Introduction to Andrew
Hi! My name is Andrew Barton and I am currently a senior
here at OU. My major is pre-medicine/biochemistry, so obviously this class is a
little out of range from what I normally am taking during the semester. Right
now, being a senior, I am applying to medical school. This is definitely not an
easy process, but I am almost done with the application aspects of it. If I had
to choose as to what medical school I could attend, it would be OU, since this
is my home and I would be absolutely privileged to serve the community,
especially where help is needed most.
This summer, I went on one vacation to Seacrest Beach in Florida.
For the remainder of the summer, I took Quantitative Analysis here at OU. The
class wasn’t too terrible – the only “bad” part of the class was that lab was
four times a week from 10:30-1:20. Other than those two things, my summer was pretty
relaxing.
I’m involved in a few student-led organizations at OU, with
the primary one being Soonerthon. I have served on its executive committee for
the past two years (freshman year I was only a participant), being a part of
the Operations Staff. Another organization that I spent some time with was Camp
Crimson, during my sophomore year summer, I had the privilege of being a SGL for
the Boomer session of camp. I’m also heavily involved in my Greek IFC Organization,
being the scholarship chair one semester and the chapter editor another
semester.
Some of my favorite things to watch are: “It’s Always Sunny in
Philadelphia”, “Trailer Park Boys”, and “The Office”. Each of these shows have
simultaneously contributed/alleviated stress I’ve dealt with because of my class.
They contributed to my stress mainly through the fact that they would help me
procrastinate on some of my assignments. My favorite albums at the moments are:
“IGOR”, “BORN LIKE THIS”, “Veteran”, and “Arizona Baby”. Music is definitely something
that I love to talk about with other people, even if they have drastically
different opinions on what is “good”.
Me (left) and my friend Jarrod Daily-Paddock at Camp Crimson (2017)
Taken with iPhone
It is exciting to have someone involved in all these campus activities, Andrew! When the announcements get started next week, I include some kind of campus event every day, so you can keep me posted on events you are involved in that I can include the announcements. There is always stuff happening every day, but of course the best events to include are the ones connected with people actually in the class! And music can definitely be a part of this class: maybe you will want to write some ballads of your own this semester... and it's super-easy to include YouTube videos and playlists inside blog posts too. So, I hope this class can be stress-free and even stress-reducing in the midst of your busy senior year!
ReplyDeleteHi Andrew! I'm a pre-med in chemical biosciences, so mythology and folklore is also different compared to my other classes. It's cool that you've been a part of student organizations. It's unique to the college experience.
ReplyDeleteYou had a lab that took up 12 hours a week?! In the summer?! Kudos to you for working hard for your goals. The path to being a doctor is hard, but we will make it :)
I also love the office, especially Jim's pranks.
Hi Andrew!
ReplyDeleteMy roommate has your exact major so I know how time consuming yet rewarding it can be. I am studying Electrical Engineering so I too feel a little out of my element but have loved this experience so far. I think it's important to go outside of our comfort zones which it sounds like we both did in enrolling in this class. I am a senior too so am looking to finish this year off strong and leave OU on a good note.
Hi Andrew!
ReplyDeleteBeing a Biology Pre-PA major, I am also out of my element. So far though, the class has been great and gone by so smoothly. When it comes to watching shows, I can definitely agree. They can take your mind off things or cause even more stress. Good luck in your senior year and hopefully your stress levels will be reduced!
Hi Andrew! I appreciated your comment on my intro blog, so I decided to visit your blog too! Whenever a pre-Med student tells me that they are pre-Med AND also major in Biochemistry, Biology, MicroBio, Chemistry, etc I am both proud and scared/sorry for them. I often feel as though I get enough science and stress by being pre-Med, so its cool that others do not share my opinion and want to gain even more knowledge! I really relate to your comment about how your favorite shows act as a stress relief and a tool for procrastination. The "one more episode" thing is a struggle for me. I'm looking forward to reading more of your blog posts as the semester continues!
ReplyDeleteHey Andrew!
ReplyDeleteI admire your dedication to your field and wish you the best of luck in applying to medical school! It's great that you've been so involved on campus - there are so many amazing opportunities to work with the OU community! Music is a huge part of my life and it is always interesting to hear what others have to say about it. There are so many genres out there and everyone clicks with different sounds. I keep meaning to start The Office - I feel like it's one of those classic shows I need to see! Hopefully I won't fall into the procrastination trap too much once I start!
