As I am writing this, I am in my makeshift "home office"; that is, where I've been completing all my coursework, attending Zoom conferences, and pretending like I'm still studying in Newell or the common areas of Hume Hall, since students have been relocated away from campus. It's been a unique experience--to say the least--but I am grateful for the experiences I was able to have throughout my freshman year and even more appreciative of my family, friends, and health. Before we get to this end, though, let's jump back to January.
At the start of Spring semester, it took me a little while to get back into my college schedule away from my family, especially as this was the first time I would be celebrating my birthday without them; however, after a few phone calls home, I readjusted and felt the reassurance I had felt by mid-fall--UF was where I was supposed to be. Besides taking Applied Human Anatomy (more on that later), one of the most anticipated features of spring semester was here: college gymnastics season! As a competitive gymnast since I was five years old, watching gymnastics on TV with my mom was--still is--one of my favorite pastimes. The start of college gymnastics season not only meant I would get to watch and enjoy the Gators Gymnastics team (which I had never gotten to do in person before!) but was also the start of competitions with NAIGC gymnastics journey. It's difficult to explain the stark contrast between USA Gymnastics and club gymnastics, but truly the main focus is enjoyment and community; a group of adults from around the country with the shared love of gymnastics. Though sports seasons all across the globe were cut short due to the now-infamous COVID-19, I am excited to continue traveling to competitions and meeting new people with Florida Club Gymnastics in the years to come. I am even more excited to encourage people who may have never done gymnastics before (or those who had stopped when they were a kid) to begin with this club gymnastics team!
As you can probably tell, experiences with club gymnastics were one of my highlights this semester. Equally in line with gymnastics, however, was taking Applied Human Anatomy with Dr. Ahlgren. I had already known I really liked learning about the human body (I think visiting the BODIES exhibition in elementary school solidified that), but this course piqued my interest and incited enthusiasm to the next level. If there was any doubt about my major before, this course erased it all and bolstered my confidence in my choice (Applied Physiology & Kinesiology). I genuinely looked forward to each class and lab period (with my Graduate Teacher's Assistant, Sidney Baudendistal). Though I think it would have been extremely neat if we had been able to dissect with cadavers, I really enjoyed going to the Anatomy Lab and working (felt more like playing) with the models. Body systems I hadn't given second thoughts to became so interesting (I'm looking at you, urinary system). It's amazing, and almost unbelievable, how perfectly devised our cells, tissues, and organs are to enable our day-to-day functioning and survival; beyond that, our bodies are capable of incredible feats, like recovering from injuries and illness, training to move in a certain way, and even do flips... :) All in all, I'm very glad I could take this course this semester, and I can't wait for Applied Human Physiology.
Another memorable course from this semester was my Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE), Current Topics in Health Education: Alcohol Prevention, with Dr. Leeman. As part of the University Research Scholars Program, I had the special opportunity to participate in this CURE, a sort of hybrid between research lab and classroom. With this being my first experience working with a researcher, I learned valuable skills, such as conducting a literature search, analyzing data through SPSS Statistics software, writing a research paper and abstract, and creating a research poster. My group within the CURE was even able to present at the Virtual Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium: https://cur.aa.ufl.edu/2020/04/14/cure-alcohol-prevention-barnes-patel-and-schaefer/ Though we didn't gather as many participants for the Alcohol & Athletics Study as we hoped due to the mid-March cancellation of all sporting events, being even a minor part of this research team was a meaningful experience. Getting to encounter firsthand realities of academics/research was insightful. I didn't know what to expect from CURE, but this was definitely a worthwhile course.
Transitioning to online courses made it trickier for me to maintain a balance between schoolwork and downtime. Staying focused and attending office hours were crucial. I had attended office hours before, but I found the video lectures greatly supplemented by the in-depth conversations face-to-face and with my peers. UF supported students as much as it could through this unique time, and I am thankful to all of my professors/TAs for their persistent dedication to their students to assist them in finishing the semester strongly.
And that brings me to the continued, coronavirus-inflicted, quarantine life. As an aspiring healthcare worker, the present circumstances reveal the service and passion needed to enter into this type of career; despite the specific field I enter into, my dedication to patients comes first. I am struck with how self-sacrificing healthcare providers (and other essential workers, for that matter) and researchers are. Amidst the science and medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines of social distancing, I can't help but think of those who do not have consistent meals, place to sleep and shower (even wash their hands) every night, or adequate information source. This semester, my Introduction to Health Disparities Course with Dr. Guyer uncovered the difficult truths of our healthcare system. The providers within our system are phenomenal; yet, as a whole, we don't focus on the social determinants of health as much as is needed to combat the health disparities in our country. COVID-19 has afflicted minority communities disproportionately; I hope we (including myself) can effectively advocate for these populations, whether through civic responsibilities/duties or in a healthcare facility.
It feels selfish to think about my future during these times--I am still quite unsure of my career path and had hoped several summer opportunities would help elucidate; yet, as health has been at the forefront of most of our minds, these circumstances exhibit the necessity of embracing each moment, even if I'm "stuck" in my own house. Perhaps a somewhat cliché phrase, but our lives are unpredictable; we must adapt and be disciplined about where we focus our energy. Relationships with family and friends are key components of a meaningful life--no career/work endeavor can replace them.
Statistics about the virus constantly shift, so I don't think anyone knows what to expect in the future. I believe this pandemic has transformed the country and the way we operate in more ways than we realize...
In spite of all the uncertainty, provided national and state safety clearances, I am anticipating our return to campus and reuniting with fellow Gators. I am ready to meet the Baby Gators--so I can teach them how we CHOMP!
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