2013-2014: Junior Year in Review
The above picture is taken in Rome, Italy. Although I am surrounded by my peers, this picture represents how I have transformed this year into a confident, professional individual opposed to scared nursing student trying to fit in.
Part I: So What?
When asked about the most significant experiences and/or challenges that have happened to me since starting my college career, three events come to mind.
My first major challenge was not figuring out how to cook or do laundry on my own. Instead, my first big challenge was adjusting to the "city life." Since I grew up in a small, German Catholic farming town, college has almost been more challenging at a personal level compared to at an academic level. For me, it was hard adjusting to this different type of lifestyle at first. At one point I even considered transferring to Wright State to be closer to home. However, I'm glad my roommates talked me out of it and I am proud that I remain a Bearcat. One thing that helped me to overcome this obstacle was staying in Cincinnati nearly every weekend for my first year and only going home for holidays or major events. Three years later, I now consider Cincinnati to be my "home" opposed to my hometown.
A second significant experience for me occurred towards the end of my junior year. During junior year, I applied for co-op positions at 3 major hospitals: the Veteran Affairs Medical Center, the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, and Cincinnati Children's Hospital. To my pleasure, I earned a co-op spot at all 3 hospitals! This was significant to me because it made me realize how close I was to becoming a real nurse and made me realize that all of my hours of studying were paying off. In the end, I chose to co-op at the VA since I have a special place in my heart for the elderly population. Since I am a hands-on learner, co-op will be a major asset to me that will allow me to practice many nursing skills at an RN level.
The third significant experience for me involved a study abroad trip to Rome, Italy at the end of my junior year. During spring semester I enrolled in the honors seminar titled "Art, Architecture, and Engineering: The Roman Experience" which involved 20 students and 3 professors completing a 10 day study abroad tour to Rome, Italy. While in Rome, we were introduced to the cultural aspects of Italian life and customs. Each morning, we were escorted through Rome or an Italian countryside town by our tour guide Toni. Most afternoons we had free to explore as we pleased. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the views of the Italian countryside, my favorite part of the trip was climbing 551 steps to the top of St. Peter's Basilica's dome in Vatican City. Even though I was with a group of people throughout the entire trip, this trip made me realize how independent I really am and that sometimes it is okay to rely on others for help and/or advice.
In addition to these 3 experiences, the relationships and connections that I have developed this past year have also made an impact on who I am today. First of all, I have realized that friends matter in quality not quantity. I owe a lot of my accomplishments to my future roommate Melissa and my past roommate Nicole. Without them, I would not make time to have a life in college and would instead be studying my life away. I also owe a lot of my accomplishments to both my parents, younger brothers, and Brad, who have supported me in every step of the way. In addition to these personal relationships, applying to these co-op positions have helped me to view my professors and clinical instructors as friends and people I can confide in opposed to simply teachers.
Part II: Now What?
If I could give myself one piece of advice as I enter my senior year, it would be to find the time to stop and smell the roses more often. Too often I get caught up in my sticky notes of to-do lists or find myself excessively studying instead of spending time with my roommates. This upcoming year (although this sounds contradictory since this is an honors website), I hope to spend more time enjoying life and less time studying.
Not only do I hope to take the time to smell the roses more this upcoming year, but I also have a few other goals in mind. A few goals include:
1. Have a successful co-op experience at the VA
2. Go on another international trip - preferably Africa
3. Save up for a wedding & house down payment
4. Enjoy the little things in life more, spend less time studying
One of my biggest ambitions during college was to go to Rome and Africa. I figure now is the time to travel since I am active and since I do not have a full-time job, husband, or kids. Even though this may sound selfish, I believe that one of the best things that I can do to make the most of my senior year in UC's University Honors Program is to apply to the honors seminars.
Part I: So What?
When asked about the most significant experiences and/or challenges that have happened to me since starting my college career, three events come to mind.
My first major challenge was not figuring out how to cook or do laundry on my own. Instead, my first big challenge was adjusting to the "city life." Since I grew up in a small, German Catholic farming town, college has almost been more challenging at a personal level compared to at an academic level. For me, it was hard adjusting to this different type of lifestyle at first. At one point I even considered transferring to Wright State to be closer to home. However, I'm glad my roommates talked me out of it and I am proud that I remain a Bearcat. One thing that helped me to overcome this obstacle was staying in Cincinnati nearly every weekend for my first year and only going home for holidays or major events. Three years later, I now consider Cincinnati to be my "home" opposed to my hometown.
A second significant experience for me occurred towards the end of my junior year. During junior year, I applied for co-op positions at 3 major hospitals: the Veteran Affairs Medical Center, the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, and Cincinnati Children's Hospital. To my pleasure, I earned a co-op spot at all 3 hospitals! This was significant to me because it made me realize how close I was to becoming a real nurse and made me realize that all of my hours of studying were paying off. In the end, I chose to co-op at the VA since I have a special place in my heart for the elderly population. Since I am a hands-on learner, co-op will be a major asset to me that will allow me to practice many nursing skills at an RN level.
The third significant experience for me involved a study abroad trip to Rome, Italy at the end of my junior year. During spring semester I enrolled in the honors seminar titled "Art, Architecture, and Engineering: The Roman Experience" which involved 20 students and 3 professors completing a 10 day study abroad tour to Rome, Italy. While in Rome, we were introduced to the cultural aspects of Italian life and customs. Each morning, we were escorted through Rome or an Italian countryside town by our tour guide Toni. Most afternoons we had free to explore as we pleased. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the views of the Italian countryside, my favorite part of the trip was climbing 551 steps to the top of St. Peter's Basilica's dome in Vatican City. Even though I was with a group of people throughout the entire trip, this trip made me realize how independent I really am and that sometimes it is okay to rely on others for help and/or advice.
In addition to these 3 experiences, the relationships and connections that I have developed this past year have also made an impact on who I am today. First of all, I have realized that friends matter in quality not quantity. I owe a lot of my accomplishments to my future roommate Melissa and my past roommate Nicole. Without them, I would not make time to have a life in college and would instead be studying my life away. I also owe a lot of my accomplishments to both my parents, younger brothers, and Brad, who have supported me in every step of the way. In addition to these personal relationships, applying to these co-op positions have helped me to view my professors and clinical instructors as friends and people I can confide in opposed to simply teachers.
Part II: Now What?
If I could give myself one piece of advice as I enter my senior year, it would be to find the time to stop and smell the roses more often. Too often I get caught up in my sticky notes of to-do lists or find myself excessively studying instead of spending time with my roommates. This upcoming year (although this sounds contradictory since this is an honors website), I hope to spend more time enjoying life and less time studying.
Not only do I hope to take the time to smell the roses more this upcoming year, but I also have a few other goals in mind. A few goals include:
1. Have a successful co-op experience at the VA
2. Go on another international trip - preferably Africa
3. Save up for a wedding & house down payment
4. Enjoy the little things in life more, spend less time studying
One of my biggest ambitions during college was to go to Rome and Africa. I figure now is the time to travel since I am active and since I do not have a full-time job, husband, or kids. Even though this may sound selfish, I believe that one of the best things that I can do to make the most of my senior year in UC's University Honors Program is to apply to the honors seminars.