The Importance of Doing What You Love – Lexi Crank

“I chose to study psychology because I knew that no matter what career I went into, a strong background in human behavior, cognition, and emotion would be helpful.

I would not have stayed at Meredith if not for the faculty. It was really hard to make friends during COVID and the support I felt from my professors made me want to stay, even though it was really difficult. I am incredibly grateful to my professors for mentoring, challenging, and supporting me in all my endeavors. Thankfully, as things have returned to some normalcy, I have also forged strong relationships with other students. I definitely have found a family at Meredith and that has made a world of difference.

I have engaged in many experiential learning activities while at Meredith including peer tutoring in the Learning Center, independent undergraduate research, being an undergraduate research assistant for the Advancing Insight Into Maternal Social Support (AIMSS) project, and studying abroad. Each of these experiences has taught me the importance of advocating for myself and others, especially when working with professors and other higher-ups. 

I’ve also learned the importance of doing what you love, particularly when it’s scary. I would not understand my passion for helping others learn, asking tough questions, and traveling if not for these opportunities, and I plan to pursue each of those passions once I graduate.

I’ve struggled with social anxiety a lot throughout my life and have always had a difficult time feeling like I’m myself around other people. Since I started at Meredith, I’ve felt more and more like myself around other people. I feel incredibly supported by the psychology department and the extracurricular activities I partake in, and I feel like I can truly be myself at Meredith. I haven’t felt that way outside of traveling before.

I have learned how important it is to connect with others in college. My friendships with fellow students and faculty will last a lifetime, and I am so grateful for each and every one of them. I could not have accomplished anything without them and they have truly changed my life for the better.

I chose to come to Meredith because it felt like home. I did Girl Scout activities on campus growing up, so it was familiar to me at an early age. I also had really fantastic interactions with the faculty before attending. I love the location and that it feels like a safe place to learn. It’s not perfect by any means, but it is my home away from home.

I am currently applying for a Master’s program in Global Mental Health & Society through Fulbright at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. I’m also applying for other health psychology master’s programs and MD/Ph.D. programs. I hope to go into medical research focusing on intersectionality in mental and physical health.”