Reflection on 2016

So as much as this year has had its ups and downs (as many of us experience); here are some great things that happened this year

1.  I was published in the Salisbury Post through my work study - I love that I have gotten the opportunity to write and be published - which was something I always wanted to do since I was a little girl

2.  I got an internship at Cabarrus Health Alliance - doing vector control work - seems small but I got a good reminder where my true interests lie: environmental health (which would have explained my interest in vector-borne diseases) and field work 

3. I got the opportunity to be Supplemental Instructor for Spanish - which reiterated my interest in teaching and psychology of learning 

4. I have gotten to do some many different things with friends: winter formal (although I will only stick to that once), beach trip (what a learning curb), doing things as an organized club on campus (helping with concession stands, bonfire, an event through the science department), and so on

5. Took the most challenging course in my college career and made a B in it (Neuroscience)

6. Got an internship with pollutiondetectives.org writing and revising this coming semester! 

7. Met some amazing people!

Fall 16' Reflection

It is hard to believe I just wrapped up my fourth year here, although I still have a semester left.  These past four years have definitely shaped me as a person and taught me that I can do more than I thought possible. This semester has had its ups and downs like I never experienced before.  Part of it was taking on more than I can handle in the beginning and some of it was the typical senioritis.

First, this semester all my classes managed to be connected to other classes and life. For example, in my drawing class, I created a diorama/piece with brains - which was an amazing feat since it is the hardest thing to understand. I also created a piece with an fMRI machine and spiders - combining my interest in insects and psychology - of course.  Oddly, Hebrew Bible helped me to reflect on things that really mattered, such as morality, in the face of the craziness of last month's election.  And the topics from my neuroscience class came up often in conversations - to the point where my friends and I sat at dinner one discussing things from my assigned article reading, which included a piece about is reality real (that article was crazy).  Then there was my capstone class, where I was able to study more about the topic from my internship, mosquito biodiversity and abundance and disease ecology.  (I was even asked if I was presenting at the state conference for research by the professor - which didn't happen since I am waiting on information/data from Cabarrus County). And being in Spanish again lead to do my research paper/lab report term paper on Bilingualism.

Also, this semester I was inducted to Psi Chi (psychology honors society), got to hear Erin Brochivich (which was amazing!!!!!!), heard a talk from artist, Dianna Cohen (who is an artist who works with plastic bags and is also an environment advocate), was an officer in a club for the first time, helped out a science demo event, got to be an Supplemental Instructor, and found a new trail to explore.  I also learned a few things including: you can't help everyone (although one can wish- thanks Dr. A. H. for the reminder), don't take on more than you can handle, debit cards will not work if the machine is broken and that I should carry cash on me, and I am a person who does not explain herself thoroughly at times (ironically with the fact that I blog and write).

Now onto winter break and next semester.

November Update...

Hard to believe we are in the final weeks of the semester.  It has been a busy semester for sure, even after having to drop a class last month.

For my capstone class, we were required to go to the Students of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creativity Symposium (SNCURCS) - which is a statewide symposium compared to our research and creativity symposium we have every year in April.  It was in Durham and held at North Carolina Central University, which is a gorgeous campus!  And the campus was big compared to what me (and many of my peers) are used to.  The food was pretty good there that day, although it would be because of having visitors on campus.  There were so many topics though presented, from psychology, neuroscience, biology, environmental science, and chemistry, among so many other subjects.

On November 7, I got the opportunity to hear Erin Brochovich speak at Catawba.  It was through our Center for Environment, which has hosted quite a few special speakers this semester to celebrate the anniversary of the CENV.  The movie, Erin Brochovich, (the movie is based on her life) was what really sparked my interest in the different issues that are in our environment (chemicals in water, food, etc).  In her talk, I was surprised to learn that she had dyslexia growing up and was even seen as an underachiever. But despite that, she did a retrospective investigation on individuals that were directly affected by the hexavalent chromium 6 (as a secretary at a law firm in Hinkley California) with health issues, including many types of cancers.  With her work in Hinkley, she went on to continue advocating for environmental health issues (and still is) and encouraging others to do the same.  She has also created a website with a map that shows us what environmental issues are going on around the world... http://www.communityhealthbook.com/.  Also one of her quotes that stand out to me from her talk is "what is your legacy" - Erin Brochovich.  Definitely, a good quote to motivate someone toward the end of the semester.

