My Journey at UT

Ashley WalkerDate: 09-22-09 NURS1000-003

Who am I?

My name is Ashley Walker, and I am from Malvern, Ohio. I am 19 years old. My best friend is named Alicia. I graduated from Malvern High School with my other 44 classmates. My town is very small, but we are powerful! I hate spaghetti, and love shrimp. I am caring, and love meeting new people.

What about my family?People would not know that I am adopted. I met my forever family on August 13, 2004. I, biologically, have 9 other brothers and sisters. I now have 2 brothers, Troy and Jonathan. I am 7 years younger than my older brother, and 12 years older than my younger brother. I only keep in contact with a couple of my biological sisters.

What are my interests? I cheered for Malvern High School. It was a really great experience to get the crowd cheering. In my spare time I like to hang out with my best friend Alicia. I also sing and dance. I participated in the school play “Little Shop of Horrors” in the spring. I also love running. I ran track from middle school to high school. I played in the band ever since 5th grade. I played the flute and piccolo. I can also play other instruments too. What many people do not know is that I am a snowboarder. I love the winter months!

High School

Best Friend

Show Choir

Track

What it’s like being a student! UT has been an amazing experience so far. Sure the work is hard, but at the same time, I know that I will have a successful career in the end. I have met some great people. My instructors are nice, and very helpful. I have gained so much useful information so far that will help me succeed, and I hope that it continues to be that way.

Why I want to be a nurse!As a young child, I have decided that I wanted to go into the medical field. At first, I wanted to be an EMT. As years progressed, and many trips to the hospital later, I decided I wanted to be a nurse. I liked the thought of taking care of people and making them comfortable. So many nurses were nice to me, and I figured that one day, I might take care of them.

Nursing through the media Being a doctor is very critical, but I think that

nurses need to be projected more in the media because not only do they register a patient, but they help the doctor, like in surgery. One show that doesn’t really put nurses out there is ER. Scrubs features nurses, but I doubt that all nurses act like them. It almost seems unrealistic. Nurses often do not get enough credit. Also, nurses are sometimes the people that are having affairs with the doctors and such on television. They are not portrayed as good people. I think that is wrong and it needs to be changed.

Ways I learned to study.I am a very audio and visual person. If I can see and hear it, I will learn it. Whenever I need help, I turn to either a classmate for help or an instructor that could help me. I know some students find it “not cool” to ask questions and understand material, but it really does help. I’m sure everyone wants to be successful. Power points are often very helpful to me, and typing information seems to work.

My mission as a student.

My mission is to become a very successful student in my studies. I plan to overcome many obstacles to achieve what I want.As a student I will look for guidance from professors, or tutors. I will study and pass all of my courses, that way I can prove to myself that I can, and will, do anything. I will, as a nurse, give everything my all and dutifully help and serve the people. It is my responsibility to achieve these goals, and be successful.

Academics for 2009-2010Courses Fall 2009Psychology 1010Math 1180Chemistry 1090BiodiversityChemistry Recitation Nursing OrientationPsychology Discussion

Courses Spring 2010Chemistry 1120Computer ApplicationsCollege Comp. 1French 1Anatomy and PhysiologyAnatomy and Physiology

Lab

Academics for 2010-2011Courses Spring 2010Chemistry 1120Computer ApplicationsCollege Comp. 1French 1Anatomy and PhysiologyAnatomy and Physiology

Lab

Courses Fall 2011Anatomy and Physiology 2Anatomy and Physiology 2

LabHumanities CourseStatisticsA Non-Western Diversity

Course

My Academic PlanOne of the most important core electives I am taking right now is my Nursing Orientation. This impacts my major because it is setting me up for what other nursing classes I have to take in the near future.

New ExperiencesBeing at the University of

Toledo, I have gotten to experience so much. I got to experience what it was like to be in a bigger school, which was a shock. I have met many people from around the state and internationally. Living on my own has become the biggest change of all. I now know what it is like living three and a half hours away from home. I like going to the football and volleyball games and getting rowdy with the crowd. I like spending time with new friends and having a flexible schedule.

Connections with a FriendI think my closest friend

here at The University of Toledo is my roommate, Bethany. She lives close to my hometown, and she also participated in Honors Band with me my Junior year of high school. She makes me feel the most comfortable, and we always have a good time. Whatever I need, she is always there to listen or to help.

Connections with a ProfessorThe one thing I like most about one professor is the

way he teaches his material. I think that putting visual pictures in his presentations and also putting videos to go along with what he is teaching is very unique and helpful to us as students. This is the best way I learn and I like the way he teaches things. If you need clarification about something he will either take time to talk with you after class or he will answer your questions in class. He keeps the class entertained by telling us little stories about his life experiences. Overall, I think he is a very good professor.

My ResourcesI find myself in the library a

lot using the resources that are provided. I like to sit in the study rooms and study for my tests or to just do my homework. I spend a good amount of my time in the library. I have used the computers to look up information about a subject. It is a nice place to go to escape from all the noise and stress being around your home may give you. It is quiet and it provides many places to study.

Engaging in the CommunityI am involved with a

group called CAP, Campus Activities and Programming. Being involved in CAP is a good experience to show your appreciation for your school and find ways to make things better. We plan activities for students here at UT to make their time at the university enjoyable.

University ConnectionsThe University of Toledo is special to me

because it offers one of the best nursing programs. I love being able to walk around campus and enjoy the scenery. It has a lot of history to it, and I am still learning more to this day about our wonderful university. The academics are wonderful as well. I like the fact of being able to get into study groups and go to tutoring. The University of Toledo has so much to offer to its students, whether it’s academically or recreationally.

Community ConnectionsToledo is special to me

because it is a bigger than my hometown. It gives me an opportunity to branch out to other people from everywhere around the state. I think getting involved with the community, like projects, is a good way to get to know more people and make yourself feel better also.

Being a CitizenBeing a citizen in

the world means a lot to me because I can see the interactions between people and reactions that occur. I like being able to help with things in my community. Like volunteering with a project.

What will I be doing in 5 years?

After I graduate, I plan on moving to a bigger city and working in a hospital as a registered nurse. I choose the bigger cities because I know there will be more work for me there, than if I would stay close to home. I will be interested in any opportunity that comes around, but what I want the most is to be in a bigger city with a high population.

Where will I be in 10 years?In ten years I plan to be a very busy, successful nurse. I also want to be married and possibly starting a family by that time. I also would like to travel to other countries helping people in either 10 years or more.

My JourneyMaking goals my first year of college is good

for me because I can look back on what I wanted to accomplish and if I did succeed in accomplishing everything I thought I would. It is a good way to live your life because if you want something as bad as you think you do, you will work harder to achieve it. I hope to complete all my goals and see that this reflection has helped me in the years I will be going to college.