September Newsletter
2026 Edition
"Dreams come a size too big so we can grow into them."
Josie Bissett
The Editor's Take: Welcome!
Welcome back, AMWA UTD, to a new year! I am honored to serve as your Editor-in-Chief this year and share with you exciting articles exploring women’s health, current health-related news, health issues, and more.
The Newsletter team is composed of 6 incredible writers: Paree Sardesai, Aditri Chikkam, Anna May, Abhi Saravanan, Sarah Sunelwala, Amani Ahmed. Every month, we will work to bring you engaging and informative articles in the form of individual articles, as well as columns like The Sex Talk You Never Had, Spotlight, Hot Button, Whats Poppin, Ask AMWA and Mind Over Matter. Stay tuned for more!
We also encourage AMWA UTD members to submit any pieces of work they would like to see featured in the Newsletter.
For this first issue, we wanted to highlight their personalities by sharing summer reflections, more specifically, exploring how their summers shaped their perspectives on health, wellness, and personal growth. I hope you enjoy reading these articles, as we have truly put our whole hearts into them. If you have any topics, ideas, or your own pieces of writing that you would like to submit, please feel free to email me at Samhitha.Palla@utdallas.edu. I wish you all a great start to your semester!
- Samhitha
A Diverse, STEM-Driven Tomorrow
By: Abhi Saravanan
When I initially saw the opportunity to work at the Citizen Science Lab over the summer in the weekly Honors college email, I had primarily applied with the intent to treat it as a second vacation. If I was selected for the internship, I’d get to travel to the East coast by myself! I’d have the chance to explore a new city by myself for the first time. Yes, perhaps I’d have to do some work, but I would have fun. But upon arrival at the lab on the first day of my internship, I realized the importance of the work that I was taking part in. I realized that this summer would be more than just a small getaway from home, and that I’d take from it skills I’d never get the opportunity to hone anywhere else.
The Citizen Science Lab, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a non-profit organization designed to bring science to the community. While open to everyone in the Pittsburgh area, it is primarily focused on children from underserved or minority communities. With an emphasis on empowering everyone from all walks of life to pursue STEM, the Citizen Science Lab is on a mission to make science accessible and engaging for everyone.
As a biochemistry major, my classes are focused almost entirely on actual science; learning how to interact with others is not something that I get a lot of practice with. It was through assisting with summer programs at the Citizen Science Lab that I got the opportunity to talk to all kinds of young scientists. The diversity in their experiences and interests made for an even more engaging adventure. I learned a variety of scientific techniques during my time at the Citizen Science Lab, ranging from agar plate creation to circuitry; I was able to dive into multiple branches of science over the course of a couple months! But, more importantly, I learned how to teach the skills I learned to children with both patience and enthusiasm. Kids who originally seemed weary of learning science dove into our lessons headfirst. The transition from seeing kids hesitate to step foot into the lab at the beginning of the day to not wanting to leave at the end of it reinforced to me the importance of making science accessible for everyone. Seeing a young scientist say, “Wow, this is so cool!” reminded me of myself at their age, barely scratching the surface of how incredible science can truly be with what I learned in elementary school.
Oftentimes, when parents were dropping their kids off at the lab for a program, they would say, “I wish I had something like this when I was a kid.” Comments like these are what emphasized the importance of the mission of the lab to me. The Citizen Science Lab works to show that science is for everyone, and that with the right support, anyone can find their spark. The Citizen Science Lab strives to make sure that our future is shaped by a wide variety of minds. Guiding children from all walks of life towards chasing their dreams was no easy task, but the reward was all the more sweet. Working with children who could shape our next generation of scientists, doctors, engineers, and more reinforced my own love for science; I got my own reminders of why I pursue what I do through my time at the lab over the summer.
My time at the Citizen Science Lab taught me that cultivating childrens’ minds today leads to a more diverse, STEM-driven tomorrow.
