THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2002
COVER STORY
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 9
Seniors reflect on the past
Emily Nelson Edina, Minn.
Back in the day: An easy-going psychology major who "partied and put things off," Nelson gave little focus to her academic success. In the meantime, she did community service in an effort to fulfill the one goal about which she was sure: she wanted to help other people.
Who she is today: After having an epiphany, of sorts, the summer after her junior year, Nelson sat down to do something she'd never done much of — planning. A
driven pre-med student, Nelson has focused her energy and rearranged her lifestyle (as in, organic chemistry over drink specials) to realize her dream of providing health care to underserved populations in rural and inner-city areas. "I started taking everything more seriously. Once you decide what you want to do with your life, you want to skip all the other crap and make it happen as soon as possible."
Changed...: Some of Nelson's friends felt they lost the laidback friend they once knew
to Nelson's busy, pre-med schedule. "Now they know it's nothing personal," she
"I want to help as many people as possible who haven't had access to health care.People who can afford medical care already have plenty of people to help them." said. "It's just what I want to do with my life."
Yet still the same: "I want to help as many people as possible who haven't had access to health care. People who can afford medical care already have plenty of people to help them."