Fourth, and final, Year: 2015-2016
Short and sweet, that's how this is going to go. College is the best time of your life they say, but they forget to mention just how fast it's here and gone. A 5-year program turned into 4, but really that only ended up being 3 in Cincinnati (+ 1 in New York, not mad about it). I was blessed to be both a student-athlete and a "NARP" (which I don't agree with that term, I prefer retired) and I wouldn't trade either of those experiences for anything. The lessons I learned from each have shaped me into the complete woman I am today, the person about to move to Rochester, Minnesota.
I find my path to this point pretty ironic. Growing up I hated science, I didn't know what I wanted to be but I knew I didn't like science and did not want to be a doctor. On my high school graduation day when I opened my kindergarten time capsule, I (and my parents) learned that apparently there was a phase I wanted to be a firewoman when I grew up. Fast forward to today, to after graduation, when I'll start my next chapter, pursuing PhD to earn the title 'Doctor' at the Mayo Graduate School. This opportunity, as well as every opportunity that presented itself throughout my undergraduate career, have all stemmed from one defiant decision I made as a persistent, independent freshman. My parents wanted me to come home for the summer after my first year, but I had it in my head that I was to stay in Cincinnati and do research (and turns out take a few classes too). But that didn't come easy. First, I had to be eager and convincing to the Sports Med Department at Children's to give me an opportunity to work with them. Then, I had to figure out logistics of how I could stay in Cincinnati, against my parents' desires. Again fast forward, my co-ops at Motus Global and my opportunity to be at Mayo Clinic have stemmed from that one decision, that one chance I took to not listen to my parents' advice (I do like to remind them of that pretty often). Further, I am reminded that I owe most of my success to my mentors at Children's who saw something different in me than their previous interns, who opened an internship opportunity that was no longer available, who supported me through my entire four years and guided me to finding my passion in Sports Biomechanics.
I am beyond grateful for all of the unique experiences I have had while at UC, for all of the friendships, relationships, and mentorships I have developed, for learning to appreciate diversity in people, backgrounds, and lifestyles, for having the freedom to develop new hobbies and passions, and for finding myself as a person. Cincinnati has definitely left it's mark on me, and it is my hope that I have left my mark on Cincinnati.
I find my path to this point pretty ironic. Growing up I hated science, I didn't know what I wanted to be but I knew I didn't like science and did not want to be a doctor. On my high school graduation day when I opened my kindergarten time capsule, I (and my parents) learned that apparently there was a phase I wanted to be a firewoman when I grew up. Fast forward to today, to after graduation, when I'll start my next chapter, pursuing PhD to earn the title 'Doctor' at the Mayo Graduate School. This opportunity, as well as every opportunity that presented itself throughout my undergraduate career, have all stemmed from one defiant decision I made as a persistent, independent freshman. My parents wanted me to come home for the summer after my first year, but I had it in my head that I was to stay in Cincinnati and do research (and turns out take a few classes too). But that didn't come easy. First, I had to be eager and convincing to the Sports Med Department at Children's to give me an opportunity to work with them. Then, I had to figure out logistics of how I could stay in Cincinnati, against my parents' desires. Again fast forward, my co-ops at Motus Global and my opportunity to be at Mayo Clinic have stemmed from that one decision, that one chance I took to not listen to my parents' advice (I do like to remind them of that pretty often). Further, I am reminded that I owe most of my success to my mentors at Children's who saw something different in me than their previous interns, who opened an internship opportunity that was no longer available, who supported me through my entire four years and guided me to finding my passion in Sports Biomechanics.
I am beyond grateful for all of the unique experiences I have had while at UC, for all of the friendships, relationships, and mentorships I have developed, for learning to appreciate diversity in people, backgrounds, and lifestyles, for having the freedom to develop new hobbies and passions, and for finding myself as a person. Cincinnati has definitely left it's mark on me, and it is my hope that I have left my mark on Cincinnati.
"The best is yet to come."