Student Spotlight: Mitchell, Health & Exercise Science Institute, Online Experience 2020

Throughout the 2020 Summer Immersion Program – Online Experience we will be featuring different students to talk about their diverse experiences in our Institutes. Learn more about our online Institutes from the perspective of our students. 

 

What were your biggest takeaways? 

Coming into this program, I had already loved learning about the human body in my high school science courses, and this experience has only solidified my passion for Health and Exercise Science. I never really knew how vast the possible career paths in this field were, but this program has opened my eyes to a whole new world.

 

What is something new that you learned about yourself? 

Through this experience, I learned that I love to collaborate with people from different parts of the country. In high school, all of my fellow students are from the same area as me. Yet, this program allowed me to learn from students from all across the country, like I would in college. Engaging with a diverse range of perspectives and backgrounds highlighted just how beneficial it is to surround yourself with divergent viewpoints and experiences.  

How has this experience changed your mindset?  

Previously, my mindset was focused on the application of health and medicine largely within the sports world, but this program has shown me that there are many other exciting and important institutions that can benefit from an understanding of this discipline. I have realized that Health and Exercise Science will have a broader application to a greater number of people and is such an important profession.

 

What is an experience you had that really stands out to you? 

One experience that really stands out to me was when we learned all about an electrocardiogram. I have always been a fan of medical dramas and always wondered what exactly an EKG/ECG does. Dr. Eaves did a great job breaking each part down and even told us that the reason why an electrocardiogram is referred to as an “EKG” is because cardio in many languages is spelled with a “K”. I really enjoyed learning all about the specific parts of an ECG, like what the amplitude of the ECG represents, and how to judge what makes a heart healthy. Learning these nuanced pieces of information  was really unique and engaging.

 

Describe someone you met who impacted you. 

One person I met that impacted me was a fellow classmate named Adam. On the first day of the Institute, I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect. During our first icebreaker, Adam and I both shared the fact that we play tennis, and just this alone eased my nerves. This interaction was a great demonstration of how important it is to connect with peers. This moment launched my appreciation for everyone in the class and I feel really lucky to have shared time with such interesting and passionate students, teachers, and ambassadors.

 

How has this experience impacted your future? 

This experience has helped me expand my knowledge in the field of Health and Exercise Science, and has further motivated me to pursue it as a career. I have learned how important it is to constantly absorb and incorporate new technologies and applications into everything I pursue in life.

 

What was your favorite moment from this week? 

My favorite moment from this week was our Deacon Discussions. At the end of each day, our class was divided into four groups with a different Program Ambassador each time. I loved being able to discuss what we had just learned with the rest of my group and collaborate with the fellow students. Wake Forest has always been the top school on my college list, so being able to ask the Ambassadors about the student life and available activities was a truly meaningful and helpful experience.

 

How has this experience clarified your goals? 

The older I get, the more clear it becomes to me that my main goal and personal definition of “success” is being able to practice compassion and help others live a fulfilling life. Throughout my time in the Immersion Program, I have learned how many potential careers and life paths there are dedicated to helping communities. The lessons I have learned through Health and Exercise Science have not only served as a technical foundation for helping, but as a means of inspiration. 

 

What was the most interesting thing you did/saw/learned?

The most interesting thing I learned this week was the differences between the types of muscle fibers. I found it fascinating to learn more about the slow and fast twitch muscle fibers that range in percent composition for every person. It was very interesting to learn that natural speed or endurance derives from these fibers and how athletes perform specific workouts to strengthen them.

Why would you recommend the Summer Immersion Program?

The Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program – Online Experience has not only served as a meaningful education for me, but also as a really fun and engaging experience. Being given the opportunity to speak with several practitioners in the field and hear their professional insights was incredibly helpful and inspiring. I would absolutely recommend this summer program because it allows you to get a feel for what your possible career path may be, while also being able to meet and interact with so many amazing students from around the county. Equally important to me, this program allowed me to hear all about campus life from the student ambassadors. By providing us with countless suggestions and information, they made me feel extremely welcomed and excited about a possible future at Wake Forest.