tough days

Finally finished my entrance exam for master course.

Had written exam on Monday, and interview on Tuesday.

19 August 2008
Osaka University, Memorial Hall
Entrance Exam for Master Course in Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Course 2009

• 10.00-11.30 : Bio-chemical Engineering
• 13.00-16.00 : Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology (choose 2 subjects)

20 August 2008
Osaka University, C2-432

• 13.00 : Interview

Last two weeks prior to Exam date were really hard. Had to review almost all major subjects i took in my 2nd and 3rd year in university. Bioprocess Engineering I and II, Biochemistry I,II and III, Biochemical Engineering, Microbiology and Microbial Genomics. And tell you what, studying under Japanese summer heat wouldn’t have any chance to get into your “top 10 list you wanna do during summer holiday”. Believe me, there are much more interesting stuffs to do than memorizing 20 amino acids or cholesterol structures. But thanks to library air conditioner and, i was able to overcome those hot days. I’d also like to thank my friend for letting me study at her place during night, because during summer holiday, library closes at 5 PM.

Somehow i managed to cover all range for exam on the last 2 days, but the night before the exam i just couldn’t keep my self calm, couldn’t sit down and keep my nerve down. I just kept walking around my room, moving my body and when i finally couldn’t stand it anymore i took cold shower at midnight. And it worked! My head got cooled and i managed to get to bed.

On the exam day, i just tried to keep my self calm not to be distract with my friends’s “last minutes studying effort”. First subject, Biochemical Engineering turned out to be typical problems. So i think i could pass this one. For elective subjects, i chose Microbiolgy and Biochemistry. Neither of them followed past years problem’s patterns. So i’m not sure i could get satisfying mark for them. After handing out the answer sheets i felt so relieved so i didn’t care much how the results would be.

Next day, i arrive 30 minutes earlier only to found that i was listed 47th (from 48 examinees). While waiting my turn, watching my friends get in and out, asking them what were they asked, what were the told only made me getting nervous. When my turn came, i entered the room and saw the familiar faces of 7 professors from my department. Yeah, it was 7-1 interview. They asked me about how the the written test was, what would i like to pursue Doctoral degree after finishing master degree (does it means i passed?), what kind of field of work i like to choose, how i studied english (bcause i got high mark in TOEIC), would i prefer japanese or english in presenting something, and some casual questions. Because they didn’t ask me what would i do if i failed this exam, i feel reassured about the result.

And now just waiting for the official result to be announced on September 1st . Wish me luck guys.

Still have 1 week before return to my lab life. Wanna use this chance to go traveling somewhere in Japan by train, any idea?

By the way, just after my exam finished all of a sudden, Japanese summer became milder and now i even put my blanket on at night!