Hannah Durham | 49er Graduate | Charlotte, NC
What degree(s) are you earning? What do you plan on doing after graduation?
I am earning a bachelor's of science in Psychology and a minor in Women's and Gender studies.
I am taking a gap year after I graduate and am going to focus on working and volunteering as much as I can. After that, I plan on going to graduate school to earn a Masters in Social Work (hopefully here at UNCC, fingers crossed!!). I am still working out what population I want to work with but I am leaning towards kids, teen moms, or underprivileged youth.
What organizations were you involved in?
I am in both PsiChi and Triota which are the honors societies for my major and minor.
Favorite spot on campus and why?
My favorite spot on campus has to be the gardens. I grew up in a small town and absolutely love nature. For me, the gardens feel like a little piece of home and throughout my time here it really became a place of refuge for me. Whenever I felt stressed or overwhelmed, I would always go take a stroll in the gardens and for a split second forget that I was in middle of a massive campus. All of the nature really just grounds you and takes you back to the small things. It has been my saving grace many many times. Plus it's just absolutely gorgeous!
What has been your favorite memory at UNC Charlotte?
I have been racking my brain so hard to find an answer to this questions! I honestly have so many great memories here whether it be my first football game, my first soccer game, getting a job at the union, meeting some of the best friends who are always there for me, my first political march, and so much more. I really had an incredible four years here but there was one experience I had at UNCC that challenged me more than anything else.
September 26, 2014, I was a shavee for the first ever UNCC St. Baldricks event. On that day I shaved my head and raised over 500 dollars for kids with cancer. It was one of the most emotional and impactful experiences I have ever had in my life, not just on campus. It is one of my favorite memories because not only did it help me grow as a person but it was incredible to see everyone participate both guys and girls and to see just how much support there was for everyone. I actually have the newspaper write-up in a frame in my bedroom still.
Most valuable lesson learned during your college career?
Slow down and make sure to do self-care. I know at times it feels like everything is rushing you at once and to slow down means to miss something but it doesn't. Your mental and physical health is so much more important than a grade. Piling on assignment after assignment, shift after shift might sound like you are doing your best and getting ahead but in the long run, you will burn out, get sick, mentally and physically exhaust yourself and now you can't and don't want to do anything. Due dates are important but it's also important to make sure that you are still taking care of yourself.
