This past year was quite different from my prior years at UC thus far. My biggest area of growth was probably responsibility. The three main examples of this are my academic efforts, my collegiate leadership position, and my mentorship of two freshmen students.

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Coming off last summer, which was easily my least impressive academic semester ever, I had to really re-evaluate my commitments. Many factors contributed to my abnormal summer, but the bottom line is that I did not perform to the best of my abilities. As a result, I had to take some steps to ensure that I was setting myself up for a more successful and beneficial future. One of the most impactful changes I made was working with a UC academic success coach, starting in the fall of 2023. While I was not particularly interested in the beginning, I later realized the impact I could make if I allowed myself to accept help. While it has not been an overnight fix, I have seen improvements based on the ideas and strategies I developed alongside my academic coach. Some specifics include realistic, daily goal setting and taking full advantage of all professor office hours and support. Looking forward to this fall, I’ve got some tough classes ahead, but I am confident in my ability to succeed while using the resources at my disposal. Regular, weekly visits with my academic coach are one way that I plan to keep myself accountable as I continue to strive for my best.

 

At the beginning of last school year, I would not have considered myself inexperienced when it comes to leadership as I have held my fair share of positions. Nevertheless, this past school year afforded me my first on-campus student organization leadership role. I was exposed to a host of challenges that were not unlike things I had faced before except that they were in different circumstances. As a senator for our National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter, I fulfilled many duties, with the most important being a leader and representative of UC and our chapter on a national level, especially when attending conferences. I also acted as a messenger to both the general body and the executive board about the business of the NSBE organization, on a regional and national level. My term as senator, while frustrating at times, was undoubtedly beneficial to my development as a leader and a student as it forced me to make crucial decisions and view certain things in a light that I had not done so before.

 

Serving as a mentor is something I have done many times before, but I make a special effort not to take that privilege for granted. This past year, I was able to help two freshman students, who are both very bright. One of the things that I like about mentorship is that I get to learn from my mentees just as much as I get to share and teach them. I don’t know everything, but I know my experiences and understand the positive impact I can make on others. I feel obligated to give back in many ways because of those who helped me reach where I am today. This past year, I am glad that I took on the double duty of two mentees because I gained two new friends and was able to create some positive change. I look forward to serving as a mentor for many years, including next school year.

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Overall, I believe that many experiences I had this past year spurred me to take more responsibility and learn how to live more responsibly. While I occasionally become distracted or discouraged, I constantly remind myself of the great opportunity given to me to study at this school and be a part of so many groups, from the Darwin T. Scholars program to the University Honors Program. I must make the most of what I have in front of me, and that requires a continuous effort which I strive to carry into whatever I do.