Also, on November 10th I was inducted into Psi Chi (the honors society for psychology).  It was definitely a different experience from when I was inducted into Tri-Beta. It was pretty low-key. We went to DJ's (maybe 12-15 of us) and we all had the chance to get to know each other better and ate dinner.

These coming weeks should be slowing down...  I have my final capstone presentation this coming Tuesday, and my internship boss from the summer (CS) is hopefully coming.  And with this project for capstone I have a good foundation for my independent research for next semester. And after I only have one exam, a drawing project/oral presentation and my final oral presentation for neuroscience (and the 12-20 page paper)

Thoughts on the Possibility of Becoming an Educator (Or Teacher or Professor)

So, for most of my teenage and early adulthood, I have been complimented by many people on how much kids love me and are drawn to me.  And in recent months have rekindled my aspirations to teach, especially with the post-graduation plans creeping closer and closer.

I have worked with a variety of ages within my church, including my time substituting in the kindergarten Sunday School class (in high school), working with the pre-k (4 year-old) Sunday School class since I have been in college and through the bus ministry at my church. I have watched many of them grow up and some are looking at colleges and in high school.  

Earlier this week, my mentor, Dr. H mentioned to me that she was bringing her daughters on campus for an event.  At first, I didn't know if I would possibly swing by and see her kiddos, but I did end up going.  And when I did, I was greeted by not only her oldest daughter, but by one of the other professor's daughter, who running behind me and tackling me (which I am not a stranger to since I work with children).  I also saw Dr. Ws little one and talked to him until he went on to play with the other three kids.  (And yes --- at one point, I had all 4 of them, including Dr. H's 2 year old, all hanging on me trying to tackle me (playing soccer/basketball) and almost lost my pants!).  

And today -- I helped with an event, "Mysteries in Science," (to celebrate Natl' Chemistry Week). I didn't know what to expect, especially since this was the first time we had a STEM event, with many children of varying ages.  I helped my organic chemistry professor with an acid-base experiment using Alka-Seltzer and water in vials to create mini-explosions.  It was fun to watch their excitement the tops of the vials exploding.  I also loved watching them answer and ask questions.  

Also, I have been thinking of teaching (even if I am working as a tutor in addition to my job) after helping tutor in Spanish and leading SI sessions.  Many people struggle with Spanish for various reasons and it feels great when you can reach a person who may understand it if you present it in a way that engages their learning style.  

Also, another reason I would like to teach is to reach out to those who may not learn or have difficulty with school because of learning disabilities, autism, and ADHD.  After being in neuroscience, along with other psychology courses I have taken since I was a senior in high school, I have had a keen interest in learning styles, these disorders, and even how the brain works with processing information in everyone.  

Just some thoughts!

October Updates

Hard to believe it is halfway through the semester!  This semester has been a rollercoaster but everything is leveling out.  I have learned nothing goes as expected.  This semester by far has been the busiest; I had 16 credit hours, in addition to going to the Spanish class I lead supplemental instruction for, the SI position, and my work-study position - and the other things I am involved in (clubs, church, etc).  In addition to this, my neuroscience class has been the heaviest in terms of assignments.

I had my whole year planned out in order to graduate, that was until I bombed a couple of tests in physics.  It is funny to think how I made it through the chemistry courses, but I get to this class and things did not work out and I had to drop it.  What happened had nothing to do with lack of trying and not understanding the material but rather testing anxiety, which is never a good thing when the class is comprised of 80% tests.  However, I am thankful that my professor for the course was wanting to help me however he could and was honest with me, as well as other students.

My other courses have been okay.  Neuroscience, aside from the work we do, has been the most interesting and has helped me to prepare for going into the workforce and down the road, graduate school.   Drawing has also been my favorite class.  We have had 3 major assignments so far; leaves, tools, and now a diorama and drawing paired together.  I am doing my diorama/drawing assignment on brains, which will be different from what many other people are doing theirs on.  Hebrew Bible has been interesting, although I would prefer this particular type of class later in the day.  I have a better understanding of the Old Testament and who some of the people are that were prominent in the OT (patriarch, prophets, kings) and how the OT varies from my understanding of the New Testament. Capstone for Biology, which has some similar components to Neuroscience (paper, presentations - oral), has been okay.  I am excited that I get to my thesis paper (once I decide on what I want my thesis to be on) on mosquito habitats from what I learned in my internship from during the summer.

