Introduction Post
My name is Camryn McPherson, and I am a senior graduating in May from the University of Oklahoma. I will graduate with a Multidisciplinary Studies degree. It is difficult for me to explain my degree any other way than this: I get to pick every class I take and form my own major. This is both a blessing and a curse! My three areas of focus are Biology, Chemistry and Health and Exercise Sciences. All in all, I am basically earning three minors for my major.
Although my college career is filled with endless science courses, this past semester I got (stuck) in an Intro to HR night class that met two nights a week for eight weeks. What at first seemed like a nightmare, ended up to be one of my favorite classes at OU so far. I enjoyed the small class setting that was discussion-based. Our ability to "unpack" many current social issues was a unique experience. I heard many different opinions in an arena of open discussion, which is hard to find in our critical, judgmental world we live in.
But enough of that.
In my spare time, I love anything and everything to do with music, singing, dancing and acting. I am heavily involved in both University Sing and Sooner Scandals at OU. Both of these events have brought me the best mentors, friends and even a boyfriend. I owe most of my college experience to University Sing and Sooner Scandals. My academic career is stressful, and I am lucky to do what I love on the side. Below is a picture of my cast in our Sooner Scandals show from spring of 2017.
What lies in the future is not in my hands. HOWEVER, I am in the process of interviewing for PA school. My career goal is to become a Physician Assistant. It is a rigorous graduate program, but I am determined to get accepted and fulfill my dreams. I hope to work with patients and hold compassionate, open conversations with them. I am excited to work in a field that allows me to meet and engage with a wide variety of people each and every day.
Although my college career is filled with endless science courses, this past semester I got (stuck) in an Intro to HR night class that met two nights a week for eight weeks. What at first seemed like a nightmare, ended up to be one of my favorite classes at OU so far. I enjoyed the small class setting that was discussion-based. Our ability to "unpack" many current social issues was a unique experience. I heard many different opinions in an arena of open discussion, which is hard to find in our critical, judgmental world we live in.
But enough of that.
In my spare time, I love anything and everything to do with music, singing, dancing and acting. I am heavily involved in both University Sing and Sooner Scandals at OU. Both of these events have brought me the best mentors, friends and even a boyfriend. I owe most of my college experience to University Sing and Sooner Scandals. My academic career is stressful, and I am lucky to do what I love on the side. Below is a picture of my cast in our Sooner Scandals show from spring of 2017.
(Source: Personal Photo)
What lies in the future is not in my hands. HOWEVER, I am in the process of interviewing for PA school. My career goal is to become a Physician Assistant. It is a rigorous graduate program, but I am determined to get accepted and fulfill my dreams. I hope to work with patients and hold compassionate, open conversations with them. I am excited to work in a field that allows me to meet and engage with a wide variety of people each and every day.
-Camryn
I am so glad you liked that HR class, Camryn! Although this is a Humanities class, it sounds like that discussion-based approach is very much like the storytelling-based approach in this class. You get to use the space of your imagination to explore our world while not being stuck inside the constraints of our world... and then you get to see also what other students in the class imagine for their stories. I hope you will have fun with that. Maybe you will also want to explore some of the Indian medical myths and legends too; the monkey-god Hanuman, for example, is famous as a healer as you'll learn when you get to the story of Hanuman and the mountain of herbs; this is Hanuman flying back to the battlefield with the mountain: Hanuman and the Sanjeevani Herb
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you Camryn, and best of luck to you as you apply and interview for PA programs. I have a roommate who is interviewing now for graduate audiology programs, and what I can tell, the process seems similar to the PA process, so I know it is very strenuous. It sounds as if you are very passionate about the field and have a great background with your Multidisciplinary degree though, so I am sure you will find the right program for you!
ReplyDeleteOnce again, best of luck! :)
Wow, it's not often I hear of another person with a planned program. It really is a blessing and a curse to be able to pick out all of those classes yourself. I often have found myself in a pickle when trying to take classes through other colleges. In the end I feel that it is worth the hassle because of the level of customization offered in multi disciplinary/ planned programs. I also enjoy music, though I don't sing much. Playing an instrument is my main musical activity as well as composing.
ReplyDeleteHi Camryn! Congratulations on graduating soon! That is so cool that you made your own planned program and I definitely understand what you mean when you said you have endless science courses. Wow, I admire how talented you are in fine arts! I wish you lots of luck on getting into physician assistant school! You sound very passionate and they would be lucky to have you!
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your final semester before graduation Camryn, and on your interviews for PA school! Are you applying to different PA schools or focusing on just one? Hopefully you are able to find a way to keep up with all the fine arts perfomances you do while still in PA school, I know from a friend that it can quickly eat up all of you time.
ReplyDeleteHey Camryn!
ReplyDeleteYikes, that is literally so much science. I remember when we both lived in the Delta Shelta that you were ALWAYS in the study room, getting it done. I'm sure you're gonna get into a great PA school! My best friend from high school has been applying to PA schools all semester, so I know how stressful it can be. I hope you're finding fun ways to relax and enjoy your last semester at OU! Your scandals/Using shows are always so amazing! I can't wait to see what you and the other musical members of DDD come up with this year!
Hi Camryn!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a very interesting mix of classes for your degree! My roommate was a HES major, so I know some of the classes he had to take and I would definitely not want to do all that on top of other science courses. But I hope this semester isn't too stressful for you! I'm graduating in May as well and am very excited for it. I remember doing the first event for USing my freshman year. It sounds like it has been a very rewarding experience for you!
