At this time two years ago I was graduating high school anxious to see what the future had in store for me. I was absorbing all that high school had to offer, attended graduation after graduation party, celebrated with friends at ‘Senior Week’, prepared for college and said my final good-byes to people I grew up with. Here I am now, half-way through my undergraduate career. 2 years from now, I will have a degree under my belt and a lifetime of friends and memories. No one can fully prepare you for what college entails. As much as people give you advice and tips on what college is all about, everyone’s experience is different. You make of it what you want and for the first time in your life you have full control of your up-bringing’s. Thank you, first half of college, for…

Introducing me to some of the best people ever

I am beyond thankful to have come across some amazing friends, classmates, advisors, tutors and professors within the past two years. I have created great relationships with incredible people that I would never have come across if it wasn’t for me coming to college. Without these people, I would not be where I am going into my Junior year! Thanks for making my experience thus far so amazing!

Showing me a new love for a great city

Back in high school when applying for college, I thought I was set on a small, private college somewhat close to home. Here I am now gaining an education in a university found within the largest city in the state of Pennsylvania surrounded by a student body of over 30,000 students. Don’t get me wrong, I was very intimidated coming to school in the city of Philadelphia. But within weeks, I gained a love and an appreciation for such an awesome city. Surrounded by numerous restaurants, museums, landmarks, night-life, educational opportunities, etc., I could not imagine taking on my education anywhere else.

Teaching me that not everything is going to go as planned

Whenever anyone asked me what my major in college was going to be, for years & years my answer was always nursing. I thought that nothing could possibly change my mind UNTIL I came to college. Prior to my completion of freshman year, I knew that nursing was not for me. Due to clinical rotations and classes, I could not envision myself becoming a nurse. Before heading home for the summer, I switched my major to Public Health. Within weeks of my sophomore year, I knew that changing my major was the best decision I made. In reaction to my change, I was granted the opportunity to come across great professors, teacher assistants and PhD students that have made my decision to change all that more while. Because of them, they have brought out the best of me as a student and have introduced me to potentials that I did not know existed within me. I cannot thank them enough for everything.

Showing me a new appreciation for my family

You never fully gain a true appreciation for your parents and family until you go off to college. Over the past two years, my love for them all has only increased and the feeling of going home and being surrounded my family never gets old. Thanks for always having my back through it all and allowing for me chase my dreams. I love you all.

Sucking me into a caffeine addiction

Hot coffee, iced coffee, Frappuccino’s, Dunkin, Starbucks, Saxby’s… enough said.

Providing me with such eye-opening educational opportunities

In the past two years I have taken on the unimaginable; clinical work, volunteering, research studies, data analyzing & collection, tutoring, the list could go on. I am still baffled on the amount of opportunities I have come across and participated in just within these past two years. They have allowed for me to step outside my comfort zone, try new things, figure out my likes and dislikes and have introduced me to some incredible individuals. I am so grateful for all that Temple University has granted me with thus far.

Paving me a great first 2 years of college

I still can’t believe that my undergraduate program is half way over and starting next year, I will officially be an upperclassman. If someone would have come to me two years ago telling me this was how my first two years of college would have went, I would not have believed them. Here I stand one step closer to the future. I could not have asked for a more insightful and adventurous first two years of college. Cheers to the final half!