"I would like to thank my friends, family, and all my other support systems (AKA: Bottom Line), for guiding me through this unexpected year. All these individuals provided me with something to appreciate and smile about despite the hardships and gave me hope for the future."
December 23, 2020
As 2020 comes to an end, it is important to look back at moments that have shaped us, no matter how big or small.
As cliche as it sounds, one of the things I learned the most is that "it is okay not to be okay." Especially during the beginning of the pandemic, I felt almost selfish for wanting to do things for myself
amidst the chaos. I felt like I had to keep up with everything around me. It was so stressful being constantly updated with bad news that I did not even want to watch the news.
It was not until I began using quarantine to find new hobbies and enjoy time to myself that I looked at this through a different lens. I started implementing de-stress activities that did not involve a computer screen. I would work out, paint, do a face mask, organize and declutter things that I have been pulling off, and so much more.
Through this, I learned that it is entirely okay to need time for yourself. It is okay to take a step or two back from reality to focus on yourself. It is necessary to implement time in yourself when attempting to invest time in other things.
Looking forward, I am excited to begin my last semester as an undergraduate. Taking the stresses and successes of an online school this semester, I will be sure to use what I have learned to make things a bit smoother for myself. On the other hand, I am also quite nervous about what the coronavirus has in store for us. I feel hopeful due to the recent vaccine, and I believe that good things will come from that. I feel hopeful, but I also feel worried because anything can happen.
Bottom Line has been a huge support, especially during these unprecedented times. For instance, they ensured that I consistently had support and ensured that I was aware of that. I received countless emails that provided lists of resources. This made me feel seen and cared for. I appreciate Bottom Line for working hard to guarantee that their students do not feel alone or
uncertain. Despite the world's uncertainty, Bottom Line supported me to guide me through certainty in my own life.
I would like to thank my friends, family, and all my other support systems (AKA: Bottom Line), for guiding me through this unexpected year. All these individuals provided me with something
to appreciate and smile about despite the hardships and gave me hope for the future.
Furthermore, I appreciate you all for reading, engaging, and supporting my blog posts and writing as a Bottom Line on the Line Blogger! If we can handle everything we have dealt with in 2020, we can tackle anything 2021 throws at us.
With that being said, I would like to wish you all Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! :)
"Looking back at the beginning of the semester, I would have never thought that I would have achieved this much. I previously anticipated that I would do poorly regardless of how hard I tried, but that was not the case."
December 23, 2020
*sighs in relief* I have finally completed this long, stressful semester!
This was my first time taking a semester solely online, and it was quite a struggle. On the bright side, I have concluded the semester with straight A’s! I say this with feelings of relief, happiness, and success.
Looking back at the beginning of the semester, I would have never thought that I would have achieved this much. I previously anticipated that I would do poorly regardless of how hard I tried, but that was not the case. It was definitely difficult, but not impossible. I still virtually attended all of my classes, completed my assignments on time, and asked for help when I needed it.
I think what kept me the most positive through this stress was being able to give myself time “away” from school. For instance, when I would attend classes on campus, I associated being on campus as my productive time and my time at home to be my relaxing time. At first, this was a challenge because being at home made me feel unmotivated to be productive.
On the other hand, on days when I had assignments to complete, being at home made me feel like I needed to always do homework. I would consistently do homework all day and give little time to myself. This became draining, and that is when I knew that I needed to implement moments to relax within my productive days.
Looking forward, experiencing the ups and downs of this semester gives me full ambition for my upcoming last semester. It gives me the ability to have recognized all that I am capable of and continue to gear myself towards success.
Besides relaxing and preparing myself for next semester, I have a couple of objectives for the winter break. Firstly, I plan to continue working on my graduate school applications. As of now,
I have a solid list of schools that I am interested in, but I will use this time to finalize my personal statements and other materials. Additionally, I am starting a new volunteer position at
RUSH! I am an incoming oncology research assistant volunteer that will be guiding in cancer research at the hospital. I am very excited to officially begin this position, as I have currently
been working on completing my training and certifications. This position is definitely within my interests and will allow me to participate in hands-on research. This will be extremely valuable
for my future career goals. Lastly, I want to spend time reflecting on this hectic year and setting goals for next year. Although this year has been quite eventful with unfortunate events, I am attempting to remain hopeful and positive for 2021.
