Mind of a Doctor

My dad always told me, “Ashna, you have the mind of an engineer.” This made sense; like an engineer, I could fix anything: taking apart our barbeque grill to attach some wires to make the side burner function again or finding an iPhone trick to make my mom’s unstable WiFi work. I can assemble almost anything, just with the pictures, including a bench-press weight set with an assembly manual that was so confusing that it was better off to come without one. And I’m so resourceful that I’ve saved my bike tire by submerging it in water to find the hole and patch it up. I loved putting my mind to the test.

I have the mind of a scientist. Some of my earliest memories are from the 20 minute ride to Millikin Elementary School, where my dad and I would discuss random science topics: why the sky was blue, how eyes worked, or how hurricanes were formed. I loved having the answers because it gave me a sense of belonging. I discovered that the more knowledge I possessed, the more power I had to engage in conversations and debates. In particular, I loved questioning science: How do allosteric enzymes regulate our metabolism and chemical processes? How can withdrawal effects of psychoactive drugs be countered? I’ve even integrated my interest with science into other subjects. For example, I wrote my final paper in American Literature on antidepressants and backed up my claim that they were beneficial with researched data. In my social justice and ethics class, I chose stem cell research as the topic I had to justify as ethical. Applying scientific concepts to the real world made me love and understand science. I was challenged to wonder and inquire about concepts like the radio waves enabling phone calls and the chemistry of baking.

I also have the mind of a teacher. From creating color-coded study guides to facetiming my friends to explain the endosymbiotic theory of cells, I loved sharing my understanding of concepts and breaking it down for others. I’ve channeled this talent for organizing complex material into peer tutoring at school. I’ve developed techniques to review material through practice problems and encouraging questions, just like I do. I’ve taught students younger than me how to add polynomials and how to solve equations for x. This year, I created online curriculums on adding fractions and units of measurement for students across the country who are struggling and need extra resources. I’ve found ways to cooperate with and support others by sharing study guides, class notes, and academic insights for our collective benefit.

Recently, I’ve developed the mind of a free spirit. When my dad had a heart attack, I saw the fragility of life for the first time and learned a hard lesson: some things are out of my control, despite my desire for answers. I decided to embrace that and I’ve learned how to live in the moment. This looks like taking more time in nature with my family, exploring new hiking trails, implementing an outdoor stretching routine into my mornings, and using guided meditations. I started to have more fun and chose to spend quality time with my friends: making origami in the library instead of overstudying for exams and biking 9.5 miles to get to my friend’s house simply because I missed her. I’ve learned the value of silence and peace through simple pleasures. Now, I seek more joy in my day-to-day life versus focusing mostly on my obligations.

I plan to use all my “minds” as a future doctor. From evaluating medical interventions, diagnosing and curing patients, educating medical students and residents, and embracing empathy and supporting my patients holistically, my minds will seldom be neglected.