As we strive into the third month of 2022, here are some things I have done or felt in February.
I would like to start off by just saying that the month of February was such a "doozy." I have come to the realization of some things that have not only affected my current career path and academic career, but I feel like I have grown immensely in my own terms of how I view life.
Career and Academic
This past month was interesting due to how it was the most difficult, but relieving month in terms of affecting my career and academic future. Going in, I had so many due dates for Post Baccalaureate programs and I was stressing out regarding the applications I had to submit. This also was a lot of work regarding I was taking many important Business upper-divisions to complete my degree at UCR, so I was completely overwhelmed with everything because I knew all of this would have an impact on my journey to dental school and other career aspirations.
It came to my attention of the UCLA Extension Center's certificate program, which happened to be Open Enrollment. This idea had soothed all my worries because I knew not only did I not have to complete these applications, but I will not be paying a large sum of debt following these Post Baccalaureate programs before I attend dental school. Hence, I have chosen to attend the UCLA Extension Center this upcoming fall to continue my studies and complete the required Science requisites for dental school! I felt like this tremendous amount of weight has been lifted off my shoulders because I did not need to worry about my plans after Spring Commencement.
Personal Growth
Although I made an important decision that will ultimately make a tremendous impact in my career, I feel like my personal growth, in terms of how I view life and the current state of my mental health, has evolved compared to the month before.
As I am graduating a year earlier compared to my friends and peers, I do feel this sense of loss and disappointment with my undergraduate career. As I am one of the thousands of students who had to endure remote learning, I feel like I was scammed out of an experience so many before me have spoken about and it just feels weird that I came back to this campus preparing to graduate. I knew I wanted to graduate early to get closer to my career aspirations and I took all these extra classes to get ahead, but now that I am essentially three months from ending this chapter and it makes me a bit sad to think about it. Although I rushed my academic career, I started thinking of how I can change this mindset from this point on to actually enjoy what I have left.
Instead of being cooped up in my room all day with my remote classes, I tried going out for walks, which for some reason never occurred to me that I can do. I don't know how to explain why I felt confined to my room for the whole day, but these short works have significantly improved my mood and mental health as I am taking a moment for myself.
With this, I guess I wanted to start romanticizing my life a bit more and start appreciating not only the big things but the small daily things I may face. For example, I usually ride my bike to and from campus, but I never take a bike ride for myself like how I did in my younger years. After one of my classes, I decided to ride my bike around the entire campus before riding back to my apartment. Even though this is a very small moment, I feel like the spontaneous action has impacted me in a great way. I was able to take a moment to appreciate what I have learned in my class and admire how beautiful the campus is. For that fifteen-minute ride, I tried to not think of any assignments that I had due or any responsibilities I had, but to truly be in the moment.
Additionally, I wanted to start taking trips with people I appreciate to make more memories for my undergraduate years. I randomly decided to buy a Disneyland ticket with my roommate and we spent the whole day just enjoying ourselves. We met up with her cousin who is a cast member and was able to ride many attractions. Also, for a not-so-big trip, I went to the Farmer's Market in Downtown, Riverside. I had no intentions of spending my morning talking to fruit and vegetable vendors or looking at used books, but I felt like a cool adult. I know that my age constitutes me as a legal adult, but the independence or the ability to make this decision felt thrilling and new, so I am glad I spent my day doing something that I would not generally do.
To sum it all up, I feel like I have a new view of my life and that is simply to take it day-by-day and to romanticize everything. I think this is the best way of how I am going to remember the good times of my undergraduate years and will help me to continue to grow in many years to come.
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