AH 3099: Senior Capstone
When plans changed
What happened when I was not accepted into a 4-year nursing program
THE WORLD DID NOT END! But it felt like it did :(
After a rough freshman year semester:
- Had withdrawn from Chem 1122
- Barely passed BIOL 1107
- Applied to a 4-year nursing degree at UConn, but I was denied...
I truly felt lost. I felt hopeless and as if nothing in the world made sense anymore. I had felt like there was a knot in my throat that couldn't be swallowed, no matter how much water I drank.
Worse of all I did not know what my next steps would be.
I kept asking myself:
What will I do?
How would I tell my parents that I was struggling academically?
What could I have done better?
How can I get past this without feeling behind?
How did this moment impact my confidence and sense of self
What emotions did I experience during this transition
I realized that I had to "Ponte las pilas." (common phrase used by Latinos/Hispanics)
Complicated, but...
How did AHS become my alternative path?
The following spring semester, I finally had to courage to talk to my ACES advisor. I let him know what happened, and he suggested the following path
- AHS major (4 yrs) + 1 yr accelerated nursing program (CEIN at Uconn)
At first, this was a hard pill to swallow. I did not like the idea of adding an extra year to earn my nursing degree, but I knew that time would pass and that I would have the flexibility to take classes that would help me learn beyond a clinical setting.
How did CEIN UConn and healthcare exposure help me
Reframe my new goals!
- Because of the flexibility of the classes I would take, I was able to become an EMT through UConn.
- I was able to take time and really understand why I wanted to do nursing, and realized that it was my passion. - I was able to make connections with other students following the same path
- I was able to become a helping hand when it came to peers wanting to follow the same path I was following
- Through healthcare experience, such as my volunteering at the Hartford HealthCare Emergency Department, I was able to experience real-life or death situations
What did I learn about resilience and adaptability?
- I knew that I was capable of following this new major and that once I reached my junior year, I'd be ready to apply to a nursing program once again. I knew that a new journey had started and that "rejection is redirection."
Family & friends support throughout this process :)
My CSE study buddy!
Supportive msgs from my mom :)
More motivation from my mom!!
Support from other friends!
Friends coming to study with me!
Snapshot: My mother is buying me a beat & adding a certificate to it!
Spending time with my friend :)
Ongoing challenges
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Learning to accept failure and adjust rather than giving up
This was one of the hardest challenges...
After withdrawing from chemistry and getting denied from the nursing program, I felt lost....
I felt as if I was not good enough, and perhaps I should change my career path.
While this experience made me question my self-worth, I knew that I was capable, and I was going to get through this academic hardship.
How did I resolve this?
I would go on social media (TikTok, YouTube, etc) and find motivational videos. It helped me understand that the world was not ending and that I am not the only student who goes through moments like these.
TikTok: Making Latino immigrants proud
Motivational video on YouTube
Finding a study method:
I struggled to find a study method that worked with my learning type. Either I spent weeks studying one single class, or I would cram.
I spent hours studying throughout the week, or I would cram all my studying the night before the exam
How did I resolve this?
Using the Pomodoro study method: A time management method using timed intervals to boost focus by working intensely for 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break, and taking a long 15-30 minute break after 4 rounds
Active recall: A Study technique that involves retrieving information from memory, almost like self-quizzing, instead of rereading notes
- Through flashcards
- Using a whiteboard
Time management:
At times, it was difficult to balance working and studying
How did I resolve this?
Using Notion calendar: helped me organize a semester's worth of assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Using the reminders app: Helped organize daily tasks (Assignments + daily life tasks).
Personal planner
(Using IPAD + Goodnotes): Helped me organize my weekly assignments + exams.
Forgetting self-care & to enjoy my college experience
There were times when I caught myself staying in my dorm room, panicking about all of the assignments I had to complete. In my mind, I thought I was being responsible, but I had forgotten about my friends, family, and even my own self-care
How did I resolve this?
Finding the time to spend time with friends & family:
Dedicating time to friends and family was important. It reminded me that I am loved, and their unwavering support got me through rough times.
Mak
Snapshots of studying + my study buddy
snapshot of feeling overwhelmed :(