I wish you all the absolute best in the final days of the year. Find something to be thankful for, and appreciate the simplest aspects despite the hardships we faced this year. We cannot deny the stressful unanticipated times, but we can look forward to sunnier days.
"It is odd realizing that I may have to transition from undergrad to graduate school through a computer screen."
November 6, 2020
Hello, happy November! I hope that you all have been staying safe, healthy, and warm!
It has been a while since we last spoke, and that is because I am deep into the semester. This semester has been a roller coaster.
Learning how to manage everything online has been quite the struggle. For instance, participating in class or taking exams is structured much differently than it would have been if classes were in-person. Currently, I have five more weeks to go, plus finals week, so we are very close to the end. I will also be registering for my last semester as an undergraduate this upcoming week. How exciting!
Due to the resurgence of COVID, I am pretty confident that the majority of courses at UIC will continue to be held online for the Spring semester. I have mixed feelings about this. Due to having a semester solely online this Fall, I have learned the ins and outs. Despite this, I am pretty bummed that I will not be on campus for my last semester. This uncertainty makes me afraid of what is going to happen, especially regarding graduation in May.
As a first-generation student, being the first in my family to graduate college is something that my family and I have been longing for. I have worked hard to get to where I am today, and walking across the stage will allow me to feel accomplished and ready to take on what is to come next. It is odd realizing that I may have to transition from undergrad to graduate school through a computer screen.
With the number of cases tremendously increasing, we have changed our visitor’s policy at RUSH. As of now, no visitors are allowed in inpatient and outpatient departments. Additionally, no one under the age of 18 may visit their loved ones. The hospital already feels much emptier without the presence of visitors. Just when I thought that things were getting better, this change has brought my hopes down.
It seems as though we get better at managing cases, but then they continue to skyrocket. In Chicago, they are returning to the last phases that the mayor had initially brought out concerning the coronavirus cases. For instance, as of now, dine-in options at restaurants are no longer available. These small changes have me anticipating that we are slowly transitioning to another structured quarantine soon. Although they are making these small changes, more things will continue to close down again. I hope that we overcome this soon and find methods to fight the virus and manage our cases.
Lastly, when you are reading this post, the elections will be over. Please remember always to exercise your right to vote!
Here is a quote to radiate some positivity through my screen to yours.
“Life imposes things on you that you can’t control, but you still have the choice of how you’re going to live through this.” - Celine Dion
"I have officially completed a third of the semester! Midterm season is right around the corner; it is truly flying by!"
September 29, 2020
It has been quite a ride so far adjusting to online courses, but I think that I have finally gotten the hang of it. I am taking 18 credits this semester, so it has been overwhelming, but I am doing my best to remain positive.
One important aspect I have learned through juggling this semester is to make time for myself. Being behind a laptop all day can get exhausting and feel very monotonous. I need to embed breaks into my routine and ensure that I also include other activities to give my brain a break by doing things I enjoy. I work hard all day; therefore, I should be mindful of my needs and take my well-deserved breaks. And you should too.
Now, let’s take a deep dive into one of my favorite classes I am taking and what I hope to accomplish. I am taking a Health Inter-Professional Seminar. This course focuses on learning about numerous healthcare professions and the effective methods used in each of these settings to ensure collaborative patient-centered care. I kind of touched base on this topic in my previous post (which you should definitely go read if you have not already).
I have been enjoying this course. So far, we have learned about how healthcare is a team sport, the roles and responsibilities of various healthcare professionals, shared decision making, and patient autonomy. All of these components are valuable when ensuring patient-centered care. I hope to continue expanding my knowledge on these topics and other related topics that we will be learning about this semester. I am very passionate about this. Focusing on our patients by allowing them to communicate their needs is essential. All patients deserve the best levels of care, and as healthcare professionals, it is our responsibility to accommodate.
