I arrived with my parents to CT tonight. They surprised me with a trip to the Outer Banks for graduation... The trip was fun, we went to the beach, pool, wildlife refuge, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Wildlife Refuge, and a jeep ride where we were able to see Spanish mustangs by the coastline. Additionally, I got a new camera (with my graduation money), driving lessons, and a guitar... plus money and gift cards. I just now have to get settled into the after undergraduate life...
While at the beach, I forgot my glasses... for those who don't know, I have astigmatisms in both eyes (messes with my depth/visual perception) and I am nearsighted. I was walking on the beach and managed to walk too far the other way, which is rare for me to lose track of where I am at... When I realized it, I was long past hungry, thirsty, and was a bit sunburnt - so I was a bit frustrated yet determined to get back to the condo although I could barely make out the buildings on the coastline. This was definitely a very familiar feeling to what my life has felt like and will continue to feel like - especially entering this new chapter of my life. I definitely struggled with homesickness while there, but it is time for me to begin my life after college - and I will have the support of my parents and ability to learn more about them.
More blogs on different topics soon!
Friday, May 19, 2017
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Reflection On These Last Four and Half Years
It has been almost a week since graduation. These past four and a half years have taught me so much and I have overcome so many odds. Things are a bit up in the air at the moment, but that is okay. I have grown so much, both as a student and in my own personal life. Down below are some reflections from my 9 semesters of college - ranging from the good to the bad.
When I started as a freshman, things seemed to be all over the place. I was living in a rough situation but had a great support network from my high school and church that kept me going. Towards the end of my first semester, my life changed - for the better. I also came into college a bit clueless - including very little money sense, confidence, and the normal struggles we all have had as freshmen. I started my second semester of freshman year living on campus - and that was definitely different. I had never been away from home for long periods of time, but I adjusted to it. The biggest thing for me during that point in time was engaging in the student activities on campus. My friend C.M had to come into the dorm and get me to go to events, which I generally avoided. I also met Dr. C.H, who became my mentor throughout most of my time in college. She was very maternal, which at first, was something I definitely wasn't used to but ended up being a good thing for me to have in my life. At the end of freshman year, I reconnected with my father and stepmom through facebook.
Sophomore year was low-key. I met my other mentor, Dr. C., found out I had an interest (I never would have guessed spiders would become an integral part of my academic interests) in entomology, and was asked to help with mosquito research (in Panera Bread - and it still stands out to me, even to this day). During my sophomore year, I decided to go off of my medication for ADHD, and have learned to embrace both the positive attributes as well as the difficulties. Thankfully, I had a professor who was very observant and understanding of different learning styles, which helped me find ways to succeed academically. During this time, I had developed strong friendships with a few people, which have helped me to become a better person.
Junior year - this was probably the point in my college career that I struggled the most yet many opportunities revealed themselves. The first semester of junior year was the semester I took 18 sh, plus had a work study (10 hours a week). I took five classes, with three labs in three different sciences (experimental psych, gen chem, and parasitology) and I quickly learned I had no clue on how to manage my time well - especially since experimental psychology was time-consuming during my weekends. This was also the time in my college career I went back and forth between biology and psychology (I started off psychology then went to biology - then wanted to combine the two. This never worked out, however, I have 24 hours in psychology because of this and was considered an "honorary" psych student), Having the work study helped me with gaining money sense, as well as a feeling of being responsible. The second semester started off a bit rocky - partly in concern I was in the wrong concentration and a feeling of defeat from the previous semester when I had a lower GPA than I wanted to have. However, I pulled through the semester with the support of my friends and professors and EVEN SURVIVED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY! The first semester of junior year was when I learned I really enjoyed other types of psychology, especially behavior modification- even if it was challenging - and I even found ways to talk about behavior modification and psych studies. I also gained a love for vector borne diseases and ecology, although it felt like at the time I was barely making it. Also - the second semester I started working for public relations as their work study - and I did not think that I would ever become a writer, let alone be able to have work published. (and there was some kicking and screaming but it was worth it to have my work published)
