Humbled, honored, and grateful to have the opportunity to reflect on the last four years at NYU College of Dentistry. With graduation right around the corner, this moment feels so surreal. It is very exciting to know that our network is packed with many talented colleagues. Plus, to think our best days as healthcare providers are still ahead of us is very encouraging.
The days felt slow, but the years felt extremely fast. When faculty and upper classmen told us at D1 orientation that the years would fly by, I did not believe them. Yet, here we are preparing for graduation and saying our last few goodbyes! I remember how as first year dental students, we practiced in lab until midnight and thought that our first year would be the hardest year of dental school. Well, that thought quickly changed, as we entered our second year and were humbled by a multitude of didactics and specialty labs that expanded our knowledge as pre-clinicians. Fast forwarding to our third year dental students, we learned to practice dentistry from a [social] distance and found ways to unite the members of our program with zoom sessions, Facetime calls, and student clubs such as this one. As fourth year dental students, we found a new normalcy, matched into our residency programs, gained self-confidence as student providers, and appreciated just how much we had all grown.
There are many aspects in which I have recognized personal improvements, and I aspire to continuously hold onto the lessons from the past. Moments in clinic have been extremely humbling and these interactions have shown me just how much more I must learn as a future healthcare provider. I am extremely grateful for the faculty mentors who have been extremely supportive, and I am lucky to have been surrounded by colleagues who have helped me grow both personally and professionally.
Being a dental student in the greatest city in the world has been one of the best experiences for which I am forever grateful. When asking other colleagues what New York City has taught us as student providers, a lot of the answers varied:
“I had the opportunity to meet a myriad of personalities within the last four years. This city showcases diversity and that is so important for our profession.”
“I had to grow up extremely fast! What a mixed blessing that was as a future healthcare provider.”
“New York City teaches you how to grind and unless you live here for a few years, no one really understands just how challenging and humbling that ‘NYC mindset’ is.”
“I have so much love for this moving city. There is always something to do to take my mind off the stresses of school. This city channels you back to a grateful heart.”
As I sit here, days away from graduation, I want to sincerely thank my family, my friends, my peers, my colleagues, and my mentors. To all the individuals who believed in me when I did not, thank you for never giving up on me. Because of the love from those around me, I was able to find faith in myself that I can now give back to others.
As we all prepare for the next chapter of our lives, I wish everyone the very best and most of all - success and a whole lot of love. Congratulations Class of 2022, we made it!
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