Bryan Medina (he/him)
Sophomore, Brown College
Resilient, Confident, Determined
Major: Bioengineering, Pre-med
Minor: Medical Humanities
What is something you’re proud of this year?
I am most proud of completing the semester and managing my trials as best as I could! There were grand challenges presented to me this semester, ranging from a cultural shock, imposter syndrome, commuting over an hour to get to work and class, financial trouble, and the overall transition to Rice in general.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?
The advice I would give myself as a freshman is not to quit, to remain on course, even when everything is going south and your situation seems hopeless! Keep the same excitement, optimism, and hope as when you first received your admission letter. Additionally, to put my ego aside and realize once a situation is out of hand, to accept that I cannot handle the problem alone and immediately seek out the resources or help I need, whether academic or personal.
How have you utilized the SSI office this year? How has SSI been beneficial for you this year?
The SSI office was a saving grace for me this semester! I genuinely believe that without their help, I wouldn’t have been as successful this semester. They assisted me in every possible way, from helping me communicate with financial aid and my professors, creating new beneficial habits, or just being an ear that listened when I needed it most. Moreover, SSI helped me logistically in being able to accept an internship with Stanford Medicine. The entire team was caring, thoughtful and supportive. I am utterly grateful to the entire SSI office for their invested efforts in me.
Any advice for other students?
The advice I would give someone is almost identical to what I would tell my freshman self. Hard times, failure, and loss do not discriminate and are realistically unavoidable. So please do not quit; remain on course, even when everything goes wrong and your world is crumbling apart! Keep the same energy you had when you first started your journey. I want students to know they are not alone, and this campus culture of care is true and is here for you. To seek out all the help and resources they need from the moment they begin. My last piece of advice is not to let a lousy season ruin your experience at Rice and in life. There is always light approaching to illuminate the dark.