By Raveena Gadapaka

This semester, Sitan Kone found herself at a crossroads familiar to many college

students: the transition from coasting on old habits to facing new academic realities. As she

approaches the completion of her undergraduate math requirements, a milestone she’s rightfully

proud of, Sitan’s story is one of candid self-assessment, quiet resilience, and a growing sense of

purpose.

What struck me most in our conversation was Sitan’s honesty about her academic

journey. Last semester’s easy classes bred a sense of complacency, a mindset she admits lingered

into this term. “That mentality stayed with me throughout this semester as well, which is very

bad,” she reflected. But rather than making excuses, Sitan recognized the need for change. She

confronted the challenge of balancing multiple demanding courses by organizing her workload

from most to least important, a strategy that helped her regain some control, even if it didn’t

solve every problem overnight.Sitan’s growth this semester wasn’t limited to math. She dove into philosophy, exploring

human behavior, tackled biology’s complexities, and sharpened her writing skills in lab and

review assignments. These new competencies, she noted, will serve her well in the future. I was

impressed by how she embraced learning outside her comfort zone, especially in classes she

initially expected to struggle with. For example, she anticipated that a literature-heavy course

would be daunting, but found that open dialogue with the professor and classmates made the

material more accessible and engaging.

Outside the classroom, Sitan made an effort to stay connected to campus life, attending

school and club events. She also honed her organizational skills with digital tools like Notion and

Brightspace, demonstrating a willingness to adapt and find what works best for her.

A major realization for Sitan was the importance of hard work, especially in her biology

major. She’s learned that the “do your best” mentality, while well-intentioned, sometimes

enabled procrastination rather than progress. “It makes me lazy and procrastinate a lot,” she

admitted. This level of self-awareness is rare and, in my view, marks a turning point in her

academic approach.

Looking ahead, Sitan’s goals are clear: succeed in all her classes, be more active on

campus, and give back through community service. Based on our interview, I believe she has

both the insight and determination to make these ambitions a reality. Sitan’s journey this

semester is a reminder that growth often begins with honest reflection and that meaningful

change is possible when you’re willing to challenge your own habits and assumptions.

What stands out most about Sitan is her authenticity. She doesn’t shy away from

acknowledging setbacks, but she also doesn’t let them define her. Instead, she’s using what she’s

learned to build a stronger foundation for the future. I’m confident that as she continues to push

beyond “just doing her best,” Sitan will achieve even more than she expects.