My UConn Experience = Four Years of Many Highs and A Few Lows

Hi everyone, Chi here,

In just a few weeks, I will be walking across the floor of Gampel Pavilion to receive my diploma from the Dean of College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Since June 2008, I have been a UConn Husky and a very proud one. From the good times to the not so good times, my years here have been AMAZING. So let me share two moments that have impacted my college years, a high and a low moment.

In high school I excelled at everything academically. I was a part of every honor society, took a bunch of AP courses and took college classes to gain some credit for college early on. When I came to college, I automatically assumed I would excel in my academics as well, however, I learned very soon that I was so wrong. Freshman year was tough but not as rough as sophomore year. I was introduced to Organic Chemistry fall semester and that is when my struggle began. For some reason, I was not grasping the concepts of the class. I did well in General Chemistry so it made no sense why I was struggling in this one class. I used all the resources available to me such as going to office hours and studying a week in advance before the exams. Regardless of the things I did, by the end of the semester, I knew I would be retaking this class. I felt like a failure when I saw my grade in this course and also having to face the fact that I knew I would be taking it again the following semester. This is what you call a low point.

It was not until last semester I stopped feeling like a failure for taking Organic Chemistry twice. I as writing my graduate school personal statement and one of the questions asked me to explain, if any, my reason for retaking any class. It wasn’t till I had to answer that question that I learned that college will teach you so many new things about yourself and sometimes the lesson you  learn will be a difficult one. Retaking any class is a rough time for anyone. It’s hard listening to the same material twice especially if it is something you are not fond of. Essentially, I was humbled quickly after that experience and I persevered through it. I learned from my low point which now brings me to my high point.

My high point will come on May 6^th, 2012 at 12:30p.m, a.k.a .my graduation day. I will be a University of Connecticut graduate. My degree will be a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Cell Biology with two minors in Human Rights and Women Studies.  This will be a HUGE high point for me because I have worked so hard to complete my education in four years.  Everything I wanted to accomplish, both academically and socially, I feel like I have which makes me very proud and even more excited to be graduating. Obviously I have experienced many other high moments in the last four years such as my Achievement Awards from the Women Studies Department or my Programmer of the Year Award from Residential Life as a first year Resident Assistant. All these high points have led me to May 6^th and I cannot wait to receive that diploma.

With all that being said, I have had an awesome time as a Husky even with my low points. The most important thing is that I learned from my lows which turned into highs. My advice to underclassmen and incoming freshman is to never let a low pull you down. Always learn from it and triumph to that stage on your graduation day. Chi…signing out.