A Summer of Balance
By: Aditri Chikkam
When I think of summer, I usually think of a break from school. Sleeping in, seeing friends, spending time with family, and having a little more freedom than I normally do during the semester. This summer, though, I somehow managed to sign myself up for a full semester of classes instead, which led me to spend a lot of my summer in the library studying, doing assignments, and preparing for exams. It definitely wasn't my favorite summer, but having fewer responsibilities outside of school made it feel a little more manageable.
One thing I noticed a lot this summer was how much I struggled with fomo (fear of missing out). When I was sitting in the library studying, it was easy to think about what my friends were doing or what I could be doing instead. Eventually, though, I became more comfortable with the fact that I can't be everywhere at once. Sometimes I needed to choose studying, and sometimes I needed to choose having fun. Neither choice meant I was missing out on my entire summer.
I also started making more time for myself. During a normal semester, I don't always prioritize my mental or physical health as much as I should. When things get busy, it is easy to tell myself that I'll focus on those things once everything else is finished (which usually does not end up happening). This summer, I started journaling more, meditating, doing yoga, and going on walks. After spending hours in the library, these became simple ways for me to unwind and get out of my own head. Journaling especially gave me a chance to reflect on how I was feeling instead of immediately moving on to the next thing I needed to accomplish.
I think I became more introspective because of that. I had more time to understand what actually helped me feel better and became more comfortable spending time by myself. I think part of that was also learning how to balance everything instead of letting one part of my life take over the others. After finishing my finals, going to a concert with all of my friends was the best way to unwind. Being able to celebrate with the people I cared about felt especially rewarding. Those moments reminded me that school can be an important part of my life without having to be all of it.
As we start another semester, I think it is easy to fall back into the mindset that everything else has to come after school. We have classes, exams, volunteering, applications, and so many other things that can make taking care of ourselves feel less important. The one thing I learned this summer is that you don't have to wait until you're completely free to take care of yourself. A walk, a workout, a few minutes of journaling, or simply giving yourself time to breathe can make a difference, even during a busy and stressful week.
So, as the semester gets busier, my reminder to everyone is to not let being productive become the only way you measure how you're doing. Work hard toward your goals, but make room for yourself along the way. You don't have to say yes to everything, and you don't have to feel guilty for taking a break. Taking care of yourself isn't something that has to come after everything else; it can be part of how you get through everything else.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
By: Amani Ahmed
“How silly of me to forget how far I’ve come, just because I still have far to go.”
This was one of the daily quotes I exchanged with my mom over the long-drawn summer. Each morning, I would scroll through Pinterest in search of inspirational quotes to send over text. I would read through a couple, and would only stop until I'd read the one that just felt right in the moment. These reminders were probably meant more for me than her, if I’m being honest, but I truly looked forward to uncovering and sharing these little snippets of motivation. But this quote in particular remains tucked in a corner of my brain, long after its day of initial sent.
For me, summer is always accompanied with mixed feelings. Of course these feelings include that of freedom–freedom to turn back to the hobbies I’ve neglected throughout the school year, like listening to true crime podcasts, baking up some fresh blueberries muffins, or crocheting amigurumi creatures–all things which I did. On the other hand, summer also meant more free time to think about, well, everything. I often found myself up late at night thinking about my plans for the future. What do I have already planned? Am I doing enough right now? What if it doesn’t all work out? With the activities and distractions of the day aside, I found myself spiraling at night.
Especially as pre-health students, I’m sure we all relate to these times when we just become consumed in worry for what’s to come. Undoubtedly, it’s not easy balancing your current commitments, while at the same time, thinking about how we’ll make it to the finish line–a finish line that's not even in sight yet. The pre-health journey is a grueling one with many years in the making. Oftentimes, we are so focussed on what’s ahead that we forget all that it took to get where we are now. And indeed, how silly it is for us to forget.
As an incoming junior, (how did that happen already?!) I look back to the challenges I encountered the past two years. The frustrating nights spent deciphering equations in physics, the tiring hours spent in labs, and I can’t forget that organic chemistry exam that I thought would be the end of me. So many moments where I thought I wouldn’t be able to make it through, yet I did. And that is undeniable proof that I did, and that I can do it again.
