Honestly, it is really hard for me to put into words how I feel about this chapter of my life coming to its end. Entering UCSD, I was told that I'll never be in a class less than 50 people because I'm a Neurobiology major. And of course I didn't choose to take this class to prove them wrong, but I did and I am so glad I did. LCS was an experience I doubt I'll ever experience again for the rest of college. I learn in the classroom about the misconceptions and truths of aging; bet my high school teachers wouldn't be able to understand why in the WORLD a young college student has any interest in the older population. Growing up, those around me fed me negatives about old age and how the cause can't be helped. Even my friends disregarded the difficulties that come with old age and put their attention to the younger ones, just because it's easier and babies are cute. And yes, it is good to do so, but I felt almost encouraged to face away from this vulnerable population that much needs attention and support.
I felt an overwhelming belonging to LCS, being surrounded by like-minded students who tackle discussion with different perspectives that always kept things interesting. It was environment for me to comfortably express my fascination with aging and my passion to cater my time and energy to alleviating the stresses that the aging population faces. And the professors, MARVELOUS. Though the coursework was a lot, it wasn't just random projects thrown onto my other STEM classes' homework. I was able to immediately see the purpose and meaning behind all the projects I did. Neighborhood Assessment Project-- to understand what an age-friendly city is and how to improve the city to be so. Oral History Project-- to foster a deep, cross-generational connection with an older individual I hold close to my heart. Debunking Ageism-- to find effective ways to promote learning of aging and highlighting its misconceptions (also learned how to make videos hehe). Health Aging Project-- to brainstorm ways to promote healthy aging and ACTUALLY being able to see it blossom into something that can potentially HELP people.
In my other classes, I learn about how fat is stored, why water melts, what hormone binds to what protein to cause muscles to flex, etc. This is what my Medical School requires and biological science is something I have a passion in. But my biggest passion and purpose is to ultimately live my life to help others in all walks of life. I never imagined to be part of a NON-BIO class that would reinforce this goal of mine and push me to be a little closer to achieving it.
From visiting various senior residences to dancing at Zumba with older adults (and getting CRUSHED) to building a better personal relationship with my own grandmother, LCS gave me the opportunity to implement my learning in the real world and any class that promotes this type of learning is invaluable.
I will truly miss my LCS family and wish that COVID didn't ruin my opportunity to get closer to my peers as much as I wanted to. Yet, I don't see this as an end to LCS because LCS is LIFE course scholars. Even though some seniors graduate and the rest of us won't be in the class together, as cheesy as this sounds, the end of this course is like a beginning because we will be spreading our knowledge and making changes to the environments around us throughout the UCSD campus and beyond. LCS very much prepared us LCS'ers to be fearless and go out to make changes in the world. Thank you LCS, thank you Prof Lewis and Prof Bussell, thank you to my peers,, for inspiring me.
I felt an overwhelming belonging to LCS, being surrounded by like-minded students who tackle discussion with different perspectives that always kept things interesting. It was environment for me to comfortably express my fascination with aging and my passion to cater my time and energy to alleviating the stresses that the aging population faces. And the professors, MARVELOUS. Though the coursework was a lot, it wasn't just random projects thrown onto my other STEM classes' homework. I was able to immediately see the purpose and meaning behind all the projects I did. Neighborhood Assessment Project-- to understand what an age-friendly city is and how to improve the city to be so. Oral History Project-- to foster a deep, cross-generational connection with an older individual I hold close to my heart. Debunking Ageism-- to find effective ways to promote learning of aging and highlighting its misconceptions (also learned how to make videos hehe). Health Aging Project-- to brainstorm ways to promote healthy aging and ACTUALLY being able to see it blossom into something that can potentially HELP people.
In my other classes, I learn about how fat is stored, why water melts, what hormone binds to what protein to cause muscles to flex, etc. This is what my Medical School requires and biological science is something I have a passion in. But my biggest passion and purpose is to ultimately live my life to help others in all walks of life. I never imagined to be part of a NON-BIO class that would reinforce this goal of mine and push me to be a little closer to achieving it.
From visiting various senior residences to dancing at Zumba with older adults (and getting CRUSHED) to building a better personal relationship with my own grandmother, LCS gave me the opportunity to implement my learning in the real world and any class that promotes this type of learning is invaluable.
I will truly miss my LCS family and wish that COVID didn't ruin my opportunity to get closer to my peers as much as I wanted to. Yet, I don't see this as an end to LCS because LCS is LIFE course scholars. Even though some seniors graduate and the rest of us won't be in the class together, as cheesy as this sounds, the end of this course is like a beginning because we will be spreading our knowledge and making changes to the environments around us throughout the UCSD campus and beyond. LCS very much prepared us LCS'ers to be fearless and go out to make changes in the world. Thank you LCS, thank you Prof Lewis and Prof Bussell, thank you to my peers,, for inspiring me.