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Since I started this course, I have learned so much about myself. All of my life, I have been my biggest critique. The mountains I have had to climb to have the confidence in myself that I have today have been rocky. Taking this course, helped me realize what empathy truly is. I always thought it was being nice to people in bad situations. Now, I realize that it is looking at both sides of a situation and being able to treat both parties with the same amount of respect as you would any other person no matter what they believe. Learning to give out kindness to others no matter how differently they believe is emotionally mature. I have learned to show empathy to all parties and be my authentic self. This course has reminded me how important empathy is not only in the work field but in life overall. It has helped me unlock the girl I once was and always show empathy even when they don't deserve it because it is the right thing to do.

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What I Now See In Me

I see someone who is striving, pushing forward even when it’s hard. But I also see someone who feels unstable at times, still figuring things out and carrying more than most people realize.And the truth is... I’m the only one holding me back.It’s not the opportunities, the people around me, or even the challenges. It’s me, my fear, my doubt, and my hesitation. But now that I see it clearly, I can work on changing it. One step at a time.I’m owning it, and I’m working on becoming the version of me I know I’m meant to be.

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I will say after taking this class, I have learned how important empathy is and how we’re surrounded by it. I think it’s giving me a different perspective and gets me to look at the bigger picture and getting out of the “I” and “me” mindset and switch it to a more inclusive and caring mentality for not only myself, but for others around me.

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I would say after taking this class I gained a a greater knowledge of empathy. I can say before taking this class i knew little about empathy. After taking this course i belive that i have gained a deeper understand of what it means to truly empathize with somone.

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I used to see myself as an insecure over-thinker. I now see myself as an empathetic person who thinks a lot because she cares a lot. This class has pushed me out of my comfort zone in ways I can't even express. I find myself talking to more people, picking up trash on the street, and helping more. The ability to walk in another person's shoes and see their persepctive has changed my life. I now am able to develop deeper connections because I ask people more questions and try to see through different lenses. I got a lot out of this class. I first thought I wouldn't get a lot out of an online class but I've learned more in this class than I have in any other class.

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Honestly still struggling with a few things, but my perspective on empathy has changed a lot. Something new I'd like to explore is showing myself more grace so that I can be more empathetic to others.

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Looking back from my first assignment on here, I now see that I have grown in my ability to be empathetic. I also see that I have grown in the ability to be able to be more open about how I feel and what I am going through. This class has truly been a game changer in my life in every area. It is my hope that I can use what I have learned to help others in life.

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In the beginning of the semester, I really was a person who just viewed things as either good or bad. I never saw the true meaning behind things. I can now say that I know how important empathy is whether receiving it from someone or even showing someone empathy. Showing empathy goes a long way that I really did not know about. I see people who need empathy almost everyday even though they do not say anything. I feel like I can look at a homeless man or woman and show them empathy by giving them a quarter or even leftover food I have. It is important to understand that someone can be going through something and if you show empathy, everything may change. This class has pushed me to do assignments like I never thought I would have done. This class made me sleep on the floor and use only cash for a day which showed me I can survive like that if I really wanted to. I really appreciated everyone in my group for pushing me to become the best version of myself as well as the assignments that I learned about the mental part about how empathy gets to your brain.

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I think this course has definitely expanded my own empathy and just my feelings surrounding lots of things. I have learned better how to protect myself and stand up for myself but also give others grace. The team challenges while difficult because we were online definitely challenged me to show empathy and understanding for others. It was great to read and hear about others experiences and perspectives. I honestly feel like this class would be better off being an in person class just due to how much discussion is required and I think I would have gotten more from it had I been in person. In my original post, I talked about how people do not understand how affected I am by certain situations. I still think this is true but I feel like I have learned more about how to deal with that internally and be more understanding of others who may experience the same thing. Just like I say people do not truly know how I feel on something, the same can be true of others and I think recognizing that is important. I think this course has definitely expanded my knowledge and tested my empathy skills and I look forward to continuing to grow.

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Since the beginning of this course, I have come to realize that I am now someone who can strike a perfect balance between empathy and self-protection. I have learned to recognize when I need to step away and when I need to be there for someone, even if what they say or do is unhelpful to me. I have also developed the ability to empathize with others regarding their emotions. I have also been able to find empathy for those around me while also stepping away from them. Throughout this semester and in this course, I have seen firsthand how people can be, and how having emotional intelligence and an enhanced skill in empathy allows you to go beyond emotions and instead find a way to understand the person, rather than being enraged. I have also learned that I have a great deal of empathy, which I already possessed, and it has only increased with this course.

