Reflection On Personal Identity

As I reflect on what I have learned these past couple of months in Practicum, I have come to realize that my identity has changed at a faster rate that I had anticipated. Already, I have seen my identity change in ways I could not have imagined before I came to college, as the readings from Practicum have opened my eyes up to a new definition of identity. Practicum has taught me that identity can be quite fluid, questioned, but is ultimately my own beliefs and no one else’s. Our first reading, Personal Identity by Eric T. Olson, discussed persistence and its impact on one’s identity. This was a concept that I had never thought of before, as the “persistence question” asks what it takes for a person to persist from one time to another, to …show more content…
Using this definition, I can predict that I will add more characteristics to what I consider to be my identity through my college life. Currently, I am enrolled as an undecided student in the College of Arts and Sciences. While I am leaning towards a double major in History and Politics, using the 27+12 History track, perhaps with a minor in Psychology, Sociology or Philosophy and a concentration in Women and Gender Studies, I am not entirely sure that is the path I want to take. As I take more classes and network with people, both students and professions, I believe that I will discover more about myself and what I may want to do in life. While I cannot assume how my identity will change, I am confident that I will be able to determine what I want to major in, and perhaps discover what I want to do with my …show more content…
I know that there are some identities that I have that will not change, either because I do not want to change them or they cannot be changed. I will always be a woman, Asian, Jewish and introverted. I assume and hope that I will always be curious, hard-working and diligent, however, I do not consider those to be qualities that are essential to who I am. While I currently consider myself to be curious, hard-working and diligent, I am unable to confidently state that I will always be that way. I do not know if my identity will change in a surprising way, as that is something that I cannot anticipate or predict, however, I do hope that whatever change in identity that I have will be positive. I can imagine myself questioning my identity a lot more in the next four years, and I know that it will change, but all I can hope is that it will help me be a better