Triton Transfer Tell Alls
Surviving The Premed Years
Hey Transfers! My name is Nikki Cruz and I am a 2022-2023 peer coach at the Triton Transfer Hub. I wanted to write a blog post before I graduated to share some insight about the importance of balancing things you love and mental health.
When I started my undergrad journey in community college I wasn’t entirely sure at the time if I wanted to pursue medicine. I ended up deciding a couple of months before getting my associates degree that I wanted to continue to work toward this goal. Feelings of self doubt came to me, as I thought I was deciding “too late” or that since I am a transfer student I would be less successful. In this negative headspace, I had thought that in order to become successful I would have to sacrifice all my time to my academics during my years at UCSD. During my first quarters at UCSD, this is exactly what I did. I gave up my social life, hobbies, and much more. Instead of relief, I felt like I was drowning. My drive to do well in my courses started to go down and my self motivation was nonexistent……. *The story gets happier, I swear.*
Anyways….
Luckily, I had family and friends who had been noticing my shift in character. They reminded me to maintain a balance in my life and to not bury myself with work. So I decided to switch it up. I left some clubs, created new friendships, and started to take more time for myself. I noticed through this time of “spring cleaning” that I began to enjoy my days more and more. I continued to check the boxes off for medical school but only did so with the activities or fellowships that resonated with me. I found happiness when volunteering for programs that maintained the same mission statements that I had for myself. I searched for positions that focused on patient care, community outreach, and experience. I found that if I didn’t resonate with an organization, then my work with them would soon feel forced and unwanted.
One passion that I was rekindled was kickboxing. Kickboxing helped me continue my pre-med path. Which I know may come as a surprise to say that a combat sport helped me progress through my education, but it really did. I have found that being able to shut my brain off and not concern myself with thinking about all the criteria of being a pre-med student helped me reset. What I enjoy may not be the choice for everyone but it is important to keep in mind that a hobby or side interest may help keep a balance within your academic life.
The Triton Transfer Hub would love to hear and get feedback on how y’all practice mental health and balance? We have attached this word cloud - please share what you do to provide balance in the craziness that can be school… looking forward to what y’all put!
Access the Word Cloud:
https://www.menti.com/almvcig2xp39
