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Prenatal development
My mother avoided drinking and was already a non-smoker so I was not exposed to those assoicated prenatal developmental issues. -
Birth
I was born at 12:46am. I went full term which means I avoided the complicatons of being premature. I was also a healthy weight at 8 lbs and 2 ounces so I avoided the risks associated with a low birth weight. Note: the average birth weight is 7 ½ lbs. Thankfully, my mother did not have any complications during her pregnancy or during labor. -
First two years: Psychosocial
Most infants experience happiness when they are fed and drifting off to sleep. They will cry when they are hungry, hurt, tired, or scared. But some have uncontrollable bursts of crying called colic. This is expressed as crying excessively for more than 3 hours a day for more than three days a week for more than three weeks. I had colic after I was born for about 6 weeks. Due to this I was switched from formula to soy formula. After, my mother said I had a very friendly and social temperament. -
First two years: Biosocial
Babies typically learn to crawl between 8-10 months. I started to crawl when I was 7 months old. -
First two years: Cognitive
First spoken words are usually around 12 months of age. My first word was “dada” when I was 9 months old. -
Early Childhood: Cognitive
Early learning programs such as preschool help advance social and cognitive skills. I was enrolled in preschool which was probably a good idea since I was a terrible speller when I was younger. I definitely needed all the help and practice I could get. -
Early Childhood: Biosocial
Fine motor skills can be improved during this period through artistic means such as drawing, coloring, and painting. I loved to paint and draw. My mom and I would often paint on our porch during the summertime. -
Early Childhood: Psychosocial
Active social play is correlated with peer acceptance and healthy self-concept. Pretending or drama is a popular activity at this age that encourages imagination and creativity. In kindergarten my friends and I would play “house” at recess. It is typical that girls prefer domestic scenes and pretending to be adults. I would typically be the mother. I also enjoyed active activities such as dance classes. This would help improve gross motor skills as well as encouraging social interaction. -
Middle childhood: Psychosocial
Family conflict can inflict a lot of emotional stress on a young child. I met my father for the first time (since I was two when my parents divorced) at age eight. It was forced to face various feelings and emotions, especially because all of a sudden this stranger expected me to call him dad. My mother previously didn’t allow visitation because he was battling addiction. -
Middle Childhood: Biosocial
: Being active is very important in order to start good habits and avoid childhood obesity which has been a problem in our country. I was very active during recess by playing soccer, tag, and kickball. For almost a year, my friends and I were obsessed with cheerleading and we would make up our own cheers and practice during recess as well. -
Middle Childhood: Cognitive
Children in this group are avid learners. Memory begins with information that reaches the brain from the sense organs. This is the age when it was realized that I needed glasses. My grades increased drastically. I went from a C student to an A student. Part of learning is memorial retrieval which is improved when one can actually see what is being taught. -
Middle Childhood:Psychosocial
My sister was born when I was 10, the day before my birthday. This change in the family dynamic stimulated many feelings in me but mostly positive feelings. Becoming an older sister allowed me to experience different emotions such as responsibility and protectiveness. -
Adolescence: Biosocial
I had my first menstrual period or menarche at age 12. The average age of menarche is 12 years, 8 months so I was right on schedule. Puberty in general starts between ages 8 and 14. This can be a very scary and exciting time for both girls and boys because your body is changing, hormones are raging, and your brain is still developing. I also decided to get highlights for the first time at this age. -
Adolescence: Psychosocial
My twin sisters Autumn and Brooke are born. They are born in California but my father and stepmother decide to move back to Michigan so they can be closer to family. My life changes again especially since I am already 15 but I’m excited for a new adventure and the gift of more sisters. -
Adolescence: Psychosocial
Peer pressure and social acceptance can be challenging for adolescents but luckily I had a close circle of friends who kept me on the right path. All of my friends played sports which kept us occupied. I did not drink or party in high school and wasn’t even pressured too since my best friend did not either. We were still accepted by our peers and even made homecoming court our senior year. -
Adolescence:Cognitive
High schools have recently been emphasizing operational thinking and accountability. This has led to more AP classes and standardized tests. Some psychologists believe this may weaken creativity. Personally, I took two AP classes which helped me become valedictorian of my class. I kept my sanity during this high pressure time by expressing my artistic side in school musicals. -
Emerging Adulthood: Biosocial
Most young adults are strong and health because they tend to eat well and exercise more often. These habits are important to establish. Some people worry about gaining the “freshman fifteen” meaning you gain 15 pounds after starting college due to poor eating habits. I did not suffer from such weight gain initially but I slowly started to over the span of four years because I was no longer playing three sports like I was in high school. -
Emerging Adulthood: Cognitive
Research has shown that a higher education such as college leads to a higher income and potential heathier person. Those who attend are more likely to think at a more advance level and be introduced to a more diverse atmosphere. I was so happy to go away to school at Adrian College, even though it is only an hour and a half away from my house. I grew so much intellectually and as a person overall. Graduating college was a huge milestone in my life. -
Emerging Adulthood: Psychosocial
Identifying a career can be stressful during this time but necessary while approaching adulthood. I like many others, was unsure of my career goals. I decided to take a gap year after graduating undergraduate school in order to decide if I wanted to pursue MD, DO, or PA school. I was fortunate to get a job as a medical assistant where I can work with all three titles which have helped me decide to apply to Physician Assistant programs. -
Adulthood: Psychosocial
Marriage has been occurring later on in life compared to previous decades. Personally, I am not in a rush to get married but I do plan on it. This is because I want to achieve my own career goals first and I also want optimal time to get to know my potential life partner before tying the knot. -
Adulthood: Biosocial
Fertility problems increase with age but I want to have a stable career and travel more before I start my own family. This is around the age I would like to have my first child. Hopefully I will be satisfied with my own accomplishments and ready to raise a child. Pregnancy involves many changes in one’s life but the most obvious are those to a woman’s body -
Adulthood: Cognitive
People used to believe that intelligence declines with age but longitudinal testing has shown the opposite result in many adults. In general, it seems that some abilities increase throughout adulthood and some decline. After further education and more time to hone my medical skills and knowledge I would have superior cognitive abilities at least in that particular field. -
Adulthood: Cognitive
I would love open my own winery once I’m ready to retire from my career. This would be beneficial for my cognition because I would be learning new ideas and pushing myself in order for my business to be successful. -
Late Adulthood: Pyschosocial
Social interaction is important to reduce the feeling of isolation and loneliness that may occur in late adulthood. I would love to watch my grandchildren during the day while my children are working. I would get a feeling of satisfaction by helping my children as well as gaining a strong bond with my grandchildren. -
Late Adulthood: Cognitive
Creative activities help improve intellect especially when they are in a social environment. I plan on taking classes such as painting or classical dancing. These will help maintain intellect along with fine motor skills and physical activity. -
Late Adulthood: Biosocial
Many elders require glasses and/or hearing aids as their body and senses age. I predict I will need a hearing aid around this age since both my grandparents have them. I have no doubt I will need glasses. I currently have a strong prescription but even if you get LASIK eye surgery, the natural aging process of the eye typically requires at least reading glasses starting around age 50. -
Epilogue
At age 94, I will pass away in my sleep from a brain aneurysm. It will come as somewhat of a surprise to my loved ones because I was in relatively good health beforehand. I had a will in place so no arguing will occur between family members. I already picked out and paid for a plot in a cemetery next to my husband who died a year earlier.