Due to virtual learning, this course is entirely online. We have weekly seminar sessions where we meet with our instructor and classmates through Zoom. We also have assignments that require group work. Group work through Zoom is different. The instructor separates us into breakout groups. These breakout sessions get a little awkward at times because we are not engaging in person. Regardless, we still have meaningful discussions and attempt to make the best out of the situation.
Altogether, this is a learning process. Every day, I am figuring out aspects of online learning that I enjoy and ones I do not enjoy so much. Despite this, I am teaching myself to work hard and remain dedicated to this new atmosphere. I am thankful to continue getting educated, even though it is not my ideal learning environment. I am excited to see what this semester has in store for me and very eager to discover new things along the way.
"I will be applying to graduate school and certification programs soon, but that is a conversation for another day. I wanted to focus this post on my field's interests and what initially sparked my love for my field."
September 4, 2020
Hello! Happy New Semester!
The beginning of my semester has been off to a very stressful start. It is only the first week, and it is already hard to adjust to new online classes and keep track of everything else that is going on.
It feels limiting with everything being online and not having in-person interactions with my instructors or classmates. The classes that I am enrolled in are classes that I was quite excited about taking. Now that I am taking them online, I feel I am missing out on the full experience. Additionally, I have attempted to set up a reasonable schedule for myself that will allow me to remain productive and commit to being successful this semester and moving forward.
While starting online classes this week, my mind continues to wander about my long-term goals. I envision my aspirations within my field and what my next steps are.
With this being my last year as an undergraduate, I want to make the most out of this year while still keeping my future in mind. I will be applying to graduate school and certification programs soon, but that is a conversation for another day. I wanted to focus this post on my field's interests and what initially sparked my love for my field. So, here we go.
In 2009, I lost my grandfather due to lung cancer. I was close to my grandfather, and being so young did not make it any easier. I did not grasp what cancer meant or why it killed someone I loved and cared for. Additionally, I was confused about why his chemo treatment did not treat him but made him so much worse. I had all these questions racing in my mind.
This emotional experience was just the beginning of the spark of my interest and journey in this field. As mentioned before, I am an aspiring pharmaceutical researcher. I aim to research how medications and vaccines alter the human body, mind, and behavior. My experience with the loss of my grandfather inspired me to understand the science behind the influences of chemotherapy.
Why is it that we give our patients something that is supposed to help them but makes them worse? Why do the majority, if not all, medications have more symptoms then benefits? Why is it so difficult to find something that can guide patients to better health?
While volunteering at RUSH, I have learned the value of caring and accommodating a patient's needs. It is critical to understand that as a healthcare professional, you must do your best to better your patient's health.
I hope to find the answers to these questions in the future. The answers to these questions will help demonstrate the elements that we need to work better on and how to properly care for our patients. So here is to a hopeful future!
"An education grants me the ability to not only support myself but my family as well. It gives me the strength to push forward and always do my absolute best to become my definition of success."
August 13, 2020
Pursuing higher education is critical to me. I believe that getting educated opens many doors for the future and allows me to expand my knowledge in ways I have never imagined. I am very thankful to able to further my education.
Furthering my education will not only impact my life, but my family’s as well. As mentioned in previous posts, I am the first in my family to attend college. My parents were not fortunate enough to have the resources to continue their education. Because of that, they have pushed my siblings and me to pursue education and commit to our futures. An education grants me the ability to not only support myself but my family as well. It gives me the strength to push forward and always do my absolute best to become my definition of success.
Being a first-generation college student has its hardships. Bottom Line has been a huge support since the beginning of my college career. They have helped me apply to universities during my senior year of high school, register for financial aid, and provided me with opportunities such as being a summer fellow and becoming a Student Ambassador. Bottom Line has guided me through these experiences and taught me the significance of never being afraid to ask for help. Bottom Line has allowed me to grow academically, professionally, and personally. This has allowed me to make mistakes and learn from them, becoming the best version of myself.
