Change. That is the one word I would use to describe my second year at the University of Cincinnati.
As Harriet Tubman once said, "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."
Outward Change:
My second year of college has brought several major changes to my life for which I am grateful. First off, I have joined a new organization called ROAR Tour Guides in which I give prospective students and their families guided tours of the University. This extracurricular has given me the opportunity to strengthen my confidence in public speaking. Through this program, I have also been able to meet a great group of likeminded individuals.
An arguably more significant outward change in my life is that both my older sister and my older brother graduated from the University this past spring. My sister, Betsy, graduated from the College of Law and my brother, Scottie, graduated from the undergraduate Medical Sciences program out of the College of Medicine. While few people can even say that they attended the same college as their siblings, I was blessed to have been able to go to the same university at the same time as both of my siblings! Next year will be a major change for me because I have become accustomed to having both of my siblings on campus with me. While this will be an adjustment for me, I am extremely proud and excited for what their futures hold! No matter where they are next year, I know that we all are “thy loyal children” of the University of Cincinnati! (Luckily, both my siblings will still be in Cincinnati with my sister beginning work at a law firm downtown and my brother starting at UC Medical School come this fall! My mom is certainly happy that we will all be close to home!)
Inward Change:
This past school year has been a year of self-reflection. In turning to my advisors, peers, family, friends, and faith for guidance, I became more aware of my goals and aspirations. After completing my first year, I was beginning to question what I wanted to do with my future and I was doubting my capabilities. I have always been passionate about helping others, but I never knew how I wanted to make my imprint on the world. During the summer of my freshman year, I decided that I wanted to enter the Nursing Program at UC in order to discover where my place would be in the healthcare sector. I quickly realized that I loved being a part of the healthcare industry, but I still did not know exactly how I wanted to care for patients. As I began the Nursing Program, I discovered that I loved being an advocate for patients and families who were at their most vulnerable points in their lives. This belief was confirmed when I started my Medical-Surgical Clinical at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on the Gastrointestinal Floor. This was my first time interacting with and caring for patients within the hospital setting. I learned so many skills that I would have never learned if I had not been a Nursing student. From inserting a catheter to administering a heparin injection to consoling a patient after hearing the frightening news of needing a liver transplant, the lessons I learned during my clinical rotation are invaluable. The Nursing Program also introduced me to many new friends who I would not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise.
While I am grateful for the professors, friends, advisors, and lessons that the Nursing Program has given me, I aspire to carry with me the lessons I have been taught from my two years as a Nursing student and continue my education on a Pre-Medicine track. After much prayer and self-reflection, I realized that my skills and passions are better suited for a role as a physician. While I have long debated staying in Nursing and pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner, I feel that I am being called to enter a career in medicine. After shadowing my pediatrician, I observed how he was able to formulate diagnoses and plans of care for a wide range of cases. This is a talent that I hope to possess and utilize one day in a career as a physician. After discussing these thoughts with my family and advisors, I have decided to switch my major to something along a Pre-Medicine track. While I have not officially declared my new major, I hope to be able to take the Pre-Medicine prerequisites and obtain a minor in Medical Sciences. While I do not know what my future has in store, I am hopeful that I have the strength, patience, and passion to drive me toward my goal of becoming a physician!
As Harriet Tubman once said, "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."
Outward Change:
My second year of college has brought several major changes to my life for which I am grateful. First off, I have joined a new organization called ROAR Tour Guides in which I give prospective students and their families guided tours of the University. This extracurricular has given me the opportunity to strengthen my confidence in public speaking. Through this program, I have also been able to meet a great group of likeminded individuals.
An arguably more significant outward change in my life is that both my older sister and my older brother graduated from the University this past spring. My sister, Betsy, graduated from the College of Law and my brother, Scottie, graduated from the undergraduate Medical Sciences program out of the College of Medicine. While few people can even say that they attended the same college as their siblings, I was blessed to have been able to go to the same university at the same time as both of my siblings! Next year will be a major change for me because I have become accustomed to having both of my siblings on campus with me. While this will be an adjustment for me, I am extremely proud and excited for what their futures hold! No matter where they are next year, I know that we all are “thy loyal children” of the University of Cincinnati! (Luckily, both my siblings will still be in Cincinnati with my sister beginning work at a law firm downtown and my brother starting at UC Medical School come this fall! My mom is certainly happy that we will all be close to home!)
Inward Change:
This past school year has been a year of self-reflection. In turning to my advisors, peers, family, friends, and faith for guidance, I became more aware of my goals and aspirations. After completing my first year, I was beginning to question what I wanted to do with my future and I was doubting my capabilities. I have always been passionate about helping others, but I never knew how I wanted to make my imprint on the world. During the summer of my freshman year, I decided that I wanted to enter the Nursing Program at UC in order to discover where my place would be in the healthcare sector. I quickly realized that I loved being a part of the healthcare industry, but I still did not know exactly how I wanted to care for patients. As I began the Nursing Program, I discovered that I loved being an advocate for patients and families who were at their most vulnerable points in their lives. This belief was confirmed when I started my Medical-Surgical Clinical at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on the Gastrointestinal Floor. This was my first time interacting with and caring for patients within the hospital setting. I learned so many skills that I would have never learned if I had not been a Nursing student. From inserting a catheter to administering a heparin injection to consoling a patient after hearing the frightening news of needing a liver transplant, the lessons I learned during my clinical rotation are invaluable. The Nursing Program also introduced me to many new friends who I would not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise.
While I am grateful for the professors, friends, advisors, and lessons that the Nursing Program has given me, I aspire to carry with me the lessons I have been taught from my two years as a Nursing student and continue my education on a Pre-Medicine track. After much prayer and self-reflection, I realized that my skills and passions are better suited for a role as a physician. While I have long debated staying in Nursing and pursuing a career as a nurse practitioner, I feel that I am being called to enter a career in medicine. After shadowing my pediatrician, I observed how he was able to formulate diagnoses and plans of care for a wide range of cases. This is a talent that I hope to possess and utilize one day in a career as a physician. After discussing these thoughts with my family and advisors, I have decided to switch my major to something along a Pre-Medicine track. While I have not officially declared my new major, I hope to be able to take the Pre-Medicine prerequisites and obtain a minor in Medical Sciences. While I do not know what my future has in store, I am hopeful that I have the strength, patience, and passion to drive me toward my goal of becoming a physician!