Over the past fourteen weeks, I have faced a myriad of challenges that tested by abilities as both a student and future health professional. From finding my way across campus to pulling all-nighters for exams, such obstacles greatly contributed to my mental and academic growth. I now understand the importance of staying on top of coursework and, to my surprise, am no longer afraid to reach our or ask for help. Going into this semester, I firmly believed my transition to college would be a walk in the park, with feelings of homesickness practically nonexistent. About a month into the first quarter, however, the desire to see my family became stronger than ever before, an emotion that, in conjunction with overwhelming amounts of coursework, resulted in frequent mental breakdowns. Fortunately, meeting individuals such as Joseph Bowman, Taylor Haley, and Rebecca Barroso made such feelings far more bearable, along with the many communal activities available at Old Dominion University. If I could travel back in time, I would tell my past self that personal development is just as important as its professional counterpart. While maintaining good grades is important, it’s not the only factor that determines one’s worth. Making mistakes is a fundamental aspect of learning, as they often promote new ideas, perspectives, and opportunities.

At the beginning of the year, I spent approximately six hours a week studying chemistry and history, while four hours of the week were dedicated to sociology and chemistry lab. In order to learn the material discussed in lecture, I primarily utilized flashcards, textbooks, and practice problems. Nevertheless, as I exposed myself to learning techniques such as study groups, timelines, and concept maps, such hours shifted dramatically throughout the semester. Going into finals week, I now spend upwards of eight hours reviewing sociology and chemistry and dedicate three to four hours towards history and chemistry lab. While these materials are quite useful, taking advantage of office hours has proven to be extremely effective, especially when studying for exams. Next semester, I plan on using this resource along with flashcards, study groups, and practice problems provided by textbooks and professors alike.

As a member of the health professions living learning community, I was required to enroll in the courses mentioned above. While they might not appear to be related, each class managed to integrate lessons regarding inequality and the social determinants of health. In Interpreting the American Past, topics like the Civil Rights Movement, American Revolution, and the Antebellum South were frequently discussed in class, along with the ways in which they perpetuated racial discrimination across the nation. Inequality was heavily emphasized in sociology, and concepts like the sociological perspective were often used to explain the existence of such influential moments in time. Environmental justice was also addressed in sociology, a topic that carried over to chemistry through our analysis of the lead crisis in Flint, Michigan. This health emergency prompted the examination of lead in our hometowns, as students from various regions of Virginia collected water samples that were tested in chemistry lab. In addition to learning about various economic and wellness disparities, members of the LLC also had the opportunity to hear from various health professionals from ODU. Although fields like radiology, health services, and therapeutic recreation possess their own unique qualities, speech language pathology piqued my interest the most. In my eyes, this presentation was most beneficial for my college career, as it inspired me to officially change my major from nursing to the one previously addressed. Overall, the living learning community has been a wonderful experience, providing me with opportunities that will ensure my success in helping those in need.