Formal Retrospective

​When I started at IU Indianapolis, I had a good idea of what I wanted to do, but not a full understanding of who I needed to become to get there. I entered as an Accounting student in the Kelley School of Business while also working as a real estate agent. At that point, my focus was mainly on success in a traditional sense, getting good grades, building my career, and improving in various areas. Through my experience in the Honors College, that mindset began to shift. Honors pushed me to think more intentionally, reflect on my growth, and develop skills that go beyond academics. It helped shape both my professional direction and my personal values.

One of the most impactful experiences for me was my H200 project on perfectionism. This topic was personal because I have always held myself to a high standard. Through my research and presentation, I realized that while striving for excellence can be a strength, perfectionism can also limit progress. Spending too much time trying to make everything perfect can slow you down and create unnecessary pressure. This project changed how I approach my work. Instead of chasing perfect results, I now focus on consistency and discipline.

“There is no such thing as perfect—only progress.”

My H200 presentation is evidence that my work achieves the IUI Honors College goal of being an active participant in my intellectual experiences. I engaged with a topic that directly impacted my mindset and applied it to my daily life. It also connects to the goal of reflecting on my growth as a learner, because it required me to evaluate my habits and adjust how I approach challenges.

This lesson also applies to my experience with golf. Golf has taught me discipline and patience, but it has also reinforced perfectionist tendencies. Over time, I learned that improvement comes from consistency, not trying to fix everything at once. My journey map reflects this shift from focusing only on outcomes to understanding the importance of long-term growth and balance. Honors played a key role in helping me recognize and adjust this mindset, which has improved how I manage my time and energy.

Another important area of growth has been communication and professional development. I highlight my work with NoahMade Media, where I create photo and video content for real estate agents. This experience has helped me build skills in marketing, branding, and client communication. I have learned how to present properties in a way that creates value and connects with an audience.

My work with NoahMade Media is evidence that my work achieves the IUI Honors College goal of developing strong communication, problem-solving, and civic-minded skills. Each project requires me to understand a client’s needs, solve problems, and deliver professional results. In addition, my Honors Marketing artifact and presentations helped strengthen my ability to clearly communicate ideas to different audiences, which will be essential in my career.

One idea that connects to my growth is Stephen R. Covey’s principle to “seek first to understand, then to be understood.” This concept has influenced how I approach both business and relationships. In real estate, it is important to understand clients before guiding them. In school and everyday life, it means listening and communicating with purpose. Honors helped me improve these skills through presentations, group work, and reflection.

Beyond academics and career development, my Honors experience also shaped my personal values. As shown in my journey map, my priorities have changed over time. As a freshman, I focused more on personal achievement. While success is still important to me, I now place greater value on my relationship with the Lord, my family, and my friends. I want to be someone who is dependable, grounded, and supportive of others.

This growth reflects the IUI Honors College goal of reflecting on my development as a learner and building a connection to the Honors community. My experiences helped me better understand who I am and what matters most to me, both personally and professionally.

As I prepare to graduate, I can clearly see how my Honors experience has prepared me for what comes next. I have developed stronger communication skills, better time management, and a clearer sense of purpose. My background in Accounting and Real Estate, combined with my experience running a media business, has allowed me to build a skill set that blends business and creativity.

More importantly, I have developed a mindset focused on growth. I understand the importance of discipline without falling into perfectionism. I know how to communicate effectively, build relationships, and adapt to new challenges. These are skills that will continue to benefit me in my career.

The Honors College has played a major role in shaping who I am today. It gave me the opportunity to reflect, grow, and connect my experiences to my future goals. I am leaving IU Indianapolis not only with knowledge, but with the mindset and skills needed to continue improving and succeeding.