Health Science Reviews

By Maxene Rich

I entered this year coming into a completely new environment being away from home and living with other people for the first time, making new friends, and starting a degree in a field I had not majored in during my undergraduate studies. Although this might seem quite terrifying for most people, I knew that it was nothing short of God’s good graces that I made it this far, and I was far more excited than I was scared.

I’ve always had an immense passion for science and the desire to helping others and contributing to the realm of bettering people’s lives, but, throughout my life, that has always looked very different- from wanting to be a dentist, to wanting to go into molecular biology and now I have the opportunity to contribute by being a scientist in the field of genetics.

I anticipated that the year would present significant pressure, as I was the only student in my class without an undergraduate background in genetics, despite being well-versed in bioinformatics, molecular biology, and pharmacology. Additionally, I have always been a highly competitive athlete in both swimming and calisthenics and could not let my passion and talent for my sport fail either. The balance between my studies and sport have led to many early mornings waking up to study and many late evenings getting home from training but, through both, I have made the most incredible friendships and support systems.

Right from the beginning, honours felt like being put in an autoclave where immense heat and pressure was the norm. From having to complete modules in 3 weeks or less, it’s safe to say that if you are not passionate about what you are studying, honours certainly would not have been kind to you. I have learned the most incredible and interesting things in the first few months of being here and, like a greedy sponge, I only want to know more.

Having to do a thesis project really ties all the pressures and passions of this year together. Not only do I get to learn and absorb so much fascinating information, but I also get to contribute to my area of studies and make a difference. Although there is a lot of hard work that needs to be done, the intensity of the experience has enriched my desire for growth both for myself and the betterment of people’s health. I am deeply grateful for both the experiences and the opportunities that this year brings.