Reflections on My Four Years at UC
Four years ago I did not imagine that I would accomplish much of what I did, nor did I think that I would do many of the things that I now have done. I went from trying gymnastics out my freshmen year, to becoming the president of UC's Club Gymastics Team, and a coach at Kids First Sports Center. I came in planning on becoming a physical therapist, now I am on my way to medical school. I thought that taking 17 credit hours and having a few extra curricular activities was hard, let alone taking 17 credit hours, leading a club, working two jobs, and trying to keep up with my own hobbies like guitar, running, and weight lifting. I was also unsure of whether or not I would be able to run a marathon after I had surgery during my senior year of high school. But I have run two in two years, and hope to run a third in the spring of 2016.
I have had many unique opportunities here at UC, each one has broadened my knowledge, and changed me to some extent. For example, I traveled to London, Normandy, and Paris, with a group of classmates. The honors class that we took, A Global History of World War II, whet my appetite for travel and gave me the desire to practice medicine abroad. I also became president of the club gymnastics team this year, which tested my organizational and leadership capabilities, and my ability to time manage. I had to learn to split my time between many roles: student, coach, SI Leader, club president, son, brother, friend, and boyfriend. Each role pulled me a slightly different direction, and often I had trouble making everyone happy. However, my experiences leading up to this year gradually strengthened my fortitude and determination, which enabled me to succeed. But I did not make it to graduation on my own. I had a loving and caring support group of family and friends who helped to keep me strong and sane through all of the work. Any time that I felt overwhelmed I was able to call home and talk to my parents or sibling and ask for advice, or even just vent a little bit. I was able to rely on my girlfriend to tell me to relax and take time for myself when I became too absorbed in school. And I could always count on my friends to keep me motivated, or drag me away from work that I felt "had to be done," so that I would relax and come back to life.
Like Dr. Ono said at graduation, "we've come a long way from where we began." Now that this part of the journey has ended, it's time to move on to medical school, residency, and whatever it is that life has in store for me. UC's fight song does a great job of explaining my sentiment's towards my future endeavors:
"Cheer Cincinnati, Cincy will win
Fight to the finish, never give in (Rah, Rah, Rah)
You do your best boys, we'll do the rest boys,
Onward to victory!"
Even though I chose to leave Cincinnati for medical school I feel that UC has set me up for success. With the education that I received at this great institution, I will be moving "onward to victory!" I have loved my time at UC, and I do not regret any of the decisions that I have made here. I am excited to see what's next, but the University of Cincinnati will always have a special place in my heart.
I have had many unique opportunities here at UC, each one has broadened my knowledge, and changed me to some extent. For example, I traveled to London, Normandy, and Paris, with a group of classmates. The honors class that we took, A Global History of World War II, whet my appetite for travel and gave me the desire to practice medicine abroad. I also became president of the club gymnastics team this year, which tested my organizational and leadership capabilities, and my ability to time manage. I had to learn to split my time between many roles: student, coach, SI Leader, club president, son, brother, friend, and boyfriend. Each role pulled me a slightly different direction, and often I had trouble making everyone happy. However, my experiences leading up to this year gradually strengthened my fortitude and determination, which enabled me to succeed. But I did not make it to graduation on my own. I had a loving and caring support group of family and friends who helped to keep me strong and sane through all of the work. Any time that I felt overwhelmed I was able to call home and talk to my parents or sibling and ask for advice, or even just vent a little bit. I was able to rely on my girlfriend to tell me to relax and take time for myself when I became too absorbed in school. And I could always count on my friends to keep me motivated, or drag me away from work that I felt "had to be done," so that I would relax and come back to life.
Like Dr. Ono said at graduation, "we've come a long way from where we began." Now that this part of the journey has ended, it's time to move on to medical school, residency, and whatever it is that life has in store for me. UC's fight song does a great job of explaining my sentiment's towards my future endeavors:
"Cheer Cincinnati, Cincy will win
Fight to the finish, never give in (Rah, Rah, Rah)
You do your best boys, we'll do the rest boys,
Onward to victory!"
Even though I chose to leave Cincinnati for medical school I feel that UC has set me up for success. With the education that I received at this great institution, I will be moving "onward to victory!" I have loved my time at UC, and I do not regret any of the decisions that I have made here. I am excited to see what's next, but the University of Cincinnati will always have a special place in my heart.