semester 8 exam results

So fast, right? Exams results are always been announced real fast, like a week/two weeks after final exams finish. And now it's only 6 days ago that I just finished with my last paper, Phytotherapy. That my study desk is still stacked up with Phytotherapy notes haha. I haven't start to clean up all this semester's notes yet. Everybody at the campus must be so rushing for an Eid, right haha.

I was so busy just now rolling my sleeves up making biskut raya (honey cornflakes one is the tastiest, no kidding), then rushing for an iftar with the housemates. We made a joint iftar today with the other friends too, we made nasi tomato and suddenly our class WhatsApp's group beeped a message "The results are out, can check at the website".

My ayam sambal suddenly felt so hard to be swallowed.

"You guys check yours?"

"No, after iftar. Don't wanna spoil the appetite".

Hahaha.

So after iftar and maghrib prayer, I sat down on my bed holding the cellphone tightly, half nervous half curious. I keyed in my student number and password slowly, looking for a column labelled Natijah (Result).

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim..

Okay of course, I'm not gonna announce my results here hahaha, only a few people got to know.

Most importantly, I passed all the papers! Alhamdulillah, so thankful. I still maintain my CGPA above 3. But of course, still having a regret as always, like, "Oh, maybe I should do better next time" or "Awwh, this paper, a little more effort might make my grade look cooler on paper".

HAHAHA.

And a few marks like in Medicinal Chemistry which got me 84/100 (B+). I'm not quite satisfied, cause why I can't get 85! 85 is A-. Only 1 mark, guys. Only 1 mark to get an A. But you know, the old Qistina would go all bad mood and depressed. But the new me just be like, "It's fine. It's all rezeki. Let's be thankful".

And all the worries (which I wrote in the previous post) were just washed away!

But at this rate, I really need to work harder next year to make this 3 pointer looks promising.

I only have 2 semesters left.

Now, I don't really have anything more to wish, just maybe, be a little bit more hardworking next time, okay Qistina? Hahaha.

progressed

What inspire you to success in your career/field?

For me, none. I have no specific goals in life. I just want to achieve my 10-years ambition, which is to be a pharmacist (yes, that long. Been wanting to be a pharmacist since I was 16). And now, I wish to build a hospital, or err is it too high? Hahaha.

How I developed my interest in this. I once saw a flyer from UiTM's Faculty of Pharmacy on the notice board at my school.The flyer neatly described the requirement the faculty needed for those who were interested to study a degree in pharmacy. I didn't know how it got to attach there. But basically I stole it from the notice board and pasted it on my study desk. And made it an inspiration for me to be one.

Because for 16-year-old me, being pharmacist might be cool. You can still dressed up as you like (I imagined myself in a kebaya wearing high heels with make up brilliantly describing the uses of medicines to people - just a plain stupid me, right hahaha) and still able to get good salary from that. Basically two things that I liked; being pretty and money of my own haha. And just because I read in the newspaper that our country really needed pharmacists supply at that time (2006), so I thought, "Oh, it's probably me you're looking for, lovely country!"

(It has changed now. My intention spreads diverted to educate my people about health and drugs. Literally, maybe. Hahaha).

I remember the conversation I had with my dad in the car when he sent me off to my school. He had this huge ambition of sending me to a medical school but I refused. I said, "What about pharmacy?" and that left my dad in silence. But he finally trusted my interest.

His second attempt to enroll me into a med school was when I filled a form to continue a degree in Egypt. He said, "Oh, Pharmacy will take 5 years? Medicine 6 years? Go for medicine la, only 1 year difference". But I said, "But I've liked Pharmacy". *insert puppy eyes*.

I mean, I didn't expect myself to study so hard in university. Medicine is hard. It is so gonna need too many of studies, especially for a lazy me! Hahaha. That's why if any of my high school friends who managed to pursue a medicine course just got a "Wow" from me haha.

But unfortunately, Pharmacy is nothing less like that. So many things to study. Just so many things to study!!

But it gets so different when you like what you do. I'm still having the same interest towards it as same as 10 years back. (You know I'm just so loyal like that *blows nail*)

So, basically nothing has actually inspired me to progress in my chosen field. It's just my interest. My willing to study. My attraction to what I'm gonna do in the future. Of course, if you ask me, I wish to make my parents happy with what I'm going to achieve, huge or small.

If you ask my colleagues (diploma or degree), they will agree that I don't study that hard. I don't revise books/notes that much. Which I actually tried to do, but I couldn't - I lost my focus. My study pattern is definitely the famous last-minute study *high five* I know you do too! Haha.