Hi Andrew! It is so great that you are so involved on campus. I am definitely lacking in my involvement, and I do not understand how people like you keep up with it all. To do all of that in addition to applying for med school and doing biochemistry as your major? I don't understand how you get any sleep at all.
ReplyDeleteI also love The Office and have found it to be a great procrastination tool, but also one of comfort! Sometimes you just need that in life. Anyways, I look forward to reading your posts!
Hey Andrew!
ReplyDeleteThat is a really awesome and tough major! OU’s medical school is a really great one especially since you are from here, how exciting to be applying. I am jealous of your relaxing summer; I was doing something mainly work related every week of summer up until 2 weeks ago and it took all my energy, I need another summer to make up for it haha. I love Soonerthon one of y good friends has been on exec for them these past 2 years also! Good luck with all your medical school applications, I am looking forward to reading your stories this semester!
Andrew,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your ambitions are strong. I have heard the process of medical school can be quite rigorous but I wish the best for you! I am glad you got some time to relax this summer. We all need a little vacation. I am only a part of one organization at OU but it is very rewarding and makes you feel closer to the school. I am glad you are a part of so many organizations. Good luck with school!
Hi Andrew!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the med school application process! I know its incredibly stressful. Do you watch Fantano's music reviews? Weird question if you don't but I have a hunch. Do you like JPEGMAFIA's new album? I'm really enjoying it so far and I dig the new direction he's going, although it doesn't hit as hard as Veteran did.
Hi Andrew! I know how you feel about taking a class like this. Last fall I took Laura' other class, Indian Epics, and it was so different from my other classes because I was taking Genetics and Microbiology so it was definitely out of the usual science classes range. However, these classes are so interesting and so fun! Good luck with the med school application process! I hope you get into a great school!
ReplyDeleteHi Andrew! I really enjoyed reading your intro! I love that you were an SGL your sophomore year! I was too, but I served during Whoop-Te-Do. It was one of my favorite things I've ever done! I was a part of the Miller fam and loved every single person I met there! I bet you had a similar experience! Also, I love the Office as well! It's the best EVER! Have a great semester!
ReplyDeleteAndrew,
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the different things you are involved in. I love getting to make connections and get involved on campus as well, and it is great to see you have found things you are passionate about. It is also great that you are taking this class which is not normal for you, it is good to get out of your comfort zone!
Hi Andrew! Thank you so much for sharing! It is awesome to see that you are involved with so many organizations at OU. Also, I am totally impressed that you are applying to medical schools right now… I know that applying takes so much time, but kudos to you for getting through it! I can’t wait to read more of your posts!
ReplyDeleteAndrew,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your almost graduation! It sounds like you are very involved with extracurricular activities, so kudos to that. I lack that motivation to do anything other than my classes. Right now, I am taking Research Methods for my degree, so we are learning about both quantitative and qualitative analysis. It is pretty much the most boring class ever. I mean, I don't mind statistics, but I'm a social work major... I don't really plan on doing research. Keep up the motivation! It was nice meeting you :)
Hey Andrew! I'm a PR/Pre-Med senior this year, in the midst of the med school application cycle, so I definitely feel your pain there. I'm not the best at being patient and waiting for things, so the length of the cycle and the stress really gets to me sometimes. I'm hoping to get into OU's medical school as well, so maybe we'll be MS1's together someday! Good luck with your cycle and good luck with this semester, I hope it turns out well!
ReplyDeleteHey Andrew!
ReplyDeleteTalk about being out of your element, I'm an industrial and systems engineering major, so I definitely know what you're talking about. Pre-med is such a difficult track, but if you make it to the end, it will pay off exponentially, so I wish you the best going forward. Soonerthon is awesome, and it's cool to see you're a part of it. Being involved and doing school is so hard, so congrats on doing awesome things! Good luck with the rest of the semester.
Hey there Andrew! Thanks for sharing a little bit of who you are with the class. I happen to know exactly what you are going through as a senior pre-med student as well. So far I have been on three interviews and accepted to the first two, still waiting to hear back from the third! I hope your luck has been just as good, and you were able to get into OU. Remember that no matter what, us pre-med students are fighters and eventually we will reach our goals of becoming doctors! Best of luck for the rest of the semester.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrew,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your impending graduation, and best of luck with the medical school process! It’s a stressful time, I’m sure, but I hope that the results get you going in the direction you’d like.
Soonerthon is coming up in the Spring, right? Is there a lot that you have to do in preparation?
Best,
A.M.