My major is health and exercise science with a minor in psychology and I am currently in the process of applying to physical therapy school. My favorite thing about my major is the fact that it applies to each and every one of us. There is nothing better than becoming more informed about how intricately made each and every one of us are from the inside out.
Last semester, my biggest accomplishment was getting a 4.0 GPA while taking 20 hours, working 20 hours a week, and being heavily involved in extracurriculars. It was the toughest semester, but it all ended up paying off.
Over the summer, I took Exercise Physiology Lab which was an amazing course and I also interned at Valir Physical Therapy under the most talented physical therapist I have come across. In addition to that, I got the GRE out of the way, worked, and began applying to Physical Therapy school. Don't worry, I had a little bit of fun as well...I went to my friend's lake house in Lake Travis one weekend and took a weekend trip to Las Vegas to celebrate my 21st birthday on August 18th!
Although I can't pick one book to favor, I do have a favorite author. Every single book I have read by choice since freshman year at OU has been by James Patterson. He is my favorite author and I can never put down a book of his once I pick it up.
The one thing I miss the most when I leave home is my Golden Retriever, Duncan. I tried to bring him up during the summer when I moved into my first apartment, but he would whine nonstop anytime I left, so it was temporary. He is always by my side when I am at home and I even thought about getting him certified as a service dog so I could have him by my side here in Norman.
This image is an oldie, but it remains to be one of my favorites. I took it in high school before leaving for class one morning. (2013)
I love how close you are with your dog! I got my dog when I was 10 years old, so living without her is so hard! Reading about how successful you were, though crazy busy makes me feel better about this coming year. I have to take 21 or 18 hours for my final two semesters to graduate on time, and I have three jobs. The fact you survived, and are able to tell the tale inspires me!
ReplyDeleteA lake house on Lake Travis: wow! That does sound like fun, Natalie... with all that hard work for school and other things, it sounds like you earned some time at the lake! And that is such a cute picture of you and Duncan; maybe he will make an appearance in your storytelling this semester. As you can imagine, there are legends and tales of dogs from all over the world! Of course there are also stories about medicine and healing, too: maybe that is a topic you will want to explore when you start brainstorming projects later this week. There's a long list of healer gods and goddesses at Wikipedia ... with links to the major figures, like the goddess Hygieia where we get word "hygiene" from in English. :-)
ReplyDeleteYour golden retriever is so cute! I also have a golden retriever named Boomer and he is one of the best dogs that my family has ever had. I loved reading about your semester and your passion for your major. I have also taken my share of 18-20 hour semesters and they are no joke, that is for sure. I guess they are a testament though of the fact that hard work pays off, if nothing else. Your summer time spent on the lake was definitely well-deserved! Good luck in your last year of school here at OU!
ReplyDeleteYour dog is so cute!! I love goldens, they are one of my favorite breeds of dogs! They are not only smart but incredibly friendly and loyal! I just turned 21 too, I wish I could have gone to Vegas though! I think its really cool that you want to do physical therapy, that is what my best friend wants to do too and I love hearing her talk about her classes! I hope you get another 4.0 this semester too!
ReplyDeleteHi, Natalie! It seems like you're a really hard worker, and like you managed to stay positive even though last semester was difficult for you. Congratulations on the 4.0! I hope the GRE went well for you. I am thinking about going to grad school and would need to take it. Any advice on how it goes and what to expect would be great! And, like everyone else is saying, you dog is super cute! I'm going to pick up a dog from the shelter today and am beyond excited to bring him home! <3
ReplyDeleteHey Natalie! Your major sounds awesome! One of my roommates is a junior in that program and my other roommate is a psychology major! Small world! I also love James Patterson. His writing style is so unique, and he seems to write in every genre! I think my favorite book by him is Zoo. And I know how you feel about your dog, I miss mine like crazy! I’m looking forward to reading your blog throughout the semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie! First off, props to you for taking on such a heavy load and being able to finish successfully! It sounds like you have a goal in mind and are not going to stop until you have accomplished it! I love the picture of you and your golden! I have had 2 golden's that have both passed away, but they are the sweetest dogs ever. I look forward to reading your first story!
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie! I think it is really cool that you are wanting to go to physical therapy school. That is what I thought I wanted to do when I was in high school because the physical therapist I went to after my knee surgery was awesome. Also, it is unreal how busy you are and I don’t think I would be able to do what you do so I respect you for that.
ReplyDeleteHello Natalie! It is so wonderful to see another fellow scientist on here. I am a Chemical Engineering student, and while it isn't exactly my expertise, I love exploring the human body, as well as other organisms and their beautifully complex systems. It works almost like magic, doesn't it? I mean if it weren't for the fact that it took BILLIONS of years for genetic mutations and natural selection to make these incredible structures it would almost be tempting to say they kinda just popped out of nowhere!
ReplyDeleteI urge you to look into protein and nucleotide folding! We are on the cusp of figuring out the origins of life and RNA is most likely the key to that discovery! It all starts to make sense once you look into it, we just need the right scientist to come along and prove it. Who knows, maybe it will be someone going to OU! :)
Hi Natalie, Oh my gosh, congratulations on still getting a 4.0 through such a crazy semester. I would have cried every single day. James Patterson is definitely my favorite author too! I have read all of his books, which one is your favorite? Your dog is toooo cute! I have a golden retriever and a golden doodle at home with my parents so I understand missing your dog.
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie!