But still feel like having a responsibility as a student or as a knowledge seeker, I will pay 101% attention to my lecturers in the classes. No phones, no chatting. My preferable seat is always at the front row. I'd even prefer to sit just in front of the lecturer so he/she can talk to my face directly. I will ask as much questions to them (brilliant to stupid ones. I realized sometimes my questions are stupid, but never mind hahaha).

And read from some outside source about your field. Eg: Current news/issues.

I do all these because I know I won't study later at home haha. At least, I have some efforts, no?

And definitely, a night before the exams, I will be studying like a crazy mental patient, reading through my books as if I could penetrate them. Keep memorizing and memorizing and memorizing. Sleep only 1 hour. Sigh. (I'd always wanna change, but I can't)

But I'm glad to know that I'm progressed from 10 years back. When I look at how much I struggled for this, I literally can cry. Just too bitter. And too sweet. Mixed feelings.

So this post actually comes out just because I am in the exam mode now. I'm done with 2 papers, still have 5 more than. Sigh.

Just a picture of me getting an award for my academic achievement months ago. *cringes* 

week 4 semester 7

Now, it is week 4 already?

It's true I'm looking forward to end this semester. Cause I'm excited for a winter break. Who doesn't love break/holiday?

And one more thing, I find it hard to survive in this hot weather, so I'm waiting for the temperature to chill a little bit. (Autumn doesn't usually comes this slow!)

But week 4 already now? Honestly, I'm afraid.

Because it means that mid term exams are approaching. Then I probably have no more time to be lazying around since I'll be contented by books for practical exams that will follow after that.

And final exams come.

#storyofpharmacystudent
#whatisrest

Sigh.

I'm starting to dislike my clinical year. It's boring. Most of subjects I've learnt aren't really my cup of tea. I'd prefer Pharmacology/Pharmacotheraphy. You know, things that deal with diseases and drugs. (That's why I have this dream to pursue a master degree in Pharmacology. But Pathology is a big no no).

Unlike Pharmaceutical Biotechnology now that teaches you on how to culture microbes. Gene cloning. Chromosome. DNA Recombinant. Vaccine. Or am I judging too soon? Still have lots more chapters to go.

And unlike Pharmaceutical Microbiology. So far, I learn about sterilization. How they want to make everything sterile by using machines. Machines again? Definitely not on my fav list.

But Controlled Drug Delivery System is fun. It's cool!

Well, I'm now rating my own course.

Guys, don't get me wrong. I love what I'm doing now. But of course I can sense all these boringness coming. I'm not complaining here, instead I'm thankful. To get a chance to study the course that I've ever liked.

But yawning every 30 minutes in class is forgivable right? Hahaha. At least I'm trying to stay focus - not playing with my phone! Lol. And sometimes I try to participate by asking few questions. Cause this is knowledge. No matter how boring it is (no offense, Dr Hesham), this is so important in the future.

Sigh.

internship

Things I’d been looking forward last summer break; practical training attachment. Which happened to me at one of governmental hospitals just near to my house (5 mins by car – which explain why I always late cause I loved dragging time. Procrastination hahaha).

Well, only for 2 weeks. Which I think it was just so perfect. Not too long, yet not too short. And apparently, it’s actually just too short to learn new things in a new environment. But still, I’d prefer it that way. 2 weeks was enough. Hahaha.

Not-a-morning-person morning's face.

It was good. I’ve learn new things. I made friends. It’s really good to go back into the pharmacy and did all the pharmacy thingy that I used to do back then during my pharmacy-assistant days. You know, translating prescription (they are now practicing online prescribing which makes things so much easier – no more illegible handwriting. Well, another headache disappears hahaha), filling the meds, and all.

Andddd as I was going there as a pharmacist to be this time, of course there would be lots of new things that I’ve learnt. Drug doses, drug calculations, TPN and CDR stuffs, bedside counseling, bla bla bla.

I was interested. No tense. No pressure. 

Cause I really played an intern here. Means, you can be playful but you need to know when to learn. (Qistina's first law). Being an intern, it's all now depends on you - to learn or to just fulfill the logbook. 

I was being a pure student here. I asked questions if I didn't know. I read numerous drugs leaflets. I practiced on my drug doses calculations. I attended drug-related presentation. I went for bedside counselling at wards. And most of all, I attended almost all Eid open houses at every hospital departments - cause I thought I needed to play a student here (what is a shame? hahaha).

Plus the working environment there was so much fun. They're really a perfect sync team. Friendly. Still keep in touch with them. And they ate a lot - which I found it fun. 

And I realize there are so many things that I need to learn. I need to learn more!

