February

            What a fun month February has been! Classes have slowed down quite a bit, as have the influx of assignments. Presentations are becoming like second nature, and we are approaching our last couple exams in multiple classes. I really enjoyed the Neurology module and am currently pleased with the Psychiatry module as well, as material in both feels familiar. Between all the parades, king cake, and all-around celebratory nature of the city, this month has been an immersion into the spirit of Mardi Gras. I am thankful for having roommates and friends who are New Orleans natives!
We continued volunteering at Anna’s Place and KIPP this month, both of which were enjoyable. At Anna’s Place, we helped students with homework and facilitated dinner as always. I also got the opportunity to help the program coordinator find activities for the kids to engage in for Black History Month. One week, we found coloring pages of Martin Luther King Jr., Harriett Tubman, and Rosa Parks for the younger students. Another week, we watched the Netflix special, “Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History.” The kids also made red bean masks for the parade they walked in on Lundi Gras! More classmates joined our volunteer shifts at KIPP this month, and we did our monthly supply handout to the school’s classrooms and organized the library.
I continued my ClassPass membership with Sharelle and Emma this month, and we have continued boxing at studios around the city. My house is now opossum free, and it feels like everything is finally falling into a less chaotic state. With the approaching NBME exam, and the MCAT in the near future, I hope to be able to focus on studying both and finishing the semester strong!
           
February Volunteer Hours: 7.5
Spring Volunteer Hours: 16
Total Volunteer Hours: 39


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