SI has been an interesting.  There has not been many people coming (although I am not sure why) but the ones who have come I have been able to help.  I loved helping one of the dudes, W.S., connect the grammar (tenses) to what he knows about writing (a common interest we both share) since he is a communication major.  I have been able to help a couple of other people as well.  I am hoping to tutor Spanish now that I have one less class.

I am looking forward to the rest of the semester!  I am excited for Erin Brochivich, who is coming to speak at our schools, Center for the Environment's, events.  I loved the movie which is based on her life.  She started working for a lawyer and ended up working on an environmental issue that affected many people that lived in the area close to where she lives.  She did all of this despite being a single mother, very little education, and being doubted.  I also have my induction ceremony for Psi Chi (psychology honors society) coming up, some exciting PR assignments, including learning more about FYS courses offered this year, and of course, Christmas!

Letter to college freshman (current and future)

To any current or upcoming freshman,

You made it through senior year of high school.  You have narrowed down where you are attending college, made it past SATs and ACTs, and graduated... however this is only the beginning.  

After being in college for four years, I have learned a lot of lessons, both good and bad.   As many people have mentioned,  I would go back and reconsider past decisions and do over certain parts of my endeavors as an undergrad (classes, choosing a major, etc.).

As a freshman, don't be rash with what you want to do in terms of a major.  I started off my college career wanting to be an art/music therapist for children. However, I also wanted to research genetic or mitochondrial disorders.  This made things very interesting for me when deciding what I wanted to major in.

So I took the introductory level classes for both psychology and biology and quickly found some of the courses were going to be challenging but worth it to pass in order to take more interesting courses.  I learned this quickly after taking Data Analysis for Behavioral Sciences as a freshman.  I didn't understand why we were learning statistics, especially by hand. But after taking more classes in biology and psychology, it became apparent why this was class was important before taking other classes, such as Experimental Psychology and Neuroscience (the most interesting/engaging classes that I have taken in the psychology discipline). Also, many people in biology majors are intimidated by the thought of taking chemistry and physics - but you can get through them. This holds true to other majors as well. 

Also, my career interests have changed over the years.  Since I was a freshman in high school, my dream careers have changed - I have wanted to be a journalist, a tattoo artist, a nurse, a teacher, art/music therapist, geneticist, research scientist, writer, and an environmental health specialist. 

Another important thing is to not lose your passion for whatever it is that you love to do.  I have spent the last four years focusing my energies on school that it was not until I started writing again for my Public Relations work-study that my interest in writing was rekindled.  Same with drawing, which was something I never thought would benefit me in the sciences, yet my mentor told me from the beginning that I could use my creative talents in my future career in science (writing and illustration). So, keep your passion for your sport, making videos, photography, music, whatever it is you do!

Also, take advantage of getting to know a professor or two, especially in your major/discipline.  My first mentor that I have had since freshman has been there for me since day one and has given me opportunities - including being asked to help with research, finding a work-study opportunity that intertwined my interests/skills, and encouragement when I had my first internship.  With this, listen to those who are your mentors (in and out of school) that mentor and look out for you.  One of my mentors has given me advice on many occasions, and one of the recent challenges I had wouldn't have happened if I heeded her advice. 

With this, enjoy your undergraduate career.  This is the time in your life you will find yourself and will do a lot of growing up.  You will have friends that come and go, as will many people throughout your life.  You will have late nights, stress, and fun opportunities that you will remember the rest of your life!

September

So, these last few weeks have been pretty crazy... Lab reports (partial and whole ones), oral presentations, and physics homework seem to be a theme here lately... going to classes, SI leadership position things...

A few weeks ago, I got invited to join Psi Chi, which is the honors society for psychology (for those who make a 3.0+ in the first few classes).  This is pretty exciting because I will also have cords from Tri-Beta (honors society for biology) at graduation.

I like all my classes although a couple of them are very challenging... I have learned something in all of them, with the exception of one class (and what exactly a thesis paper is - but maybe that will happen in time).

Other than that not too much going on right now, other than school, SI, and other miscellaneous day to day life....

Stay tuned for more adventures!!