March Madness

Service Hours Completed: 6 hours 

Cumulative Spring Semester Service Hours: 9 hours

🎭 Mardi Gras Magic… and a Minor Setback

Time is flying by so fast! Mardi Gras was an absolute blast—I caught so many big beads and soaked in the excitement of the crowds and parades. Along with catching many beads, being around so many people I also caught a virus. 😷

The last few days of Mardi Gras and the first few days back at school were rough. I was down bad, but thankfully, I was able to attend lectures via Zoom. I feel incredibly fortunate to have such understanding professors who allowed me to work from home while recovering. Their support made all the difference, and I’m truly grateful.

💊 Diving Into Psychopharmacology

Despite the rocky start to the month, I was excited to jump into the Psychopharmacology Module. We explored a wide range of topics including:

• Mood disorders

• Anxiety

• Schizophrenia

• Insomnia

• Psychostimulant and hallucinogenic drugs

• Antidepressants

It was a fascinating module that tied together clinical and pharmaceutical knowledge in a meaningful way. I especially enjoyed learning how different medications affect neurotransmitters and influence behavior and mental health. 🧠💡

🌈 Volunteering at the Holi Festival

One of the major highlights of March was volunteering at the Holi Festival with Sophie. It was SO much fun! The energy was unmatched, and we got to meet an incredibly diverse group of people. We even made friends with fellow volunteers and some of the officers working the event. At one point, a spontaneous color war broke out among us! It was hilarious to experience and by the end so many of the colors mixed on us and it was not appealing anymore. 

The beautiful part of Holi is how it brings strangers together. Everyone was friendly, open, and just there to have a good time. No one was safe from being doused in colorful powder, and the atmosphere was pure celebration. We also had the chance to try a variety of foods from different vendors. My favorites were the viral fruit ice cream and some amazing chicken tikka masala. 🍦🍛

🧬 Wrapping Up MedPharm & Looking Ahead

With Psychopharmacology behind us, we officially wrapped up Medical Pharmacology and Principles. It’s such a milestone moment! What’s left on the docket:

• Cell Control

• A Neuropharmacology group presentation

• An Endocrine solo presentation

• An Advances group presentation

It’s surreal how quickly time is flying. We’re almost at the finish line, and while it’s incredibly exciting, it’s also a bit bittersweet. Many of my classmates won’t be staying in New Orleans after graduation, and I’m already feeling the nostalgia. But I’m also filled with excitement. The application cycle is approaching, and I’m looking forward to continuing my studies here. This next chapter is coming fast and I’m ready!