Christian Jones

Why volunteer? Although the whole altruism thing is great, I’m not sure it’s for everybody; in fact, a lot of my experience would suggest that it’s not. Helping people just isn’t everybody’s cup of tea.

However, no matter what kind of volunteering you do, it’s likely to be a tremendously useful learning experience. Whether it’s exposure to people who aren’t like you or the simple improvement in ability you already have, it’s helpful.

Personally, I spent a great deal of time while I was in graduate school volunteering as an instructor for the Red Cross’s first aid classes. A lot of time. I taught classes nearly every week to new parents, nurses and doctors, students, teachers, lifeguards, and people who just wanted to be able to help out when they were needed. People from all walks of life. Small classes and large, they each made me a better teacher, better at first aid, and, I believe, a better person. I earned a “Volunteer of the Year” award, and that, I’m sure, helped me get into medical school later.

Sure, volunteer for others, but volunteer for yourself, too.

...and closest to getting me to number one on my list, “be happy”. There’s certainly a touch of codependence in that, but the fact is finding my soulmate (5.5 years ago as of this writing) was the best thing that could ever have happenned to me. And happen to me it did—I had very little to say about the matter. One day, there was a hot girl I was happy to be spending time with, and the next there was the love of my life, the one I would be with forever.

How does that happen? I wish I could say. I wish I could make others feel the same as I have for years now—unfortunately, though, I think it’s dumb luck, something I’m remarkably good at.

If you’re still waiting, hang in there. It’ll happen, and, no matter how long, it’ll be worth the wait.

Every day, I’m thankful that I graduated from a prestigious institution. HMC’s not as well known as some, but in the right circles it’s a name worth knowing (and being affiliated with). I credit my degree from Harvey Mudd with getting me into medical school, with getting me a fellowship in a decent graduate program prior to that, and in general to making me what I am today. (Well, the good parts, anyway.) Graduating from college can be hard work—but it’s one of the best things you can ever do for yourself.

...though perhaps if it’s done “just for the sake of doing”, it might not be as bad. I’ve driven across the US three times; I-10 almost the whole way each time. Three trips between Central Florida and Metropolitan Los Angeles; one round trip before and after my senior year of college, alone, and one with my significant other and her mother when we moved back to LA so I could go to medical school at USC.

• There’s no radio in West Texas, or at least none that can be picked up. The first drive I made, I had no idea my car’s cassette player didn’t work; that was a long stretch of road.
• In the Summer or Fall, your car will get hot in Arizona, New Mexico, and California. Turn off the AC and roll down the windows.
• West Texas also has some of the most sparse gas stations—fill up when you can.
• Drive fast. Three trips, ten thousand miles, one ticket. Worth it.
• Music’s fine, but for really long trips, books on tape/CD are the best.

If you want to (or have to) do it, good luck!