Reflections From Year 22

I recently celebrated my 23rd birthday and found myself reflecting on some of the lessons I learned during year 22. I grew academically personally and professionally but more than anything this year I continued to carve my own path as I’ve navigated the transition to adulthood.

Lesson One: Transition Can Strengthen You

This year marked my transition from undergraduate into graduate school. A different neighborhood, a different building and different people. I no longer had the same built-in accessibility structures that had supported me throughout undergrad, and that shift pushed me to communicate more clearly. I had to be intentional about explaining to my medical team how my academic life was changing and how they could best support my needs in school. At the same time, I needed to make sure my school understood how my medical needs affected my coursework, schedule, and energy. What initially felt like filling in countless gaps, became an opportunity to strengthen my self-advocacy. Graduate school allowed me to sharpen skills I had already been developing and to join a community that shares my passion for health equity. The transition did not take something away from me. It challenged me and created new possibilities.

Lesson Two: Change Does Not Mean Progress Stops

One of the most meaningful moments of this year was walking across the stage at graduation. That moment represented years of persistence, adaptation, and goal setting. It was a testament to everything I had navigating throughout collagen how strong I had become . With that strength, I continued to press myself, even further in movement in advocacy and in everyday life. It reinforced something I had learned throughout the year: change does not stop progress. Change may bring new challenges, the foundation you build stays with you. Growth does not mean starting over. It means carrying forward what works and applying it in new spaces.

Lesson Three: Building Beyond What You Already Known

While in undergrad, I found ways to integrate movement into my everyday life. This year taught me the importance of using resources beyond formal rehab. I learned that maintaining progress often means seeking out new environments and community-based supports.Joining my local recreation center and taking my first trip to the gym were not about letting go of what I already knew. They were about showing up to become a better version of myself and finding your ways to support my independence.

Looking Ahead

As I move into year 23, I am carrying these lessons with me. Adulthood is not one single transition, but a series of changes that ask us to communicate clearly, adapt intentionally, and advocate for ourselves across different spaces. Transition can be empowering. Change can open new opportunities. And progress often comes from knowing when to use the tools you already have and when to seek new ones. If you are navigating a transition of your own, whether in school, healthcare, or daily life, know that you are doing what is necessary, and that each step no matter how small counts.