3. What distractions might come up, and how will I manage them? Distractions: – Social media – The series I’ve been watching – My own emotions, swirling and heavy

My prayer for today is that I stay focused, and that I’m guided by my end goal—not by how I feel in the moment.

After Studying

1. What did I accomplish? I finished five long videos today. And for most of them, I was able to concentrate. That’s a big win, especially given the past few days.

2. What did I find challenging? Staying awake and alert was a struggle—especially with the internal emotions I’ve been battling. Sleep has been hard to come by too, and that affects everything.

3. What am I proud of today? I’m proud I kept going. I didn’t let the heaviness win.

4. What’s my plan for tomorrow? I want to wake up earlier. Rewire my brain. Fix my sleep. Maybe even move my body a bit—just enough to shake off the weight I’ve been carrying.

[greighgalliguez]

Day 3

Several things are going through my mind today. It has just been two days of continuous studying, and I feel like I need a break already. Maybe I'm just not used to it. Maybe it's the cozy weather. Maybe it's the comfort of being at home.

Some screenshots that occupy space in my mind:

I asked ChatGPT that. And somehow, it had the guts to answer with brutal honesty. Reading it back now, it stings—because it’s true. Am I getting too comfortable again? Am I forgetting what I’ve already endured to get here? I thought I had direction, but somehow I still feel a little lost. Maybe I’m just being impatient. Maybe the clarity will come as I keep walking.

On an entirely different note, this quote hit me just as I opened my browser. I remember during nursing boards review, the quote that randomly hit me was something that goes like "you reap what you sow" from the forest app. Anyway, today is day 3 of me trying to build my studying habits. I hope it builds me back.

Before Studying:

How do I feel today? Lazy. I woke up earlier this morning to heavy rain and immediately didn’t feel like studying. It’s now almost 4 PM, and I haven’t watched a single video. Not the best start, I know—but I’m still here. That has to count for something.

2. What are my goals for this study session? I still want to make progress today. Ideally, I’ll start with the video I couldn’t concentrate on last night, then finish the five I originally scheduled for today. But if that turns out too ambitious, I’ll be okay with just getting some solid work in. Progress is still progress.

3. What distractions might come up, and how will I manage them? Sigh—I’ve gotten way too engrossed in this new series, The Handmaid’s Tale. Didn’t expect to like it, but here I am, totally hooked. There are a lot of NSFW scenes too, so it’s a private indulgence, haha. Funny how I somehow have the willpower to binge-watch that, but not Topnotch vids. 🙃 Anyway, I’ll try my best to fight the urge and give today’s study session a real chance.

After Studying:

1. What did I accomplish? I was able to watch two videos today—one was the backlog from yesterday, and the other was just one out of the five I originally planned for today. Not ideal, but still something.

2. What did I find challenging? Emotionally, I wasn’t okay today. I felt alone, and I really don’t like that feeling. I ended up taking time to reevaluate my decisions—how I’ve placed myself in my relationships, and what that means for how I move forward. It was a heavy day, emotionally and mentally.

3. What am I proud of today? Honestly, I’m not super proud of the volume I got done. But I am proud that I still showed up for myself. Even when it was hard, I made progress—no matter how little. That still counts.

4. What’s my plan for tomorrow? To keep going. Keep the momentum alive, even if it’s slow. Still pushing forward—that’s the plan.