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At the beginning of this course, I was kind of familiar with the definition of empathy, but I wasn't really sure if I was using it correctly in my everyday life. But as time went on, and each assignment was completed, I became more educated on how to be more empathetic. Not only did I learn how to be more empathetic, I was able to apply and practice my knowledge with different assignments like our empathy adventures. By completing the empathy adventures, I really felt like I was able to learn how to put myself in other people's shoes and experience a little bit of what their lives are like. To other people, completing these empathy adventures might have been just another assignment, but for me, they really changed me as a person. The biggest change I have noticed is how patient and self-aware I have become. In comparison to the person I was when I had posted my original Padlet post, I have become more patient and self-aware. Instead of getting mad at someone who was rude to me in a public setting, for example, I think about how that person might be going through a tough time or having a rough day. That is just one of the few examples, but I constantly see myself in other people's shoes to maybe try and understand what they may be going through instead of judging or showing frustration. I really value everything I have learned from the class in such a short amount of time because this newfound knowledge if life changing. If only everybody was required to take a course like this, then maybe the world would be a better place. Empathy is magical, it's powerful, it's a necessity for me, for you, for everybody. This class built my confidence in my empathic abilities and I can't wait to continue to use such skills in the workplace, at home, in public, etc. to continue my growth as a person and hopefully inspire others to be more empathetic as well!

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Looking back at my first Padlet post, I still see the calm, composed EMT who shows up when others are at their worst, but now, I also see someone I hadn’t fully acknowledged before. This class has helped me realize how much I’ve been holding in. I used to think resilience meant keeping my emotions in check, staying strong for the patient no matter what. But through our empathy work, I’ve learned that real strength includes honoring my own emotions, too. I’m starting to understand that self-empathy isn’t a weakness or a luxury, it’s necessary. It’s the difference between surviving the job and growing through it. When I step off a tough call, it’s okay to feel shaken, to cry, or to take a moment to breathe. I no longer feel like I have to tuck those feelings away in order to be professional or capable.

I also see now how deeply empathy is woven into the work I do, not just for the people I help, but for myself and my coworkers, too. There’s a human behind every uniform, and I’ve learned how vital it is to show up for that person with the same care I offer to my patients. This class didn’t just teach me about listening to others. It taught me how to listen to myself, how to check in with my heart instead of always pushing through with logic and adrenaline. I’m leaving this course with a clearer understanding of what it means to be fully present, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. I see myself more clearly now, and I’m proud of the person I’ve become. Not just the EMT, but the human behind the badge.

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This class dramatically changed the way I interact with those around me. The way I communicate and read people's body language has significantly grown over the past few months. Weekly collaborations with my group mates to bring real experiences to life taught me that empathy is more than just hearing someone, it's about being there for them without needing to fix or judge them. This course taught me that empathy can sometimes be quiet and observant. I now have a deeper capacity to connect with people. I can listen without fixing, and show up with more compassion for others and myself. I've become quite confident now in my empathic abilities and can't wait to see how I use it to grow and use in the future.

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At the beginning of this course, I shared that despite how outgoing and social I may seem, I actually place immense value on my alone time. I described myself as an ambivert, someone who can be vibrant in a social setting but deeply craves quiet, reflective solitude to recharge. Looking back on that post now, after a semester of studying empathy, I realize just how important that self-awareness has been in shaping the kind of communicator—and human—I strive to be.

This course has helped me see that my ability to both connect with others and retreat inward is not just a personality quirk, but a powerful emotional intelligence skill. I’ve learned that empathy doesn’t always have to be loud or performative; sometimes it looks like listening more than speaking, creating space for others without needing to fill it, or recognizing when I need to pause and reset before offering someone my best attention.

Practicing empathy—whether through empathy mapping, team collaboration, or exploring the stories of others like Dylan Marron’s podcast guests—has made me more attuned to the invisible needs and emotions of those around me. But even more importantly, it’s helped me better understand my own. I now see that giving myself permission to recharge isn’t a weakness—it’s an act of self-empathy. And the more I practice it, the better I can show up for others with presence, patience, and compassion.

As I move forward, both professionally and personally, I’ll carry this dual awareness with me: that empathy starts within, and that honoring my own quiet moments is just as important as embracing connection with others. This course has not only helped me become a better team member, student, and future professional—it’s helped me become a more grounded, authentic version of myself.

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When I first wrote on this padlet, I wrote about how people often see me from the outside as someone who is a rude and shallow girl, but that I am so much more than that and that I deeply care for others. Now, I can really, genuinely call myself an empath with 100% certainty that it is true. This class has completely changed the way I interact with those around me that I know very well, that I kind of know, and that I don't know at all. I have a completely new perspective for what it means to be empathic and I have this class to thank. My whole outlook on people and connections with others, as well as understanding them, has shifted in the best way. I am so confident in my empathic abilities now and I am looking forward to seeing how I continue to grow them and use them in the future.

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At the start of this course, I shared a piece titled “What You Can’t See in Me,” where I opened up about the hidden health struggles behind my identity as a strong athlete. That moment of vulnerability helped set the tone for a semester centered on empathy, not just toward others, but also toward myself.

Now, looking back, I see how much I’ve grown. Our final team project, creating a digital exhibit for the Empathy Museum, pushed me to think beyond my own story. Collaborating with my group to bring real, lived experiences to life taught me that empathy is more than just listening, it’s about holding space for others’ truths without needing to fix or judge them.