For once, I am not going into this new school year filled with nerves and fear. It’s not that I’m not anticipating any challenges ahead (I just know physical chemistry will have lots in store for me). This time is different because I know that I’m well equipped for the hurdles life will surely throw at me. I know there’s still a long way to go, but I’d like to think past me would be amazed at how far I’ve already come.
Finding My Rhythm Again
By: Paree Sardesai
For most of my summer, my life had only revolved around the MCAT. The MCAT is an 8-hour-long, challenging exam that many students must take if they want to go to medical school. Since you’re required to know so much material across the sciences such as biochemistry, physics, and chemistry, I was constantly stressed with being able to learn and apply it within a 3-4 month timeframe. Instead of being at the pool, beach, or traveling, my summer consisted of textbooks, Anki flashcards, and many, many practice problems.
Frequently while studying, I would get imposter syndrome. It was demoralizing to do hours of practice questions, trying every strategy in the book, only to see my practice exam scores remain stagnant. When I kept scoring low, I began to question whether I still wanted to continue the pre-med journey. Thoughts had crept in, wondering if I was really cut out for this, or if I should switch to a different career altogether. It was easy to compare myself to other students and feel like I wasn’t doing enough.
I started to realize how much this mindset was affecting me. Sitting at a desk all day, it’s easy to get lost in negative thoughts. I felt guilty whenever I was doing something that wasn’t related to studying. I felt like I always needed to be productive, which made my hobbies begin to feel like a waste of time rather than something I enjoyed. In the second month of studying, when I had still not made any serious progress, I decided that I needed a change in mindset.
As a result, I rediscovered an old hobby: dancing. I had initially taken interest in dance a year ago, but I have a bad habit of dropping hobbies once I become too busy. As my college workload became more demanding, I had slowly stopped learning choreography. But sitting at my desk for so long made me crave movement, so I decided to give it another try. The decision was made on a whim, but it quickly became an important part of my summer. It gave me the chance to finally have a mental break from worrying about the next practice exam, or how much material I still had to learn. For a few moments, I could just listen to the music, learn the choreography, and enjoy the moment. Dancing was meaningful because I didn’t have to constantly criticize myself. I wasn’t focused on a specific score or proving anything; I was just having fun. One of my favorite songs to learn was “Rude!” by Hearts2Hearts. I loved how feminine, playful, and energetic the choreography felt. The movements are fun and expressive, and it put a natural smile on my face. It felt refreshing to do something simply because it made me happy. Dancing helped me reconnect with my body, gave me confidence again, and made my summer memorable.
As I write this, looking back, I realize how important it is to have balance. As busy pre-health students, we get caught up with seemingly endless work, feeling lost and overwhelmed. So being able to step away from that, even for just a moment, is valuable. Hobbies are not a waste of time; they are as important as your work itself. As we start this school year, I encourage you to find that hobby that keeps you going!
Keep a Little Summer in Your Schedule
By: Sarah Sunelwala
This summer has been one of the best summers I have had in quite a few years, so much so that I barely felt the passing of time. It is crazy to think that fall semester is already here and that three months of summer have already gone by. After months of sunshine, warm weather, and a much slower pace of life, it feels strange to already be back in the flurry of classes, assignments, meetings, and everything else that comes with being in school.
This summer felt like the perfect balance of relaxation and productivity. As someone who is pre-med, I had the opportunity to shadow an incredible physician, I learnt so much about medicine and healthcare. At the same time, I was fortunate enough to have so many opportunities to spend time with my family and friends. I traveled to three different countries, got to be a part of countless summer hangouts, celebrated so many milestones, and made memories. There was always something to look forward to, and never a feeling of constantly racing against a deadline.
That is probably one of the things I appreciated most about summer. I was still productive and working toward my goals, but I was able to do so at my own pace. I could dedicate time to my future without feeling like every hour of my day needed to be accounted for. I could spend an afternoon with my family, go out with friends, sleep in a little longer, or simply stay home and relax without feeling like I should have been doing something else. At the same time, I was able to be productive, add more to my resume, and make new connections. After spending an entire academic year constantly thinking about what assignment was due next, what exam I needed to study for, or what responsibility I had waiting for me, having the opportunity to slow down felt incredibly refreshing.
