I Did It!

I did it...I survived my first year pre-med. I didn't tell very many people this, if anyone (other than Emiliano and my siblings), but after my first week of chemistry and physics at Northwestern, I actually called the school to get the details on withdrawing from the program. It was just so daunting and intimidating and, well, really, really hard. I sort of breezed through school before (back in the day, right?) but this past year, I found myself really struggling academically and my confidence was shaken. But I did it!

Even though I am totally reconsidering the pre-med track, I am so proud of myself for having accomplished what I did -- succeeding in school as a new mom. I had no idea how challenging it would be and I have a newfound, profound respect for anyone studying and/or pursuing a career in the sciences (especially women and especially moms!) Although at times I felt like collapsing from exhaustion and frustration, I'm excited that I've learned a little bit more about our world and how it all works -- like, quarks and nucleons and why we *know* the universe is expanding and that the sun will eventually burn itself up (in 5 billion years or so).

I told Emiliano that I don't know what to do with myself now...it's still surreal that I don't have gobs of homework to agonize over and massive amounts of information to cram into my brain. I only just finished my last final this evening and it hasn't sunk in that I am a free woman. When I asked my friend, Rachel, what I should do over the summer, she said, "Have fun?" -- so, one of my goals is to take her advice!