Uni Stuff > The University Journey Journal

A tax-free Science journal by Dutyfree

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The Cat In The Hat:
Reply to P.S.: I read such entries. No idea who you are, if you're worried. Nor would I seek to find the truth since you clearly don't want it.
This is interesting. :)

tiredandstressed:

--- Quote from: dutyfree on March 06, 2021, 09:56:15 pm ---To be honest, even after finishing my 12 years of schooling, I had no clue how to answer this question.
My philosophy was prep early and take the shortcuts. This means, I made tons of timetables (colour coded, of course) and made sure to find all the resources (online, past students, forums) – so I had exposure to reviews by high achieving students, excellent essays, the ‘what not to do’s’, etc.
But I’ve never truly worked hard, studied consistently for more than 2 hours or most importantly, remembered what I learnt the previous year.

--- End quote ---
this is so me!!! I can't stress how detailed my colour coded timetable, aligned with a specific folder system, is so crtitical for uni organisation (as well as life)
I think the rest of these tips will be helpful for the incoming jaffies :))

--- Quote from: dutyfree on March 06, 2021, 09:56:15 pm ---
PS: I really want to know who actually reads these entries, cos I think I’m getting far too brave and foolish in writing anecdotal things that can easily reveal me. 
 :)

--- End quote ---
I'm really enjoying your journal!!!
You provide an interesting perspective, and I think many people can benefit from reading your experiences :)
Wishing you all the best with this academic year
-T&S

dutyfree:
Thank you for the replies Cat in the hat and tiredandstressed!  :)
Uni journal P12.
Review of week 1 and 2:
Alrighty, thy is overwhelmeth… idk latin
Uni in real life drains so much more energy than just sitting behind a laptop and watching labs and workshop videos for hours. The tiring routine of getting up, debating on how to look presentable in accordance with the weather, having to run back to pick up the forgotten mask (this happens way too many times) and panic climbing 3 flights of stairs for the physiology labs, will eventually kill my motivation if I don’t change something soon. I’m thinking that I move back my sleep/wake up times by an hour or wear black every day or start a morning inspirational playlist (cringe yet uplifting).

PHY: Behind by 2 weeks. (excuse: medical certificate). I loved my first lab; the protocols were easy and repetitive, but it was more exciting to wear a lab coat, use pipettes and dilute blood. Content wise, since I’m way behind, I can’t comment on anything other than the basic summary of organelles and cell membranes, which was relatively straightforward.

ATS: My tutor is the same one as last semester. I hope she isn’t biased by my previous results but that’s likely inevitable. I’m scared of letting her down and so currently worrying about whether my essays this semester will be up to her standards.

DEV & BCH: Again behind by 2 weeks (regardless, I still ensure to mention that time management is my strength in job interviews though :) ) Imaging techniques are confusing, especially immunofluorescence vs immunochemistry. Despite my being up to date on the topics the workshops/ labs are on and having completed the prep work, I always feel lacking compared to others. They seem to know more or have more practice at microscopes/ pipetting, even considering none of us received basic lab skills last year. I sometimes get very anxious about trying to constantly catch up and finally getting to a steady pace but still (mentally) being behind, even after ticking all the boxes in completing content thoroughly. Just like last year, mindset needs some severe improvement.
Goal for next week: finish w2 and w3 content + anki!
 :)

dutyfree:
Uni journal P13.
Review of week 3 and 4:
I missed a 3% quiz (which was really freaking easy with only 5 mcqs) because I had to re-watch Survivor Cambodia (which by the way, I could’ve watched the next day or literally any day, cos it aired in 2015)! You have got to be kidding me?!?!

I watched and studied 9 lectures a day before a 10% test and drafted my 25% essay the day before it was due!
I know to some people 3% is a negligible number of marks or perhaps even the 10%, but I unfortunately have attached a great portion of my self-esteem to the knowledge I can carry in my brain and my mood usually correlates to my academic performance that week.
(disclaimer: yes, I have other hobbies and interests outside of studying eg: analysing strategy in survivor, crying watching orcas in concrete prisons etc.)

I’m really scared for my grades this semester. I told myself to take it easy but easy has now become synonymous with lazy/ can’t be bothered studying because watching literally anything else is more important.

With week 5 coming up, I’m holding myself accountable to thoroughly prepare myself for the oncoming physiology test.
Actually, not everything is so gloomy, I miraculously got full marks for a lab quiz and got a congratulatory email from Ramesh (popular unit coordinator). Made my day! (even though it was one line which was forwarded to approx. 10% of the cohort)

I’m manifesting that the next update won’t be so negative.
 :)

dutyfree:
Uni journal P14.
Review of week 5 and mid-semester break:
YAYAYA! Positive update!
1.   I decided to underload very last minute. My inspiration: a stranger on reddit asking for the census date (sincerely grateful). I don’t make many good impulsive decisions but this one is in my top 5 best risks. There hasn’t been much change, but I know I no longer feel the guilt of putting off biochem revision till Friday.
2.   All dreaded quiz and lab results came out. Some mediocre and some horrendous, but all deserving after my sluggish efforts. Regardless, I’m happy I got through it all (sounds dramatic, but I wasn’t feeling the best at the time).
3.   I really enjoyed the mid-semester break; I finally understand why people say to take a break and to let your brain rest and recharge. I stayed over at my friends’ place in the middle of nowhere for a couple of days and did some random things – went to the beach on the worst day possible, had a silent disco night and cooked up some burnt yet satisfying foods.
4.   I know that some people advise against this, but I really like being friendly with tutors (in the most professional sense). Putting my camera on, answering questions (I have an uncanny ability to say the most useless things – in a perpetual state of wrong answers only), smiling at their awkward jokes..I don’t get any extra marks, but say after a really terrible assignment, they give little extra encouragements to improve and compliments for your strengths.
Next week: mid sems…eeek!
 :)

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