Good evening Professor and all,
Hello Professor and all!
My name is Daniela Munoz and I am twenty-three years old. I go by pronouns she/her and as for what to call me, Dani or Daniela is fine. I am from Queens, where I was born and raised and am now in my second year at BMCC. I was actually enrolled at BMCC straight out of high school but I was not at all prepared nor did I know what I wanted to do, so I ended up leaving. Now that I am back, I feel very certain about what my plan is and so far, I have enjoyed every single class I have taken. I learned that uncertainty is not always a bad thing. I have two siblings, an older sister named Stephanie and a younger sister named Karina and both are hardworking and inspiring women.
I am a Liberal Arts major but I plan on entering the nursing program and pursuing a career in psychiatry as a nurse practitioner. I think mental health is extremely important and I hope to someday be able to help others by any means necessary. I work at a health and wellness store and find it extremely satisfying speaking to people and helping them find what they are looking for. I also have learned website building skills that I did not know prior and it made me realize that I enjoy working hands on. I am utterly thankful for the people I have met, such as my boss because she is an understanding, supportive and generous soul. A pastime that I truly enjoy is reading books and spending time with those closest to me. For me, reading is like a mental vacation that I truly benefit from. Another hobby of mine is staying physically active i.e going for a run in the park, but this past year has been more sedentary than not.
I look forwarding to broadening my knowledge with this course because there is so much that I know I will learn!
Hi Daniela!
Thanks for sharing your background, I too have a passion for mental wellness and health. Although it is not my major, nor am I studying it in-depth, I take a lot of time researching holistic practices and ways to effectively benefit my mental health. I’d love to hear more about your job and the things you have learned while working there. It’s fantastic to work hands-on in a positive environment rather than seeing an occasional Instagram infographic.
Hi Daniela,
Thank you for sharing. Besides the age difference (which doesn’t really matter anyway) I feel as though we have some interesting similarities from being native New Yorkers, having sisters as siblings, and currently in our second year at BMCC as Liberal Arts majors aspiring to eventually be a part of the medical field in some way. I also have enjoyed all of my classes thus far and feel so certain about what I’d like to pursue during my educational journey. I think that is so important as I experienced the feeling of not being prepared to undertake college straight after high school and I didn’t want to get a degree that wouldn’t serve my interests after working to obtain it so I am happy that I didn’t settle at the time. i also found it interesting that you mentioned the importance of mental health because I agree. A big part of why I want to become an Occupational Therapist is because of my first-hand experience as a former patient due to a wrist fracture injury in 2020 where I realized the connection between my physical injury and mental breakdown because of it. I was essentially disabled at the time as my dominant hand suffered the break and I could not do the bare minimum activities of daily living hence me feeling inadequate which lead to my mental state suffering from the injury as well. I want to help future patients rehabilitate from their physical injuries while making a point to express understanding and ways to address what else could be dwindling like mental state.
My sister is an OT. If you ever want to talk to someone about it, let me know and I can connect you. I have gotten ill this past year and the adjustments she has helped me make that I never would have thought of are just amazing. We need more OTs in the world!
Hi Dani – Thanks for sharing a little about yourself. Uncertainty is absolutely OK and it is also unavoidable in life. I have taken such a winding road to get where I am, with lots of risks and just trying things. It’s great that you know yourself well enough to decide to wait and come back to school later.
I share your concern regarding the importance of mental health (and how it relates to physical health). There is so much work that needs to be done in this area and I am glad you will be on it.