So, Miss Faizah, anything you want from Egypt? *bribe* 

It comes to me that, when I heard people telling me how their studies and actual working life only have a little connection, it means not everything they learn are applicable in the real working life, I was like, “You are lucky! God chooses you!” Hahaha

Because in my field (and some other fields too), there’s 100% connection between things I learn and things I need to do as pharmacist. Theory and practical. In other words, even a word is so much important in my studies. Cause you’re going to practice it in a real life.

I may not remember all the things I’ve learnt. Or you do?

So maybe I need to just get married to books.

Bye.

*Grab dusted lecture notes*

1st May

It's 1st May guys! A small festive to all labors in the world. A day that you guys are waiting for. I feel you guys, I've been in that place. And it has been so so long since I write under a label of 'Working Girl'.

I once worked as a pharmacy assistant for 1 year in a private hospital before I continue with a degree now. It was such a good one year, really.

Alhamdulillah, that my ex colleagues and I are still can get along well until now. It's really good that I was able to get some experience and getting to know more people/connection at the same time.

Being a working lady, compared to study, I'd personally love my student life more, except that the fact of not having your own money is terrible, you still have to be dependent to your family. My dad to be specific hahaha.

Anyhow, it was really good to just waking up to go to work, no assignments, no exams, no need to study hard, and countdown to the pay day.

Actually, being a pharmacy assistant has its own challenges, I admit, it wasn't that easy. It was a headache sometimes.

Well, I'm taking a break from any hospitals for now. Doing a degree and definitely going to crash hospitals real soon. But with a different position, different responsibility, different job description - definitely different challenges.

That's life after all.

And in the future, I'd actually have a lot more dreams to achieve. So many plans, so many things that I really want to do.

One step at a time. Be patient, it won't hurt.

p/s: I'd choose Hospital Pharmacy for now. Never thought of getting into Community Pharmacy or any other fields, but we'll see what the future brings.

I used to serve you drugs and I'll come again to you on this!

Happy Labour Day!

expiry date

Remember a story about me getting a dental treatment? Which I acted so childish about. Not funny.

Well actually after that the doctor gave me a prescription of several drugs as a post treatment.

They are practising dispensing separation (DS) here, even for dental clinics. Like, the doctors or veterinarians will prescribe the medication to the patients in an official prescription and the patients need to go to the community pharmacy to get the medications.

Which Malaysia tries to do it, I mean tried to work for it. But it got some issues here and there, wait, you don't get me wrong. We, pharmacists have nothing to do against the doctors. I emphasized so many times that PHARMACISTS AND DOCTORS SHOULD WORK TOGETHER.

I have lot of friends in medical field and we respect each other on this issue. Thank god. People around me are really brilliant and know how to respect. I believe we are smart enough to discuss/debate in such a classy way.

(Even though I'd read few negative comments but anyhow, just let them. I believe everyone has a right for opinions but I would only appreciate them if they're doing it with manners).

OK, back to my story.

My dentist prescribed me an antibiotic, of course - to prevent the growth of bacteria and whatnot. And few more drugs including this analgesic called diclofenac sodium (Cataflam). I already had this one at home, so I thought I didn't need to buy it anymore. So I didn't really buy it, I was confident.

So I was happily compliance on the dose every morning and night, strictly following the correct times, be really on empty stomach for antibiotic.

Anddddd guess what! My own Cataflam had expired! Omg. After I took it for almost a week!

Cataflam that I brought from Malaysia few years ago. That I didn't really use them because I wasn't in pain - so now, what? Hahaha.

I laughed. Then I panicked.

My mind replayed the face of the pharmacist that offered me his Cataflam the other day.

Well, you couldn't go back to those times right?

So I kept calm and change to my-forever-drug-of-choice, Panadol.

And looked at myself in the mirror and said, "Where have you left your brain, young lady?"

Actually in a hospital/clinic/any drug store, they need to always check for the expiry dates. They have few systems on drug storage like FEFO or FIFO and so on. So don't worry.

And thank Allah, I used that Cataflam only for myself!

Well this if for me and for you, always always know your medicine. Know the basic informations; indication, direction of use, and expiry dates.

Especially if you're going to feed the others. Like infant and elderly.

Since I learn about this, let me share with you a little.

• For syrup - keep in fridge once open. And discard after 1 month after opening. Except for antibiotics, we don't keep them for so long. Discard after you finish the course.

• For tablet - check for expiry dates on the drug strips.

 E 11 2016 -- Expiry date November 2016. 

