Thursday, August 21, 2014
Week 1: Introduction to Me
Hey, everybody! My name is Taylor Hamstra and I am a Chemical Biosciences major with a minor in Medical Humanities. I'm a junior this year although I'm graduating so I guess you could call me a senior?? Anyways, I spent my summer here in Norman doing a variety of things- taking classes, working as a tech, shadowing PA's, volunteering in the NICU and at the animal shelter, etc. I also went home some weekends which was really nice. When I say I "went home," I did, but I have lived in seven different places so Fort Worth is where I go to, but it's not where I was "born and bred." Also, my family got a puppy not too long ago so I was very eager to spend some time with the cute dog before I came back to Norman. As you might have guessed from what I've written so far, I want to be a physician assistant (PA) when I am older. I shadowed many different specialties this summer, but my favorite was outpatient pediatric oncology. I shadowed a lot of PA's this summer because during the school year, I take lots of classes but also work as a resident advisor (RA) which keeps me pretty busy. As I've told my residents, I've had my fair share of crazy stories- don't become one of them :) I really enjoy working as an RA and one of the neatest things for me is to see how my residents transition from knowing nearly no one when they first move in and then seeing them at the end of the year in their various organizations and grabbing lunch with different friends every day of the week. It's a really rewarding job and although it can be hard sometimes, it truly is a wonderful job and it also has taught me a lot about myself and mediating conflict among others. On a lighter note, it's fun to plan events for my floor and for the fall semester, my floor theme is puns- so there's lots of terrible plays on words at every turn. In conclusion, I look forward to being in class with all of you and wish you all a great semester!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Taylor,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, it's nice to meet you (virtually at least) and I really like the title of your blog! It's cool that you're a chemical biosciences major because my girlfriend is too. She seems to like it quite a bit. I admire your goal to work in pediatric oncology. That takes a very strong person! I wish you the best of luck and look forward to reading more of your post throughout the semester!
I know what you mean about growing up in different places, Taylor - we moved around all the time when I was little (Washington, Texas, England, back to Texas, Oregon, Arizona, Hawaii, and then Tennessee). Since I graduated from high school in Tennessee, I usually say I am from there... but I always feel like I am fibbing a bit! As for Fort Worth: yes!!!! I really like that city! My parents live in Austin, and sometimes we would meet half-way and spend a weekend in Fort Worth. There is so much fun stuff to do there, and I especially love the art museums! And listen, since you are interested in a pediatric specialty of some kind, maybe you can focus on the art of telling children's stories in this class, and do a project of children's stories in a Storybook. If you poke around online, you will find so many great versions of the Ramayana and other Indian stories for children. As you read the epics, you'll realize that not ALL of the story is safe-for-children... but there are some great characters and stories that are perfect for young audiences! You might ponder that as you do the reading for class and see what you can find!
ReplyDeleteTaylor, that's awesome that you want to be a physician assistant when you get older because my best friend is wanting to the do the same thing! She also shadowed around here this summer, so maybe y'all were at the same place? My roommate wants to work in the NICU when she graduates, so that's also really cool that you've volunteered there. Did you enjoy it? Also, my boyfriend is from Fort Worth so it seems like you and all of my favorite people have stuff in common! I think that's very interesting, so I'm sure if we met we'd have things in common as well. I hope you have a great semester!
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing that you've gotten to find your passion this summer! Pediatric oncology has got to be hard to do long term, but if you love it that'll make it easier. I can't believe you have a science major and a minor and you're graduating a year early! And you sound like you're really busy with things besides just academics, too!
ReplyDeleteHey Taylor!!! O my goodness that is incredible that you are graduating a year early. Congratulations on that!!!! I have always admired anyone who wants to go into the medical field, and I admire you for that as well. Clearly you have a heart for helping other people, and animals. The picture here is beautiful. It is very nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteHello, Taylor! It definitely sounds like you keep busy, both during the school year and your supposed "summer break," haha. But it's great that not only are you graduating early (congrats on that!), but that you were able to really experience the field of work in which you plan to enter. And while I am not one for nursing or PA-ing (?) myself, it seems like you've discovered the perfect job for yourself. Again, congrats! :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, on a different note. . . I. Love. Puns. So the fact that that is your floor's theme? Brilliant!! Kudos to you on being an RA, as well. Not many people can put up with the people and/or have the patience to do so. I look forward to reading more of your posts as the semester progresses!
Hey, Taylor! It sure sounds like you have a lot on your plate but seem to manage it pretty well. I also did a lot of shadowing these past couple of years and I understand how hard it can be to find the time during the semester. I'm sure being an RA can be quite rewarding and also provide you with a lot of amusement. I sure know that my RA had his handful with my group of friends that all somehow managed to get placed on the same hall. Well I hope all goes well for you this semester and it was great getting to know a little bit about you.
ReplyDeleteNice to 'meet' you Taylor! Wow you are one busy and involved student -soon to be graduate- so congrats! The only way I can relate to your major is that in high school I swore I was going to be a PA, this changed after like two months though. It is great that you are passionate enough to go out and volunteer and work towards things that are rewarding for yourself and your career as well. There should be more people in this world as motivated and involved as you are! Born and raised in Oklahoma myself, I can't imagine what it must have been like to move around so much, I don't know whether to be jealous of your travels or thankful I stayed in one area haha
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the rest of your semester! OH and I also think its awesome you are an RA, I've never lived in the dorms but from what I have gathered just by hearing things around, it can be so crazy!! So kudos on that as well!
Hey Taylor! I’m also a junior and can’t wait for this year to be over. It is really awesome that you got a job being a resident advisor. It would be awesome to hear all the cool stories that you have come across. It must be great seeing all the newcomers transition into their new lives as college students.
ReplyDeleteHi Taylor!
ReplyDeleteYour intro was definitely one of the more impressive one's I've seen. It seems like you pretty much have it all figured out. I admire your devotion to you future.
I'm sure you have plenty of stories to tell as an RA. All my roommates from last year were nursing majors so they were headed that way.
Good luck on the rest of the semester and congrats on graduating!
Hey good morning Taylor! I really enjoyed your introduction,along with the picture of the Fort Worth fountains. I've been to Fort Worth a few times now but have never seen the fountains, I suppose next time I'll have to make a point to find them. Sounds like you've definitely got your hands full with all your classes and being an RA. I want to wish you best of luck on your future endeavors and I hope to read more of your stories.
ReplyDeleteHey Taylor, nice to meet you. Its quite interesting that you are a chemical biosciences major Thats one of the newer science majors correct? I respect you a lot for the amount of volunteering and shadowing you have done. I'm sure working as an RA is quite interesting. Its very nice to see how much you care about your residents. You sound extremely committed to becoming a PA and I have full confidence that you will become one! Best of luck Taylor! I know all your hard work will pay off.
ReplyDeleteHi Taylor! Nice to meet you! I'm also a chemical biosciences major! I love that we are able to take such a broad range of classes. That's really cool that you want to be a PA. I'm hoping to eventually become a nurse practitioner, so we're definitely in similar fields! It sounds like your job as an RA would be very fun and interesting! I hope you're having a great semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Taylor, nice to meet you. I have a lot of friends who are chemical bioscience majors. Great decision. I assume you want to go into the health profession? Or maybe research? Sounds like you’re quite the overachiever. I have never moved but I imagine that its nice to always have a change of scenery. Ah, I love puppies. Thats great that you are an RA-- tough job. Look forward to your next posts!
ReplyDelete