Dear Hive/Steem,
As you all know, this pandemic has changed our lives drastically, turning our endless possibilities into limited ones, and somehow we are moved by a multitude of restrictions. The simplest and basic acts of living have been, unimaginably, taken away from us and with these thoughts in mind, those moments of accustomed day-to-day activities have been missed, because even up to this day and forward we have been introduced to the new normal. Albeit the unhealthy circumstances, now is not the time to delay our dreams and ambitions. No one exactly knows when this pandemonium will end, but as soon as the moon and stars appear in unison and the sun rises the following day, the battle must carry on.
As for me, this so-called new normal has led me to pursue my bachelor course in the most possible way, and akin to every struggling students out there, through online. Yes, struggling, and you've read that correctly. Disclaimer, I do not know much about any other students' educational lives for this article focuses on my personal experience. At first, I honestly thought that academic learning at home online would be easy and fun, but I never thought it could be quite as dragging and daunting. This new way of learning has indeed brought me inconvenience and displeasure, not to mention, impractical for taking up pre-medical subjects. Having said all these, I was on the verge of giving up as I had to wake up at 3 am to study for what seems like forever and had to make notes for our own sake with the provision of a class schedule which should terminate all of my class activities by Friday, but always had taken me 24/7 to accomplish all of my backlogs. Thus, I raise my wine glass to the skipped meals, sleepless nights, missed family gatherings, unhygienic body, crooked painful back, and most importantly, forced learning driven by compliance. Cheers?
Well, not so fast, for despite the lousy disposition I garnered from this utterly perpetual darkness of online classes, I still appreciate this little ray of sunshine, this opportunity has given me to pursue my course in the most possible way and to keep up with time that is not wasted. To further fill this blog with nonsensical stuff (prolly to you), here are the things that have stricken me the most (but without the confidence of learning them maximally).
Mycology and Virology has taught me purely but not entirely different things from that of Bacteriology and Parasitology. I'd say not entirely because the species have names which are difficult to pronounce and remember. However, there are certain things that are purely different from their mode of transmission and replication to their special scientific characteristics.
Here's a picture of vulvovaginal candidiasis and oral thrush caused by yours truly, the beautiful Candida albicans, which may be due to sexually transmitted infection but thanks to that you may appreciate this characteristic white, cottage cheese-like discharge--not so yummy.
AND! The most popular virus in town nowadays, say hello to its spike glycoprotein on its surface which is responsible for the crown-like appearance of the virus, thus the name "coronavirus".
Clinical Microscopy has taught me that no matter how professional this subject is for a medical technology student like me, it will always be my haven among all the professional subjects I have had. It taught me to stay calm, to let nature happen naturally, and to accept that s**t happens. (pardon the vulgarism and the image below; for educational purposes only). The appearance of this stool can be caused by hemorrhoids.
Clinical Chemistry is the most silent killer of all these subjects. It was like an adventure of a promised tranquility at first, but little did I know, it was a road to mental destruction. Probably, pipetting was the easiest topic ever, but at some point very lacking. This needs true-to-life experience. (shaking my head)
Immunology and Serology in my opinion, should be interesting but I just find it really daunting--there were just so much to remember. I could have really loved it with all of my heart if learning took place in actual so that we wouldn't have to make TONS of notes and endure probably 10 hours or so for just one topic. This is a test cassette for the qualitative detection of COVID-19 IgM and IgG antibodies, if the result shows reactive, it may indicate a recent infection and a past infection respectively. If both are reactive, it may suggest current or recent infection. Amazing right? How I wish we could perform this in the real-life setting.
Hematology was the most fun and engaging subject despite being offered as part of online classes. But wait 'til you've taken our professor's type of examination, thinking that you might know it all, for you will only be surprised and be shocked in despair as you'll read the first question that ever pops out. Here is a picture of a lymphocyte, a type of white blood cell in the blood that can increase in cases of viral infection.
I think that's it. In spite of what's happening around the world, I'm grateful for this opportunity to pursue my classes, and someday become one of the front liners. To more online classes because of this freaking coronavirus/pandemic >_<
credits to my instructors for these pictures. I do not own any of them except for the first pic