Can we have another semester please?

 Volunteering:

5:30 Hours Crescent City Farmers Market

9 Hours NOLA Ready Vaccine Rollout 

4 Hours Happy Bowlers 

    I cannot believe I am saying this but the end of the program has come upon us. It has truly been a lifechanging experience for me, and I am not saying that lightly. Throughout the course of this year, I have learned more information than ever before while also discovering more about myself as a student, where my interests lie and what works for me. 

    Since the semester is coming to an end, I thought I would provide a few reflections that might be of use to any future students in this program and help them succeed. 

    Number one, stay on top of your work! Getting behind, especially in the first few modules will put you in an enormously bad position and one that will take an incredible effort to get out of. If you spend a few hours per day, I promise that in the end you will have better grades and spend less time studying than if you put off studying. 

    Number two, do not be afraid to speak up. One of the most important ways this program helped me grow was that it gave me the confidence and opportunity to speak up in class, something I had never done before coming here. Try putting yourself out there. Your professors will notice you and like anything else, you will get better with practice. 

    Number three, study with friends! One of the main reasons I believe I succeeded in this program was the small group study sessions my friends and I had before every exam. No, I do not think you should study the entire time with friends, but saying "Lets study from 9pm-10pm" does two things. 1. It makes you study hard to prepare for that meeting so you can add something to the group. 2. It gives you time to come up with knowledge gaps that you can have filled by your friends. Talking through material with your peers is the best way to learn, in my opinion, and is crucial to succeeding in a difficult curriculum like this one. 

    Finally, learn to enjoy the coursework! Yes, some of it may not be your favorite but there will also be a lot that is supremely interesting (at least in my opinion) and getting to a point where you look forward to learning will show up on your exams. 

    I have also had the great fortune of partaking in many fantastic volunteering experiences. Throughout the year I have worked at the Crescent City Farmers Market where I got know many of the vendors and those who run the market. This semester I volunteered there twice and both times I was in charge of running the curbside pickup for customers who had ordered online while also handing out masks to those that did not have them. 

    Next, I have spent a significant amount of time helping to distribute the vaccine, one that is free of charge to anyone. I am very passionate about getting more people vaccinated to both protect the vulnerable and also one day return to normal. My job during this experience was to greet people at the door, take their temperatures and then direct them to the correct station where they would receive their vaccine. This all takes place at the New Orleans convention center, which is enormous and easy to get lost in. I have really enjoyed this experience and plan to volunteer with the NOLA Ready vaccine rollout as long as there is a need and I am in the area. 

    Finally, I have had the great honor of becoming connected with the Happy Bowlers. This is a group of special needs children and adults that gather every Monday. This gives their parents a chance to have a couple hours to themselves while these amazing people get to enjoy bowling. I help watch out for them and spend a few hours getting to know everyone, an experience I absolutely love and something I will be doing as long as I am in New Orleans. 

    In conclusion, my one complaint about this program is that it is ending. I wish we had another semester or year! The only solace is going to be watching my classmates succeed whether it be in medical school, dental school or any other facet of life. If you are someone interested in boosting your application and being challenged, my advice to you is this: DO THIS PROGRAM!!!

 

                                                    Myself and some of the Happy Bowlers