This past school year for me has been nothing short of eventful. Earlier in the school year, I had decided to take on the mammoth task of taking 14 credit hours during summer semester as well as take an additional 16 credit hours during Fall Semester 2013 all after completing my first semester at UC as an international student from the Bahamas. I knew that it would be a great challenge, but I was ready to get the required work done and catch up with my classmates as well as possibly get ahead. This was the goal I set out, I definitely accomplished that. I had heard from other pre-med students who are older than me that sophomore year would be the hardest during my undergraduate career. I went into Fall semester anticipating this treacherous school year so many people had predicted. No prediction of how hard sophomore year was going to be even came close to what I experienced this past school year.
Along with taking the notorious organic chemistry I and II lecture and labs, I decided to completely fill my plate with 16 credit hours Fall Semester and 18 credit hours Spring Semester. In addition to that, I was also a student worker at the College of Nursing working over 10 hours per week as well as Vice President of UC Cultural Connections and a member of the women’s group Women in Leadership and Learning (WILL). I had always been the person to challenge myself and put a lot on my plate, but this past year, I really over did it. Unfortunately, my grades were a reflection of this. This gave me a wake-up call after completing classes at the end of Spring Semester. I realized that I literally made no time for myself or time to complete my work as thoroughly as I used to. I think the reason for this was because of my student worker position at the College of Nursing. If I did not work so many hours, I would have had more than enough time to complete my work to the best of my ability as well as devote time to myself. However, life is about learning from past mistakes and making every effort to not make those mistakes again and I think that although sophomore year was a huge test for me, I was thankfully able to accomplish it and still maintain a reasonable cumulative G.P.A.
During this past school year, I was able to take two Honors classes that I think played a significant role in my growth as a student. These classes were “Understanding Religious Intolerance” and the Honors section of “Intermediate Composition.” Through these classes, I was able to learn a lot about two of my many interests which are religions and learning disabilities and disorders. I was also able to use my gifts and talents as a Bearcat Buddy. I tutored special education students in reading. Additionally, I was fortunate enough to be able to plan a retreat for my church here in Cincinnati, St. Monica-St. George Parish and also participate in the retreat as a Retreat Leader. I also continued my volunteering at Cincinnati Children's Hospital in the Department of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (DDBP) Clinic. There were many times when I found myself on the brink of giving up because I was too stressed or overwhelmed. It was receiving emails from UC International asking if I wanted to be featured on YouTube for my accomplishments as an Honors student as well as on the UC Honors student portfolio spotlight that gave me the drive to continue to press on and finish the race. I was so used to taking on so many tasks and still finishing at my standards so much that this year came as a complete shock to me. It was such a great learning experience and I am fortunate to be able to talk to other students who have also hit bumps in the road. I have decided to retake two of my classes from Spring Semester to increase my cumulative G.P.A. and properly learn the material. Because of this past school year, I now know what I need to do to keep performing at my highest level and continue to excel as a student here at UC. I will stop at no ends to accomplish my ultimate dream of getting into a good medical school as well as become the first practicing Bahamian developmental-behavioral pediatrician. "When life gives you lemons, make orange juice and leave the world wondering how the hell you did it." Junior year, here I come!
Along with taking the notorious organic chemistry I and II lecture and labs, I decided to completely fill my plate with 16 credit hours Fall Semester and 18 credit hours Spring Semester. In addition to that, I was also a student worker at the College of Nursing working over 10 hours per week as well as Vice President of UC Cultural Connections and a member of the women’s group Women in Leadership and Learning (WILL). I had always been the person to challenge myself and put a lot on my plate, but this past year, I really over did it. Unfortunately, my grades were a reflection of this. This gave me a wake-up call after completing classes at the end of Spring Semester. I realized that I literally made no time for myself or time to complete my work as thoroughly as I used to. I think the reason for this was because of my student worker position at the College of Nursing. If I did not work so many hours, I would have had more than enough time to complete my work to the best of my ability as well as devote time to myself. However, life is about learning from past mistakes and making every effort to not make those mistakes again and I think that although sophomore year was a huge test for me, I was thankfully able to accomplish it and still maintain a reasonable cumulative G.P.A.
During this past school year, I was able to take two Honors classes that I think played a significant role in my growth as a student. These classes were “Understanding Religious Intolerance” and the Honors section of “Intermediate Composition.” Through these classes, I was able to learn a lot about two of my many interests which are religions and learning disabilities and disorders. I was also able to use my gifts and talents as a Bearcat Buddy. I tutored special education students in reading. Additionally, I was fortunate enough to be able to plan a retreat for my church here in Cincinnati, St. Monica-St. George Parish and also participate in the retreat as a Retreat Leader. I also continued my volunteering at Cincinnati Children's Hospital in the Department of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (DDBP) Clinic. There were many times when I found myself on the brink of giving up because I was too stressed or overwhelmed. It was receiving emails from UC International asking if I wanted to be featured on YouTube for my accomplishments as an Honors student as well as on the UC Honors student portfolio spotlight that gave me the drive to continue to press on and finish the race. I was so used to taking on so many tasks and still finishing at my standards so much that this year came as a complete shock to me. It was such a great learning experience and I am fortunate to be able to talk to other students who have also hit bumps in the road. I have decided to retake two of my classes from Spring Semester to increase my cumulative G.P.A. and properly learn the material. Because of this past school year, I now know what I need to do to keep performing at my highest level and continue to excel as a student here at UC. I will stop at no ends to accomplish my ultimate dream of getting into a good medical school as well as become the first practicing Bahamian developmental-behavioral pediatrician. "When life gives you lemons, make orange juice and leave the world wondering how the hell you did it." Junior year, here I come!