Additionally, Bottom Line has provided me with resources that I did not even know I had access to. For instance, during the pandemic, Bottom Line has sent out numerous emails with available resources. Some of these were ones that I did not know existed, nor have I heard anyone talk about.
When I was younger, I always thought the support provided to first-generation students is limited. As I joined Bottom Line, I realized that it may be challenging to go to college, but not impossible with the right resources. With all their support for almost four years now, Bottom Line has made me realize that I have a chance to be successful regardless of my background. That as a first-generation student, I can pursue my aspirations.
I appreciate everything Bottom Line has done for me. I could never thank my advisors and all Bottom Line members who have guided me through this journey enough. Their consistent dedication played a huge factor in my life. I am so happy that I have decided to be a part of this amazing organization over the years.
"With this being my senior year, I still hope to make the most of my final year in regards to my academics and experiences on campus."
July 24, 2020
Hello! With the pandemic still being very much alive, I have been attempting to make the most of my days while taking necessary precautions. I am adapting to this new normal. With all these changes that get added or removed, it is tough to comfortably adapt to one thing before having to adapt to another. Despite this, I am trying to also find time to enjoy my summer.
As discussed in my previous post, I have returned to work and volunteering. I had initially decided to volunteer at RUSH to make myself more aware and comfortable in a health care environment. In addition to this, volunteering alongside numerous ambitious volunteers with similar interests and career paths was something that I was excited about. It is intriguing to learn about the distinct paths individuals take to reach their goals and where they are in the process. Some individuals are further along in their career path to others, so this is an excellent opportunity to ask questions and discover the dos and don'ts.
Volunteering in an environment that consists of essential health care workers during this critical time is hugely eye-opening. Although I do not interact with healthcare professionals that work alongside COVID-19 cases, I notice their determination to provide the best healthcare possible. I have seen many posts about their commitment during the pandemic. I would like to give a massive shout out to all healthcare providers and all essential workers guiding us. I would also like to shout out to all the individuals who are doing their part by social distancing, wearing masks, and taking precautions to ensure they are protecting themselves and the health and safety of others.
With the fall semester being a little over a month away, I am quite nervous. As of now, all my courses are scheduled to be online instruction. Although this was the case for the second half of last semester, it will be different now since the semester will start and end online. I do hope that because this is the case, those online classes go a bit smoother than last semester. I hope that this summer allowed students and professors to review what went well and what did not go too well in the spring, to improve and guide for a better semester for all. With this being my senior year, I still hope to make the most of my final year in regards to my academics and experiences on campus.
"I have learned that the impossible is actually quite possible. It is okay to struggle when adapting to something new or unprecedented."
June 30, 2020
As we are slowly entering different phases of the pandemic, life is becoming a bit more productive and less tedious.
As of last week, I have finally returned back to work on campus. Although the campus is still pretty much closed, a few employees are returning. It is empty, which I am not used to. UIC contains a large population of students, faculty, and staff. Not seeing all these individuals around feels unusual.
Additionally, they reopened the volunteer program at RUSH, so I am back to volunteering. There are so many new regulations to ensure safety in the hospital. I have noticed that many exits, floors, and elevators are locked. This is being done to ensure that individuals are not accidentally entering sensitive areas of the hospital.
I also have noticed that there are definitely fewer visitors and more workers. For instance, family members and friends are prohibited from visiting a patient's room. Instead, they are only allowed in the waiting area to minimize as much interaction with other people.
As for my roles as a volunteer, a few things have changed. For example, there are more restrictions when it comes to delivering items to patients' rooms. Before COVID, we would deliver flowers, gift baskets, and mail directly to patients' rooms. Now, we are restricted from completing those tasks. When it comes to interactions with patients, we are only allowed to guide discharging patients with no history with the coronavirus.
