Monday, June 15, 2009

A learning experience - in more ways that one

I am entering the fourth week of the Science Enrichment Preparation Program and already I have found out more about myself than the last few semesters in school have taught me. The pace at which the program is set has given me new insight into my strengths and weaknesses. I have had to change my studying skills drastically, not only keep up but also to do well in my classes. The last few tests I have had have proved that my study skills are indeed improving.

The teachers have also been a large part of how I am doing in this program. They have been exceedingly helpful when I did not understand the material and friendly when I just wanted to chat. I have gained friends who are not only passionate about their dreams, but who are willing to help everyone achieve theirs.

The tours that we have gone on have shown us many new fields available in the health careers. During the tour around the medical school, we all got to meet many medical school students who gave us advice on everything from how to study to information to include on our applications to medical school. Dr. Carla White Harris gave us a good speech on the many opportunities in the field of pharmacy and also on how to apply to the pharmacy school. During the veterinary school tour, we even got to witness a dissection being done on an owl which turned out to be quite interesting.

So far, the program has been great at introducing many professions I am interested in. I am looking forward to the shadowing component of the program, in which I hope to shadow a dentist. I hope the coming experiences will lead me to the profession I most want to pursue: dentistry.

Study, study, study!

This is the second week of the SEP program, and I am studying hard for my physiology and organic chemistry tests tomorrow. I am a little worried about the tests, but I am trying to stay cool and not become stressed. I know that if I become stressed it will just make things worse and I will not allow that to happen.

I feel confident about the amount of time that I have studied for the tests, and I understand all of the material. My instructors and program assistants have also been very helpful in helping us prepare for the exams. We have formed study groups, and that has been very helpful, since I am able to learn from other scholars what I missed in class and others are able to learn from me too.

A program of intensity

It is my third day of the SEP program and I have been enjoying every minute of it.

It is intense because we have to be in class from 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, but it is fun to me. I am adapting to the schedule and class work that we have to do during the program.

This fall, I am scheduled to take organic chemistry and physics -- twp subjects that we are covering during the SEP program -- and I am happy because I will have a head start next semester. One of the courses I am enjoying a lot is the reading speed and comprehension course because I am already beginning to see a huge improvement in my reading skills.

My instructors are all cool and they are doing their best to see that every scholar learns and understands the material. One thing that I am doing that has been very helpful is waking up at 5 am to study. I like doing this because I did some research and found out that every hour studied in the morning is equal to two hours of studying at night. Another benefit that I get from studying in the mornings is that there is no noise, which helps me concentrate better.

SEP: the first day

The first day of the SEP program was thrilling because I had been looking forward to the start of the program. I was also excited because it was my first time staying in dorms, so moving all my things in was a new experience. For the most part, everyone was really busy getting set up that morning.

I like to be very organized so it took me some time to fix my desk and bed to my style. I just find that I work better and with less stress when my books, documents, and utensils are all in order.

I am lucky to have a friend of mine from college as my roommate because I and he are like brothers from another mother. I also made a few new buddies who were staying in my suite. The SEP staff was there to help us move in and definitely facilitated our transition.

The best part of my first day of the SEP program was when all the scholars got together for food and sweet tea after the opening meeting.