Gardening was a ‘forced’ hobby for a good portion of my childhood. Since elementary school, I worked with my dad in our back yard; I would dig holes, carry bags of manure, and plant flowers and trees. I complained that it would be easier to go to the store and buy a bag of blackberries instead of toiling in the sun for hours to achieve the same thing. I never imagined that I’d end up gardening for fun. Every year, my brother and I would collect the fruits of our labor; every year, I’d appreciate my efforts more and more. Gardening holds a special place in my heart because I can transform an ordinary patch of grass into something beautiful. I can spend hours working on a single task because I know that the finished product can improve the world.
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One of my biggest goals was to break my shell. Shyness had prohibited me from diverse experiences and making friends in high school, and I didn’t want it to stop me in college. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. Before my first semester started, I read books on body language, small talk, humor, and self-confidence. When my friends and I went hiking, to the mall, or to parties, I made myself talk to people I didn’t know. I started by saying hi and proceeded to have engaging conversations with random people. Not only did I refine my people skills, I learned about the world around me. Each person I talked to had unique perspectives and experiences that I could absorb.
Breaking my shell wasn’t my only goal, I wanted to grow as a person. In my free time I used Duolingo, Pimsleur, and Google to learn Spanish. I eventually became proficient enough to translate for my dad’s Hispanic patients in his medical clinic back home. When I wasn’t translating, I learned about the business. From hiring employees to logistical issues like medical supplies, I saw how my dad approached decisions. The decisions he made affected everybody who worked there. He was an effective leader and it showed; the nurses, secretary, and my dad had a common goal and they all knew their role in achieving
One of my biggest goals was to break my shell. Shyness had prohibited me from diverse experiences and making friends in high school, and I didn’t want it to stop me in college. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. Before my first semester started, I read books on body language, small talk, humor, and self-confidence. When my friends and I went hiking, to the mall, or to parties, I made myself talk to people I didn’t know. I started by saying hi and proceeded to have engaging conversations with random people. Not only did I refine my people skills, I learned about the world around me. Each person I talked to had unique perspectives and experiences that I could absorb.
Breaking my shell wasn’t my only goal, I wanted to grow as a person. In my free time I used Duolingo, Pimsleur, and Google to learn Spanish. I eventually became proficient enough to translate for my dad’s Hispanic patients in his medical clinic back home. When I wasn’t translating, I learned about the business. From hiring employees to logistical issues like medical supplies, I saw how my dad approached decisions. The decisions he made affected everybody who worked there. He was an effective leader and it showed; the nurses, secretary, and my dad had a common goal and they all knew their role in achieving