​The past year would be best characterized as “more of the same”. Four years into my college career, I finally began to feel as if I not only had the hang of things, but also that this comfortable routine greatly contributed to my academic and professional success. I continued to succeed in school and continued to work at Atricure developing myself as a professional. However, despite all the familiarity, it was the decision process regarding my future goals that was both unfamiliar and because of this my most meaningful experience of the year.
Since the start of my college career I had always considered applying to medical school but had never finalized the decision to myself. I had spent my college career doing the things that would prepare me for success in both the medical device industry as well as make me a competitive applicant should I choose medical school. However, I shied away from thinking about anything too serious regarding the future. This year represented the time frame where that decision had to be made, and for the first time in my life I found myself seriously reflecting on what I wanted out of my future career.
This reflection led to several realizations and events. First, that although I enjoyed the people and company that I had completed my co-op rotations at, I wanted a career more centered on interpersonal relationships than engineering analysis. Second, it seemed obvious to everyone I spoke to for advice that I should apply to medical school. Finally, that if I continued to try to ride the fence and be noncommittal, I wouldn’t be truly preparing for success in either career path. It was through this process, and the input of friends, family, and mentors that I finally concluded to apply for medical school and commit to that as my future career path. This was far from an easy one, and it continues to feel like I through away the safety net I had spent years meticulously preparing.
Going forward, this decision process resulted in a clear career path. As I go through the application process, I plan to make a conscious effort to remind myself to think of this decision less as a gamble and more as another step towards career satisfaction. Additionally, I plan to explore additional opportunities in the field including the Navy’s Health Professions Scholarship Program. In large, last year was comprised of much routine, comfort, and security in my current path. However, the most meaningful experience of the year was the process through which I decided to throw all that away and move forward with applying to medical school. Hopefully, the coming years will help provide some clarity as to what my future career path will look like.

               ​To date, my third year at the University was the most difficult to adjust to. The year marked a lot of personal change, and the experiences of the year helped better define my personal goals going forward professionally.
Personally, the largest change this past year was moving back home. After two years living almost entirely on my own, a housing plan fell through and I found myself moving home for the year. This had significant trickledown affects into other areas of my life. First, moving back home meant I was once again sharing a room with my younger sibling. In the same way distance makes the heart grow fonder, living in the same room led to constant bickering. Things as trivial as borrowing a pair a shorts without asking led to fight.
Beyond learning to live with my family again, moving home meant that I became a commuter student making the 30 minute drive to school each day. This was probably the most difficult aspect of moving home. Socially, I was unable to meet with friends as frequently and felt disconnected from the student organizations I was apart of. Not everything about moving home was problematic, and I was grateful my parents let me move home. However, I am still very excited about moving back up to Campus in the fall.
                  Despite the negatives, the most impactful experience I had last year was the opportunity to return to Africa. Through a family friend, I had the opportunity to travel to Kakamega, Kenya and spend time shadowing at a rural clinic and playing with children in an orphanage run through a mission organization. The experience was incredible and helped me not only view life differently, but also define my professional goals going forward.
While spending time with the orphans, their enthusiasm and outlook on life was incredible. Every child had high achieving goals, never seemed to let the hardship or poverty that pervaded their life discourage them, and were some of the most authentic and caring people I had ever met. The single trivial thing that stuck out to me was that fact that clothing was communal. A tee-shirt worn by one boy on Monday, could be worn by another child Wednesday without any issues. A constant source of fighting between myself and my brothers was a fact of life here, and no one was even remotely negatively affected. In only ten days, the time I spent with the children left lasting lessons on how to approach obstacles, appreciate each day, and truly value the gifts and opportunities I have been given.
               Professionally, the time spent in the clinic in Africa gave me complete confidence in my professional aspirations. Although I had always considered medical school, I had never been sure I wanted to make the time and monetary commitment. While shadowing, I was able to compare my passion for the work I was observing directly to the work I had been doing while on Co-op. This comparison reaffirmed my passion for medicine and public health, and the enthusiasm I experienced while shadowing had been a motivating force going forward as I look to achieve these goals.
                 Following my experience in Kakamega, I brought home several life lessons, and a conviction and determination to succeed in earning an acceptance to medical school. This new found motivation resulted in several professional goals for 2018 including successfully preparing and taking the MCAT and seeking out additional clinical shadowing hours to continue to learn about the vast field. 2017 was defined by my trip to Kakamega, Kenya. While I await for a chance to return to Africa, I intend for 2018 to be defined by the goals and lessons I took away from the village and people who lived there.

Part One: What? So What?
          The past year proved to be a year of growth in a variety of ways. My first year at UC revealed a lot about who I am, but also helped give me a better direction of where I want to go. The honors program at UC assisted in this journey, but the people I met along the way shaped a huge portion of my year. They became close friends, remained close friends, and others drifted away, but the wide variety of personalities, interests, and backgrounds helped shape how I view my own life.
            When I began the year in August, I was nervous as was to be expected. Simple things like how I would get to my classes, related to my roommates, and just learning to survive college weighed heavily on me as welcome week and the opening days of school began. However, I soon settled into a routine, and things came easier. School went well, I found success making friends, in the classroom, and adapting to the added responsibility that comes with living on a college campus.
            One of the most important relationships I developed was with a guy I met on the honors retreat and one with whom I quickly became friends. We shared similar values, emphasizing hard work and he quickly became my best friend on campus. Perhaps the most important part of the relationship is the healthy competition. We both are strong willed, academically inclined, and competitive, and each day he pushes me to learn something new, gives me a competitive drive and overall helps me be the individual I wanted to become upon entering school. I plan on living with him next year and hopefully the relationship will continue to push me to be a better student and man.
            Beyond that, one of the most important parts of my year was being accepted into the University ROAR tour group. When choosing Cincinnati,  I was not really sure if I would like it. I had been accepted to more expensive and “elite” schools, but fell in love with UC while on a tour. The opportunity to then turn around and give back to the college as a volunteer representative was incredible. It has made me even more passionate about UC, and allowed me to realize my passion for speaking and meeting with prospective students. The experience has allowed me not only to make friends and become involved on campus, but to also help share the university I’ve come to love.
Part Two: Now What?
            Overall, my first year was a successful one, and I want to continue that growth into the future. I made good friends, became involved on campus, learned about myself, and grew as an individual.
            Looking forward, the most important thing I can remind myself is to stay focused and manage time wisely. I’m taking on more than ever before between working, a heavy class load, and my group and volunteer involvements. I’ve always been at my best when I’m busy, but this coming year more than ever, remaining focused and using my time wisely will be incredibly important going forward.
            This year I realized how much I enjoy learning from others. I would love to go forward this year always looking for a conversation, and taking the opportunity to learn something from anyone that will talk. I want to continue to develop my listening ability, but to also appreciate the diversity of background and ideals that surround me at school. I truly enjoy learning from others, and it is something I hope to continue to do as the next year passes.
            Finally, as a goal going forward, I want to become better at understanding my own limitations in terms of commitment. I have always been heavily involved in extracurricular and clubs, but sometimes I feel that this stretches my ability to truly commit myself to the organizations. As a result, I want to curtail my involvements to only those I feel truly passionate about. I want to invest in ROAR, learn more about Globe Med, and continue to volunteer at Good Sam hospital, but learn to say no when I cannot fully commit myself to a cause or group. If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right, and I want to work on centering my time around school, work, and causes and groups I truly feel passionate about.