I am a junior majoring in Health Science, minoring in Psychology, with the goal of becoming a physician assistant. I am actively involved in multiple student organizations and am part of a bridge program, allowing me to conduct research and prepare for professional school. Junior year of college is notably the hardest year for undergraduate students. The combination of intense, advanced major-specific coursework, high-stakes career planning, and mounting burnout is common. This situation affected me by taking a toll on my mental health. I began to feel overwhelmed and fatigued from the amount of work I had to do. I experienced this adversity during the end of my junior year, and it negatively affected my relationships with others, prevented me from being fully present with family and friends, and made it difficult to maintain the balance that I once managed so well. At the time, I struggled with taking on too many responsibilities at once. I was working two jobs, volunteering every week, was a part of multiple student organizations, and was a full-time student. All of this felt overwhelming because I no longer gave myself time to enjoy the things I truly love, like reading, spending time with family, and doing self-care. There were moments when I doubted myself and my abilities when I wasn’t accepted for a particular opportunity, even though I’m already a part of many other valuable ones. I was having trouble stepping back and looking at the accomplishments I’ve achieved. To overcome this challenge, I started designating time to myself within my schedule. Not allowing myself to do schoolwork on certain mornings or evenings allowed me to relax my mind and enjoy other things. I also realized that I needed to make use of the support system I have. I no longer spend hours on my phone, which would give me time to compare myself to others and discredit what I’ve done. I also learned healthy coping strategies to manage my stress. Improving my time management also helped me not feel very overwhelmed. This experience shaped me by teaching me the importance of balance and self-awareness. I learned that success is not measured only by how many responsibilities I take on, but by how well I manage them while maintaining my well-being. It also helped me develop resilience and confidence in my ability to adapt when challenges arise. I now understand the value of setting boundaries and recognizing when I need to slow down. Most importantly, this adversity taught me that taking care of my mental health is essential to achieving long-term success. To someone facing similar adversity, I would say that it is okay to seek the help you need. Speaking to others about what you’re going through can provide comfort and new perspectives. It is also important to recognize that taking breaks does not mean you are falling behind; it means you are protecting your ability to succeed long-term. Learning to prioritize your well-being is just as important as achieving academic or professional goals. Remember that progress is not defined by perfection, but by persistence and self-care.

One goal that required dedication and persistence was contributing 100 hours of volunteer work to a hospice foundation. I set this goal a year ago because I found I had more free time and decided it would be impactful for me to give some of my time to serve others. Achieving this goal was important to me because I understand how impactful my contribution could be in hospice care by providing emotional support and companionship to patients facing terminal illness. One experience that stayed with me was sitting with a patient who rarely had visitors. We spent time talking about her favorite memories and watching old films she enjoyed. Listening to her share stories about her life taught me the importance of patience and truly being present with others. I realized that care is not only about medical treatment but also about emotional support and human connection. That moment showed me how meaningful simple companionship can be and reinforced my desire to continue serving others in healthcare. Reaching this goal was not easy because I had to balance my academics, personal life, and implement good time management skills. Being a full-time student and maintaining a job, as well as volunteering, was difficult. But what made me keep going was knowing that I was making a positive impact on others. This kept me motivated to remain supportive and helpful to those in challenging situations. After months of dedication, I successfully completed my 100 volunteer hours. Reaching this milestone gave me a sense of pride and reinforced my belief that small acts of kindness can make a lasting difference in someone’s life. To overcome these challenges, I built habits that allowed me to still have time for myself, so that I don’t overwork myself. I grew close to my volunteer coordinator and used her as a resource whenever I needed help. I built my volunteer hours into my weekly schedule, allowing me to devote more time to the cause. I have learned to stay disciplined, enabling me to keep up with schoolwork along with showing up for others. Practicing time management largely helped me stay organized and meet my responsibilities. It also strengthened my communication skills and taught me how to respond with sensitivity when interacting with patients and families during difficult moments. Looking ahead, I am now working toward obtaining another job in healthcare that will allow me to further apply my clinical skills and continue learning how to care for patients. My long-term goal is to pursue a career as a physician assistant, where I can combine compassion with medical knowledge to improve patients’ quality of life. My hospice experience strengthened my desire to work in healthcare and showed me the importance of empathy in patient care. As I continue working toward becoming a physician assistant, I am committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.