Senior year - so many ups and downs in three semesters. The first semester felt like a continuation of junior year but it went well. I took classes that were interesting: entomology, health psychology, and microbiology. I developed my passion for collecting bugs, even collecting spiders for a week at a time (for identification and to watch them - although that wasn't the wisest idea on my end). This was also the time that I was hoping to graduate in December but in retrospect, I was not ready to graduate then. I had my first internship (the reason for starting the blog) and fell in love with field work and public/environmental health. I also saw how my background in biology, psychology, and environmental health became intertwined. The second semester was a bit of train wreck. I had struggled through physics, not really sure why - seemed to be a testing issue, but I never quite knew. I also took the hardest class I ever took in college (trumped all the chemistry courses), which was neuroscience. I am glad I took it but it was a lot of work with the labs and presentations, weekly discussion boards, two day lectures with a lab component, and the huge research paper/lab on steroids. I learned a lot and it was with on my favorite professors, who definitely made the class fun. I also got the opportunity to be an SI leader for Spanish. This definitely was an interesting job and I learned spanish again, ultilized psychology, and learned some about teaching. However, I had to drop physics and spent most of the semester with a nasty cough (seemed like bronchitis mixed with a sinus infection for two months straight) - later found out I had moderate asthma and stress worsened it. But I survived the semester with a solid 3.0 GPA, made new friends, and learned new things (also figured out how to intertwine different topics). The final semester wrapped up nicely and went much smoother than previous semesters. I managed to obtain a 3.43 GPA, while juggling 15 credit hours, add an extra 3 hours for Spanish (SI), being a supplemental instructor/tutor for Spanish, work study, research/presentation prep, on and off work for an internship (for a start-up nonprofit group) and what I do at my church - it was a bit of chaotic semester. I spent a lot more time with friends this semester, especially the last few week since I am moving 12 hours north of NC. I also have gotten to know some great new people and I am thankful for the lessons and things they have taught me.
Stayed tuned for some blogs on various topics...
When I started as a freshman, things seemed to be all over the place. I was living in a rough situation but had a great support network from my high school and church that kept me going. Towards the end of my first semester, my life changed - for the better. I also came into college a bit clueless - including very little money sense, confidence, and the normal struggles we all have had as freshmen. I started my second semester of freshman year living on campus - and that was definitely different. I had never been away from home for long periods of time, but I adjusted to it. The biggest thing for me during that point in time was engaging in the student activities on campus. My friend C.M had to come into the dorm and get me to go to events, which I generally avoided. I also met Dr. C.H, who became my mentor throughout most of my time in college. She was very maternal, which at first, was something I definitely wasn't used to but ended up being a good thing for me to have in my life. At the end of freshman year, I reconnected with my father and stepmom through facebook.
Sophomore year was low-key. I met my other mentor, Dr. C., found out I had an interest (I never would have guessed spiders would become an integral part of my academic interests) in entomology, and was asked to help with mosquito research (in Panera Bread - and it still stands out to me, even to this day). During my sophomore year, I decided to go off of my medication for ADHD, and have learned to embrace both the positive attributes as well as the difficulties. Thankfully, I had a professor who was very observant and understanding of different learning styles, which helped me find ways to succeed academically. During this time, I had developed strong friendships with a few people, which have helped me to become a better person.
Junior year - this was probably the point in my college career that I struggled the most yet many opportunities revealed themselves. The first semester of junior year was the semester I took 18 sh, plus had a work study (10 hours a week). I took five classes, with three labs in three different sciences (experimental psych, gen chem, and parasitology) and I quickly learned I had no clue on how to manage my time well - especially since experimental psychology was time-consuming during my weekends. This was also the time in my college career I went back and forth between biology and psychology (I started off psychology then went to biology - then wanted to combine the two. This never worked out, however, I have 24 hours in psychology because of this and was considered an "honorary" psych student), Having the work study helped me with gaining money sense, as well as a feeling of being responsible. The second semester started off a bit rocky - partly in concern I was in the wrong concentration and a feeling of defeat from the previous semester when I had a lower GPA than I wanted to have. However, I pulled through the semester with the support of my friends and professors and EVEN SURVIVED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY! The first semester of junior year was when I learned I really enjoyed other types of psychology, especially behavior modification- even if it was challenging - and I even found ways to talk about behavior modification and psych studies. I also gained a love for vector borne diseases and ecology, although it felt like at the time I was barely making it. Also - the second semester I started working for public relations as their work study - and I did not think that I would ever become a writer, let alone be able to have work published. (and there was some kicking and screaming but it was worth it to have my work published)