Now, as another semester begins, it is easy to fall back into that same cycle of constantly being busy. We are once again making our way across campus for classes, meeting up with friends between lectures, attending events in the evenings, working on assignments, studying for exams, and trying to balance everything else happening outside of school. At first, it can feel exciting to get back into a routine. There is something comforting about having a schedule and knowing what your days are going to look like. But slowly, as the semester progresses, that routine can turn into a never-ending list of things that need to be done. As everything starts to pile up, it can become incredibly easy to convince ourselves that we do not have time to stop. We tell ourselves that we will rest after the next exam, after the next assignment, after the next week, or after the semester is finally over.
But I think one of the biggest things I learned this summer is that rest should not have to be something we earn only after we have exhausted ourselves. One of my goals for the upcoming semester is to treat relaxation as a task, something I have to do in order to prevent myself from burning out or becoming overly exhausted. So, as fall semester begins, I hope we can all remember the feeling that summer gave us, and make sure we take time out for ourselves and bring a little bit of summer into every day.
Hot Jock Summer
By: Anna May
As a retired high school student athlete, I try to prioritize my physical health during stressful seasons, including eating balanced and exercising often. However, I am sure you know how the busyness of college can extinguish any hope you have to go to the gym. During the spring semester, life moved too fast for me to squeeze in all the work-outs I wanted to. I missed feeling strong. Thankfully, I was lucky enough to have the free time this summer to get back into weightlifting; watching and playing some basketball; and running a straight mile for the first time since high school. What a win for a girl who totally despises running!
Some of my highlights this summer included traveling to Italy with my family; fostering a dog named Estella; and going to a couple Dallas Wings games. Following the WNBA this season was so fun. As I watched fierce women play against each other, I felt I often got as competitive as the team was for a Wings win. It is refreshing to have a team to root for and bond with other fans over.
One of the best things that came out of this summer was an unexpected love for rock climbing. For a couple months, I had been feeling dull, mundane, and like I needed something more interesting in my life. The monotonous song of the same summer classes each week was stuck in my head. I needed a change of tune. I tried cooking adventurous recipes, which turned out to be disgusting, and attempted to start a Depop shop, which was far too much trouble than it was worth. My itch for a new hobby was delightfully scratched on the first day I went rock climbing. Though my arms ached with exhaustion and my hands were raw from gripping the holds, I was hooked on bouldering. I could imagine eventually working my way up to higher levels and enjoying the journey upwards (literally). I got a trial membership for two weeks, and soon after that, I committed to an actual membership. Being able to move my body, solve creative physical puzzles, and progress to harder climbs day after day was so much fun. I saw results: greater upper body strength and improvements in proper technique. And the best part? Six weeks after my first day of climbing, I did my first pull-up!
As well as allowing me to get physically stronger, climbing helps me exercise my mental fortitude. One day, when I was dangling fifteen feet above the ground, clutching a rock with one hand, I feared that the next hold was out of my reach and I was doomed to fall. I started to doubt my biceps and my resilience.
Deep breath. Hold on. Be brave!
I pulled myself up, swung to the finish, and climbed down victoriously. When I attempted the same problem a week later, a new confidence took hold, and all my anxiety dissolved. I sent the route with ease, excited to repeat the win that first seemed so impossible. Since then, I remind myself of reaching that tough goal before trying an intimidating new route. Practicing fearlessness empowers me to believe in myself, especially when I am out of my comfort zone. Though some things seem daunting, I know I can overcome them through perseverance and grit. Finally sending a climb that I have been struggling with for weeks makes me feel like I can do anything.
This summer, I got to build muscle and confidence, all while having fun! I felt more balanced, beautiful in my strength, and hopeful for what lies ahead. I grew physically and mentally, but I know I still have a lot of work to do.
I encourage everyone to find something that challenges them, scares them, and strengthens them in a multitude of ways. It is so worth it.
Deep breath, hold on, and be brave!
Comments