Reading my peers’ Padlet posts was like stepping into dozens of unseen worlds. I saw themes of doubt, strength, comparison, identity, and perseverance. We were all carrying something. And in that shared honesty, something clicked: empathy connects us in the places we often try to hide from others.

This class taught me that true empathy isn’t always loud; it’s quiet, observant, and intentional. I’ve learned how to show up better for others and how to give myself grace. I now understand that resilience isn’t just pushing through; it’s also pausing, listening, and learning from the journey. It is that 'pause' that has allowed me to self-reflect and offer that grace.

What I carry is mine, but it doesn’t mean I have to carry it alone. I’ve learned that empathy bridges those hidden struggles; we may not share the same story, but we all know what it feels like to be unseen or misunderstood. What I now see in me is a deeper capacity to connect, to listen without fixing, and to show up with more compassion for others and for myself. That my friend is the kind of growth I’m proud of.

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I wrote that I am an old soul and how I love old music, vintage art, and doing things the traditional way (usually when it comes to little things like sewing by hand, mixing by hand, writing letters, etc.) I think now from reading others' responses, I feel more connected to them and myself. It is comforting knowing that despite the age we live in, us humans still value being connected and wanting our emotions to drive us. It is hard to believe sometimes that people deal with the same issues as us when they can feel so secluding. This is a great assignment for empathy especially because it is anonymous. I enjoyed reading all of the responses. I felt like I was in an old online blog!

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From the start of this class I didn't what to expect because I was hearing different things about this class. Taking this class has taught me a lot about empathy and how people interrupt the meaning of it in so many different ways. I can now say that I am happy that I took this class. in my orginal post I said that I am an introvert but now I see how much of an extravert I am after taking this program.

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Looking back on my initial Padlet post and reading through the reflections of others has given me a lot to think about. It’s interesting how much we all keep beneath the surface—things like self-doubt, stress, or the pressure to succeed. Seeing that others are facing similar internal battles made me feel a stronger sense of connection, even in a space where we don’t know each other personally. What surprised me most was how much I learned just by listening. Sometimes we think we know what others might be going through, but reading people’s honest reflections gave me a deeper understanding of just how complex and unique everyone’s journey is. It challenged me to reflect on how I support those around me and reminded me that empathy isn’t just about feeling for someone—it’s about taking the time to truly see them. This reflection has encouraged me to be more intentional with how I show up for others, and to carry that mindset with me moving forward.

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In my original Padlet post, I talked about my constant struggle comparing my success to others and trying to work on building confidence in my abilities and not let imposter syndrome take over. Following this course, I feel that showing empathy and taking into consideration what everyone else is going through/feeling should apply to me too. I think that I show empathy for others often but do not even consider it when referring to myself. Overall, this course has reminded me of how important empathy is in society and has inspired me to demonstrate empathy more consistenly especially in times where showing empathy is difficult. It means the most in those instances.

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I enjoyed reflecting not only on my initial Padlet post from the course but my peers as well. Even if it is all anonymous, it is nice reading other posts and see just how not alone I am in some of the stuff I deal with. It is nice knowing that other people deal with the same anxiety or learning differences or issues as you. It also just builds an extra level of empathy for people we don't really know a lot about. I consider myself a pretty empathic person but I have definitely learned there can always be more growth in different ways that I show empathy to others. It was a good realization for me to have where I see myself showing empathy but also where I see myself lacking. It has really opened my eyes to how I can be better.

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Since I have started this course, I have learned so much about myself. I have always been hard on me. It has been a long journey of understanding who I am and feeling proud as a neurodiverse individual. I have felt in the past, weak, anxious and less aware. Now, I am trying to understand my own empathy and empathy for others and make a real effort to change. Thanks to this course, I have seen a difference in my empathy improving, as I am trying to be less negative and embrace new situations with an open attitude. I have learned to put myself in other people's shoes, which has helped my impatience. We all struggle and need empathy in different ways. By listening, showing concern, and being

there present for others, I have resonated with the talks and readings in a new way of showing up for myself and others.

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Taking this empathy course peeled back some layers I didn’t even realize I had. I used to wear my dual roles like armor—executive in the office, mom at home—and I prided myself on keeping them separate, like switching characters in a show. But what I see in me now is someone who doesn’t need to compartmentalize to be strong. I’ve learned that empathy isn’t just something I extend to others—it’s something I have to offer myself, too. I no longer see the blurred lines between work and home as a weakness. I see them as evidence that I’m human. That I’m showing up, trying, learning. I still carry a lot, but now I do it with more grace and less guilt. And when I look at others, I’m not so quick to assume they’ve got it all together either. I’ve realized that empathy isn’t just about understanding someone else’s shoes—it’s about honoring your own, even when they don’t always match.

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In my initial post at the beginning of the semester, I stated that I am somewhat introverted. Throughout this class and reading about self-empathy, I have learned that it is okay to give me time to myself and not to feel bad about it. I have also become more in tune with my emotions, which can allow me to analyze my mental state at any given time. However, I have also pushed myself to do things I usually wouldn't. Being in tune with my emotions has allowed me to be more confident in myself.