Embedded Files
This section includes assignments I completed in HON-H 200 (Introduction to Honors), where I first set goals and expectations for myself as an Honors student through my "I Am" and "I Want to Become" statements and my Engaged Learning and Leadership (ELL) plan. Now that I’m graduating, I’m revisiting these assignments to reflect on how my goals have evolved and how my experiences shaped who I am today. This reflection highlights my growth over time and shows how my early intentions have guided my journey as an Honors student.
"I AM" & "I WANT TO BECOME" STATEMENTS
"I AM" & "I WANT TO BECOME" STATEMENTS
"I am" statement
"I am" statement
I am someone who enjoys being in the presence of people and things I love. I am someone who likes making connections with other people and helping others. I am passionate and dedicated, and often reflect that in my education and work. I value growth and am constantly evolving.
Reflection
Reflection
As an honors student, I want to be more disciplined. I currently have trouble when it comes to time management skills. I turn in almost all my assignments in on time, but I am not taking care of my health. My roommates have brought up that they are worried about me and want to me invest in myself. Because of this, I want to set up boundaries, so I do not overwork myself. I also feel like I might be having imposter syndrome in a way. I am taking notes and completing my assignments and receiving excellent grades, but I feel like I am not learning anything. I think if I take more initiative in my education and talk to professors or use on-campus resources I will feel like I am learning something.
"I want to become" Statement
"I want to become" Statement
I want to become more disciplined. I want to improve on the skills I already have. I know my worth, but I want to be prouder of myself and my accomplishments. I want to set up boundaries, so I do not overwork myself. I want to realize that my health is just as important as my education. I want to be more assertive and take more initiative in my education. I want to be better at utilizing my resources. Overall, I want to become more self-reliant and resourceful and take better care of myself.
REFLECTION
I had a meeting with my coordinator and he even agrees that I have overworked myself and am more than welcome to tell them if I need time away from work. I still think that these traits are traits I want to have because it will benefit me in the long run. My main struggle is forgetting my own needs, so I need to get better at setting boundaries and not letting others walk over me.
SENIOR YEAR REFLECTION
SENIOR YEAR REFLECTION
When I entered the Honors College, I described myself as someone who values connection, passion, and personal growth. I knew I was dedicated and driven, but I was also honest about the struggles I faced—especially with boundaries, time management, and prioritizing my own well-being. In my early reflections, I wrote candidly about overworking myself, experiencing impostor syndrome, and the tension between achieving on paper and feeling fulfilled in practice. I wanted to become more disciplined, assertive, and intentional about my health, education, and boundaries.
Now, as a graduating senior, I can clearly see the progress I’ve made. I’ve taken on meaningful research experiences, leadership roles, and rigorous academic challenges while also learning to advocate for myself. I’ve become more self-reliant and confident in using campus resources—and more importantly, I’ve learned how to say no when needed. I still carry some of the same goals with me, but now with better tools, more support, and a deeper understanding of how growth really happens: in moments of reflection, through community, and often, by learning to extend the same care to myself that I offer to others.
Engaged Learning and Leadership Plan
Engaged Learning and Leadership Plan
Goals
Goals
Undergraduate Research
Sophomore Internship Program
Study Abroad
Outcome
Outcome
Undergraduate Research
During my time in the Honors College, I joined three psychology research labs: the RISC Lab with Dr. Cyders, the Pain Lab with Dr. Hirsh, and the CLASP Lab with Dr. Minor. Through these experiences, I built a strong foundation in research skills, including data cleaning, conducting literature reviews, transcription, coding, and presenting a research poster. Although I realized that I don’t want to pursue research as a long-term career, these opportunities gave me valuable insight into the research process and helped me clarify that I enjoy research as a tool for learning—especially in ways that can inform and enhance clinical practice.
Sophomore Internship Program
Although I did not complete a formal internship during my time in the Honors College, I developed strong professional and leadership skills through my roles as a Student Coordinator and Academic Success Coach. In these positions, I mentored students, facilitated academic workshops, and provided one-on-one support—experiences that closely mirrored the goals I had originally set for an internship. These roles allowed me to grow in my ability to support and connect with others while building practical skills that will benefit me in my future clinical work.
Study Abroad
I had the opportunity to study abroad in the Dominican Republic using the Honors College Study Abroad Stipend. This experience allowed me to gain valuable intercultural knowledge and a broader global perspective. It also deepened my passion for community-centered care and helped me expand my understanding of the social determinants of health. The exposure to different healthcare practices and community dynamics has influenced my approach to both clinical work and my future career goals, emphasizing the importance of cultural competence and social context in healthcare.
JOURNEY MAP
REFLECTION
I created my journey map in H200 (Fall 2024) using Prezi. I included the highlights of the past 20 years of my life at that time. Since 2022, so much has happened! In addition to continuing my undergraduate journey, I have deepened my involvement in research, leadership, and cross-cultural experiences that have shaped who I am today.
Since then, I’ve taken on leadership roles as a Student Coordinator at the Bepko Learning Center and as an HON-H 200 peer mentor—coming full circle to support incoming honors students in the same course that first helped me reflect on my path. I’ve also participated in three research labs, completed an Honors Research Capstone on adverse childhood experiences and substance use, and presented at the CRL Summer Research Symposium. One of the most impactful experiences was participating in a service-learning study abroad trip to the Dominican Republic, where I grew personally and professionally through cultural immersion and community engagement.
Looking back at my original journey map, I’m struck by how much more confident, self-aware, and resilient I’ve become. My values remain the same, but I now have a clearer sense of purpose and a stronger foundation for my future in mental health counseling. This reflection reminds me of how far I’ve come—and how much I still look forward to growing.
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