My sophomore year was a time filled with change. I started off the year on the normal premed track, planning on graduating with a major in neuroscience and a minor in public health. By the end of the year, I dropped all of my pre-med classes, and replaced them with minors in economics and bioethics. I have a passion for the medical field, that is undeniable, but at this point in my life going into the medical field does not seem to be in the cards for me. In all of my shadowing experiences in high school, I was told that if I could see myself doing anything other than being a doctor, then I should do that instead.

This year, I took classes and had experiences that opening up my eyes to many different fields. I realized just how many different paths I could take throughout college, and how there are many other careers that I could see myself being happy in. This year was a year of broadening horizons. My interests have shifted from individual care on a micro level (medicine) to making progress and helping people on a macro level through research and policy. I am glad I was able to undergo this change of interest when I still have time to explore my options and change my schedule around.

Second semester was especially refreshing, as I felt freed from my prior confining point of view. Going down the pre-med path, it is easy to feel stuck in place. I reached place first semester where I felt stagnant. Second semester I had so many options, and so many exciting opportunities to pursue. This year made me excited about all my future holds, and gave me a recharge that will help to propel me through these next two years.

A great deal of time has passed since the first day of the semester. I have grown in immeasurable ways since coming to college. I came from a rather uniform town in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Every day I dealt with the same kinds of people, I rarely encountered individuals who were able to enlightened me on a new aspect of life. I left my home town in hopes of meeting new people that would have a tangible impact on me. The community of Biological Sciences Scholars has been very enriching. I have meet individuals from all walks of life, and I have made wonderful friendships. The people in my scholar’s program have challenged me in the best way possible, and forced me to be a better and more understanding person each and every day. Barrett House is a diverse and culturally rich environment that provokes discussion and sharing. I have learned so much in the short span of a few months. My college experience has finally given me the diversity and world view that I was looking for back home. Scholars has made me a more understanding and compassionate leader, as I now understand more about different cultures and the world in general. I feel more prepared to take on future challenges after having gone through the first semester of the scholar’s program.