Junior Year Reflection

~Reflections/ Philosophy~

I would have never thought that I'd be able to learn so much in less than a year. The dental hygiene program at West Los Angeles College is the most challenging thing that I have ever done. It incorporates mental and physical levels of learning, beyond anything I have experienced before. At first, I was afraid that it would all be too difficult to actually learn, but when I look back on the past year, some of those things are now second nature. And it just goes to show that with time comes experience and with experience comes success. So my biggest goal for senior year is to get as much experience as I can, not to be afraid, not to be the wallpaper, but to immerse myself in all that is clinic, in all that is dental hygiene. To take chances, to get experience, to make mistakes so that I can learn from them and grow as not only a dental hygienist but as a person. Being the youngest in my class, I guess I don't have as much life experience as my classmates do. But this program is really shaping me and making me a stronger, better individual. No longer will I wait for the perfect moment in life, I'll take the moment and make it perfect. In senior year, I want to take action and be active, push my limits and expand my mind by absorbing everything around me. I don't want to see the patient as someone with a list of symptoms, but as an individual with needs, as someone that I can make a life-changing impact on. Senior year will be about giving back to the patients and to the community. Putting a healthy smile on people's faces. I hope that I'll have enough patience to work with all those patients because even though I have learned so much up until now, there will be so much more to learn senior year.

Senior Year Reflection

Eleanor Roosevelt said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." A year ago, I had hopes and dreams. Today, I have reached them and the feeling is immeasurable. I cannot say that the journey was easy, but I can say that I would easily do again. My two years at West Los Angeles College will be something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I have grown from the challenges and learned from all the experiences. It has changed me for the better and given me purpose. I can honestly say that I love what I do, because it is so much more than cleaning teeth, it is making healthier people in so many different aspects. A great role that I have as a hygienist is an educator. Teachers empower others with knowledge and the power to change. I am proud to say that I have been able to change my patients’ lives. But I definitely would not be here today if it was not for the teachers in my life. My professors' tough love, wisdom, expertise, and faith in me have brought me here today and for that I am forever thankful. This is truly a bittersweet moment, the blood, sweat, and tears were worth it and I know I earned this. I am honored to be able to play such an integral part in the field of dentistry and healthcare. I have come a long way but even though my educational journey has ended at WLAC, my journey of learning has not because I know that there is so much more to learn in dentistry. But I feel confident that my training during the past two years has prepared me for what is ahead. This may be the end, but it is also the beginning, the beginning of something great, and I’m ready for any challenge, ready to represent West Los Angeles College, ready to represent the field of dental hygiene!