My time at Ball State has exceeded my expectations. I was initially drawn here by the pre-medical program and the Health Professions Building. On my first visit, I fell in love with the campus and knew I wanted to make this my home. I also knew it would come with challenges, because I’d be arriving as an out-of-state student. Even though my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, isn’t far, I was the only person from my graduating class to come to Ball State—and I was stepping into an environment that felt completely unfamiliar.
Making friends has never been easy for me, and I was scared to put myself out there. I knew no one on campus and had to start from scratch. My first year was spent navigating loneliness and figuring out how to connect with people. At the same time, I was tackling challenging pre-med classes as a perfectionist who placed a lot of weight on my academic performance. I still remember earning my first “B” freshman year—I was crushed, because I treated academic success as a measure of my overall success, and I felt like I was failing myself. What I quickly learned is that I needed to find my studying style—and my community.
I got involved with Housing and Residence Life as a resident assistant (RA) starting my sophomore year, helping other students feel welcome and creating a positive environment. In that role, I finally found my group of people—and something I could thrive in. I loved being an RA, and it allowed me to grow as a leader and communicator. I also built close friendships that cheered me on through tough classes and supported my academic success. They helped me find the motivation to learn how I study best and how to succeed.
Later, I was given the opportunity to become a hall assistant, which is more of an operational role. It also allowed me to step into a coordinator mindset and help guide RAs in the same way I needed guidance when I was new.
I was also selected to join a research group led by Professor Lauren Mathieu-Frasier to study the effects of language erosion and language brokering on Japanese-American families living in Indiana. Being chosen for this work gave me a confidence I’ve carried with me—and it’s pushed me to take on new, unfamiliar challenges.
Now, I’m completing my honors thesis through the Honors in Psychology program with my advisor, Dr. John McCreary. I’m studying the moderating effects of psychedelic medication on treatment-resistant depression. It has been fulfilling to see the work progress, and I’ve gained research skills I’ll carry with me into my future career in medicine. I’ve also had the opportunity to present my research at conferences throughout Indiana and in Chicago—experiences that have been both incredible and meaningful additions to my resume.
I’ve grown from a frightened student into someone with the confidence to go after what I care about. I learned how to motivate myself, how to study, and how to build my community. I’ve found myself through my time at Ball State, and I’m grateful for the experiences that have shaped me.
—Mya Gregory, ’26