It feels good to be back and finally have some structure in my day! Although I am excited to transition to my old routine and schedule, it is scary going out and about in the middle of a pandemic. I have to remain cautious at all times. Taking public transportation also feels different since not many people are allowed to board the buses and trains. People are wearing masks and all geared up with gloves and hand sanitizer wherever I go. It almost feels wrong to be outside.
With my time away, I have recognized that I enjoy being productive and prefer being productive in various environments. That is why I had such a hard time when trying to solely be productive at home. It took some time to comprehend that my house was a place I needed to get work done. Attempting to be productive at home felt like I was never genuinely accomplishing anything or giving back to those in need. The satisfaction of completing a task did not feel rewarding. It almost felt like I was doing everything because I was required to.
Looking forward, I hope to progress in my everyday life. I have learned that the impossible is actually quite possible. It is okay to struggle when adapting to something new or unprecedented. It is okay to acknowledge that the new normal does not feel normal to me. Surviving quarantine is an accomplishment itself, none of us were prepared for this.
"There is going to be a new definition of normal that I will need to learn to adapt to and accept. It will be a challenge, but I am sure it is possible..."
June 16, 2020
At this point, it seems as though I have tried everything to stay productive. I have tried working out, reading, painting, going on walks, organizing and decluttering my belongings, investing in at-home spa days, and the list goes on.
Since the semester concluded, I have tried my best to relax and reflect. I have always spent my summer doing things that my busy semester schedule would not have allowed me to do. This summer that is not the case. The summer bucket list that I would always create and look forward to is nonexistent.
Although this is not how I envisioned my summer, I am trying my best to make the most out of it. Now that I have a lot more time on my hands, I have been attempting to limit my screen time and embed other hobbies and activities in my day.
A few weeks ago, I visited a garden center to purchase plants, pots, and painting supplies. The plan was to have a social distance hang out with one of my close friends. We painted and decorated the pots and planted the succulents and cacti while
enjoying some sun. It was actually very relaxing and fun! Time went by so quickly. It was an activity we really enjoyed and would most likely do again.
In regards to classes next semester, by the looks of it, the majority of all of my classes will be online. I am still waiting on the master online course list to know officially. It is stressful knowing that I might complete my last year of undergrad online. Although I am not going to enjoy online classes as much as I enjoy in-person classes, I would prefer to start and end the semester online rather than having a transition. I believe that unexpected change is what caused me to struggle.
I am trying to be positive. I have figured out what works best for me when it comes to online courses. For instance, I have learned that I need to stay organized and productive by providing myself with a workspace aside from my relaxing space. I have also learned that I need to give myself more time to de-stress than I usually would. Having online classes can get exhausting, and the workload seems extensive since I am not physically attending class.
I'm excited that places are slowly reopening. Still, it makes me less excited knowing that things will not be how they were before. Along with attempting to enjoy my time and go about my daily life, I have to remain cautious and ensure that I am staying safe. There is going to be a new definition of normal that I will need to learn to adapt to and accept. It will be a challenge, but I am sure it is possible, as it is for our own wellbeing.
"I chose to go to school because my education gives me the power to progress for my family, those in need, and, most importantly, myself."
May 29, 2020
Attending school is a privilege. I am truly blessed to be able to attend college and afford an education. I believe that every individual deserves the ability to attain an education, to gain their desired amount of knowledge, regardless of their background. This privilege is something that many do not get the opportunity to experience, including my parents.
My parents did not graduate from high school nor attend college. They lacked knowledge, funding, motivation, a sound support system, and other essential resources that are vital to success in school. They did not have resources that I was exposed to when applying to universities or the resources I now have as a first-generation college student. I am beyond happy and honored to be the first in my family to graduate college at the end of the spring semester in 2021.
I chose to go to school because my education gives me the power to progress for my family, those in need, and, most importantly, myself. I just finished reading a book, "It's All In Your Head," by Russ, a Hip Hop and R&B artist. In his book, he discusses how his consistent passion for producing music and his persistence to become a better version of himself enabled success. In his chapter focused on comprehending one's potential, he states, "The future version of yourself should be your inspiration. The idea that there is always an upgraded version of myself that can be attained is what keeps me going."
