ava-tam626

[ava-tam626]

Wednesday, November 15, 2023: daily blog

Today was quite rough. I only got 2 hours of sleep, and had to wake up at 5:30 AM to take my biology midterm. The midterm itself was extremely hard and put me in a reality check. I definitely need to start studying harder next week for my chemistry midterm.

I am someone who needs to sleep, especially because I don’t drink caffeine. So today I was very dead. I know sleep will possess me like no other tonight.

I ate a delicious myriad of foods at a healthy buffet, and then for dinner I ate a bowl of tofu and rice. It tastes soooo good.

This week is moving so fast, and yet so slow. I wish to just get some sleep soon 😭 but I’m enjoying it as much as possible. One is only a freshman once.

Thanks for reading!

[ava-tam626]

Reflection of My Pledge Quarter

I never imagined my first quarter of college going like this; I was surprised in every way possible, from meeting so many new people who had the same interests as me but different experiences to becoming more extroverted to being able to *somewhat* improve balancing between academic work, extra curriculars, and my own health. If anything, this quarter pushed me to my limits, and made me see what I could do if I continued to challenge myself.

This quarter was absolutely packed with both good and bad memories, but in hindsight, I think I will only remember the good; after the bad moments, our class would reunite and solve any issues, console each other, and laugh about it. These were my favorite moments of the quarter- when everyone is together, talking, and enjoying each other's presence as we become closer and closer. Meeting all of these new people and talking to them has definitely forced me out of my shell and opened my eyes to the medical field. I look at these people and see who I want to surround myself with, and who I want to become in the future. I have learned how to manage my time, and how to prioritize.

While I did become stronger this quarter, and I think I proved to myself how much I can conquer, I am physically drained. I think I have been sick the whole pledge quarter, and I would love to take a few days to rest and finally recover. I don't get much sleep at night, and as someone who doesn't drink caffeine, it is quite the challenge to stay awake. I want to walk outside leisurely instead of sprinting to my next event, and be able to listen to music while reading again. However, I am almost afraid of all the free time. I am someone who loves to feel productive; I hope I can fill my days with productive, fun things now.

After pledge, I hope I can dedicate more time to my classes as well; I have definitely been slacking a lot this quarter, and have entered all of my midterms royally unprepared. I will dedicate more of my time to studying and participating more actively in my other extra curriculars. However, I am also excited to participate more heavily in the programs that I worked toward during pledge.

Overall, I would not exchange this quarter for any other, no matter how hard it got sometimes.

Thanks for reading!

[ava-tam626]

Christmas List 🎄

A fluffy, large warm pastel-colored blanket

Digital camera

Concert tickets to any nostalgic artist (Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Niall Horan, etc.)

A pretty plant that will last a long time in a nice pot

Matcha/chai making set 

UCLA sweatpants (navy)

A circular hair brush

A hot water cooker

Any rose scented perfume

Aritzia black leather pants (not skinny jean)

[ava-tam626]

Self Care

This week has been extremely hectic and tough; I was constantly overwhelmed by work and midterms, and in return, neither of them were of the best quality. However, today I took a day to reflect on what I would like to do when my life winds down.

I would love to start a tv-show and a book when the times comes, and also spend more time outside.

Engaging in a self-care task like reading has played a significant role in my personal development and overall well-being. Reading allows me to escape from the stresses of daily life. Diving into a captivating book provides a temporary reprieve, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. It serves as a healthy distraction, giving my mind a break and promoting relaxation. When I immerse myself in a book, I am fully present in the moment. This mindfulness practice enables me to step away from worries about the past or future, fostering a sense of inner peace. Being present through reading contributes to my mental clarity and emotional stability.

Reading diverse literature exposes me to different perspectives, cultures, and experiences. This exposure enhances my empathy and understanding of others, making me more open-minded and compassionate. This expanded worldview strengthens my interpersonal relationships and emotional intelligence. Reading is a continuous learning process. Whether it's fiction or non-fiction, each book offers new insights, knowledge, and perspectives. This commitment to lifelong learning contributes to personal growth, adaptability, and a broader understanding of the world.

