What College Has Taught Me... (Lessons from Jan 2013 - May 2017)

1. When I first started college I wanted to be an art/music therapist - that didn't quite last long (although the career ideas changed a variety of times)
2. I discovered the Fred Stanback Jr Nature Preserve the first Month of being at Catawba and have since found the greenway, hidden trails, nearby neighborhoods and parks, and the nature trail a mile and a half from the school. I have had many adventures out there and have some of my best pictures from the preserve from all four seasons
3. I met my mentor, who was very bold about her passion for mosquito research and malaria the first day of her intro biology class in her first day lecture
4. Little did I know I would be asked to help with her research later on in the school year (after     making fun of her for it) - later on led to my first internship at CHA 
5. During my freshman/sophomore year, I learned that I had a knack for languages - because of this I was asked to either minor in Spanish or to tutor/lead Supplemental Instruction - I choose to tutor/SI
6. I learned that I had a passion for the environment and field work! 
7. After one of my professors brought in spiders and would let me see her photographs, I fell in love with spiders - I had never really paid attention to them before then but they are pretty rad - I also got the chance to see my professor document a green lynx spiders egg (that I found) development and learn about them first hand - which was awesome! 
8. I was recommended for a work-study position in Public Relations - which meant I could interview other people - which was a dream come true for my younger self (I wanted to be a journalist at one point). It also rekindled my interest in writing 
9. I took classes that I never thought I would take: Behavior Modification (which sounds boring - but it was a highly interesting class), Parasitology, and Entomology 
10. Many of my classes have led to me to research different topics outside of class including the brain, learning disabilities, microbiomes, vector-borne diseases, mindfulness, etc. 
11. I have a greater appreciation for research after taking Data Analysis, Experimental Psychology, Neuroscience, and Biological Research Methods 
12. NPR - I read articles when I have a few moments to spare and it is great for conversation starters
13. I learned how to be healthier - both physically and mentally 
14. Passion - that is all - many of the best classes I took were taught by highly passionate individuals 
15. Lastly, many people come and go, but there are a few good friends that will stay with you and bend over backward and will still be there for you, even at your worst.  You will also become friends with people you least likely think you would click with.  I have had wonderful friends all through college and hope to keep in touch with them. Same for my mentors/professors. My mentor (the one mentioned in #3) was my campus mom - sharing coffee/food, making sure I have my inhaler, and the list goes on.  I had another one who gave me advice and insight on different things, including academics, working in academia, and life in general.  She also helped me figure out how I can best succeed academically.