Senior year - so many ups and downs in three semesters. The first semester felt like a continuation of junior year but it went well. I took classes that were interesting: entomology, health psychology, and microbiology. I developed my passion for collecting bugs, even collecting spiders for a week at a time (for identification and to watch them - although that wasn't the wisest idea on my end). This was also the time that I was hoping to graduate in December but in retrospect, I was not ready to graduate then. I had my first internship (the reason for starting the blog) and fell in love with field work and public/environmental health. I also saw how my background in biology, psychology, and environmental health became intertwined. The second semester was a bit of train wreck. I had struggled through physics, not really sure why - seemed to be a testing issue, but I never quite knew. I also took the hardest class I ever took in college (trumped all the chemistry courses), which was neuroscience. I am glad I took it but it was a lot of work with the labs and presentations, weekly discussion boards, two day lectures with a lab component, and the huge research paper/lab on steroids. I learned a lot and it was with on my favorite professors, who definitely made the class fun. I also got the opportunity to be an SI leader for Spanish. This definitely was an interesting job and I learned spanish again, ultilized psychology, and learned some about teaching. However, I had to drop physics and spent most of the semester with a nasty cough (seemed like bronchitis mixed with a sinus infection for two months straight) - later found out I had moderate asthma and stress worsened it. But I survived the semester with a solid 3.0 GPA, made new friends, and learned new things (also figured out how to intertwine different topics). The final semester wrapped up nicely and went much smoother than previous semesters. I managed to obtain a 3.43 GPA, while juggling 15 credit hours, add an extra 3 hours for Spanish (SI), being a supplemental instructor/tutor for Spanish, work study, research/presentation prep, on and off work for an internship (for a start-up nonprofit group) and what I do at my church - it was a bit of chaotic semester. I spent a lot more time with friends this semester, especially the last few week since I am moving 12 hours north of NC. I also have gotten to know some great new people and I am thankful for the lessons and things they have taught me.
Stayed tuned for some blogs on various topics...
Thursday, May 11, 2017
What College Has Taught Me... (Lessons from Jan 2013 - May 2017)
- 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)
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- I learned that I had a passion for the environment and field work!
- 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!
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- I have a greater appreciation for research after taking Data Analysis, Experimental Psychology, Neuroscience, and Biological Research Methods
- NPR - I read articles when I have a few moments to spare and it is great for conversation starters
- I learned how to be healthier - both physically and mentally
- Passion - that is all - many of the best classes I took were taught by highly passionate individuals
- 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.
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Things I Have Learned During Senior Year
Here is a list of everything I have learned about since spring 2016 (the start of my senior year)
1. Take chances - sometimes you may be provided with an opportunity that seems outside of your comfort zone, but it may actually be something you end up pursuing
2. Be passionate - people love it when someone is passionate about what they love.
3. Try new things - sounds cliche but it is your senior year - make it something to remember.
4. Trust yourself - you know you better than anyone else does
5. Mentor someone - many freshmen will want to know what they to expect and you can be a leader
6. Don't take on more than you can handle
7. You can't always help everyone fix things
8. Get guidance/advice from someone older - i.e. professor, a worker at your church, family member, etc. Even talking to them can help you see how the situation/problem is.
1. Take chances - sometimes you may be provided with an opportunity that seems outside of your comfort zone, but it may actually be something you end up pursuing
2. Be passionate - people love it when someone is passionate about what they love.
3. Try new things - sounds cliche but it is your senior year - make it something to remember.
4. Trust yourself - you know you better than anyone else does
5. Mentor someone - many freshmen will want to know what they to expect and you can be a leader
6. Don't take on more than you can handle
7. You can't always help everyone fix things
8. Get guidance/advice from someone older - i.e. professor, a worker at your church, family member, etc. Even talking to them can help you see how the situation/problem is.
Spring 2017 Reflection
Today was my last day of classes (Monday is the last day for classes, but I have a final exam in one and the other one was canceled). It definitely is bittersweet but an exciting time. I have grown so much over the course of a year. I have also met many great people this past year.
This semester has been fun yet crazy. I got to present my research, both at a national conference and our own Creativity and Research Symposium. Presenting my research had been one of my goals and I am glad that I was able to do it. I also got my honor cords for TriBeta and Psi Chi, along with receiving a medal for presenting research. Additionally, I also am able to some freelance writing/editing for Dr. K, who is starting the non-profit group, The Pollution Detectives - which will help me continue to build my portfolio.
This semester, I was able to continue being a SI leader for Spanish (Elementary Spanish 2). This semester, the students who came to any of my sessions were great and even the class I sat in. Several of the students that were in any of my sessions at one point or another were able to exempt the final (They had to have an A). So that was very exciting, especially since relearning the concepts has helped me in others, including - writing and connecting with the students has been great.
