To The Biology Professor At Nassau Community College That Changed My Life

To The Biology Professor At Nassau Community College That Changed My Life

“They may take away your house, clothes, and reputation but they must never take your mind.”

Dear Professor,

As I walked into your Biology 109 class, I did not know what to expect.

The class was about 50 some odd students that filled the lecture hall with MacBook computers and print-out PowerPoint notes. It was the largest class I've ever been in and the fears of a large class size seemed to be apparent. The attendance took three to five minutes since you went off of rosters, not clickers. To those who sat in the back of your lecture hall, it was tough luck. You're naturally soft spoken, and listening was difficult to those who didn't bother with the subject.

As a matter of fact, you are so soft spoken that you need a PERSONAL headset microphone for assistance. However, that didn’t really matter to me. I sat up in the front, along with three or four other brave souls, and soaked in every piece of biological information that came out of your mouth.

You made me realize that being in the front is important in establishing proper engagement to an instructor. Eye contact was easier. I can ask and answer your questions on a more personal level. I was able to stay awake and alert (although I was almost victim to slumber MANY times!). Most importantly, YOU REMEMBERED MY NAME (after a couple of Jeffrey’s, a Dylan, and three George’s).

You made me change my study habits and do real work in the library.

“Make sure that you read to understand, not memorize.”

“Keep going over the material down to the T. Make sure that you know it so well that you can just spew it out no problem.”

“Make sure you study for 30 minutes, then TAKE A BREAK, then go back to studying.”

During my time with you in Biology 110, some of the most important pieces of advice I've ever heard from you came up during a conversation with a struggling student.

“You have to be obsessed.”

Why was I doing so well in your class? You taught me to simply be obsessed with what I'm learning, obsessed with what I'm going to hopefully make a living out of. When you're obsessed, you can't stop thinking about it, reading it, or seeing it. I joined the Tri-Beta Honor Society and Biology club because of you. I got to do college research for the first time, and I don't regret it at all. You told me to apply to internships everywhere, and I finally got into the S-STEM program at Stony Brook after getting rejected from two other programs. Thank you for believing in me.

You taught me that mind will always be over matter.

“They may take away your house, your clothes, your reputation, but they must never take your mind.”

You were right. You still are and it helped me graduate Nassau Community College within two years and earn an associate degree with a 3.5 GPA. I couldn't have done it without you.

Whenever I hear students say "Professor Jones is so hard on us” or “Her exams are so difficult,” I just laugh. I know that in the end, you care about the students you teach, but hold us accountable for our school work in and out of the classroom.

Thank you for everything you've done for me not only as a professor, but as a human being.

You've changed my life.



Cover Image Credit: Pexels

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8 Reasons Why My Dad Is the Most Important Man In My Life

Forever my number one guy.

Growing up, there's been one consistent man I can always count on, my father. In any aspect of my life, my dad has always been there, showing me unconditional love and respect every day. No matter what, I know that my dad will always be the most important man in my life for many reasons.

1. He has always been there.

Literally. From the day I was born until today, I have never not been able to count on my dad to be there for me, uplift me and be the best dad he can be.

2. He learned to adapt and suffer through girly trends to make me happy.

I'm sure when my dad was younger and pictured his future, he didn't think about the Barbie pretend pageants, dressing up as a princess, perfecting my pigtails and enduring other countless girly events. My dad never turned me down when I wanted to play a game, no matter what and was always willing to help me pick out cute outfits and do my hair before preschool.

3. He sends the cutest texts.

Random text messages since I have gotten my own cell phone have always come my way from my dad. Those randoms "I love you so much" and "I am so proud of you" never fail to make me smile, and I can always count on my dad for an adorable text message when I'm feeling down.

4. He taught me how to be brave.

When I needed to learn how to swim, he threw me in the pool. When I needed to learn how to ride a bike, he went alongside me and made sure I didn't fall too badly. When I needed to learn how to drive, he was there next to me, making sure I didn't crash.

