A New Semester, A Major Change

Hello and welcome back! The second semester of my sophomore year is officially underway and I could not be more excited! I’ve definitely missed PC these past five weeks, and it’s been super weird (but relaxing) not having any homework or deadlines to meet. Over break, I got to spend time with my family, watch Criminal Minds marathons, hang out with my friends from high school, catch up on my reading…it was the perfect vacation. My time down in Maryland was wonderful, but I’m definitely glad to be back.

I also have some news to share with you guys. Remember how I mentioned in one of my blogs that I was considering a double major? Well, I’ve tweaked that plan a bit…

As of today, I am no longer majoring in Biology, and I am no longer a member of the Premedical Sciences program.  I just switched my major to Health Policy and Management (HPM).  And while I still see myself in the healthcare field, I am now looking to become involved in the health policy aspect instead of nursing.   Why the change? Story time…

Last summer, I was privileged enough to intern at the American College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP), located just outside of D.C. The ACNP is a non-profit organization that acts as an advocate for nurse practitioners and, through its work with other nursing organizations, healthcare professionals, and lobbyists, it works to expand the scope of NP practice so that NPs are able to practice to the full extent of their capabilities. I absolutely loved this internship. Not only did I work for an amazing group of people, but I learned so much, and my experience at the ACNP made me realize just how interested I am in health policy.

And, once my classes started last semester, I realized Biology wasn’t really for me after all. When it came down to it, I just wasn’t happy. I wasn’t enjoying my classes, and I wasn’t interested in what I was learning. As the semester progressed, I found myself wanting to study Biology less and less and wanting to switch to HPM more and more.

Now, if you’re thinking about majoring in Biology, I would certainly encourage you to keep PC at the top of your list because they offer an amazing program. You will be challenged, you will have professors who are extremely knowledgeable and passionate, you will have tons of opportunities in terms of research and involvement within the department. If you are interested in Biology, the Biology program at PC is a wonderful place for you to be. The only problem was that I realized my interests did not lie in Biology after all, so I made a change. I am confident I made the right decision and I could not be more excited about it.

So, as a newly declared HPM major, what does my schedule look like this semester? I will be taking an HPM introductory class called the American Healthcare System, which will allow me to study how our healthcare system has changed over time, how healthcare is delivered, and possible ways to reform the system.  I am also taking my fourth (and final) semester of Honors Development of Western Civilization (Civ).  And, I’m taking a couple courses to fulfill PC’s core requirements.  For the theology core, I’m taking a class called Reformation Theology and for my Fine Arts requirement, I’m taking Art of the Ancient Classical World!

Okay, I guess that’s enough updating for now. I will definitely keep you guys posted on how my semester goes, I promise! And, as always, if you have any questions about anything at all, please don’t hesitate to send them my way!

Have a great week, everyone!