Certain books encourage self-reflection. Characters' journeys and life lessons often prompt me to reflect on my own experiences and choices. This introspection contributes to personal development, helping me learn more about myself and make positive changes. I love these books because they show me how much I can improve, and that there is always room to grow. I am always looking to challenge myself.

Thanks for reading!!

[ava-tam626]

An alternative medical pathway

As of now, the field of anesthesiology is my field of interest, but neurosurgery has always been a really interesting aspect of medicine; these surgeries are usually high stakes and extensive, and while extremely rewarding, it can be detrimental to one's own mental health because of the high stakes and pressure involved.

To become a neurosurgeon, one mus obtain a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, physics, or a related discipline. While there is no specific major required, it's important to complete pre-medical coursework. Then, one can either take gap years before medical school where one gains more experience within the field. Then, one applies to medical school, attend, and then one can earn a certification in neurosurgery. In the United States, one must take the USMLE in order to be licensed to be in this field.

For this job, one must be able to stay calm in extremely hectic and high stakes situations; they must be able to be coordinated and steady, be able to delegate responsibilities, and problem solve quickly while dealing with someone's life. This job is extremely stressful, and one must learn how to deal with this stress on a daily basis; one must make sure their own emotions do not cloud their judgement of the job that must be done. Difficult decisions must be made by the neurosurgeon. Neurosurgeons must also be ale to communicate effectively and efficiently, and be able to maintain a calm atmosphere.

Neurosurgeons also have to be able to balance a variety of aspects of life, more heavily than others because of the difficult hours that they work and the extensive amount of school one must go through. They have to maintain their health, as well as their relationships while staying up for 24 hours at a time. This is a job that cannot be messed up either; their tiredness cannot get to them or someone's life is gone.

I don't know if I could handle all of that pressure, but in terms of leadership and skill, I think it would be cool to at least explore that part.

[ava-tam626]

Tuesday, November 14, 2023: daily blog

Happy Tuesday!!

I got 5 hours of sleep last night; I jumped in a pool at 1 am, and right after I showered, I just slept. It was literally so so so cold.

Today I ate Taco Bell for breakfast which was an interesting experience; the spicy sauce was marinating quite strongly in my stomach. I ate at the dining hall for dinner.

It was class enrollment day today for me and it is so stressful: it feels like entering the hunger games. Watching the loading sign for like six minutes straight is the worst feeling ever. I could only enroll in two classes, in which neither are my first choices. But it’s okay. Time to go with the flow.

I’m nervous for my bio midterm tomorrow😬

Thanks for reading 💗

[ava-tam626]

Friday, November 10, 2023: daily blog

Today, I got a solid five hours of sleep. Lately, sleep feels like it just possesses my soul the moment my head reaches the pillow. There are no dreams that grace my sleep, and when I wake up, I don’t recall sleeping. I miss the feeling of decompressing instead of just falling asleep.

Class was cancelled today!! So I did a lot of work for my extra curricular activity. I ate at Rende, which is the one of the best dining halls. It is super filling and only takes up one meal swipe! My first experience at Rende East was trash because the chicken teriyaki was super dry; however, since then, it has been very good.

I am so excited for a relaxing weekend!

Thanks for reading!

[ava-tam626]

Thursday, November 9, 2023: daily blog

Happy Thursday everyone!

😃 me after my midterm.

Anyways.

I got 4 hours of sleep; it’s always a war between choosing sleep or studying more, because you know the studying is needed but none of it will stick by the next morning so may as well sleep.

Today I basically studied all day, took my midterm, and then performed at a talent show. I played the cello for the first time in forever, and I really should’ve cut my nails before hand. However, playing the cello is super fun, and that is something I would love to do more when I have more free time.

Today I ate a taco and a sandwich. They were fire.

Thanks for reading 🌸🌷💐