Unforgettable experiences as a first year college student

Cornell University, North Campus 2011

I won't be able to capture every significant, unforgettable, and impactful moment during my first year of college in this entry, but I will sum up the experiences. I did not expect my first year as an undergraduate to be as rewarding as it was. Words can’t describe how excited I am to experience my three remaining years here at Cornell. Earlier this year I realized how lucky I am to be part of such a prestigious community. While I've enjoyed most of my classes, it was meeting and getting to know people that I appreciated best. People. Relationships. This is what makes one's college experiences. I felt that the academics, while important, weren't as rewarding as fostering life-long friendships, in my opinion. I personally think that networking, making connections, and life outside of the academic community are the best aspects of college, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.

Yes, this year had its low points, such as the walks up and down Ithaca's hilly terrain (and coming to class looking as though I'd finished running a marathron...yep, I was out of shape), the rigor of General Chemistry, and some ridiculous drama that cost me a couple of friendships that were shaky to begin with, but thank God these challenges are over (well... except for the walks). These situations have taught me valuable lessons. I believe that everything happens for a reason.

Highlights of the year
Ultimately, the good outweighed the bad. I formed many friendships and interests, and grew closer to my sister. My first year at Cornell overlapped with her final year (2012). If it weren't for her, I truly would not have made it as far as I had, so I thank her so much. She's the best sister anyone could ever have.

With my sister during BSU's (Black Students United) "Black Affair"

event to celebrate the graduating seniors in the class of 2012

Spanish
Spanish became a serious interest of mine. I'm not sure where exactly my passion for the language came from, but it began in my high school Spanish classes and has been growing stronger ever since. It may have to do with my next-door neighbors from Ecuador who we've known for the past seven years, or my Dad's constant reiterations of his philosophy on how useful it is to be multilingual... or maybe it was the catchy reggaeton and latin pop I often heard my Mexican neighbors blasting from their speakers every weekend. Ultimately, however, it was my trip to Guatemala last summer that deepened my love for the culture and Spanish language. Throughout the last couple of semesters I annoyed my friends and family with my obsession with Latin culture, but I’m glad I fostered this “obsession” throughout the year, otherwise I wouldn’t have met a lot of great people with the same interests through programs I joined or been motivated to excel in my Spanish courses. I soon could not get through the day without watching the Spanish show "Aqui No Hay Quien Viva" or the Mexican telenovela "La Fea Más Bella" on YouTube.

Joining an a cappella group
During my first semester, I made a life changing decision to audition for Baraka Kwa Wimbo (Swahili for "Blessings Through Song"), Cornell’s only all-female Gospel a cappella group, and I’m so glad I did. What we've fostered is much more than friendship; we have a sisterhood. I wouldn’t trade this for anything. We all (8 of us) share a love for music, singing, and sharing the Gospel through songs that we compose on our own. After spending four hours a week in rehearsal with the same eight people for an entire year, I inevitably feel a special bond to every single one of them.

Freshman year stress
The biggest stressor of the entire year, needless to say, was the academic rigor. I grew in my study skills, diligence, and tenacity. Never before had I been pushed so hard academically, and though it overwhelmed me, I appreciated that it forced me to develop an even stronger work ethic. General Chemistry was the most difficult course I've taken thus far, and apparently it's one of the hardest classes for a student to enroll in at Cornell. Regardless, I was determined to stick it out.

Quite frankly, I'd been having doubts about pursuing medicine as a career, especially when I think about the stress, the amount of time I'd have to commit to the training, the malpractice suits, the bureaucracy...Many college students come in as pre-med but eventually drop it after experiencing the rigor of the required classes and/or simply realizing that the career isn't for them. I began to think that I should instead delve into my other interests and pursue a career as a Translator, or as a teacher (perhaps either ESL* in U.S. schools or TEFL** abroad), or as the Director of a migrant worker health program somewhere in the U.S that is dedicated to the well-being of undocumented Latino farmworkers. Medicine isn't the only way to give back and serve humanity.

However, I realize the combination of my interests in the health sciences and the human body, my deep sensitivity towards the well-being of others, and ultimately knowing that I'll have a true purpose in life as a physician pushes me to stick it out. Yes, electrons, chemical bonds and the Krebs Cycle really don't have anything to do with patient care, but because this is the content within the courses we're required to take before medical school, we have no other choice but to master it.

My sister told me that as a student at Cornell, you have to choose to have only two of three things: sleep, a social life, or good grades. This year I was only able to carry out two (as expected), but in the future I will challenge this by aiming for all three. Of all three, though, and as I’d said before, I most value having a social life and fostering relationships. I appreciate this opportunity as an undergraduate to be away from home, become more independent, and make my own decisions in my early years as an adult.

*ESL = English as a Second Language

**TEFL = Teaching English as a Foreign Language