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As with everything, there is always an end. In less than two weeks I will have my final

class and hear my final dismissal bell. Each day that passes feels shorter than the last, and the

number of days diminishes at the blink of an eye. However, I feel ready. My performance in the

past three months along with my senior project has only solidified my academic confidence.

From the start I was shaking at the sheer weight of the project and polarized by a ten minute long

presentation. Each step toward the end of this project felt abysmal, like I had barely walked a

quarter-mile when attempting to run a marathon. Prior to this semester I had never taken on such

a project like this before. Not only was I expected to write a ten page essay, but I was forced to

carry out my research into the real world! What a preposterous idea. No matter if it was an

overreaction, I was still worried. Looking back from the perspective of the present day Anthony,

I cannot help but to notice how much my mindset has changed when approaching large

assignments. Today, a ten page essay sounds like a lot of effort and time, but to the previous

semester Anthony, that sounds like an impossible task.

Procrastination is no easy enemy. Every senior has dealt with it, but almost no senior has

overcome it. From my personal experience, it has only affected the second half of my project.

Somehow, my procrastination had changed certain thoughts like “I need to get my volunteer

hours done before May, it will make everything easier!” to a realization like this: “It’s May and I

have nothing. Well if I fail I am still gonna graduate…” Luckily, through this project I have

learned to manage my temptation to procrastinate. I had learned to schedule my workload and

even out my assignments to give myself more motivation and time to thoughtfully complete

them. I also learned that something (in every way) is better than nothing. For example, just

because the volunteer work you have chosen does not exactly align with your research, it in no

way is a waste of time.

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Overall, I am so glad I have had the opportunity to carry out this project. I have learned

almost exactly what I see myself studying in college and beyond. In my time researching

Medical History I have only cemented my love for the medical field. While conducting my

research and project the connections that I have made have broadened my horizons indefinitely.

Not only has this project opened my eyes to my passion, but it has led me to the people that share

the same aspirations as I do. Moving forward I now have the drive and motivation to take on

large projects just like this one. I have built on my academic prowess exponentially since the

start of this project and I am very excited to pursue undertakings similar to this in the future.

Even though at times I felt that the stress was too much, or the project wasn’t good enough, I still

am so proud of myself for the work that I have done, and the person I have become.