My 1st Quarter: Kimberly Smith-Howard

What made your first quarter at LIFE so memorable?

I have to tell you, when I came back to school in D.C., it was just so exciting to me – a new atmosphere, a new environment, new people. People had some very different beliefs than what I was familiar with, and so it was a time of learning more than just what I was learning in class. I was learning about other lifestyles and about other, you know, environments and other people’s beliefs, other philosophies and everything that I just wasn’t accustomed to. Just the excitement of coming in and doing something new. When I got into D.C., I remember the very first day, the very first class in the D.C. program, I went in and Dr. Ralph Davis was the instructor, and the first thing he said was, “Good morning, doctors.” And that, it gave me chill bumps just to hear us referred to as doctors. It was like, “Oh my gosh.” I just felt so much drive and I suddenly felt like I had realized my purpose. I realized what I was about to do and it was just exciting.

What surprised you during your first quarter at LIFE?

I have never had to memorize that many things in my whole life. For a midterm, we had to know over 200 different bones or parts of bones or whatever. I’m just like, “Oh my gosh. How am I supposed to learn this?” The other thing that was surprising was that I did it. Surprising that I could push myself that hard.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I am good enough. I am enough. Because I’ve gone through not feeling like I was good enough. I had a lot to overcome, and LIFE really gave me life. I guess that’s what I would want to tell my other self, my former self is, “You’re enough. You are good enough. You can do this and the sky is the limit.”

How would you describe your first quarter in a few words?

I’ve learned so much and changed so much – just the whole journey has been so exciting. But for me, enjoying the journey.