In what way(s) did you personally grow this year? How did you demonstrate or rebuild the resilience needed to move forward during this time? How will you utilize resources and your support network to hold yourself accountable in continuing this growth?
Since this is my last year as an official University of Cincinnati Bearcat, I have had many opportunities to reflect upon these past five years. Throughout my time at UC, I have been blessed with many wonderful professors, advisors, friends, and acquaintances. Although this is my fifth and final year as an undergraduate student, I am confident that this last year was one in which I had the most personal growth.
Especially for the completion of my senior year, I am very grateful that we have been able to return to full-time, in-person classes. However, given that we previously had been attending school virtually for a little over a year, I was surprised by the personal adjustments I had to make when trying to readjust to in-person classes. For instance, during distanced-learning, my study habits changed significantly to accommodate at-home classes. However, upon returning to campus for in-person school, I had to relearn how I studied prior to the pandemic.
Not only did I experience a learning curve from returning to school after virtual classes, but I also had some of my most challenging courses this year, including Biochemistry with Dr. Lieberman during the fall and spring semesters as well as Medical Physiology with Dr. Worrell. Moreover, I am currently studying for the Medical School Admissions Test or (more commonly known as) the MCAT. As such, I have been trying to balance schoolwork with my MCAT studying along with other requirements for the medical school application process.
To help me remain resilient during this stressful period of my academic career, I have relied on the social and emotional support of my friends, family, and mentors. Moreover, I have found it very helpful to work toward specific goals in my studying and then rewarding myself for meeting those goals. Additionally, I have found that learning to practice more effective time management methods has allowed me to remain focused and stay motivated throughout this arduous application process.
Going forward, I hope to use my social support, time management strategies, and mental health checks as tools to assist me in tackling new and unexpected issues that may arise in the future. In both my professional and personal life, there will often be times when I am faced with various stressors. However, learning how to deal with those types of stressors head-on will allow me to better manage that pressure without it becoming a physical and mental burden. Especially as I begin my upcoming growth year, I believe that these lessons will prove to be very beneficial to my personal and professional development.
Even though the stress and anxiety that comes with the MCAT and the medical school application process can be overwhelming at times, I am grateful for the countless professors, advisors, and mentors who have guided me along my journey to fulfilling my dream of becoming a physician over the past five years. I am forever indebted for the lessons I have learned, the friends that I have met, and the memories that I have made during my time at UC. Although I am saddened to leave the school which I have called home for the past five years, I am eager for my next steps, and I am proud to soon become an official member of the Bearcat Alumni Family!
Since this is my last year as an official University of Cincinnati Bearcat, I have had many opportunities to reflect upon these past five years. Throughout my time at UC, I have been blessed with many wonderful professors, advisors, friends, and acquaintances. Although this is my fifth and final year as an undergraduate student, I am confident that this last year was one in which I had the most personal growth.
Especially for the completion of my senior year, I am very grateful that we have been able to return to full-time, in-person classes. However, given that we previously had been attending school virtually for a little over a year, I was surprised by the personal adjustments I had to make when trying to readjust to in-person classes. For instance, during distanced-learning, my study habits changed significantly to accommodate at-home classes. However, upon returning to campus for in-person school, I had to relearn how I studied prior to the pandemic.
Not only did I experience a learning curve from returning to school after virtual classes, but I also had some of my most challenging courses this year, including Biochemistry with Dr. Lieberman during the fall and spring semesters as well as Medical Physiology with Dr. Worrell. Moreover, I am currently studying for the Medical School Admissions Test or (more commonly known as) the MCAT. As such, I have been trying to balance schoolwork with my MCAT studying along with other requirements for the medical school application process.
To help me remain resilient during this stressful period of my academic career, I have relied on the social and emotional support of my friends, family, and mentors. Moreover, I have found it very helpful to work toward specific goals in my studying and then rewarding myself for meeting those goals. Additionally, I have found that learning to practice more effective time management methods has allowed me to remain focused and stay motivated throughout this arduous application process.
Going forward, I hope to use my social support, time management strategies, and mental health checks as tools to assist me in tackling new and unexpected issues that may arise in the future. In both my professional and personal life, there will often be times when I am faced with various stressors. However, learning how to deal with those types of stressors head-on will allow me to better manage that pressure without it becoming a physical and mental burden. Especially as I begin my upcoming growth year, I believe that these lessons will prove to be very beneficial to my personal and professional development.
Even though the stress and anxiety that comes with the MCAT and the medical school application process can be overwhelming at times, I am grateful for the countless professors, advisors, and mentors who have guided me along my journey to fulfilling my dream of becoming a physician over the past five years. I am forever indebted for the lessons I have learned, the friends that I have met, and the memories that I have made during my time at UC. Although I am saddened to leave the school which I have called home for the past five years, I am eager for my next steps, and I am proud to soon become an official member of the Bearcat Alumni Family!