Final Reflection

I joined ODU in 2023 after receiving my Associates of Science from TCC.

I graduated high school when I was 16, so community college was a safe option for me to start my early college experience. I was nervous to start a University because it is a lot bigger than community college. Luckily, I was met with welcoming professors who helped me settle into the University life.

Now, I am in my senior year, and I feel ready for my next steps to start my career.

I have learned a lot in my education journey. I grew my love for knowledge and experience. I have found myself as a person, and I have found what I value in a career.

In cell biology in my Fall 2025 term, I learned a lot about cell function. The topic that stuck out the most to me was protein framework. While protein is essential to cells, it also is very complex and can take many forms. It helps in connection with other courses I have taken such as Anatomy. When I took Anatomy, we briefly went over proteins, and they seemed like such a big deal, so I wondered why it was such a small focus. There are other kinds of Anatomy classes that dive deeper into it, but I am glad to have had an in depth introduction from cell biology. This relates to my career field, as I want to go into health care. Cells are crucial to the foundation of health. Protein development and mutation contribute to why some people have diseases, health issues, and etc. Proteins are complex because they each code for a different function, all of which are carried out by the human body (and other living organisms).