• Award “In Recognition Of Your Outstanding Achievement in Chemistry”
• Max and Celia Grigsby Award for Outstanding Student in College of Science and Mathematics
• President’s Award for being an “Exemplary All-Round Male Student”
• Mr. HBU – “Epitomizes the Ideal HBU Student in Character, Leadership, Scholarship, Service, and Spiritual Life.”

Also, Alpha Epsilon Delta won best professional organization. To say the least, it was a day of extreme accomplishment for me.

So I’ve been reflecting on my last three years of undergraduate education, and realized that I have very few, if any, regrets. Many things happened perfectly for me (like the order in which I took my courses, classes I TA’ed, organizations I joined, etc.) but it’s only now that I realize the true benefits of having done what I did. Thank you all for supporting me in my ventures over the last three years and trusting me with the privilege of your friendships. My undergraduate story is coming to a close, but I urge aspiring underclassmen to seek advice from the graduating seniors regarding how to best manage your time. It goes by so quickly that before you know it, you too will be walking across the stage accepting your diploma. Get involved in everything as soon as possible. Doors will start opening up that you didn’t even know existed. And trust me, I’m living proof of the aforementioned.

On a similar note, I’ll be embarking on my own attempt to achieve success in the near future. I’m finally approaching the completion of my MCAT sciences, and have April 19th in my sight. Furthermore, a rough draft of my personal statement is supposed to be turned in by April 7th. After submitting what will ultimately be the single greatest writing composition ever created in the English language to the Nobel Prize committee, I’ll cautiously hand a copy to the Health Professions supervisors. Eh, maybe it won’t be “Nobel”-worthy, but oh well.

Anyways, other than that, pollen counts are up, temperatures are slowly rising, and I’m still sitting here listening to the dull roar of my fan on a nightly basis.

…except for the MCAT.

So what are my plans for the spring break? Well, this Friday I’ll be attending a tour at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston and maybe going to Shivani’s birthday party later that evening. I’ll be attending winter graduation this Saturday on behalf of Student Foundation. I’ll write a few paragraphs for Dr. Towery to put on his research poster for his presentation this summer in Shanghai. I’ll be finalizing random things for the AED National Convention right after Spring Break. And most importantly, I’ll be dedicating endless hours a day to studying for the MCAT.

It’s kind of interesting restudying for such a foreboding test with such a large amount of material. Fortunately, at this point, I have covered every topic tested on the MCAT in my coursework for school (unlike last time); therefore, I feel very confident this time around. I’m able to better relate the ExamKrackers information to literature I’ve read or scenarios I’ve encountered in class — kudos to all my professors.

After April 19th (MCAT test day), I’ll be excessively relieved. Applications will open within two weeks, graduation will be within a month, lots of banquets and end-of-year events to attend. I’m just so exhausted. One would think that spending a total of six years in high school and undergraduate college would encourage a student to keep that pace up. Not me. Well, at least not in the academic sense. I love finishing off the “menial” things early, so I can spend extra time to explore all the facets of the career which I wish to pursue. In this case, I’ll spend a year doing part-time molecular/genetic research at BCM and on my days off, watch Dr. Murphy work his magic in operating room 10 in a manner that very few can call their own – that of a neurosurgeon.

Well it’s almost 5:15 AM, and I can’t sleep. I suppose I’ll try… again. Hope everyone has a great start to their Spring Break, even though the weather forecast looks less-than-perfect.

I gave my last science (senior seminar) and non-science (speech) presentations within the last two weeks. This is my last Dead Day of my last winter quarter. In fact, this is my last “exam week”, since I won’t be taking final exams next quarter. I only have one more exam to take in a non-science class before the rest of my life is drowned in biology classes (next quarter and medical school). Once this quarter is over and I’ve helped my mom file tax stuff at the end of this week, another round of MCAT studying shall commence till April 19th. That, too, will be a last… until the USMLE.

I’ve received several e-mails thanking me for restarting the blog, and I suppose an explanation is deserved for shutting it down in the first place. Though it is deserved, you’re not getting one. =). Let’s just say that I’ve realized that this is my blog and that no one is entitled to change how I’m feeling and thereby change the content of my entries. You don’t have to read them, and you’re more than welcome to disagree with my opinions; however, they shouldn’t prevent me from writing.

I’ll be applying to medical school come this May and graduating from HBU a few weeks into the application process. Therefore, I’ll have an entire year to sleep. Thank you very much. =). No, but in all sincerity, I was seriously considering pursuing a research job at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Then, I figured I might as well do a similar, lab/research assistant job at Baylor College of Medicine. If you think that I’m trying to earn some brownie points with BCM before my (*hopefully*) interview, you’re part right. =). If I plan to attend the institution, I might as well get my foot in the door as soon as possible. I’ll be applying to several positions once the Spring Break has started.

Talking about medical school, before I got to HBU, I had my mind set on pursuing a Medical Scientist Training Program (a joint M.D./Ph.D. program). After seeing a fellow student from HBU get into BCM’s MSTP program, I felt inspired to reconsider this notion. It’s just a tough choice because I’ll be in school/residency/fellowship programs for the next fifteen years. Considering that I’ll be pursuing neurology, I feel that the additional research inherent to Ph.D. training will indirectly be tied into my line of work. Therefore, I might not pursue that MSTP afterall.

So what are my plans after this “last winter quarter?” Hardcore studying for the MCAT. Finalizing a personal statement worthy of submission to the Nobel Prize committee. And of course, keeping it real.

Best of luck to everyone on their finals this week!

Hmmm, so I’m registered to take my last two classes next quarter – Modern Analytical Techniques and Molecular Biology. Fortunately, I’ll be finishing off my career in the science college, and therefore have ample time to spend in my dorm (the purple chairs area), which I’m going to be renting out to freshmen after I graduate. *Cough.*

Well, I better finish my physical chemistry report. Amit and I have determined a mathematical model to predict our next lab report grade based on the previous ones. G(x) = 100 – 3x where ‘G’ represents the grade and ‘x’ represents the lab report number. I think we’re expecting to get an 82 on the next one. =).

Jonathan and I went to Husky Preview today to answer questions from potential high school students and their parents, and I think it went really well. It’s funny that a campus’ best form of advertisement is from its students, but it makes sense in a way. After all, who wants to listen to teachers boast about their school? You’d rather have students tell you the inside scoop.

Since this *is* a three-day weekend, I’m going to spend some time finalizing the new interface on my website. Hope everyone is enjoying the weather!

Assuming I finish the exam in a relatively prompt manner, I’ll commence working on my physical chemistry report at 9:30 AM in the purple chairs area where I plan to post another entry. As for now, my pillows await their king. Good night!