Sometimes we meet people who leave a mark on our lives. They might inspire us or motivate us in ways we cannot imagine. They can even teach us to see the world from new perspectives. But, the most important they might give us are small pieces of advice that stick in our minds forever. I have had good professors, but only one of them influenced my pathway to veterinary school through his advice. This advice came from a professor and researcher.
He used to encourage his students, including myself, to always strive for the best and become the best version of ourselves. One of his pieces of advice was to look for new and rewarding opportunities in or outside of the U.S. either by attending international conferences/seminars or taking part in summer internships or jobs. His second piece of advice was to do everything with love and patience. This great advice pops into my head every time I start a new project or study for finals. The third piece I remember is one that most of us forget; enjoy the journey as a grad student and live one day at a time. We usually focus too much on the future and sometimes lose track of the present. His last bit of advice was to learn something every six months by enrolling in dancing classes, learning a new language, or visiting a favorite destination.
Thanks to these small pieces of advice…I began my first ballet class at 20 years old, I traveled and attended two international conferences, I was accepted to the summer externship of my dreams, and I love learning new phrases in another language. But I am still learning new things and making the most of every opportunity in order to become my best self, not to fit into our society, nor to impress someone else, just to be myself and be happy.
