#PhLEStory

[twilightdreams]

Pharmacist, I am.

I never thought I'd push through with the board exam. But I did, and it was the best decision I've made last November!

Last month was craaaazy. Started with Halloween break where my little girl and I finished watching all Narnia and Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Then on the 3rd, I decided to enroll sa final coaching.

Now that I think about it, I enrolled 3rd of November and I became a pharmacist on the 3rd of December. Exactly one month!

After enrollment, I wasn't able to attend since I had to prioritize medical school, and it was our midterms from the 8th-12th. Then they said everything is recorded, so I thought ok, catch up na lang.

After exams, I checked the LMS and honestly, I didn't expect each video to last from 3-5 hours. Also drills were 200 items each, but I didn’t take them since the rationale were already discussed in the videos.

I felt weak and I lost all hope. I thought it was already impossible to catch up with everything. I mean, I had a full time job, I'm in medical school, I'm a single mom and I don't have a yaya, and although every single thing on my list is a priority, I couldn't sacrifice the time I spend with my daughter, because she is my number one priority. After all, everything I'm doing is for her.

Then 14th of November came, and my sister messaged me about the reviewers I wanna borrow from our friend's cousin. I took it as a sign na I should take the exam. Maybe this is God reaching out na don't lose hope and that I can do this. Imagine, I got the reviewers like 11 days before the exam!

I scanned through each of them that day but for some reason, I wasn't able to use them immediately. I tried watching the recordings pa together with work and almost everything haha! I remember, my airpods were stuck on my ears almost all day. I was playing with my kid and listening to the recordings. I was working and listening to the recordings. The only time I didn't was during med classes.

But I realized final coaching is more of testmanship than review, so I made this schedule. I just randomly typed this on notes before bed, after I prayed. Although I tried my best to follow this sched, I wasn't able to. It was easier typed than done 😅

And then 24th of November came and I wasn't done with all modules yet. I haven't even touched 4, 5, and 6. So this time I searched on Twitter transes, and I found this. I purchased all modules, even if I felt like it was no use since one day na lang before the exam but it really helped! I read module 1-3 transes while travelling. Although I skipped the biochem part, and I did regret it a lot. I had the lowest mark on module 2. Then D-day came.

1st Day (Nov. 25)

I had a rosary (given by mom) inside of my pocket and also an Our Lady of Fatima pocket prayer (given by Lola Lils). Also, each time I didn't know an answer or I panicked, I stopped and prayed.

Of the three modules, I was only really sure that I passed module 1. I wasn't very confident with module 2 especially with the pharmacognosy part. Then module 3, aaah this was the hardest for me. There were so many calculations, I was literally sweating 😅 I was the last one to finish, I think.

After the exams, I was hoping to study only the remaining transes. But module 4 wasn't available yet. Tough luck right? So I read Katzung instead. But not all of it! Only the tables at the end of each chapter and I just memorized the autonomic nervous system by heart. Also the last names of drugs from common drug categories. The only regret I had was that I slept early and didn't study module 5 and 6.

2nd Day (Nov. 26)

Prayers and rosary, still. Always.

I woke up 4 am and reviewed module 4 before heading out. I really thought this module saved me that day. Since it was the first exam, it felt like my day started out right. Then module 5 was the hardest. I had to eliminate and match every choices since I wasn't really able to study it. I consumed the entire two hours! And after taking it, I ate half a chocolate bar.

Also, for future takers. Don't bring notes, useless lang gid. I tried to bring module 5 and 6 notes hoping I can study in between exams during the break but we were not allowed to go out of the room or study. They were super strict.

The day after, we were supposed to go home but I had a Pathology long exam at 8am, so we extended our stay.

I felt like crying that day, I don't know. I just felt like I wasn't prepared for anything. Like if I could turn back time, I would've reviewed longer. But then again, I also gave it my best given the situation I'm in.

Then the waiting game began. I prayed, as I did everyday, and hoped for the best. I also visited the church and lit a candle. My faith only grew stronger as I waited.

Then 3rd of December came, and I still couldn't believe it. After a looooong, craaaaazy, tear-filled and sleepless November, I am finally a Pharmacist by God's grace. He truly works wonders and in mysterious ways. I will forever be thankful and grateful to the Lord. He has done so much for me. He has straightened my path and has truly given me a future despite of my past 😭🙏

I only really prayed for a 75, but God is so great sobra sobra pa gin hatag ya. Thank you thank you thank you Lord! ❤️

Faith over fear, I say. Faith over fear, amen 🙏

Special thanks to:

My work supervisor, Mint, and our boss, Harry, for letting me go on leave from Nov. 24-26

My workmate, Gwen, for helping me wrap up work the night before I travelled

My family and kid who always believe in me 🥺 I love you all ❤️

And to everyone who helped me since day 1 and who prayed that I would pass

Thank you so much! It really means a lot.

What helped me the most:

Prayers, rosary, and the bible!

I really honestly prayed more than I studied. So don’t lose hope. God is always good. He listens to our prayers and grants it at the right time. Thank you so much Lord God of Abraham! I love you so much!

Two weeks review, two days exam, six modules, six hundred questions — one license.. To God be the glory!

Jeremiah 29:11 🙏❤️