My survival kit in the School of Dentistry, UNEJ

By Debby Zunta

Hello everybody! Welcome back to my blog.  I am sorry I don’t have any vlog.

Now, I am going to talk about how I survive in my uni dentistry school. Dentistry is really different from other majors;  the lecturers, the schedule, the people. You can’t compare it with any others. Now I am going to semester 5. It has been full of ups and downs. Indeed I know my journey to my destination is still very long. For the past two years in dentistry,  it is really enough to pump my heart beating harder.

I was accepted as a dentistry student in 2017 via SBMPTN. I have mentioned before, it was my second chance. I have failed before. So I am pretty happy to get this position. I am so thankful to god. What happens next will be both a challenge and a game-changer .

Actually, my mind was so blind about dentistry at first. I don’t have any medical background in my family. My family is poor in education and finance. My ambition has brought me here. It is all in my hands.

I came alone to Jember with bold apprehensions to realize my dreams. My father only helped me with registration and my mamah stayed home caring for my lil sister.  So I have to survive by hook or by crook.

Friends can help to fill the void of my knowledge. Besides friends, I have some rules in my life. I made these rules based on my experiences in Jogja that help me so much until now. Having a best friend is better than have a boyfriend. Why? Based on my experience, boy friend asking you to do more if they give me help. Maybe sometimes friend can do the same thing but bestfriend will understand you better and render help unconditionally. It doesn’t mean I don’t care about relationship. I mean don’t ever get trapped into wrong relationship.  

To UNEJ School of Dentistry, I go lugging along this survival kit.  Enjoy reading.

First thing that I must do is to make friends. I can’t do anything without them. I have a new Jember friend called Frea. She is very benevolent by having  me in her family. I got her contact from my neighbour who already is studying in Jember. Meeting Frea is a big fortune for me.  Frea is not in the same major as me. I have to meet dentistry friend to get information. The first dentistry friend that I met is Jesi. She invited me to dentistry whatsapp group batch 2017. She is so kind.  Since then, I can contact all my dentistry friends.  

Second, help people without hoping they will help you back. It is a cliche but it really helps to find my happiness. My religion has taught me to hope only in Allah. Allah will help me if I help people. It is how the universe work.

Third, every people have different perception.  Don’t force them to accept my ideas. I don’t like to debate on personal thoughts. If I suggest to someone and they don’t really care about it, I will stop. Maybe there are two probabilities Either they don’t understand or I haven’t thought through enough. Even though I can be right, but it still not my duty to make them nod to me.

Four, work hard. Nothing comes easy from being lazy. However, working hard is not enough you should be smart and wise. For example, if you want to get A you cannot only study for one night before the exam. You have to prepare for a few days before.  I hate when I hear my friends complain about their score but I know they are always playing games during  class. Are you kidding me, jenius?  Don’t play games on the phones during class times.

Five, be patient with the process. We can’t change the establishment. Just follow it. If anybody says it is hard but they can pass, so can I.  

Six, always seek more information. I must be active to ask others especially my seniors about everything that relates to my study. They are the right people who really help me because they have already the experiences.

Seven, multitasking. I mean, I know you can’t absolutly be like that. Multitasking means you have to participate in activities beyond your course like science competition, part time job, voluntary services, business ventures, sporting events, social funcions,   community events, etc. It will be boring if you only focus on your study.

Ah… the last, don’t forget to search fpr scholarships. It really helps me financially and hopefully  helps me in my future endevours.

That’s all that I have to impart. One man’s meat is another man’s poison. It is suitable for me but maybe not for you. Please take my thoughts with an open mind.  Thanks for reading my blog. Feel free to comment below for discussion or want more tips.