Hi Carmyn!
ReplyDeleteThat is a very interesting major and wow, you picked some hard disciplines to study. Congrats on being set to graduate this semester. It's so cool that you enjoy acting, dancing and singing. Is that something one day that you might try and do as a hobby in local productions? Hope everything goes well in your grad school program after graduation.
Hi Camryn!
ReplyDeleteWow you are very organized, just had to say that, because I was looking for your introduction and saw you've done almost or all of the assignments for this class. I have a friend who is also graduating this May with a Multidisciplinary Studies degree, so I completely understand when you say that it is hard to describe, but that is not an easy degree. You are also part of Sooner Scandals, which is amazing! Good luck with this semester and congratulations on graduating soon!
Hi Camryn! Thank you for sharing some things about your life with us. I am encouraged to hear about your major/minors choice! That is incredible that you are passionate about multiple areas and places. I also enjoyed your quote about having something you love outside of your studies. I think it is important to have at least one extra activity we love outside of classes/studying. Excited for you as you continue and stoked to have this class with you! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHello Camryn!
ReplyDeleteWow, I feel like I know you already from reading your introduction. That's crazy because I love doing University Sing and Scandals too, so maybe I'll see you in the spring doing that! It sounds like you've had a very busy college career so far with a multidisciplinary science track, but I'm glad you've found fun and exciting things to balance out your busy school life. Good luck on graduating in May!
Hi Camryn! Congratulations on graduating this semester and good look with interviews for PA school! I also want to be a PA, there actually seems like quite a few of us in this class. Your degree sounds like a lot. I am a biology major but I could not imaging basically minoring in all three. It is really great that you got involved with big things like U sing and Scandals, because I know how time consuming science classes can be. I am glad you found your balance. Nice meeting you!
ReplyDeleteHi Camryn!
ReplyDeleteI love classes like your HR class that are a surprise favorite! I took an astronomy class at OCCC my sophomore year that I wasn't expecting to like at all, but it ended up being one of my favorites. Ever since that class I've been much more interested in news about space and astrophysics. I hope you can continue to find ways to discuss and "unpack" interesting social topics.
Hey Camryn!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you enjoyed your HR class and I hope you have a great final semester here at OU! It's really cool that you're a multidisciplinary studies major and can pick your courses! If I had that option, I would have definitely picked that but I didn't even know what that was until I met a person with the same major last year. Also, good luck with PA school interviews! I know it can be hard but you got this!
Hello Camryn nice to meet you. Multi-disciplinary studies seems like a really interesting degree. I would love to have more freedom in the classes I have to take. Do you plan on staying involved in music after you graduate? Best of luck becoming a physicians assistant, that is a really good job. You seem very determined and prepared to get into the program.
ReplyDeleteHi Camryn! That's such an interesting degree and I think it will prepare you super well for being a PA! I'm going into vet school next fall and I often wonder if I should've went ahead and pursued a chem minor because it's so useful for the health field. I hope you've heard back positive things from the schools you're hoping for, and good luck with any you haven't heard from yet! My sorority is always trying to get girls involved in Scandals and U-Sing and I really wish I could help but honestly I have no capabilities in that department. They always say they'll teach us, but honestly I'm unteachable when it comes to those things haha! Good luck this semester!
ReplyDeleteHello Camryn!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of your major but it sounds like a very cool degree to have! I'm an indecisive person, and I have changed my major three times, so I think I probably could have benefited from that degree as well. You sound very busy with all your activities but it seems fun! I always see USing fliers every year and wish I had the courage and a good enough singing voice to join! Good luck on graduate school and I look forward to checking out your blog throughout the semester!
Hey Camryn, that sounds like a really interesting major. I really enjoy STEM fields, and it’s always neat to hear what other people are doing with them. I don’t know much about physician assistants, but I know that any graduate school is going to be rigorous. That being said, you sound like you have a good handle on it and best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteHey Camryn! I have never heard of your major and it sounds really interesting! I am currently in bio major and it has been pretty rough. I am trying to be physical therapist. I know PA is tough but i believe that you can get through it! Good luck and stay strong!
ReplyDeleteHello Camryn!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that having open non-judgmental discussion about topics covering current events is hard to come by, because people only think how they want to think instead of being open minded, but as you said enough of that. I love how you took the route to choose your own degree! My mom did the same thing at OU, Ohio U, and went on to get her P.H.D. in psychology at UNC. I imagine your very much like her in that your a very compassionate and also passionate person based on what you want in life.
Hi Camryn, it is nice to meet you! I am glad you stumbled upon that Intro to HR class because sometimes it is the class we least expected to take, but the class we needed to take as a break from all the science classes. :) I hope you enjoyed that class overall. How cool is it that I stumble upon your post and it was Scandals this past weekend! Did you participate in it this year? I hope it went well and that you enjoyed your last Scandals. Best of luck in all your future endeavors, Camryn!
ReplyDeleteHi, Camyn! Nice to meet you. How neat that you basically get to build your major and form it to fit your needs! What a cool picture of Sooner Scandals. I am certain that all of your shows have been phenomenal. :) I spend a lot of my time in the music realm as well. I wish you the best of luck on your journey to PA school. Thanks for sharing! Jessie
ReplyDeleteHey, Camryn, nice to meet you! Man, that's a lot of science, as an English Writing major, I cannot imagine taking that many science classes. I think it is great that you have your music and activities to help break up your undoubtedly stressful academic schedule. I hope the last few weeks of the semester go well for you!
ReplyDelete