(It means 30th November. Unless they state the specific date)

Below: EXPMAR2015 -- Expiry date March 2015

Above: EXP 02 2016 -- Expiry date February 2016

If you need any help, just consult your doctors and pharmacists. I'm sure they are ready to help. 

Take care!

industry

I have never been so compatible with Physics. Or anything that has something to do with experts' laws; Dalton's Law, Newton's Law and few names more Archimedes, Boyle, Hertz hahaha don't get me wrong, I mean they're really amazing, but that is so far from my soul. I can tolerate chemistry and (simple) mathematics, but not this far.

So, they said, you'll get something that you don't like. It's kind of a test for you. More like to test your patience or how grateful you are. So Physics has finally came to me in a serious way. 

Come to think of it, it's me who are actually calling for it. When I first enrolled into my course, I knew it was going to have some Physics. So no surprise. But then, I've never knew it was this tough!

We have a field in Pharmacy called Industrial Pharmacy. Basically, it's all about the manufacturing processes in a factory which where the drugs are manufactured. You got to know the machines to be used in the industry as well. How it works. Those principles. Those calculations. Proportions of ingredients. What type of machines are used for what type of drugs. Dos and don'ts. Things like that. 

It's only a degree level but my head has exploded every week in lectures. Hats off to those who choose to pursue Industrial Pharmacy in Master Degree. 

Never ever in my mind I thought about working in an industry. Simply because it's tough! I can't imagine a clumsy me doing a quality control. And careless me forget to maintain the temperature right while mixing those fine particles into a machines. And impatient me to stay in a huge refrigerator to work on cold chain drugs. Hahaha.

Because you really have to be extra meticulous and immaculate to work in this field. Which I'm afraid I can't do this correctly.

But nothing is wrong about learning the basic of them. It is fun to just learn about them. I mean, we at least have an idea about what industrial pharmacist are doing. But the fact of taking this course into an examination hall is so scary. This is my toughest paper this semester.

Since this course is kind of related to engineering, I thought of asking Ameerul to help me solving my Heat Transfer homework. Sly is my middle name, just registered by the way. Hahaha. 

So it's quite fun to finally have something in common to talk with him, even in study hahaha. Feels like I've just enrolled into another study group - engineering version. We talked about refrigeration's principle, Humidity Chart and so on. 

Then he said, "Why do you guys have to learn about this? I'm so surprise."

Yeah, because they think the drugs are coming down from the sky readily.

Hahaha.

All in 1

OMG!!

 I am so so relieved. Unofficially finish with my first year in degree course and I am so so looking forward for these 3 months holiday break. I definitely so so excited.

And yes, I've done with all those 7 exam papers. Which in conclusion I could say, they were pretty cruel, as always. I'd really like to complain, am I? Haha. Well, not all, but almost, yes. 7 papers with only 3 days gap, unexpected questions came out, period cramps and constipation which came in a complete package with period, migraine and so on. But life must really go on, right?

Guess I'm immune with these. Getting myself  involved in pharmacy field since 5 years ago, I can't really escape from the fact that I would have 7 to 8 papers in final exams, all subjects need me to memorize them all, packed schedule, tests after test which come in between few days gap only.

I'm barely breath!

I don't know how I survive with these, but I'm still here.

My love-hate relationship with pharmacy is still being on its climax state and never going to show its sign to stop, or at least, slow down.

Well, no matter how I feel sick with these, I still want it. Like a morphine, I would say.

Well, I'd still recommend pharmacy to everyone, if they ever ask me how the things going on with pharmacy. How is pharmacy? Is pharmacy okay? Should they enroll in pharmacy? Yes dear, pharmacy is the best for my liking, and I should actually tell them, how your life's going to change just after you assigned yourself as a pharmacy student. 

I should tell them 1 thing, being a pharmacy student, we don't only learn things about pharmacy, like what I'd ever imagined before, "Oh it must be excited, learning about drug, those pharmaceutics, pharmacology, pharma-this, pharma-that, whatever pharma". But in fact, we have several subjects that are related to Chemistry absolutely, Physics, Law, Entrepreneurship, Biology of course and so on.

 And I'm slowly coming to this worst part.

Yes, my brain is confused. The right part and the left part, they struggle themselves to keep all this knowledge inside them. One side are busy with memorizing those facts and another one is exercising with calculations, chemistry problem solving and brainstorming on Physics's Law. Gahhh, my brain must be really tired. 

Hahaha. 

Ahh, yes, my workplace. Working on Human Rights paper and must always have a snack during study. Sooooo Qistina. Love it when the season changes (it's coming to a real summer now) and summer fruits are starting to be in market. The best seedless grapes, only RM 3 per kilo. 

:O