Biggest Lesson:
I can't actually get perfect grades and take care of myself fully at the same time. I would rather take care of myself, though. I didn't make the dean's list for the first time, but I actually felt good about myself and I felt that my mental and physical health were finally in a good place. A 3.4 GPA isn't going to kill me, but I will admit it made me upset. I have to realize that it isn't the end of the world to prioritize happiness over academic success.
Next Semester Goals:
ʚ Get on the dean's list again
ʚ Get halfway through writing my book (or to chapter 10 if I'm unsure what halfway is)
ʚ Find housing for next year
ʚ Figure out Physics at a community college over summer
ʚ Fully flesh out my studying habits (I say this every semester oops)
ʚ Start journaling in a more structured way
Courses & Reflection:
General Immunology [A]: Any time spent with this professor is truly a blessing. I wish he taught everything. He's really funny, and he's so intelligent that it kinda blows you away. He doesn't shove it in your face though, he meets you at your level. I'll miss him!!
General Microbiology [AB]: The lecture was mid, but the lab... I love microbiology so much. I want to spend the rest of my life in a microbiology lab I think. It gets repetitive, but it's just so therapeutic and fun and everything I love about biology. Micro has always been my favorite discipline, but now that I got to fully indulge, I know for sure this is what I want to do.
Basic Medical Lab Techniques [B]: I am kind of disappointed that I got a B in this class, because it's specific to my discipline. I do think that it taught me to be more diligent in the future, and to invest deeper into the material. Most MLS students at my school are pre-med, but I actually want to be a medical lab scientist. I have to put in the work, and I think this class set me up very well for that. I have a lot of new studying methods to test out and refine!!
Organic Chemistry I [B]: My goal for this class was literally to pass. The fact that I got a B actually shocked me and made me really happy. I did put a lot of effort into orgo, and I tried harder than I have in any other chemistry course. I think chemistry finally clicked for me this semester.
Anatomy and Physiology I Lab [B]: I got an A in AnP over the summer, but I was having a rough week when the first practical came along and I totally bombed it. So I will say that the B was a comeback from the DF I started with. However, I will keep better track of my practicals next semester, because that's lowkey embarrassing.
Enterprise [A]: This was really fun, because it's so outside of my wheelhouse. I definitely did not expect to work on an engineering project in my academic career, but here I am. I love my team, and I'm really happy I did this. I'm going to stop trying to insert myself into the engineering side, and focus more on the medical, patient need, and kinesthetic side of building the prosthetic. Especially once we get into physical testing. I might ask my prosthetist for advice...