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This Honors reflection looks back on the experiences that have most influenced my growth, connecting classroom learning, real-world application, and interpersonal communication to the person and professional I’ve become.
This Honors reflection looks back on the experiences that have most influenced my growth, connecting classroom learning, real-world application, and interpersonal communication to the person and professional I’ve become.
11/05/2025
When I transferred to IU Indianapolis in the spring of my junior year, I was aware that I was taking an unconventional route through the Honors College. Typically, students spend four years cultivating their honors experience, but mine has taken about half that time. Juggling a 4.0 GPA, Division I athletics, and a full load of advanced courses has required discipline, yet more importantly, it has called for reflection and a resilient spirit. The Honors College quickly became more than just an academic badge; it became a framework for meaningful growth. Through honors, I’ve expanded intellectually, professionally, and personally. Each activity, from creating a podcast with a licensed clinical social worker to hosting a global health panel, challenged me to bridge theory and practice and to understand what it means to learn with purpose and excellence at the honors level.
Communicating Knowledge
The Honors contract I developed during Abnormal Psychology, PSY-380, was one of my earliest and most influential experiences in the program. I named my project ' Mind Over Misunderstanding, ' a professional podcast featuring an interview with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who specializes in peri-natal health, trauma, and anxiety disorders. Preparing for this interview involved more than just memorizing diagnostic criteria: I delved into cognitive-behavioral theory, studying Aaron Beck’s work on the cognitive triad of depression and how maladaptive thoughts can be changed through behavioral strategies. Conducting the interview required clarity and empathy, skills valuable in both psychology and professional coaching.
That experience changed my view of communication from purely academic to one that bridges theory and practice. As the counselor shared her real-world strategies for managing anxiety and trauma, I began to see how psychological processes influence athletic performance. Most notably, I saw how fear and anxiety was expressed similarly on the field as it might be in a therapy session. Writing my analytical paper reinforced this insight, as I combined research on panic disorders and performance anxiety within the framework of sport psychology. Ultimately, the Honors project taught me that intellectual development is not just about grasping ideas but applying them to help others. Additionally, I had the opportunity to practice and develop elicitation: a skill that has been constant throughout my honors journey. This directly supports the Honors learning goal of engaging actively in intellectual pursuits and honing communication and problem-solving skills.
Emerging Expertise and Professional Identity
Reflecting on my honors journey, it has been characterized by the synthesis of knowledge from psychology, exercise science, and health systems into a cohesive professional identity. For example, my Lifespan Development course introduced Piaget's and Vygotsky's neurodevelopmental theories, which later shaped my coaching strategies for younger athletes by focusing on cognitive cues and motor learning over numbers and data. Moreover, program evaluation strengthened my analytical skills, allowing me to thoroughly assess health interventions just as effectively as I design training cycles or evaluate athletic programmes.
All these academic and practical experiences have shaped my growing expertise in using scientific literacy, communication, and empathy to enhance human performance and well-being. Education is a continuous feedback loop in which reflection informs practice, and practice enhances understanding. The Honors College provided the framework for this integration and connected me with a community of scholars who value curiosity and integrity.
Prepared to Contribute
The IU Indianapolis Honors College has transformed me into a learner who not only acquires knowledge but also applies it, communicates it, and empowers others with it. Each experience has reinforced the core skill of elicitation and the lesson of interpersonal communication. As I prepare for graduate studies and a career in Strength and Conditioning, I carry with me the habits instilled by Honors: reflection, collaboration, and a steadfast dedication to evidence-based excellence. Honors have shown me that success is defined not by titles or numbers but by the positive impact I can have on others. It also taught me that growth isn’t straightforward; it’s layered, introspective, and profoundly human.
Theory to Practice
My academic projects have built a solid intellectual foundation, but it’s the practical experience that has been most influential in shaping my personal and professional development. Specifically, my internship at the National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS) helped me apply the knowledge I’ve learnt in practice. As a strength and conditioning intern in college and corporate fitness environments, I learned to integrate evidence-based methods with attention to the human side of physical and athletic performance. At NIFS, I contributed to designing and leading training sessions that improved mobility, speed, and functional skills across different groups. During a shadowing stint at Eli Lilly and Company’s LIFE Center downtown, I saw how wellness could be integrated into a corporate culture. The centre aimed not just to develop more resilient employees but also to cultivate a brighter workplace that prioritizes movement, mental health, and community.
Working under the site manager, Blakely, I realized the importance of presence and tonality in effective leadership. Every interaction with clients, regardless of training age or experience level, required adaptability, empathy, and professionalism. This experience echoed my Honors studies, exhibiting how true growth occurs when theoretical knowledge is applied with a genuine human connection. I was able to successfully transfer the standards set for honors students into the workplace. Consequently, I became more aware of how coaching subtly intersects with personal interaction, offering encouragement, reframing views, and helping others envision success.
This internship highlighted the Honors College's emphasis on experiential learning and problem-solving. It demonstrated that academic rigor is closely linked to practical application, and both are vital for making a meaningful difference. Furthermore, it reaffirmed my decision to pursue postgraduate studies in Kinesiology, with a specialization in Strength and Conditioning, allowing me to integrate scientific precision with a people-centered approach.
Engagement and Perspective
Another notable Honors experience was hosting and organizing a live international health panel called “Global Perspectives: Healthcare Systems Around the World.” The event featured speakers from India, Poland, Canada, Kenya, and England for a virtual discussion on health systems, access, and cultural barriers. My goal was to promote understanding, a key aspect of civic-minded education. With the help of Canadian professor Dr. Navin Kaushal, I put together a panel that represented countries, cultures, and healthcare systems from around the world, across the geopolitical spectrum.
Coordinating panelists across time zones helped me develop logistical and intercultural communication skills. During the session itself, I realized that differences in healthcare funding, access, and provider training mirror broader societal values. Although I had planned to embrace the panel's diversity, it led to a deeper discussion than I had anticipated. A Kenyan panelist highlighted the importance of community-based health programmes, while a Polish participant addressed post-pandemic reform issues. These global perspectives changed my understanding of health equity, viewing it not just as an abstract policy topic but as a lived reality for students worldwide.
This experience aligns closely with the Honors Learning Goals of fostering civic-minded skills and engaging in international and cultural experiences. It improved my ability to see health, along with performance and rehabilitation, from viewpoints I wasn’t previously familiar with. As a future sports science and coaching professional, I now understand athletic performance not just as physical effort but as a system influenced by mental health, cultural identity, and resource availability. Assuming a more multifaceted position will deepen my professional capabilities and bring diverse perspectives to my work.
"Global perspectives changed my understanding of health equity, viewing it not just as an abstract policy topic but as a lived reality for students worldwide."
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