ReplyDeleteWow, getting a 4.0 whilst also doing everything else is incredible! Congratulations! I definitely couldn't do that!
You seem incredibly driven and I'm sure you'll continue to do great things in the future!
I can totally relate to you about your dog! I have a miniature dachshund named Dottie and she FINALLY got to come live with me this semester! It was rough at first and she cried a lot when I would leave but she's adjusted pretty well since then! I totally support Duncan becoming a service dog! Dogs are the best!
Hi Natalie! I too have been busy applying to grad school and taking the GRE! It has been a busy time that is for sure! I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors!
ReplyDeleteI love your relationship with your dog! I have a black lab and she is my best friend! Living without her in Norman is hard, and I always look forward to going home to see here!
Hi Natalie! I am also in my final year. I am excited about this fact. I was going to go to physical therapy school, but in the process of getting a bachelor’s first, I fell in love with accounting. I had three science majors before then, so you could say I have been in school for a good amount of time. Congratulations on the 4.0! I have not gotten that since my freshman year. It takes hard work and a lot less sleep. I am also a dog person. I dog sat for a family with three large dogs. It was the best time.
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie!
ReplyDeleteI am very impressed with all your hard work, particularly your heavy load last semester. I bet you will do great in PT school! Where are you applying?
I understand about not being able to pick a favorite book - I can never answer that question either. I have not read much by James Patterson, except for a couple of Maximum Ride books when I was younger.
Congrats on your four point. I remember being real proud of my first as well. It's an accomplishment for sure, no matter what your major is. I wasn't worrying, but thanks for letting me know about the lake. Duncan looks very happy. I'm sure you are a great owner to him. I'm sure it is better for him to be with your family at home. He probably would not like all the squirrels that would taunt him.
ReplyDeleteHey Natalie! Wow, I am so impressed you ever to get a 4.0 with so much going on, that is an incredible accomplishment, so congrats! Also, you golden retriever is SO cute. I have 1 golden retriever and 2 golden doodles at home, so I guess you could say I'm a big fan of the golden retriever breed :) I also find the study of human health and physiology very fascinating, sometimes I wish I would have chosen HES as my major. Good luck in your final year, you are so close!
ReplyDeleteHey, Natalie, let me just give you a virtual high-five for that 4.0 last semester, way to go! Your dog is so cute! Golden Retrievers are some of the best dogs. My step-dad brought one home from Germany when he was stationed there. His name was Kelsey and by the time I met him he was 13 years old but he was the best dog - he lived in my grandma's in-home daycare and was the fiercest protector of those kids. It must be so exciting to almost be done with undergrad, good luck with PT school!
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie! Wow, congrats on your accomplishments last semester — that's really something to be proud of! I admire how you're really chasing after your future profession — PT is such a fascinating area of study. Also, your dog is beautiful — I'm living with a dog this semester for the first time myself, and never realized just how wonderful and calming they are to have around. For now, good luck with your semester and with PT school!!
ReplyDeleteHey Natalie, very nice to meet you! I always though that PT would be a great career path to pursue. I have a few friends that have become PT's in the past (of course they are older friends) but they love their job and I hope you will enjoy your life just as much once you get done. P/S I may or may not come steal the pupper in your photo haha.
ReplyDeleteHello, Natalie! First of all congrats on the 4.0 last semester! That is such a major accomplishment; after all, college is hard! So I completely understand what you are going through missing your dog, Duncan. My Bella is a very large rottweiler that I have had for 8 years but she too would be very unhappy in the apartment.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck this semester,and achieve another 4.0!
Hi Nat! Well, I could pretend to be meeting you for the first time, but I've probably known you longer than anyone else in this class soooo, hey!! I had no idea that you tried to move Duncan up here with you, poor guy was probably not feeling the size of his new home compared to what he is used to! I wonder how getting him certified as service dog would have gone haha. I can definitely say we are all in a buzz over our next step, but just keep pushing girl!
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie, your dog is so cute! It would kill me to leave him at my apartment all alone. It seems like you live a very busy life, but congrats on getting the job done! Physical therapy sounds so interesting since it has so much to do with our everyday lives. It was nice getting to know you a little!
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie! The picture of you and your dog is so cute! Even though you had a busy summer it's great that you had time to celebrate your birthday! Lake Travis must have been so much fun! My best friend's birthday is July 14th and mine is the 18th and she wants us to go to New Orleans for our 21st. It's gonna be so much fun! Good luck with PT school!
ReplyDeleteHey Natalie, it seems like your dog really loves and you the same, good luck certifying him. That is quite impressive to pull a 4.0 with the workload that you had! It sounds like you have a plan set out for your life with PT school, hope you get the school of your choice!
ReplyDeleteNatalie,
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous of your dog. I have two back at home, and I miss them terribly. Golden retrievers are one of some of the best breeds, to be quite honest. Even though I'm a little biased towards labs right now; both of my pups are lab mixes. I have to work while also going to school as well, so I know how tough it can be. Congratulations on getting through it; you're truly an inspiration to us all! :) My old roommate is going to PT school right now, and she's having a blast, so good luck!
Cassidy
Hi Natalie,
ReplyDeleteFirst off Congrats on the 4.0 with the 20 credit hours that would be really rough to endure. Working while going to school is tough in general because I have to work and go to school as well. Also James Patterson is a great Author and has lots of great books! It is difficult to choose a favorite book when there are so many out there, but I do think that Maximum Ride is my favorite of his books. I hope you have a great final year here at OU!