Growth as an IUI Honors Student
This page includes my previous and updated Intention Statements and Journey Maps, which show how my goals have shifted with time. Despite these shifts, my passion for becoming a dentist has remained the same. Published April 2, 2026.
Intention Statements Introduction
During my first year as an Honors student at IU Indianapolis, I enrolled in HON-H 200 (Introduction to Honors). In this course, we were asked to write intention statements by creating "I am" statements to discuss who we were at the time and "I want to become" statements to discuss goals for our future selves. As a first-year student, I had much to learn and high hopes for my future as an Honors student and as an individual focused on overall growth. As a first-year student, the future was filled with endless possibilities, which seemed daunting at the time. Below, I will include my former and current Intention Statements to show how I have grown during my college journey.
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
― George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright
HON-H 200 Intention Statement (02/21/24)
I am someone who enjoys learning new skills and knowledge, such as crocheting and anything related to dentistry. I am a reliable friend to many, and I always strive to help others in any way I can. I am a person who always wants to reach perfection in everything I do. I am someone who likes to step out of my comfort zone to try new things.
I want to become a general dentist who works in a small town in Indiana. I am working toward this goal by prioritizing my education and doing my best academically. I am also actively trying to have new experiences, such as joining clubs at IUI and a research program at the IU School of Dentistry. I want to become part of the Dean’s List. I am attending all of my classes and completing all of my coursework to be a dedicated student. I want to become someone who is more than just her grades. I am a student who makes time for fun activities and volunteering around campus. I want to be someone that others admire and wish to be more like. I am trying to be my best self by helping others with academics and as a friend.
I want to become less of a people pleaser. I am learning to say no when I need to prioritize myself and my schoolwork. I want to become more empathetic toward my friends. I am a good listener and try to give good advice to those around me. I want to become less of a procrastinator. I am going to the library more often and studying well with a friend. I want to become a student who has a better work-life balance. I am learning that it is not sustainable to run on five hours of sleep every night, and I am trying to go to sleep earlier. I want to become a person with better focus. I am learning to listen actively in lectures. I am also using various study techniques to stay on task.
I want to become a dentist like my neighbors, who have always encouraged me to pursue my dream. I am trying my best to live up to their expectations and my own. I want to become more knowledgeable in all aspects. I am learning new information from my classes and from my peers. I want to become the best version of myself possible. I am working hard to become an adequate student, friend, and person.
Reflection
When I was in HON-H 200 during my second semester at IU Indianapolis, I was still navigating how to manage the expectations of my courses (biology, chemistry, and physics lectures and labs). Furthermore, I had not yet done an Honors contract, and I had many questions about the process. Although academics consumed much of my time, I wanted to participate in more experiences to become a well-rounded individual. Thankfully, I had many peers, friends, and professors who were always willing to help me, allowing me to have a successful transition to college academically and socially.
School of Science Group Photo During Bridge Week, Fall 2023
“The hardships that I encountered in the past will help me succeed in the future.”
— Philip Emeagwali, engineer and computer scientist
New Intention Statement (01/25/26)
I am an Honors student who has completed several Honors courses and Honors projects. I am a reliable friend, peer, and employee. I am grateful for the many opportunities I have had to develop and practice leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills through leadership positions in on-campus clubs, volunteering experiences, research, and my classes. I am excited about my future because my experiences at IU Indianapolis have provided me with an abundance of knowledge and skills that I will utilize in the future.
I want to become more educated about dentistry, from learning how to truly connect with patients to learning how various procedures can be done to relieve oral health issues. I want to become a dental student who is eager to learn and help members of the community, one patient at a time. I want to become a practicing dentist to increase access to dental care in rural areas, including my hometown. I want to become someone who makes the most of every day.
Reflection
As I look back at my past self, I am amazed at how much I have grown as a person in only two years. Coming into college, I was scared of failing and of trying new experiences. I knew that the rigor of college was far greater than high school, and for much of my first year, I questioned if I was capable of doing well in my classes. My determination to prove to myself that I could accomplish my goals and the many hours I put into studying paid off, and my current cumulative GPA is a 4.0. I remember the first time I went to a PreDental Club meeting and wondering how I could make friends there. Luckily, the other members of the club and the executive board were extremely welcoming, and I am now in my second year of serving on the executive board for the club. I strive to make everyone feel welcome, and I am always happy to answer questions about the pre-dental journey.
Several experiences on and around campus from the past few years have given me invaluable skills and confidence in my abilities. As a peer mentor for First Year Seminar, I have been able to give new students helpful advice for navigating college life. Through leadership positions for the PreDental Club, ALDPES, APIDA Heritage Dinner, and ARTIVISM, I have learned to work in a team and manage various responsibilities. My freshman self wanted to participate in as many on-campus experiences as possible, and I am proud knowing that I have accomplished that. My passion for dentistry can be seen from my HON-H 200 Intention Statement, and I am still working towards making my dream of becoming a dentist a reality. Since the time in HON-H 200, I have shadowed at several offices for over 250 hours and put countless hours into DAT preparation, writing my personal statement, and completing dental school applications. My past self had much uncertainty about my future, but I can confidently say that I am right where I need to be in the present.
Vision Board from January 2025
Journey Map Introduction
In HON-H 200, I created a Journey Map to show my accomplishments and goals from my past, present, and future. In the original Journey Map, I discussed my experiences from high school and detailed my plans for each year of college. When I made that Journey Map, I placed much emphasis on classes and research, which I believed would be the most important aspects of my college experience. Since then, I have made an updated Journey Map with what I have actually accomplished and what my future goals are now.
Former Journey Map from February 2024
Updated Journey Map from February 2026
Journey Map Reflection
As a first-year college student, I believed that the purpose of college was to provide me with knowledge that would serve as a foundation for dental school. This can be seen in my original Journey Map, where each point I included was related to my goal of being accepted into dental school in some way. My updated Journey Map shows that I was able to partake in many enjoyable experiences in addition to my classes, such as leadership in student organizations. Moreover, by completing Honors contracts and courses, I have gained a deeper understanding of specific subjects beyond the information presented in class. Additionally, my actual journey accomplishments were not exactly the same as my goals from my original Journey Map. In my original Journey Map, I planned to earn my degree in four years and participate in research every year. My new Journey Map shows that my journey to earn my degree has taken three years, and I participated in research during my first and last years. Furthermore, when I created my first Journey Map, I only planned up to graduating from college. Now, in my updated Journey Map, my future section encompasses what I plan to accomplish after college. With my updated Journey Map, I see that my time at IU Indianapolis has given me the academic knowledge I will use in the future and many incredible experiences that have made me become a better person.