​Learning Statement

I always tell myself to follow Anne Lamott’s advice when beginning written assignments. “Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts,” she says. “You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something – anything – down on paper.” But as I sit in front of my computer, hands poised above the keys to begin this reflection, each sentence I type refuses to stick on the page. It isn’t exactly writers block. There are things I want to say, people to thank, and experiences I want to cement in writing. My thoughts keep flitting from memory to memory, pausing briefly on each image, emotion, and snippet of conversation, but not quite knowing where to settle. 

                Long bus rides to and from                    
                campus freshman year. The
                hum of traffic. Rain pelting                                                            That jittery late night studying
                the windows. Watching seats                                                             for two back-to-back
                empty until I climbed off at                                                          midterms, powered by a 20oz
                the final stop.                                                                                  Monster Zero Ultra (by far the
                                                                                                                         most tolerable flavor), pretzels,
                                                                                                                              and "My Shot" playing on
                                                                                                                                               repeat...
                                        Realizing that learning is
                                      much easier when you are
                                        able to admit what you                                                                                                   ...And falling asleep for an hour,
                                          do not already know.                                                                                                        curled in a sunny patch in the
                                                                                                                                                                                          middle of the Quad about a
                                                                                                                                                                                                minute after the second
                                                                          The endless stream of photos                                                                                midterm ended.
                                                                                 of my chubby Teddy
       Female professors,                                   Roosevelt terrier sent by my
  researchers, graduate                                   parents when I was stressed
   students, and friends                                       or sad or just because I
who have proven time                                                 missed him.
and again that women                                                                                                                         Iced coffees to begin the
  belong and can make                                                                                                                         mornings. Hot mugs of... more
     waves in academia.                                                                                                                         coffee to keep me awake
                                                                                                                                                                 most nights.
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There is no metaphor or analogy which perfectly describes the beginning, middle, and end of my journey at UW. I don’t think I was ever on a clear flight path or running a long, twisting marathon. I just have an eclectic album of memories stored in my brain, the photos on my phone, scribbled in pages of notes, and the annotations in my favorite book of poetry. So have a look at some of these snapshots by taking a glimpse through my portfolio! Each entry is grouped with related experiences, but really, each is just a reflection on some class or lab or moment that added a layer to who I am, so jump around to wherever your eyes land. There’s no need to go in order!