Second Year: 2013-2014
"Don't blink because time goes faster than you think" (Keith Urban) - This sums up my second year pretty wholly. I consciously make an effort to stop and enjoy every little moment and experience because before I know it, I am going to be writing my In Review: Year Four edition. Fortunately, if these next two years continue in a similar fashion to these first two, I will be able to say I have enjoyed and fulfilled my college experience to the max.
This year was filled with a wide range of experiences and a new format from that which I was previously accustomed to. Fall semester was my first co-op rotation. So into a daily routine I fell: alarm rings at 5:30, walk into work by 6:30, join fellow co-ops for lunch sometime between 11 and 12, hurry back to campus by 3:30 for track practice, shower/dinner/bed..repeat. It wasn't always the most ideal schedule, but it worked, and thankfully with the support and understanding of all parties involved, I didn't have to sacrifice participation or performance to a large degree in either of my major commitments. When spring semester arrived, it was back to the "college lifestyle," an hour of class followed by a break before more class, practice, or if I was extremely lucky, the rest of the afternoon free. It was definitely two completely different lifestyles, both with their own advantages and disadvantages.
This year was filled with a wide range of experiences and a new format from that which I was previously accustomed to. Fall semester was my first co-op rotation. So into a daily routine I fell: alarm rings at 5:30, walk into work by 6:30, join fellow co-ops for lunch sometime between 11 and 12, hurry back to campus by 3:30 for track practice, shower/dinner/bed..repeat. It wasn't always the most ideal schedule, but it worked, and thankfully with the support and understanding of all parties involved, I didn't have to sacrifice participation or performance to a large degree in either of my major commitments. When spring semester arrived, it was back to the "college lifestyle," an hour of class followed by a break before more class, practice, or if I was extremely lucky, the rest of the afternoon free. It was definitely two completely different lifestyles, both with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Co-op was an incredible learning experience, in so many different aspects. Not only was this my first experience into Corporate America and my first "big girl job" (not babysitting or mowing lawns), it was also my first glimpse into possible future career opportunities and what kinds of options there are as an Engineer. I learned more in a week of work than I did an entire semester of classes (okay, probably not..but it sure felt like it!). The difference, however, was in that the learning during co-op was all centered around practical applications, rather than theoretical situations. This resulted in a better understanding and retention of the information I quickly realized. Aside from materialistic learning, I grew immensely as an individual as well as in how I interact and work with others (especially those older than me, and males). The relationships with colleagues, several who became mentor-figures, were critical in my outlook on the job, my success, and my future. They helped me not only perform in my current role at Ethicon Endo-Surgery, but also placed great emphasis on my development as an individual and a budding young professional.
Upon returning to classes in the spring, I had a renewed outlook on my future and my education. I now realized the relative unimportance of achieving the highest GPA or best grades by sacrificing truly learning and understanding the value of the material being presented. However, this idea was facilitated by my courses, which paralleled this key note that grades should not be the main focus of a course. All my professors echoed the sentiment to focus on learning and applying the material, and our grades would reflect accordingly. Not only did this immediately remove an enormous amount of pressure and stress, but it also made the learning process more enjoyable. In addition to the prescribed curriculum courses, I did an independent study course, continuing to work Nate Bates and Dr. Hewett at Children's Hospital Sports Biodynamics Center. In addition to continuing working on last summer's OpenSim project, I had the opportunity to develop my data analysis and coding skills on an epidemiological study report.
Even outside of the office and classrooms this was a very packed year of life lessons. From living in a house with my two best friends to spending 8 weeks in the middle of the horrible winter on crutches, I learned many valuable life lessons from both good and..not-as-good situations. Living with my best friends has been an incredible experience thus far. We are so fortunate to have this opportunity to experience this college journey together and become independent adults side by side, and living together has only deepened our relationships (our "family dinners" are also a pretty decent substitute to dinners with my own family back home!). In addition to these girls, my other closest friendships and relationships I have deepened from last year have each drastically and uniquely impacted the person I am becoming. If it were not for these certain individuals, I do not know where I would be right now, as I sit here and reflect over this past year. After training harder than I ever have before, through all of last summer and fall conditioning, for track, I was in the best shape of my life. In one year's time (last October to this October), I dropped 7 seconds in my 600m time trial!! I was SO EXCITED! I was so confident in myself, in my training, and so pumped to see what I would be able to accomplish during the upcoming indoor and outdoor seasons...until just two weeks later I was diagnosed with a tibial stress fracture. 8 weeks on crutches ensued, ultimately resulting in about 11 weeks without running. This was by far one of the hardest personal situations I've been through, mentally and physically. But everything happens for a reason, even though we may not always immediately understand what that may be. Through it all, on my good days and bad days, my friends and teammates were right there beside me, encouraging me through recovery. Words do not adequately express my appreciation for them.
