Sophia Levy
Year 1
Moving 1,106 miles away from my home in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida is a decision that is bound to result in a lot of hardships. During my first year of college, I faced many challenges that I had never thought I would ever experience. It was a whirlwind of emotions and unexpected hurdles. From the demanding workload that left me with less than five hours of sleep per night to enduring my first winter, along with the accompanying seasonal depression, and being away from everyone I had known for seventeen years, it was an entirely new world for me. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that going through hardships is essential for personal growth, as long as we are mindful of what we are facing and how we can overcome each obstacle. This year has been a profound learning experience for me, teaching me valuable lessons along the way. One of the most significant realizations I had was that happiness isn't merely a result of good luck; it's about how we approach and navigate obstacles, ultimately becoming stronger individuals.
As the cold months settled in, I found myself shivering under the covers, reluctant to leave the warmth of my bed in the morning. Simultaneously, the rigor of the architecture program at UC pushed me beyond my limits. Projects consumed my days and nights, leaving little time for rest, proper nutrition, or self-care. The toll on my mental health was evident, and I began to feel the weight of the challenges I faced. However, I was fortunate to find comfort within the community I built at UC. The support of my peers provided a lifeline during those trying times. Additionally, staying connected with my family and old friends played a crucial role in maintaining my stability. They reminded me of my resilience and cheered me on, encouraging me that I was capable of far more than I believed.
Each obstacle I encountered became an opportunity for growth and self-reflection. I approached every situation with mindfulness, seeking the lessons it held and the strength it would bestow upon me. It was not always easy, and there were moments of doubt and weariness. But as the year progressed, I emerged with a fortified mindset, armed with newfound confidence in my abilities. Through the trials and tribulations of my first year, I discovered the transformative power of perseverance and self-belief. I realized that hardships are not roadblocks; they are stepping stones on the path to personal development. By embracing challenges and remaining steadfast in the face of adversity, I expanded the horizons of my potential. Moving 1,106 miles away from home may have been daunting, but it opened doors to a world of growth, resilience, and self-discovery that I wouldn't trade for anything.
Year 2
This past year has been a period of immense self growth and discovery for me. I accomplished goals that I had never expected for myself, gaining the necessary self-confidence and clarity about what I want in life. During the fall, I completed my first self-designed honors experience and my first co-op search. This honors experience solidified my belief in the strong, close-knit, and driven community among the people I’ve met at UC. The saying “it takes a village” truly came to life as everyone contributed to the project’s success. I was proud of myself for sticking with this project and persevering to see it through. As I achieve my goals, I become more confident in my ability to make a difference in the world and succeed in anything I direct my efforts towards.
After a very stressful fall semester, I was able to secure my first co-op. I moved to Nashville In January for four months, where I grew both personally and professionally. Living close to my brother and meeting many new people, I expanded my interests in design to include larger scopes of spatial design, such as landscaping and urban planning. I made many connections during my time there, and I will ensure these relationships last throughout and beyond my professional career. While I am still figuring out exactly what I want to do, I made significant progress this year in identifying what I don’t want to do. This is a success in my eyes as I narrow down and identify the qualities and characteristics that define me.
Being away from the community I have built at UC over the past year taught me to appreciate it much more. Upon returning, I have been the happiest version of myself yet. I am much more confident in my decisions, myself, and the people I have surrounded myself with. As time has passed, I have realized that the people around me are truly what make my experiences here special. Having a supportive community is something I highly value and I am beyond grateful for the ones I’m a part of here.
Additionally, I have come to appreciate the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone. My time in Nashville challenged me in ways I hadn’t anticipated, pushing me to grow and adapt in a new environment. This experience has reinforced my belief in the value of embracing new opportunities and the potential they hold for personal and professional development. As I move forward, I am excited to continue exploring, learning, and evolving, with the confidence that I can overcome any challenges that come my way.
Year 3
I thought that coming into college would be the hardest part, and it was, but it's not like the rest of it is a walk in the park. What has changed the most this year is that I have become much more resilient. After my first summer spent in classes, I went straight into my second co-op in Burlington, Vermont. That was followed by a spring semester in classes where I also juggled two jobs: continuing to work for the firm in Vermont as well as being a Peer Leader to first-year students applying to the school of DAAP at UC.
During summer classes, I put forth a strong effort to manage a school/life balance. I made the most of the long summer days by getting outside any chance I could find, even if it was only for five minutes. Surprisingly, this was one of my favorite semesters in school so far when I thought it would have been the worst. I was in a better mood with the lovely weather, and I became very good at managing my workload in order to enjoy the season. I found a co-op in Vermont with a small firm that focuses on sustainable design and prepared to move North.
Vermont also ended up being a much more positive experience than I had anticipated. In a new city I found myself completely alone. While I have experienced this before, the first time being when I came to college, this was different because I was no longer surrounded by thousands of other people going through the same thing and everyone was actively looking for new friends. I was now surrounded only by my 7 coworkers who were much older than I with families and lives of their own. I spent weekends hiking new trails and exploring the quaintest towns and even went snowboarding at the end of the semester. Vermont is truly a place like no other where I was able to discover myself with ample time alone and outside to do so. During this semester, I was managing consultants regarding a project pursuing LEED Platinum certification. I started this by sitting in on meetings, but eventually became invaluable by studying the ins and outs of LEED to the point where I was able to speed up meetings and inform consultants on beneficial next steps. I studied and passed my LEED Green Associate Exam and continued to work for them throughout the spring semester. I also accepted a job to be a peer leader for first-year pre-DAAP students. Being a peer leader expanded my public speaking skills and taught me the impact of education from a different perspective. I was able to share valuable experiences as they are trying to do what I have been figuring out the past three years. Juggling the 2 jobs with school presented me with a great opportunity for growth. I have learned the resilience it takes to accept challenges and grow from them to continue on the path to the best version of myself.
Passing my LEED test has inspired me to pursue more certificationsand am now working towards getting my WELL certification. I have learned throughout my life that pressure and hard times present one with great learning experiences, even if they end up being failed. It has been important for me to learn that sometimes setbacks are necessary to take an even bigger step forward.