Learning Statement: A Reflection on My Time at UW, What I've Overcome, and How I Did It
Just as many students that have been matriculated through the University of Washington, my experience has had its share of ups and downs with the downs leading to the most poignant learning experiences and making the ups feel even more profound. This portfolio is less of a showcase and more of a learning tool with the potential to help others.
Trial and Error in the Classroom, or Rather The Lecture Hall
The initial coursework that I worked on at UW wound up being some of the most difficult that I experienced and taught me of the harsh reality that is large lecture course dedicated to breaking the spirit of those who allow them to. For a time, the courses beat me, but eventually I grappled and came out on top conquering the very thing I thought impossible.
Falling Down Doesn't Always Need to Be Metaphorical. Sometimes It Happens For Real
Remember That Time When The World Shutdown and Everyone Had to Go Home for a Year? Me Too
Shifting Perspective on My Intended Career Path Again.. Again
College for me has been a whirl wind of various different future prospects passing before me and others leaving me behind. This is why I was so fortunate to get an internship at home last summer to broaden my horizons while also giving me a taste for the working world which I am approaching ever closer to each moment.
Connecting My Coursework With My research and Vice Versa. What's Wrong With That?
A great many things did not entirely come to fruition for me until my senior year, but better late than never. One such thing was that I was final able to take classes that had a great deal of overlap with what I work on at the Burke Museum and for future research projects that I will be conducting this summer. This leads to far better insights in both facets.
A Complete Transformation: The Dawning of A New Persona. Something I Never Thought of Changes Everything
This will come as a shock to nearly everyone, but during the last part of my time at UW I spent a majority of my days on the fields, courts, pitches supporting the dawgs in a unique way. I would not blame you if you didn't recognize me because even though I was a passionate fan, arguably the most, I was rather quiet and didn't talk much.
A Night in A Museum Is Not Nearly As Exciting As Ben Stiller Makes It Out To Be, But It is Fun
As a STEM student I thought it was of the utmost importance to find a position in a research lab but found difficulty until like so many things fell into my lap. I hadn't been to the Burke Museum in nearly a decade but when I returned for a class I all but immediately found someone whose work I could help with and that I found interesting.
Invertebrates, Vertebrates, and Plants. Paleontology Of All Kinds is Ok In My Book.
Take Only Biology Course. I'm Sorry, I'm Afraid I Can't Do That
Seeing Climate Change in Action is A Decent Catalyst To Find Solutions. Studying The Environment is More Important Than Ever
Growing up in California I have had to bear witness to the beginnings of the ramifications of climate change in action taking the form of wildfires, sever drought, and atmospheric rivers which are only presumed to worsen over the coming decades. As such one of the many reasons why I study ecological biology is to one day hopefully contribute to the efforts to curb the effects of climate change as the goal to stave it off is appearing less and less likely.
Who Knew That There Was So Much Drawing Involved In Biology?
I knew that I would be learning and refining a number of skills during college as a biology major, but drawing was not at the top of mind. Starting in Biology 180 illustrating gaps in your knowledge becomes a very useful tool in the arsenal of a student. Observing something, then drawing it is a tale as old as time when it comes to the work of a prospective biologist and my experience has not been unique in that regard.
An Interdisciplinary Look At How The Top Of The World Will Be Affected By Climate Change
I am not surprised by the number of courses dedicated to studying climate change, particularly within the honors department, but I am surprised when recounting the number that I ended up taking. One of my favorites was a course that was jointly taught with the school of environmental science, however we discussed mostly no scientific subject matter and the cultural importance behind the current climate and the peoples of the arctic.
The Day I Was Finally Allowed To Leave My House
There Are Probably Worse Ways To Find Out You Have An Antibiotic Allergy, Right?
The Honors Courses Have Always Been Fantastic. I Mean, A Class About The Musical History Of Seattle! Sounds Great, Sign Me Up
Speaking of Seattle, Why Not Learn About It's Urban Landscape?
It took almost until the very last moments, but this could be my favorite class I have ever had the pleasure of taking while at UW. Music is one of my core passions, always has been, always will be. It also just so happens that some of my greatest musical inspirations are from Seattle taking the form of grunge bands like Alice in Chains and Soundgarden as well as Jimi Hendrix, Quincy Jones, and albeit just passing through Ray Charles. With such a diverse set of tones this course teaches about the history of Seattle through the lens of music and as a musician and a history nerd, it is right up my ally.
I am not going to lie, my interest was piqued by the course title when I saw it was about Ecology, but I stayed the course even when I found the subject matter had nothing to do with biology and was all the better for it. Urban centers have a complex path and the insights gained from this course were nothing that I would have ever thought of.
