The word "sophomore" comes from the greek word "sophos" which loosely translates to "wise fool."
A part of me denies this narrative; "I'm not a fool, I study hard and I love learning" but the realist in me says "that's the fool speaking."
This past year was tough for me, though I know I'm not alone in saying that, especially from March onwards.
These past few months have shown me how easily and suddenly life can change. Here I was, taking my second semester of organic chemistry and physics, looking forward to all that lay ahead of me; a trip to California to attend my first ever (!) research conference, visiting my family in Washington D.C. over spring break, and another super inspiring GlobeMed Summit conference. Instead, I packed up my apartment and headed home to Mansfield, Ohio for an indefinite amount of time during spring break.
My time at home with my parents had a significant number of highs and lows. I missed my independence. I missed my freedom and I missed being able to decide my own schedule. I missed being able to do what I want when I wanted even if I wasn't leaving the house. On the other hand, my mom made me breakfast everyday, a luxury I hadn't had since I was little. I was cared for in so many ways. Somedays I feel guilty for complaining about being home for ~2 months because I rarely have time like this to spend with my parents. Other days I am particularly angsty and wish this virus had never forced me back in the confines of my childhood home. I had to grieve my freedom while reverting back to the norms of my 16 year old self.
Early in the pandemic, life was still happening. My mom had made me a hair appointment during my spring break not knowing what was going to happen in a month. I got my haircut on the last day salons were open. My mom and I have been going to the same hairdresser for the past 13 or so years, could only feel helpless as we stood with her on the last day she was allowed to run her business for an indefinite amount of time. This was a serious public safety concern though, and honestly I'm beyond disappointed with the administration and their handling in this crisis. If anything, I hope this inspires my generation to also seek out governmental positions to right the wrongs of these racist old geezers because I know I am. *not the governmental positions, but equally important positions in healthcare.
A part of me denies this narrative; "I'm not a fool, I study hard and I love learning" but the realist in me says "that's the fool speaking."
This past year was tough for me, though I know I'm not alone in saying that, especially from March onwards.
These past few months have shown me how easily and suddenly life can change. Here I was, taking my second semester of organic chemistry and physics, looking forward to all that lay ahead of me; a trip to California to attend my first ever (!) research conference, visiting my family in Washington D.C. over spring break, and another super inspiring GlobeMed Summit conference. Instead, I packed up my apartment and headed home to Mansfield, Ohio for an indefinite amount of time during spring break.
My time at home with my parents had a significant number of highs and lows. I missed my independence. I missed my freedom and I missed being able to decide my own schedule. I missed being able to do what I want when I wanted even if I wasn't leaving the house. On the other hand, my mom made me breakfast everyday, a luxury I hadn't had since I was little. I was cared for in so many ways. Somedays I feel guilty for complaining about being home for ~2 months because I rarely have time like this to spend with my parents. Other days I am particularly angsty and wish this virus had never forced me back in the confines of my childhood home. I had to grieve my freedom while reverting back to the norms of my 16 year old self.
Early in the pandemic, life was still happening. My mom had made me a hair appointment during my spring break not knowing what was going to happen in a month. I got my haircut on the last day salons were open. My mom and I have been going to the same hairdresser for the past 13 or so years, could only feel helpless as we stood with her on the last day she was allowed to run her business for an indefinite amount of time. This was a serious public safety concern though, and honestly I'm beyond disappointed with the administration and their handling in this crisis. If anything, I hope this inspires my generation to also seek out governmental positions to right the wrongs of these racist old geezers because I know I am. *not the governmental positions, but equally important positions in healthcare.
That last bit got a little *rant-y* - back to regularly programmed reflection content on my second year. In my page about INT 3001, I spoke to my difficulties with my fall semester, where I felt like such a failure for getting a B in physics. It was more than that though, it was the first time where I felt like no matter the amount of work or effort I put into the class, I did not yield proportional results. Academics have been such a large part of my identity and I DID NOT know how to cope.
Going forward, I saw this as a necessary evil and that I needed to be pushed down to understand the gravity of the situation. As I started my spring semester, I vowed to myself that I would revenge last semester. & Despite all the craziness and disappointments, I finished this past spring with my first ever 4.0 semester.
Don't get me wrong though, I am Bummed with a capital B about missing all the opportunities to present my research. I am disappointed that I haven't seen my family, and I'm frustrated and saddened that the world is in a place of hurt right now.
Going forward, I saw this as a necessary evil and that I needed to be pushed down to understand the gravity of the situation. As I started my spring semester, I vowed to myself that I would revenge last semester. & Despite all the craziness and disappointments, I finished this past spring with my first ever 4.0 semester.
Don't get me wrong though, I am Bummed with a capital B about missing all the opportunities to present my research. I am disappointed that I haven't seen my family, and I'm frustrated and saddened that the world is in a place of hurt right now.
I had a friend who asked me if my perspective has changed at all about going into the medical field. Answer TBD.