I AM FREE!!!!

I AM FREE!

This quarter has been killer! Microbiology and I had a relationship that was love and hate all the way through. I loved learning the information, and it was fascinating! But I hated the class, and the labs. Funny how that goes! Every lab made me depressed because the concepts weren’t clear, and every test I took made me more and more anxious. I knew that if I wanted to go into Nursing, I have to be competitive, and get the highest grades possible and that alone can make a person extremely anxious! I was on edge since day one and I can truthfully say that it was horrible, but worth every minute.

I learned a lot about myself in these last twelve weeks. I learned that I am stronger and smarter that I think. I learned that I am dedicated and if I put my mind to something I can do it. Eventually. I learned all the material and I forgave myself when I got something wrong. I corrected my mistakes but I learned from them instead of shouldering them as a burden on my back. I actually did catch my lab coat, glove and the Bunsen burner on fire in lab (it was faulty! It wasn’t my fault! Trust me I checked with the professor!) and I didn’t lose any skin on my hand and I learned that I work quickly in dangerous situations. Even if the shock of seeing flames around your hand does make you squeal. I made friends and allies, even when I would’ve rather had worked alone. I learned the concepts of lab and discovered that I remembered everything from my previous science classes too!

I learned how to study more effectively. I studied weeks in advance of a test, I rewrote my notes, read the textbook, listened to the lectures over and over again, I wrote out the study guides and then used the study guides to make stack after stack of flashcards. I felt like my entire quarter was just studying! I was stressed and anxious and I was completely exhausted, trading sleep for a few more hours of studying. I devoted weeks and weekends to just study Microbiology, much to my family and friends dismay at times. I brought flashcards with me everywhere just in case I’d have some spare time to study. I even took my flashcards with me on a hiking trip! I had breakdowns, I prayed and I just kept studying until I was sure I couldn’t study anymore. In the end it paid off because I finished my quarter with a 97% and I couldn’t be happier!

Now it’s the end of the quarter and I am free! I keep feeling like I need to keep studying, like there is another test looming just around the corner, but there isn’t. I truly am done with Microbiology. It’s a nice feeling, which of course feels all the more better as I stare at the 97% on my grades sheet! 🙂 It’s the little things in life, right?

Makayla

Trials in Microbiology Part 1

I wish I could say that I was excited for Microbiology and that having been to the first couple weeks of classes and labs that I feel determined and excited for the rest of the quarter, but I’d be lying.

I PASSED!!!!!!!! (Passing the CNA/NAC State Examination! DETAILS!)

Here is the proof! I passed both examinations! 🙂

So if any of you saw my earlier post then you know how I did on my State Exam… I PASSED!!! 🙂

So as promised here are the details:

The Dance of the Stressed Out Introvert

For the last two weeks and still counting, I’ve been dancing the Dance of the Stressed out Introvert. It’s somewhat similar to the Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy, with all its turns, jumps and leaps. It even goes along to the same tune! But instead of the Sugarplum Fairy leaping into the arms of the Sugar Plum prince to create a beautiful dance move of trust and dedication, it’s the introvert landing a wonderful leap into State Exams.