“I always have a saying, ‘if you're doing something for college or to statpad, it won’t be sustainable.’ If I want to do something, it has to be something I would do if college didn't exist, something I'd wake up every morning and not want to procrastinate on.

Around the middle of freshman year, I was looking at all my friends' achievements and began questioning myself about what I was doing. All I really had going for me was grades and standardized test scores. Club applications were happening. I didn't know if I was gonna get officer positions anywhere. I wanted to start Science Fair Club to increase accessibility to research and the science field for students, but I didn't know if my club was going to get approved. A lot of my friends were doing well at debate tournaments and sports. I was happy for my friends, but I felt behind.

I was really proud of myself when I was able to come to an agreement with myself and actually commit to a few things, put time into them and decide that ‘yes, I really want to do this.’ I was finally able to figure out what I loved.

If I had to pick a favorite [extracurricular], I probably boil it down to debate and doing research. One thing in common with both is that I get to network with a lot of people, students and professors. Through going to different lectures at colleges and around the Medical Center, I met a lot of cool professors and doctors. I make these connections, enjoy their presence and learn from them.

At debate tournaments, I've met so many amazing students who are so intellectually rich. They are going to many top colleges and have much advice to offer. Even if they don’t remember me, at least I met them and I got to learn something from them. I think that's the most rewarding.

In January, when I saw that 95% of UT applicants got rejected, I felt so anxious. There are times where I have doubts. If I'm gonna become a doctor, I have to do 12 more years of studying after grad school. What if I fail a medical test? What if I realize mid-med school I don't even want to become a doctor anymore? Of course, I'm anxious about the future, but in the end, I know it'll work out.

My advice for people worried about college is to just keep trying new things, and be outgoing. Maybe one day you'll find something you really love, and you'll get really good at it.”