The Destination is Nothing without the Journey
A ballet dancer trains for months and endures countless blistered toenails, but when the
curtain rises and a beautiful ballet is performed the pain and frustration is all but forgotten. A
college student walks up to receive his or her diploma and suddenly the all-nighters, stressful
exam weeks, and four years of hard work become one day of celebration.
I came to Virginia Tech leaving a life of ballet behind. I knew the world of higher
education would require a different style of hard work, but I had no idea that after four years I
would find my stage again. This time my stage has been limitless. I stand in front of more than
200 students each semester and perform a tale of recovery from anorexia nervosa- a true tale, and
one that has changed my life and directed me towards a career that will allow me to inspire
others and work to transform perceptions of health in today’s society. I also stand and present my
undergraduate research with pride, because I have accomplished something that felt almost
impossible after three months struggling to pipette accurately and precisely, and another three
months wondering if I was really meant to take on the role of researcher in the future. I look
forward to my career as an RD, PhD, knowing I do have the potential to make a difference.
Four years at Virginia Tech shaped me into someone who performs in all avenues of life;
I am no longer limited to a single stage. My future as a dietitian and as a researcher is rising like
the curtain of a ballet. As I embark on this next adventure I will remember every experience and
piece of my journey at Virginia Tech because the destination is nothing compared to the journey.
curtain rises and a beautiful ballet is performed the pain and frustration is all but forgotten. A
college student walks up to receive his or her diploma and suddenly the all-nighters, stressful
exam weeks, and four years of hard work become one day of celebration.
I came to Virginia Tech leaving a life of ballet behind. I knew the world of higher
education would require a different style of hard work, but I had no idea that after four years I
would find my stage again. This time my stage has been limitless. I stand in front of more than
200 students each semester and perform a tale of recovery from anorexia nervosa- a true tale, and
one that has changed my life and directed me towards a career that will allow me to inspire
others and work to transform perceptions of health in today’s society. I also stand and present my
undergraduate research with pride, because I have accomplished something that felt almost
impossible after three months struggling to pipette accurately and precisely, and another three
months wondering if I was really meant to take on the role of researcher in the future. I look
forward to my career as an RD, PhD, knowing I do have the potential to make a difference.
Four years at Virginia Tech shaped me into someone who performs in all avenues of life;
I am no longer limited to a single stage. My future as a dietitian and as a researcher is rising like
the curtain of a ballet. As I embark on this next adventure I will remember every experience and
piece of my journey at Virginia Tech because the destination is nothing compared to the journey.
Year One: An English Major
My journey as a Virginia Tech Hokie began with the dream of becoming an elementary school teacher. I desired to impact the lives of learners the way many of my own elementary school instructors have impacted my life both in and out of the classroom. While my career goals changed within this year, my desire to impact the lives of others has never wavered. I take pride in the work I produced as an English major and would like to share a critical reading essay on the topic of T.S. Elliot's The Waste Land. This essay reflects upon Elliot's views on the future of the world and the possibility that mankind lost himself in this modern world.
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Year Two: Choosing Dietetics
With a passion for eating disorder recovery, I returned to campus after a summer consumed by General Chemistry ready to transition into the major of HNFE with a concentration in Dietetics. It felt like freshman year all over again, and I was determined to prove to myself I could succeed in this new major. I didn't need to do that, because when you have a passion for the material it reflects in your dedication to the course work and in all aspects of your life. This year was the beginning of the opening of my mind and although I did not know it at the time my goals would soon become much wider than I could have ever imagined. My first progressive growth essay, written as part of an assignment in Professional Dietetics, demonstrates that while the reasons I entered Dietetics my be the same, my goals and dreams have evolved and allowed me to reach higher than I dreamed possible.
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Year Three: My Food Philosophy
Our first assignment in Communication Food was and Auto-ethnography. This essay narrates how my personal food and dietary habits developed from personal experiences and individual culture. Through composing this essay I gained an awareness of the impact food has had on my life and who I am today. Through the knowledge I gained in Communicating with Foods I have a deeper understanding of how food impacts each individual's lives differently. I now apply this knowledge with clients as a Virginia Tech Student Nutrition Counselor, and this application will continue as I enter my step journey as a Dietetic Intern.
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Year Four: What is still to come?
As the end of Fall semester quickly approaches I cannot help but reflect back upon my experiences as a student at Virginia Tech. Were these four years easy? No, but they have been a dream come true. A dream I did not know I had when I first became a Hokie. I have a semester to go, and I fully expect my journey to keep going and surprising me, but at this point in my journey I proud to say I am enjoying the ride!
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