Methyl-Red-Voges-Proskauer Tests (Positive, Negative, Positive)
Microbiology is not my favorite class. But despite how much I dread it, it has been an area where God has proven his faithfulness to me.Micro has been the most time and mental space-consuming class I've taken at DVC thus far. I mean, going into it, I knew it would be difficult, since it's a five-unit class. But I never foresaw just how hard of a time I would have grasping the concepts and.......horror of horrors....... that I'd get a "D". (Yes, a D! D for Dangerous, Disastrous, Doggone, Disharmonious.) on the first exam.
I've never gotten so low a grade. I was discouraged. dreary. distraught downstruck. disappointed. depressed. downright disturbed. Okay, I'll stop. I went in to consult with my professor after getting my exam back, but she didn't have any encouraging news. Because my professor only offers four tests the entire semester, with no extra credit opportunities, she informed me that with my "D" (sniff,sniff) from the first exam, the highest grade I could receive in the class is a "B." (No! It can't "B!") In short, she hinted that dropping the class (without using those exact words) would be a not-so-bad idea. I was discouraged, and I stopped believing that I could make it through the class. I was ready to drop. (which would be bad, because I would get a "W" on my transcript. Not good for when I apply to nursing school, so on and so forth)
But I decided that I would stick it out until the next exam, see where I stood in the class., then make a decision from there. I never anticipated how God would intervene and take care of me.
First, let me talk about the lab practical. I studied for hours, and an hour before the exam, I was sitting outside my professor's office for easy access in case of last minute questions. Outside her office was one of my classmates, Tracy. I began reviewing with her, when her friend from a different micro class came over to talk to her. I introduced myself, we all lamented about how we were dreading the lab exams coming up in our micro classes, and the three of us proceeded to study together. The other girl, named Diem, was holding a study guide. When she saw the huge stack of review papers I was holding, she offered to give me her study guide, a compact version of my notes. At first, I refused to take it, but she insisted. "My test isn't until tomorrow. And yours is in an hour.! Really, take it! You need it more than I do! Besides, I have it saved on my computer so I can make another copy. Here." So, I took it, and I found it very helpful. It was essentially all my study notes in a neat, compact, six-paper packet. It also had a few pieces information on it that I didn't even know I had to study for the test! That packet helped me so much in my last few minutes of reviewing, I ended up receiving over a 100% on my lab practical! But that's not all. (But wait, there's more!)
Humoral Immunity Summary
The lab practical is not worth as much as the lecture exam, so despite my good lab grade, I still had work to do. I asked my teacher for more advice, and she recommended I join or form a study group. So, I took her advice and I did. I made plans to study for the upcoming exam with four of my classmates. We made plans a week prior to meet at Panera to study two nights before the exam. The day of our study session, I asked our group leader if we were still on for that night's study session. Her response? "Oooh. Yeah... About that. We actually decided not to study tonight. We've got to study for something else. I guess we're studying on our own. Sorry." In my mind I was thinking, "Oh, well, that's great. Thanks a lot for letting me know!!!" I was discouraged again. After class, I began walking towards the car, trying to plan how I planned to conduct my solo study session. I mean, it didn't exactly go well when I studied alone for the first test.
As I made my way to the parking lot, I heard three of my other classmates discussing plans to study that very afternoon. To make a long story short (sorry for the cliche), in that moment, God brought me to my new study group. I asked the three if I could join them, and they kindly allowed me to be a part of their study session. (We've since made it a twice-weekly regular thing.) Since we started studying together, I've received an A (Yes!) on my second exam (as have my study partners).
Here's Proof!
Yes!
In summary, can I just give glory to God for making a way and providing me with everything I needed? Where He leads you, He provides for your every need, and more.
Thank you, God, for being Devoted. Divine. Dedicated. and Dependable.
Thank you for reading,
Alex
PS- Dear God, can You intervene in anatomy now, too?
