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?
Over the past four years that I have been a student in the University Honors Program, I can say with utmost certainty that the single-most important lesson I have learned is self-reflection as a technique of personally growth. And, of course, this past year certainly put my personal growth to the test. As most people would agree, this past year has been far from “normal.” While there were definitely difficult moments that our world underwent, my ability to step back and reflect on those moments allowed me to see above the “fog of uncertainty” of the pandemic and hold out hope for a brighter tomorrow. By taking small moments throughout the day to contemplate, whether that be through prayer, meditation, or simply talking about my fears and anxieties surrounding the pandemic, I was able to demonstrate resilience during these trying times and find a way to help myself and others move forward.
Through all of this self-reflection, I realized how blessed I am to have the support of family, friends, and those within the UC community to care for my mental and physical wellbeing during these unknown times. It was during a moment of self-reflection that I felt called to help those who do not have or are currently unable to receive the same personal care and support. As a result, last summer I began an initiative to provide safe, social support to older adults living in retirement communities and hospice centers who were unable to be with their loved ones due to the safety precautions introduced because of concerns surrounding COVID-19 infection risks. This service-based organization, called College Companions, was established with the mission to foster relationships among college students and older adults through the use of weekly digitized interactions. In addition to providing support to the older adults, the student-elder pairings are meant to encourage mentorship relationships with the older adults sharing their advice, stories, and other important life lessons with college students who are just beginning to navigate their lives as young adults.
The first group of older adults who participated in the program were from Maple Knoll Village, a local retirement community. Each resident who participated was paired with a UC student with whom they talked to on a weekly basis via telephone, video chat, or email/letter writing. By the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester, College Companions was looking to expand into more communities of older adults who did not receive the same level of social support they received prior to the pandemic. Before winter break, the College Companions program was involved in numerous special projects making blankets for Veterans Day and writing holiday letters to patients in Grace Hospice as well as residents of the Little Sisters of the Poor retirement community. During the spring, I had the privilege of petitioning for College Companions to become a registered student organization on campus.
My personal experience with my Maple Knoll resident has been more than I could have ever asked for. The lessons, laughs, and profound conversations which I have shared with my resident have given me a better perspective on life as well as a deeper appreciation for my elders. No matter what kind of day I am having, the wise words and bright disposition of my resident always manage to leave me 100x happier than I was before our chat. Talking with my resident is one of the highlights of my week, and I am really excited to continue growing our relationship!
Fortunately, now that more individuals have access to the COVID-19 vaccine and with the world beginning to return to some sense of normalcy, the College Companions program is looking to modify its mission and seeking communities of older adults who are interested in serving as mentors for college students.
I am extremely grateful for the personal growth I have had over the past year. I plan to connect with the contacts I have formed at the various retirement communities and hospice centers in order to hold myself accountable in continuing my personal growth. Forming these connections will allow me to recognize the areas where I can best serve a community of older adults. Additionally, I plan to rely on my support network of family and friends to make sure that I am continuing to challenge myself in a manner that encourages academic curiosity, critical thinking, and care for others.
Being part of the formation of the College Companions organization has allowed me to better understand the impact that I can have on another person and the even greater impact that another person can have on me. In addition, this process has made me even more aware of where my passions lie. This organization, coupled with my previous experience caring for my grandmother and my prior Honors Experience as a Pre-Health Intern on the Acute Care of the Elderly unit at The Christ Hospital, has stemmed my interest in geriatric medicine. I am certain that the support I will receive from my connections, family, friends, and the University Honors Program will guide me along my path to pursuing a career in service to others, specifically the geriatric population.
Over the past four years that I have been a student in the University Honors Program, I can say with utmost certainty that the single-most important lesson I have learned is self-reflection as a technique of personally growth. And, of course, this past year certainly put my personal growth to the test. As most people would agree, this past year has been far from “normal.” While there were definitely difficult moments that our world underwent, my ability to step back and reflect on those moments allowed me to see above the “fog of uncertainty” of the pandemic and hold out hope for a brighter tomorrow. By taking small moments throughout the day to contemplate, whether that be through prayer, meditation, or simply talking about my fears and anxieties surrounding the pandemic, I was able to demonstrate resilience during these trying times and find a way to help myself and others move forward.
Through all of this self-reflection, I realized how blessed I am to have the support of family, friends, and those within the UC community to care for my mental and physical wellbeing during these unknown times. It was during a moment of self-reflection that I felt called to help those who do not have or are currently unable to receive the same personal care and support. As a result, last summer I began an initiative to provide safe, social support to older adults living in retirement communities and hospice centers who were unable to be with their loved ones due to the safety precautions introduced because of concerns surrounding COVID-19 infection risks. This service-based organization, called College Companions, was established with the mission to foster relationships among college students and older adults through the use of weekly digitized interactions. In addition to providing support to the older adults, the student-elder pairings are meant to encourage mentorship relationships with the older adults sharing their advice, stories, and other important life lessons with college students who are just beginning to navigate their lives as young adults.
The first group of older adults who participated in the program were from Maple Knoll Village, a local retirement community. Each resident who participated was paired with a UC student with whom they talked to on a weekly basis via telephone, video chat, or email/letter writing. By the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester, College Companions was looking to expand into more communities of older adults who did not receive the same level of social support they received prior to the pandemic. Before winter break, the College Companions program was involved in numerous special projects making blankets for Veterans Day and writing holiday letters to patients in Grace Hospice as well as residents of the Little Sisters of the Poor retirement community. During the spring, I had the privilege of petitioning for College Companions to become a registered student organization on campus.
My personal experience with my Maple Knoll resident has been more than I could have ever asked for. The lessons, laughs, and profound conversations which I have shared with my resident have given me a better perspective on life as well as a deeper appreciation for my elders. No matter what kind of day I am having, the wise words and bright disposition of my resident always manage to leave me 100x happier than I was before our chat. Talking with my resident is one of the highlights of my week, and I am really excited to continue growing our relationship!
Fortunately, now that more individuals have access to the COVID-19 vaccine and with the world beginning to return to some sense of normalcy, the College Companions program is looking to modify its mission and seeking communities of older adults who are interested in serving as mentors for college students.
I am extremely grateful for the personal growth I have had over the past year. I plan to connect with the contacts I have formed at the various retirement communities and hospice centers in order to hold myself accountable in continuing my personal growth. Forming these connections will allow me to recognize the areas where I can best serve a community of older adults. Additionally, I plan to rely on my support network of family and friends to make sure that I am continuing to challenge myself in a manner that encourages academic curiosity, critical thinking, and care for others.
Being part of the formation of the College Companions organization has allowed me to better understand the impact that I can have on another person and the even greater impact that another person can have on me. In addition, this process has made me even more aware of where my passions lie. This organization, coupled with my previous experience caring for my grandmother and my prior Honors Experience as a Pre-Health Intern on the Acute Care of the Elderly unit at The Christ Hospital, has stemmed my interest in geriatric medicine. I am certain that the support I will receive from my connections, family, friends, and the University Honors Program will guide me along my path to pursuing a career in service to others, specifically the geriatric population.