When reading this, it made me realize that my only competition should be myself. I compete with myself to become the best version of myself. Taking the steps to continuously progress in my education allows me to acknowledge my privilege, acknowledge my abilities, and acknowledge that I can always do more to be more. My education provides me with the knowledge to do well in my field and develop professionally. It provides me with the potential to better myself and continue to aim for my personal goals.
I aspire to become a pharmaceutical researcher. My dream job consists of me conducting pharmaceutical research for medications and vaccines. I want to focus my research on the ways in which medication and vaccines impact the human mind and body, as well as an individual's behavior. There are always new scientific discoveries being made and so much new research to be found.
An abundant amount of research is extremely critical when researching a new medication or vaccine. I have always noticed that when a drug is prescribed or a vaccine is required, the list of symptoms is often greater than the list of benefits. Why is that so? Why is it that to make things better, other aspects are neglected or harmed?
I want to do better. I aim to research why this occurs and the influences on one's mind, body, and behavior. I wish to conduct research that targets the progress of an individual's health without deteriorating other aspects of their overall wellbeing.
"Having a positive relationship with myself is just as valuable as prospering in my profession."
May 21, 2020
YAY! Since my last post, I have wrapped up my third year of undergrad. This semester felt unattainable. The stress of online classes added on to the current madness of the world was a struggle. Being able to do this successfully makes me feel overjoyed, accomplished, and relieved. One more year of undergrad, and then onto the real world.
On another note, I also feel quite worried and stressed about my future. As mentioned in previous posts, the internships I applied for this summer got rescinded. I was looking forward to strengthening my skills and learning more about my desired field. I also no longer volunteer at RUSH Medical Center, which was allowing me to experience and build bonds with those pursuing similar fields. Looking into the future, I feel as though these instances will impact my career path. I feel inexperienced going into my last year of undergrad and searching for post-graduation programs and occupations. I was counting on these opportunities to build myself professionally and personally connect with my passions alongside others.
Reminiscing on last summer - I participated in a fellowship with Bottom Line. This fellowship was designed to focus on comprehending the significance of learning about oneself through a professional lens. We had eight weeks full of professional development workshops and field trips. The workshops consisted of numerous topics such as personal branding, networking, generating elevator speeches, conducting mock interviews, and refining resumes and cover letters. We had field trips to PwC to learn the importance of budgeting during and after college, and to Freedman Seating Company to learn about careers in marketing and engineering. I thank Bottom Line for this experience because it granted me the knowledge to represent myself professionally while holding my truth. I learned the uniqueness of my personal brand and what differentiates me from others and makes me unique.
At the beginning of the fellowship, we all wrote letters to our future, post-fellowship selves. I wrote about the things I wanted to accomplish and gain from the fellowship, as well as anything else that was significant to me at the time. Weeks after the fellowship had ended, I received my letter in the mail. By that time, I had completely forgotten about ever writing the letter. It was quite interesting to read and look back at myself before completing the fellowship.
One statement that I recall writing to my future self - “Continue to evolve and challenge yourself professionally, but while you are doing that, prioritize your personal growth as well.”
Looking back, those words still apply to my current life. Sometimes I tend to focus more on my professional growth and how I can continue to advance in my field. I tend to forget the importance of professional and personal growth coexisting with one another. I must satisfy my personal goals to be successful in my professional ones. Having a positive relationship with myself is just as valuable as prospering in my profession. I need to balance these components and consider every professional experience as a form of self-growth and vice versa.
"I had to learn to appreciate myself for remaining committed to my education and continuing to push myself further."
May 8, 2020
I'm learning to go easy on myself. Something that is much easier said than done. With all this madness going on, along with trying to complete the semester, I have learned the significance of not being so hard on myself. This semester was challenging before schools began closing, and transitioning to online courses added even more stress. I found it difficult to comprehend new material, engage in conversations with my professors and classmates, as well as remain productive and motivated to do my assignments.
