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Andrei Galatanu

Year: Freshman (Class of 28')

Major: Biology

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Hobbies and Interests: Fishing, Basketball, Music, Video Games

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Email: agala@illinois.edu

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My dogs are named Maverick and Beethoven and they are 6 years old. They are a Shih Tzu and Bichon mix. My cat is named Mitzi and she is almost 1.

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GMT is an RSO that provides free medical services to underserved communities in Latin America. They teach their members how to act in the healthcare industry and create opportunities for students to be directly involved.

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PPA is a community for those who are interested in both psychology and in pursuing a pre-health pathway. Through utilizing resources provided by UIUC, PPA often has speakers and researchers present at board meetings.

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Professor Stuckey is my favorite TikToker/Rapper!!!

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One goal that I hope to accomplish within my next year here at UIUC is getting my CNA license. This will allow me to work as a CNA at hospitals and I could then get a job at Carle which in return would give me experience on my resume. One thing I can do to help achieve my goal is to join SROs that have a focus on healthcare and help members get certified in things like CPR. Another action is taking CNA classes at a nearby hospital, whether at home or at UIUC. Lastly, I can volunteer at hospitals after having some certifications which would give me a better insight of healthcare.

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Another goal I would like to accomplish is maintaining a 3.8 GPA at UIUC. My dream has always been going to medical school, so a good GPA is non-negotiable. To reach this goal, I should spend a lot of time studying and making sure I understand the concepts being taught. I must make friend groups with similar classes so that I can meet with a group and discuss said topics. Lastly, I need to persevere through the difficult times and learn from my mistakes from previous exams, assignments, and quizzes.

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My final goal is to find “my people”, this would be people who I enjoy spending my time with and talk to. I can join RSOs that have a focus on my interests since this would attract others with similar interests. I can join something like a pre-med fraternity such as “PHIDE”, where I would be surrounded by many others with similar mindsets as me. I can also engage with others in my classes more and attend more social events.

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During my first couple of weeks of this semester I have been going out with friends, playing sports, joining RSOs, and meeting new people. Whether studying at Grainger, going to parties, or even just staying in my dorm and watching movies, I feel that I have grown exponentially since I have arrived at UIUC. The coursework is very different from the classes I have taken in high school but I have been adapting and learning from my mistakes. I feel that I have been able to create a pretty stable community while still making time to meet and talk to new people. I think going to my first GMT meeting was one of the most impactful activities I engage in because I was able to talk to multiple seniors who have been doing pre-med and I had gained a lost of insight on what my next 4 years here at UIUC should look like.

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My confidence levels in classes have slightly dropped after my first exams but they aren't gone completely. I know I am majoring in what I always dreamed of doing and have not yet thought of swapping majors. I was never too curious about what the future held for me as I prefer to live in the present and experience life as it goes. I had to revamp my studying techniques as the original methods did not benefit me in the ways I would have liked. Talking to upperclassmen has led to having a lot of my questions about university and the student life be answered. I am grateful for the support and guidance I've received so far. I believe that perseverance and adaptability are key to overcoming challenges. With time, I trust I'll find a balance that works for me and if I cannot do it alone, I have resources such as friends, professors, and advisors.

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Leaving my home in which I have been living in since the age of 3 has been a huge change. I no longer have fresh home cooked meals, my dogs waking me up every morning, or even my childhood friends who lived down the block from me. I understand that nearly everyone is also going through the same emotions and are having the same thoughts so I know that it can't be that bad. I hope to have found my sense of self and how to thrive academically by the end of this year, and if I do not, I will still have 3 more years. Currently, I am trying to figure out how to balance everything from home life, school. and social life which sometimes leads to me falling behind in other categories. I hope I learn to figure this out soon.