Classes have been okay this semester. Biochemistry was the hardest class of the semester, although not as difficult as neuroscience. Several of our labs were busts, including the kinetics lab, a lab where we tried to extract the DNA from our own hair follicles, and we weren't able to do any calorimetric work from beer. However, we did get to do nanotechnology, using silver to try and kill the bacteria (E. coli). I really enjoyed running the statistics on SPSS for this particular lab. We also got the chance to go to New Sarum to see the process of brewing again this year. The class has been interesting, to say the least, especially with the dynamics of the two professors cutting up. We have also had many memes, random acronyms (amino acids), and even had to hear two raps to help us remember glycolysis and citric acid cycle (both of which Dr. H was excited to show us). Also, evolution was a discussion of books all semester. However, Dr. P was a very interesting person to listen to talk about his antics, including how he had his children (they were young) convinced that there were two of him. He also incorporated birds in many classes. Also, the class ended with him creating an "Oscar" show with our projects we have had all semester. There were many categories: best accent, best enthusiasm, best soundtrack, and even best digs at Dr. P. My roommate/best friend and I won the one "oscar" for best enthusiasm, real or feigned. My other classes have been going well too, especially after midsemester.
These next two weeks shall be interesting! Be on the look out for new blogs!
This semester has been fun yet crazy. I got to present my research, both at a national conference and our own Creativity and Research Symposium. Presenting my research had been one of my goals and I am glad that I was able to do it. I also got my honor cords for TriBeta and Psi Chi, along with receiving a medal for presenting research. Additionally, I also am able to some freelance writing/editing for Dr. K, who is starting the non-profit group, The Pollution Detectives - which will help me continue to build my portfolio.
This semester, I was able to continue being a SI leader for Spanish (Elementary Spanish 2). This semester, the students who came to any of my sessions were great and even the class I sat in. Several of the students that were in any of my sessions at one point or another were able to exempt the final (They had to have an A). So that was very exciting, especially since relearning the concepts has helped me in others, including - writing and connecting with the students has been great.
Classes have been okay this semester. Biochemistry was the hardest class of the semester, although not as difficult as neuroscience. Several of our labs were busts, including the kinetics lab, a lab where we tried to extract the DNA from our own hair follicles, and we weren't able to do any calorimetric work from beer. However, we did get to do nanotechnology, using silver to try and kill the bacteria (E. coli). I really enjoyed running the statistics on SPSS for this particular lab. We also got the chance to go to New Sarum to see the process of brewing again this year. The class has been interesting, to say the least, especially with the dynamics of the two professors cutting up. We have also had many memes, random acronyms (amino acids), and even had to hear two raps to help us remember glycolysis and citric acid cycle (both of which Dr. H was excited to show us). Also, evolution was a discussion of books all semester. However, Dr. P was a very interesting person to listen to talk about his antics, including how he had his children (they were young) convinced that there were two of him. He also incorporated birds in many classes. Also, the class ended with him creating an "Oscar" show with our projects we have had all semester. There were many categories: best accent, best enthusiasm, best soundtrack, and even best digs at Dr. P. My roommate/best friend and I won the one "oscar" for best enthusiasm, real or feigned. My other classes have been going well too, especially after midsemester.
These next two weeks shall be interesting! Be on the look out for new blogs!
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Alabama Trip ASB/Tri-Beta March 2017
Only a month left until I finish my last sets of finals in my undergraduate career and graduation shortly thereafter. The time is creeping up really close.
Since I have been at Catawba, I have always wanted to attend a conference where I can present my own work. As a part of my independent study, presenting a poster or talk is required, whether at a conference or as a part of Catawba's Research Creativity Symposium.
At the end of March, I was able to go to Alabama with a group of six other students and three biology professors. The conference was at the Renaissance Hotel, where there were a variety of activities, events, talks, and poster sessions for everyone to enjoy. I presented a poster on my research that was started by my interest that stemmed from my summer internship.
During the conference, I got the opportunity to attend Dr. Coggin's talk on 23andme, a DNA testing kit, and what he has learned from his personal experience with the program and his expertise. All of us got the opportunity to attend poster sessions and talks, including each other for support. Many schools came together to present posters during a two-day span for both the American Southeastern Biologists and through Tri-Beta (Tau Eta). The final day included an awards ceremony for those that were in Tau Eta chapters, with two of our own students receiving awards for their talks.
Additionally, we all got the opportunity to spend time together outside of the classroom/lab. On the first day of the conference, we attended a social that was held at the Riverwalk Stadium. Although we were rained out, we enjoyed grilled foods and live music inside the stadium. We got the chance to explore downtown Montgomery, ate at local places, and explore the Riverwalk Park near the hotels.
It was definitely an awesome trip to go on my final semester as an undergrad.
Since I have been at Catawba, I have always wanted to attend a conference where I can present my own work. As a part of my independent study, presenting a poster or talk is required, whether at a conference or as a part of Catawba's Research Creativity Symposium.