None of this was easy, but I was only making it harder on myself. I needed to let loose, and give myself the space to understand that this new normal was going to take lots of adjusting. Along with this, I had to learn to appreciate myself for remaining committed to my education and continuing to push myself further. I slowly began giving myself more breaks between assignments and asking questions when I did not understand the topics being discussed. With time, I found that I was feeling a bit more comfortable with this transition.
I miss my life pre-COVID. I would be a tourist in my own city and try new restaurants with my friends, go on shopping sprees, go to the movies, attend carnivals, and the list continues. Now, my options are limited. For instance, I had not experienced these new embedded shopping regulations until recently. A few days ago, I went to the store with my sister to pick up a few items. First of all, we had to make sure we were all geared up - masks, gloves, and bottles of hand sanitizer. Before going in, we waited in line for 40 minutes. Once we were able to get inside, we obviously had to continue remaining distant from everyone. It seemed like everyone was extremely paranoid and rushing their ways through the aisles. This made me feel the need to quickly grab what I needed and go. I was not able to browse around like I usually would have. It made me feel like shopping, a hobby I once enjoyed was no longer enjoyable.
Once the world gets back to normal, I will probably miss all the time I have to myself. I have been trying to make the most of this time by strengthening my relationship with myself. I have developed new hobbies and spent this time reflecting and establishing future goals. Amid my busy schedule before, I tended to forget to just sit, relax, and have some "me time." Now that I have all this time myself, I am missing my old, busy schedule. I continuously think, when will I have structure in my schedule again? Despite this, after things get back to normal, I will be sure to embed time to take care of myself by doing something that brings me relaxation, comfort, and joy.
"I have always appreciated Bottom Line's support, and I am grateful that I am involved in a program that continuously supports me in every aspect of my life."
April 30, 2020
My name is Maysaa, and I am from Chicago, Illinois. I have been a part of Bottom Line since my senior year of high school, and I am currently in the Success Program. I am double majoring in Integrated Health Studies and General Psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago and will be graduating in May 2021. Post-graduation, I aspire to conduct pharmaceutical research and advocate the significance of health justice.
Due to the pandemic, my university has transitioned solely online. I'm also a student employee on campus and have not been able to work since the stay-at-home order. These changes have tremendously altered my everyday life in both positive and negative ways.
As for positive changes, I have pursued hobbies and interests that do not involve my computer screen. Although Netflix can be quite tempting, I have learned to include other activities that I enjoy. Exercising, reading, calling family and friends, and going for walks have allowed me to find healthy, enjoyable activities that bring me happiness.
On the other hand, there have been numerous negative alterations. One thing that I have found the most challenging is remaining focused and productive. A setting, my home, that was my relaxing place, has now become my workspace as well. I am attempting to deal with this by distinguishing my spaces from one another. It is extremely difficult to remain productive and positive when the new normal does not feel normal to you.
In regards to future career plans, many opportunities have been discontinued due to the pandemic. I had initially applied to many internships for this upcoming summer. Majority of these programs contacted me to inform me that they are no longer proceeding with the hiring process due to ensuring the safety of all individuals. In addition to this, I am a special services volunteer at RUSH Medical Center. Due to being a volunteer and not considered an essential employee to run the hospital, volunteers are no longer engaged members in the hospital. I enjoyed volunteering at RUSH and providing service in such a welcoming environment. Both of these instances saddened me.
I was excited to become involved in programs that would guide me in gaining knowledge related to my field. I now feel like my career is on hold, and it is not in my control.
Bottom Line has always been a huge support. My Advisor has remained in constant contact with me to ensure that I have resources to be successful, healthy, financially secure, and mentally/emotionally stable. My Advisor has also provided me with numerous COVID-19 resources and various methods of managing stress during this hardship. In addition to this, my Advisor continues to support me academically. They have ensured that I continue researching post-graduation options and remain dedicated to my goals. I have always appreciated Bottom Line's support, and I am grateful that I am involved in a program that continuously supports me in every aspect of my life.