HIV Testing

Today I had the opportunity to be tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. I drove to the University Village Apartments and filled out the necessary paper work. As I answered the questions on the page I started thinking about the probability of my test being positive. I thought of the ways that I had been exposed possibly to this deathly virus and it made my heart pound.  I looked around at the room full of students my age, and wondered if they felt the slight panic that I was feeling. As my turn for testing came closer, I felt more and more at ease, because everyone else was so calm. Then I entered the room where I was to be tested. I hadn’t asked what the test consisted of, but assumed it involved blood work. I was surprised and relieved to know it was just and oral antibody test.

 The person preforming my test was very personable and informative. She seemed to be genuinely interested in my health and well-being, although we had jest met seconds before. I swabbed the tester in between my upper lip and teeth then did the same with my lower lip. It was a very strange sensation. Then I was instructed to leave the testing room and come back to see my results after twenty minutes. I then waited patiently with my friend who was also waiting for her results. After the time was up I returned to the testing room and got my results. Finally I was awarded with a Starbucks gift card for participating.

This experience affected me positively. I now feel better informed about the dieses. I am better educated on how it is contracted and know the importance staying protected.   I used to think that you could get it through saliva or casual contact. After being tested I see the strong importance of knowing if you or significant other is infected, because you cannot generally tell by just looking at someone. One may be infected and not even know it. It is crucial to know if you do have it so the correct medical attention can be given.

Time Managment

In the first few weeks of this life-long learning course, we had a couple student speakers give us some helpful insight. They all told us about their individual experiences as first year students, and the strategies they had learned. The panel of students all emphasized the importance of time management. As I listened to their advice I was happy to hear that many of the strategies they suggested I already used. In high school, I was highly involved and had to constantly manage my busy schedule on my own. So I thought that I had an advantage and a head start coming into college.

  In high school, I learned that the only way to keep track of everything is to write it down. Trying to remember appointments and due dates off the top of your head never works. Some of the students suggested using planners, which made me giddy, because I take my planner everywhere. I get a new planner at the beginning of every school year and it holds my life. I write everything in it, which helps me stay organized and on time. On the monthly pages I write important dates and times, and on the weekly pages I write what needs to get done that week and any other reminders. This worked for me in high school, but college is a whole other ball game.

Now I have to balance academics, work, community service, family, friends, and still have time to sleep and eat. The work load is heavier than I was used to. I also now have to factor the time it takes to commute to and from school, since I used public transit.  This semester I had a very hard time managing my time. I do not think I took on too much, but the way I handled was ineffective. This was due to my lack of prioritizing. I wanted to do everything and more, but there simply weren’t enough hours in each day. For example, I would make my daily to-do list and choose to clean my car and paint my nails first. Then I would not have enough time to finish my reading for my class. I failed to realize that things have higher importance need to be done first, and that there are things that need to just wait.

This semester I learned that I need to do my assignments as soon as they are assigned, instead of waiting until the last minute.  I learned that I need to take advantage of the free time I have and always be productive. I can’t afford to waste time. At the same time though, I need to schedule time to relax and group myself. This is highly important, because the only way for me to learn and produce good work is for me to be rested and healthy.