At the end of March, I was able to go to Alabama with a group of six other students and three biology professors. The conference was at the Renaissance Hotel, where there were a variety of activities, events, talks, and poster sessions for everyone to enjoy. I presented a poster on my research that was started by my interest that stemmed from my summer internship.
During the conference, I got the opportunity to attend Dr. Coggin's talk on 23andme, a DNA testing kit, and what he has learned from his personal experience with the program and his expertise. All of us got the opportunity to attend poster sessions and talks, including each other for support. Many schools came together to present posters during a two-day span for both the American Southeastern Biologists and through Tri-Beta (Tau Eta). The final day included an awards ceremony for those that were in Tau Eta chapters, with two of our own students receiving awards for their talks.
Additionally, we all got the opportunity to spend time together outside of the classroom/lab. On the first day of the conference, we attended a social that was held at the Riverwalk Stadium. Although we were rained out, we enjoyed grilled foods and live music inside the stadium. We got the chance to explore downtown Montgomery, ate at local places, and explore the Riverwalk Park near the hotels.
It was definitely an awesome trip to go on my final semester as an undergrad.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Spring Break 2017
Spring Break is here! Nothing major planned for spring break other than binge watching on-demand shows, applying for jobs, studying biochemistry and the worksheet, preparing my poster for a conference at the end of the month (so close - eek!!), and my internship and PR work. I may also spend plenty of time outside depending on the weather (which has been gorgeous)
School has been going good. I have a couple of classes that are awesome although biochemistry has been a blur, mostly because that is very complex to understand at 8 am (although 9 am is another story). The other day in my prescriptive fitness class, our class got the opportunity to have a fitness instructor from the Y come to teach our class. This class was called "Estercize" (basically pilates/yoga and planks) and was taught by a woman from the Netherlands. She used music while doing the yoga and pilates sequences. I was impressed how she sang while she was doing the routines. She did compliment me on how flexible I was - in one of the sequences I managed to have my leg positioned at an almost 90-degree angle (which was pretty cool! I have always been flexible (Splits, foot behind my ear, sitting in weird positions (very rare now), etc.) but haven't focused much on flexibility in a long time. However, I decided to give yoga a try this year after noticing how stiff my joints are). Speaking of yoga, I have tried our yoga class on campus (finally on a day I don't have lab or youth group). These classes have helped loosen my joints and have helped my balance - although it can be boring with how quiet it is! I definitely will look into pilate classes one day in the future.
Today, I hung out with my friend, K.B, who I haven't seen in a few months! I will miss her when I leave in May. We went to the mall today, goofed off/had serious discussions, and ate dinner together. While there, I got a new black dress (which is very flattering) for the conference, black sandals, a dressy, flowy tank top, and a light pullover sweater - and spent my gift card from Christmas for Old Navy. I wish I had some more money budgeted after discovering Gap and Maurices today!!! Soon enough, when I search for clothes for a career.
Also, only two more months left until I leave to go to CT - many mixed feelings!
School has been going good. I have a couple of classes that are awesome although biochemistry has been a blur, mostly because that is very complex to understand at 8 am (although 9 am is another story). The other day in my prescriptive fitness class, our class got the opportunity to have a fitness instructor from the Y come to teach our class. This class was called "Estercize" (basically pilates/yoga and planks) and was taught by a woman from the Netherlands. She used music while doing the yoga and pilates sequences. I was impressed how she sang while she was doing the routines. She did compliment me on how flexible I was - in one of the sequences I managed to have my leg positioned at an almost 90-degree angle (which was pretty cool! I have always been flexible (Splits, foot behind my ear, sitting in weird positions (very rare now), etc.) but haven't focused much on flexibility in a long time. However, I decided to give yoga a try this year after noticing how stiff my joints are). Speaking of yoga, I have tried our yoga class on campus (finally on a day I don't have lab or youth group). These classes have helped loosen my joints and have helped my balance - although it can be boring with how quiet it is! I definitely will look into pilate classes one day in the future.
Today, I hung out with my friend, K.B, who I haven't seen in a few months! I will miss her when I leave in May. We went to the mall today, goofed off/had serious discussions, and ate dinner together. While there, I got a new black dress (which is very flattering) for the conference, black sandals, a dressy, flowy tank top, and a light pullover sweater - and spent my gift card from Christmas for Old Navy. I wish I had some more money budgeted after discovering Gap and Maurices today!!! Soon enough, when I search for clothes for a career.
Also, only two more months left until I leave to go to CT - many mixed feelings!
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