Calm and Collected

Unlike the previous two weeks, this week in a sense felt calmer. I didn't feel the rush of finishing my original work, nor did i feel rushed in preparing for research presentation night. For the first time I had finished my work on time and did not wait till the last minute. When I look at my board and binder, I feel like I’m looking at a time capsule of the work that I’ve put in the past 18 weeks.

I definitely hope that all this work is able to catch the eye of someone who could possibly be a mentor. I do not feel like I’ll be able to take full advantage of the program unless that is establish. Every step I take feels like a gamble because, while I do enjoy the material I am researching and presenting, in the chance that the interviews I have do not work out, I will not be able to pass this class. At this point I feel like I’ve done everything I can to try to obtain a possible mentor so all that is left is to focus on the upcoming research presentation night.

I am very excited about research presentation night but at the same time nervous. I understand that everyone will be different and even if two people have the same field they may not have the same experience. However, I do hope I able to at least somewhat stand in comparison to not only those in my school, but my district. I not only hope to inspire others to join the field, but learn about other fields as well. Understanding more career paths will definitely help me understand where mine falls in not only the medical field but the world around it as well.

In order to help myself prepare for the research presentation night, I have to keep visualizing myself there and being successful at what I am attempting to do. By doing this, I think I better be able to almost imitate the actions in my head and therefore produce the same successful outcome. This was a technique that I actually learned from one of the surgeons I met. However, this surgeon used this technique for preparing for surgeries but I adapted it so that it would work for my research presentation night. This is just one example of how my teachings from my interviewees have truly helped event and reshape my mind to connect the medical aspect with the everyday life.

Overall, this week was one that made me understand how far I’ve come but at the same time understand how much more I have to do. I have the knowledge and the research , I just need the experience. Getting a mentor is probably the most important thing on my plate right now because though I have researched well in my original work, if I do not get a pediatric surgeon but rather an oncologist for a mentor than the ideas I have for my final product will change.But I know I won't give up because I really can't give up so at this point it is do or die but I will get a mentor.