YASMEEN

12/6/24 at 1:32pm

Junior studying Biology; Pre-Med Track

What excites you every day when you wake up?

Wow, okay. I would say socializing. It isn’t something that I usually like, but now that I live on campus, I like having so many small interactions in my life.

Connecting with others around you, that excites me too. What do you think helps motivate you every day?

Religion is a very big part of my life. Knowing that my career choices are very closely aligned with my moral standards, that is motivating to me. I'm planning on going to med school. 

That is incredible. I am curious to know how you stay connected to those around you. 

Okay, as I said, socializing has never really been something I’ve enjoyed, but since moving here, I do like seeing so many faces every day. Small acts of kindness or service to others are how I stay connected. Just a small deed can make someone smile.

That’s awesome. So, faith, connection, what other values are very important to you?

Definitely faith. That goes without saying.

But values in my interactions, mostly kindness. I know a lot of people like to say honesty and I do believe that honesty is definitely the right policy, but when it comes to honesty or kindness? Personally––I don't judge other people who don't agree with this––but personally, I'm always going to choose kindness. 

Sometimes it’s a selective mix of kindness and honesty. I get that. I'm curious, how do you feel about being considered an adult?

It's very strange, I'm gonna be honest. I was socially distanced for longer than most. I moved during the pandemic, so I continued my virtual education for a while, and that did take out, probably, a four year portion of transitioning into adulthood.

As I reenter, the people I see now are completely different from who was in my life pre-2020. I kind of prefer it this way. It’s a very mature environment, and I enjoy that.

Great. What do you think was your takeaway from the extended space from others in your life?

I really thought I'd enjoy it. I had quiet time, I could stay home, read, and indulge in my own personal hobbies. But I think that really affected, as I said, my distaste for socializing.

But, humans are social. We need to be around people. It made me appreciate connection more. 

So, along the lines of the adulthood question, I am curious to hear if you feel like you have figured this new way of life out, or if it's a work in progress?

I definitely feel like I'm faking it until I make it. I feel like a lot of people seem driven. They have their future in mind. Versus mine, which I kind of see as more of a mirage or something hopeful. I'm more motivated in the present, I should say. So I'm just going to put my all into what I'm doing right now. Into my classes right now, my relationships right now. And I'm not really looking to the future or aiming for that. I am living in the moment, but also like working for the present.

I love that. I think it's important for your future self to focus on right now. And I think you're never going to be in a better place for worrying excessively about the past or the future.

Yeah. I totally agree. I'm also just open to the future. I’m accepting of whatever comes my way. I know I said I want to do med school, and that's always been a dream of mine. But, I'm also open to life guiding in a different direction. So, I won't be too upset if I don't achieve that.

I love that, too. I think that not knowing it is just as powerful as knowing sometimes, and often not knowing leads you in much more prosperous and exciting directions than just knowing and accepting the path you have been anticipating. 

I couldn't have said it better myself. I totally agree.

Last question for you, is there a question that you're still waiting on an answer for?

A question I'm still waiting on the answer for… hmmm.

I think I'm more comfortable leaving questions unanswered. I'm very comfortable with rejection of things that I wanted in the past. I'm not left wondering why I didn't get it, I'm just very comfortable in leaving it up to God. I just have complete faith that wherever I'm heading is the right path for me.

That is huge and I can imagine that that has helped bring you so much peace.

Definitely. It provides so much comfort. I'm a very indecisive person. So, when I do eventually make a choice, if I don't end up achieving what I wanted to do, it's very comforting knowing that I have complete faith in the fact that everything is turning out the way it's supposed to be.