Looking ahead, my second co-op rotation is this summer. I am incredibly fortunate to have what is appearing to be a dream summer spent working with Motus Global, a sports biomechanics company, in Long Island, New York. I will return to classes in the fall, followed by an 8-month co-op rotation from January to August next year. Only three more semesters of classroom education until I graduate...WHAT?!?!?!?
As I prepare for not only this upcoming school year but also my time in a brand new place and completely on my own for the first time, I will carry with me everything I have learned in this past year for myself and from others, and rely on these as foundations to establish myself here in New York. The newly-found confidence in myself as a person, in my work, and in my potentials will be the backbone of my coming endeavors.This past year has been quite a journey, and I look forward to the journey that is still ahead.
Upon returning to classes in the spring, I had a renewed outlook on my future and my education. I now realized the relative unimportance of achieving the highest GPA or best grades by sacrificing truly learning and understanding the value of the material being presented. However, this idea was facilitated by my courses, which paralleled this key note that grades should not be the main focus of a course. All my professors echoed the sentiment to focus on learning and applying the material, and our grades would reflect accordingly. Not only did this immediately remove an enormous amount of pressure and stress, but it also made the learning process more enjoyable. In addition to the prescribed curriculum courses, I did an independent study course, continuing to work Nate Bates and Dr. Hewett at Children's Hospital Sports Biodynamics Center. In addition to continuing working on last summer's OpenSim project, I had the opportunity to develop my data analysis and coding skills on an epidemiological study report.
Even outside of the office and classrooms this was a very packed year of life lessons. From living in a house with my two best friends to spending 8 weeks in the middle of the horrible winter on crutches, I learned many valuable life lessons from both good and..not-as-good situations. Living with my best friends has been an incredible experience thus far. We are so fortunate to have this opportunity to experience this college journey together and become independent adults side by side, and living together has only deepened our relationships (our "family dinners" are also a pretty decent substitute to dinners with my own family back home!). In addition to these girls, my other closest friendships and relationships I have deepened from last year have each drastically and uniquely impacted the person I am becoming. If it were not for these certain individuals, I do not know where I would be right now, as I sit here and reflect over this past year. After training harder than I ever have before, through all of last summer and fall conditioning, for track, I was in the best shape of my life. In one year's time (last October to this October), I dropped 7 seconds in my 600m time trial!! I was SO EXCITED! I was so confident in myself, in my training, and so pumped to see what I would be able to accomplish during the upcoming indoor and outdoor seasons...until just two weeks later I was diagnosed with a tibial stress fracture. 8 weeks on crutches ensued, ultimately resulting in about 11 weeks without running. This was by far one of the hardest personal situations I've been through, mentally and physically. But everything happens for a reason, even though we may not always immediately understand what that may be. Through it all, on my good days and bad days, my friends and teammates were right there beside me, encouraging me through recovery. Words do not adequately express my appreciation for them.
Looking ahead, my second co-op rotation is this summer. I am incredibly fortunate to have what is appearing to be a dream summer spent working with Motus Global, a sports biomechanics company, in Long Island, New York. I will return to classes in the fall, followed by an 8-month co-op rotation from January to August next year. Only three more semesters of classroom education until I graduate...WHAT?!?!?!?
As I prepare for not only this upcoming school year but also my time in a brand new place and completely on my own for the first time, I will carry with me everything I have learned in this past year for myself and from others, and rely on these as foundations to establish myself here in New York. The newly-found confidence in myself as a person, in my work, and in my potentials will be the backbone of my coming endeavors.This past year has been quite a journey, and I look forward to the journey that is still ahead.
"I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you cannot." -Unknown