My first year at the University of Cincinnati wasn't the typical freshman year that most people describe theirs. In August, I had moved from Indiana, where I have lived my whole life, to Ohio amid a global pandemic. I didn't know what to expect from college, considering that there weren't many social gatherings, football games, or in-person classes, so I had to make the best of it to start the semester with a positive mindset. As a pre-dental student, I knew it was essential to excel in your general sciences classes, so I wanted nothing more than to do that. As the school year went on, I only focused on my academics which caused a substantial amount of stress upon me. I would skip meals, ditch opportunities to interact with my peers, and limit my free time to ensure that I would do well in my classes. I fell into a pit of depression, lost all of my quarantine weight plus more, and the stress was eating me away. As someone who hates to ask for help, I reached out to my family for advice, and they provided the support I needed and more! As the semester continued, I relied on the fact that there will be light shinning at the end of the tunnel. This situation strengthened my resilience as I learned that I have to remain positive and keep fighting through rough times. 

 

 

This experience has taught me that needing help and support isn't a sign of weakness. If anything, I've learned that it's a sign of strength because it takes a lot to open up about what you're going through. Due to this experience, I have become more emotionally mature, which has taught me to finds ways to cope and manage stress in healthier ways. As I passed through that rough patch of the school year, I became more sociable and found a group of supportive friends. I can't be grateful enough to meet them because every one of them helped me explore the areas of self-love and care. I didn't think that it was possible to be an excelling student and still make time for yourself, and my friends showed me that you could do just that. I've learned that being a strong academic student doesn't just consist of schoolwork but also includes prioritizing your happiness and also getting involved in organizations, clubs, or programs that allow you to have a feeling of inclusivity on campus. By the end of my first semester, I took the big jump to apply to University Honors. Before coming to college, I wouldn't necessarily apply to programs because I was afraid that I wouldn't meet their needs or requirements. Still, after getting accepted and taking the Gateway to University Honors class, this program has allowed me to learn aspects of myself that I never had. I've learned that not everything will be perfect and that I can't be afraid of failure or rejection because with failure comes success. 

 

Now that I've finished my first year of college, I'm safe to say that I've been able to build my confidence and prove to myself that I'm capable of doing more than I ever imagined. By taking risks and chances, I've been able to get into a remarkable prep program that will guide me through the steps of furthering my education in the dental field and become an ambassador for the honors program. Lastly, I won the writing contest for best essay in English 1001 out of all three campuses. Overall, I can't be more proud of myself for getting through this school year and accomplishing amazing things in just one year. I was able to learn and grow as a person more than ever! Now that I have this whole college student thing down, I can't wait to see what the next school year will bring.