Year One Fall
My first quarter at the University of Washington, and in the Interdisciplinary Honors program has been an incredibly meaningful experience. Throughout this period of change, I have developed my independence and learned so much about myself.
One aspect of my quarter in Honors 100 that stood out to me was the personal curriculum plan. Needing to build a four-year plan and map out the specific courses that I want to take helped me to sort out my ideas, determine what is realistic, and visualize my future. My first draft of this plan was a double degree in Biology and Interdisciplinary Art with a minor in Bioethics and Humanities, and completing the credits required of the Interdisciplinary Honors program and University of Hawaii Medical School. Needless to say, this 20-credit per quarter plan was a bit impractical. Now, although I am still very open to change as I explore my interests, I am considering a major in Biology and minors in Bioethics and Humanities and Education, Learning, and Society. With so many interesting classes and topics to explore, this personal curriculum plan forced me to think about prioritizing what is most important to me, and finding creative ways to work in different experiences. Because of this assignment, I am more aware of other pathways that may be a good fit for me, have a much better grasp of what is possible, and feel much more confident about my future.
One thing that surprised me about UW was how the Honors program focuses on interdisciplinary learning; I knew this was valued but I was pleasantly surprised by how well and thoroughly it was integrated into the program. I have never been sure of what I want to do for a career and have always been genuinely excited by many different academic subjects. I love the logical nature of STEM, I love to read, and I am excited to learn about and create art. Being in an environment, such as this program, that encourages exploration and interdisciplinary learning is so exciting. The Honors class I am taking this quarter (Safety-Net Hospitals in the US: Past, Present, and Future) is my favorite class because it combines topics of health care and history with learning about the real life applications of these policies on marginalized communities and the ethical and societal implications of these issues. I have thoroughly enjoyed this class and am so excited to continue learning as a part of the Honors community.
By the end of my first year in Honors, I hope to have explored many different activities and subjects. Because I am not yet sure of my major or the career path that I would like to pursue, or which extracurricular activities I want to devote my time to, I want to explore my different interests. Throughout the first quarter, I started volunteering at a homeless shelter in Seattle, became an officer for the Yarn it club, and started climbing. Throughout the rest of the year, I would like to continue to try new things and work to find what I am most passionate about.
Artifact 01
Chemistry 142 Exam 1, Question 5
This is a page from my first college exam: Chemistry 142 Exam 1. I originally got 4/6 points on this question. However, I felt that my answer fit the rubric, and my TA and professor both suggested I submit for a regrade. No points were returned initially so I emailed my professor and went to her office hours to better understand the problems with my answer and if there was anything I could do. Going through that process and doing so much to earn back points was difficult because I did not want to bother or inconvenience anyone. However, this experience has taught me the value of reaching out to instructors and learning to believe in and advocate for myself.
Artifact 02
Drawing 190 Final Project
This is my final project for Introduction to Drawing 190. I have always been incredibly interested in art but was initially very intimidated by this class. So many of my fellow students were art majors and beyond talented; as someone who merely enjoyed creating art, but was not necessarily the best at it, I felt out of place. However, as the class began with first-point perspective line drawings and gradually worked up to value studies and portraits, my confidence began to grow. As cliché as it sounds, I realized that I did not need to compare myself to others or worry about a grade, and it was so much more important to focus on my own individual improvement. I needed to remind myself that I am in this class, and in college, to learn and become the best version of myself. A culmination of all of the skills we have developed throughout the quarter, our final project was to draw a self-portrait. This is the art piece that I am currently most proud of because it represents my growth, both in art and in mindset.
Artifact 03
Solo Adventure
This is a picture of me on my way to Greenwood, an area about 30-45 minutes away by bus. It was one of the many solo adventures I made an effort to go on, exploring Seattle and finding my new favorite spots. Being in college, away from many of my friends and family, I found myself with more alone time than I was used to. Although it was a bit jarring at first, I realized that I love spending time with myself! Of course, I love spending quality time with people I care about, but through the forced independence of college, I have discovered the importance of balance. These solo adventures were one of the ways I prioritized self-care.