5. He encourages me to best the best I can be.

My dad sees the best in me, no matter how much I fail. He's always there to support me and turn my failures into successes. He can sit on the phone with me for hours, talking future career stuff and listening to me lay out my future plans and goals. He wants the absolute best for me, and no is never an option, he is always willing to do whatever it takes to get me where I need to be.

6. He gets sentimental way too often, but it's cute.

Whether you're sitting down at the kitchen table, reminiscing about your childhood, or that one song comes on that your dad insists you will dance to together on your wedding day, your dad's emotions often come out in the cutest possible way, forever reminding you how loved you are.

7. He supports you, emotionally and financially.

Need to vent about a guy in your life that isn't treating you well? My dad is there. Need some extra cash to help fund spring break? He's there for that, too.

8. He shows me how I should be treated.

Yes, my dad treats me like a princess, and I don't expect every guy I meet to wait on me hand and foot, but I do expect respect, and that's exactly what my dad showed I deserve. From the way he loves, admires, and respects me, he shows me that there are guys out there who will one day come along and treat me like that. My dad always advises me to not put up with less than I deserve and assures me that the right guy will come along one day.

For these reasons and more, my dad will forever be my No. 1 man. I love you!

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Body Image Lessons That I Didn't Learn From A Professor

What I realized about body image my freshman year of college


Girls usually struggle with self image in general. But the game changes when it's time to go to college. When you are constantly surrounded by your peers, you begin to compare all of the little things they do to you. You compare their bodies to yours. You try to figure out what they are doing that you're not. Or vice versa, why they don't have to do anything to look the way they do. But by the end of my first year, I realized that I would never be happy with myself if I kept thinking this way. So I recorded some realizations I had throughout the year that helped me to improve my body image.

My body is, and never will be the same as any other girl... and that's okay

Different sized and shaped strawberries

It can be so easy in college to compare your body to the girls that surround you. Like the one's live with and you see on a daily basis. There is no point in comparing apples to oranges, so why would you compare your body to a girl who was made completely different? So what you can't fit into her party pants, you can rock another pair just as well.

What works for her, might not work for me

Daily Planner

With different body types, comes different food and exercise needs. Some girls don't need to work out or eat healthy to keep a slim frame. Some girls are naturally muscular. Your routine needs to be catered to you, and there is no need to analyze what someone else eats or does to try to attain their stature. You have to do what feels right for YOUR body to have a good self image.

Don't spend too much time on istagram

Obviously social media effects our body image because of how easily and frequently photos are edited and then presented for the most likes. So if there is a certain account that always makes you feel bad when you see their content, unfollow, and take that aspect out of your life. However, because social media is unavoidable you can't completely escape all the provoking images. So when scrolling, think positively about those who's pictures you see, don't compare, and be aware of the previous lessons.

It's okay for your body to fluctuate

The weight and look of your body can easily fluctuate, It's just natural. And in the same way your life fluctuates, your body may follow along and thats not a big deal! In exam season, there might not be enough time to go to the gym everyday. Or during the holidays there might be an increase of indulgence in treats. But its all okay as long as your getting things done or enjoying life. The only time it becomes an issue if the fluctuations turn unhealthy.

Cut out the negativity

If a friend is constantly complaining to you about their body, it can trigger distress in you, and set you back. So if someone else's body image issues are interfering with you mentally, you need to call them out on their B.S. or stop allowing them say those things in front of you.

Wear clothes that you feel comfortable in

If you wear things that you feel comfortable in, then you wont constantly be thinking about how your stomach, legs, or arms look throughout the day. Wear something that you are confident in, even if it means wearing leggings every day of the week!

I'm not a little kid anymore, therefore my body is not going to look like one

Curves and changes that come after high school can take anyone by surprise, but it's supposed to happen. You can't really be mad at can only find the beauty in it.

Everyone has their own insecurities

Even if someone has your ideal body, odds are they still despise theirs. I have met friends in college that are stick skinny, yet are self conscious about it. I know curvy girls that are very insecure. And even an "average" body type has a thousand things that they nit-pick about themselves. No one has their dream body and never will, which is why I had to learn to love the little things about mine.

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