Introduction to 24

Well, my name is David Czovek and I am 24. You're probably thinking "that's a tad old for an undergrad" and you'd be right but that's what makes this all the more fun. I am from a city in Connecticut called Bristol and graduated in the spring of 2014 from Bristol Central high school. On a normal track, I should've finished my undergrad in the spring of 2018. While in high school, I applied to 8 schools and got into all of them. I decided upon Baylor University. I had never been to Texas and was excited to get away from home and go somewhere warmer. I enrolled as a General Engineering major and by the end of my freshman year, I realized it was not for me. Typical freshman who didn't know and was trying different things. I did a business internship which I loved so I thought maybe become a business student. One semester later and... yep, you guessed it business was also not for me. I went to my counselor and she had me take tests to figure out what careers would be best for me. The results? They all came back: middle tier, a great candidate for any occupation... I was very annoyed.

I continued on and thought well let's keep getting gen-eds done. After a while I decided upon physics: it was one of my favorite subjects and I excelled at math and science. I took your basic calculus' all three of them, took your differential equations class (a step above all the calculus'), even higher level physics courses. So at this point, I am 22 turning 23 and I have credits in multiple degrees with no actual degree and to make matters worse? Yep, I am now realizing that I would not be happy doing anything in the realm of physics... So what to do?

I went home that Christmas a tad annoyed and unsure. My parents then asked if I'd like to shadow around and I said 'why the heck not'. I ended up shadowing my uncle who owns his own dental practice. I instantly fell in love. Backstory: I was the kid obsessed about clean teeth, loved going to the dentist, got toothbrushes as presents for Christmases and birthdays. I never thought about it as a career. I loved that my uncle got to help people in a social atmosphere and it was over one of the things I loved: dental hygiene. So as I made my way back to Texas I had a lot to think about. My next step was a year-long internship that I had previously committed to, in where of all places? Yep, Oklahoma! Even though it took time away from what I thought I really wanted I was grateful for it because it caused me to look into OU as a transfer option. It was cheaper and had its own dental school. I finally sent in my application made the commitment to transfer and here I am.

This is my first semester at OU and I am getting my prerequisites done for dental school while getting a B.S. in biology (the fastest thing I could get while coinciding with my reqs). It's been a whirlwind for sure. This past December of 2019 I welcomed 24 finally the year that I figured everything out (or so I think) with direction and purpose and I wouldn't take a second back even if I could. So yeah I'm 24 and yeah I am still an undergrad but man am I peaking right now and I'm still going up.


Comments

  1. Hi David!

    I can relate to this SO much! I am finishing my last semester and I have really no idea what I want to do. I almost switched to a totally new major this semester (my mom quickly talked me out of this since I only had 6 hours left till graduation haha). Sometimes it is frustrating, but life is all about the journey and moving forward!

    Congrats on finding the beginning of a new path! My brother just finished his dental residency a year ago and he absolutely loves it! He just started working and I have never seen him so happy. I hope 2020 treats you well!

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    1. Aww, thanks so much that means a lot! Cheers to 2020!

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  2. Hi David!
    No shame in taking time to figure things out! I myself have been struggling to figure out a career path. I wish you the best of luck in your pursuit of dentistry. I think it is super cool that you made your way to Texas and now to Oklahoma all the way from Connecticut! I hope you have an amazing first semester here at OU!

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  3. David! Wow, what a story you've had so far man, but I would like to mention how glad we are to have you here at the University of Oklahoma. Reading about your story thus far actually inspired me that no matter where you chose to go, if it was not your thing, then it wasn't your thing. You're not one of those people where they believe they committed so far into something that they believe they couldn't get out. You want to do something that truly motivates you and the aspect of time doesn't matter as long as you reach your destination, no matter what it is. I'm glad you feel that you've found your place and path, and look forward to see what you have to offer in the future!

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  4. Hey David! No worries about being an older undergrad, I am about to turn 30 here in my last semester. There are plenty of late-goers in my classes too. I'm glad you were able to figure out what you wanted to pursue though, I'm sure that feels good. Good luck on your journey, and keep on crushing it. Never peak, always be peaking!

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  5. I bounced around before finally figured out where to go to school and what to study, David, so I know that feeling well! And how great that the "answer" as it were was right there in your own family like that. And since discovering my current dental hygienist, I have been a fan of dentistry. I used to be dentist-phobic, but this wonderful hygienist changed all that for me; we have now followed her over a 12-year period from one dental practice (dentist retired) to another (practice got kind of messed up) and to another (which is working out great)... so, my advice to you as a future dentist: hire the absolute best hygienists you can. They can be awesome! And I hope you are about to embark on an exciting and satisfying stay at OU that will lead you on the path to dentistry. :-)

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  6. Hi David! Your journey honestly sounds super interesting and relatable. I had trouble figuring out what I wanted for 2 years and changed my major and career path. It's honestly impressive that you love Calculus and Physics because those were 2 hard subjects I struggled with in school. More power to you! College is filled with so much uncertainty, so I'm happy that you found something that you're passionate about. Wishing you the best with your pre-dental pre-reqs and your semester!

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  7. David,
    You have had quite the journey to get where you are right now, but it's awesome that you have figured it out! I'm sure taking all those classes has made you realize that you can do anything, no matter what stage in your college career you're in! What made you chose Baylor originally? Was that the only Texas school you applied to? One of my closest friends goes to Baylor and she loves it there. What kind of dental work do you want to do? I had jaw surgery almost 4 years ago now and I have always been so interested how they were able to perform a surgery in such a small amount of space! Well I hope you're enjoying your first semester here at OU and you get accepted into the dental school here! Have a good semester!

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  8. David, I really appreciate your story. It's tough to make the decision to change majors, but it's also a decision of great importance. You don't want to be stuck doing something you aren't passionate about for the rest of your life! I'm very happy that you've found the direction you want to go. Also, glad you decided to come to OU over Baylor (great choice, obviously). Best of luck going forward, here's to 24!

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  9. Hi David,
    It was great getting to know a little bit about you. One of my friends throughout college is from Connecticut as well!
    The struggle to figure out what career you want to pursue is real. It's great that you finally found dentistry as your passion! Better late than never right? Haha, I used to watch the show 24! Great show haha!

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  10. David,

    I think that it's really great that you took some time to figure out what you actually wanted to do. There is no set timeline for success; everyone moves at their own pace. It led you to what you're most passionate about; that's all anyone can strive for! When I was younger, I wanted to be in the dental field too, but realized sciences and such were not my strong suit. I wish you the best of luck on your dentistry journey!

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  11. Hi David!
    I too struggle with thinking I would like to do something but then finding out I really do not enjoy it at all, but hey, thats life. And the fact we were able to try things and figure out they were not a right fit for us is amazing in itself! I am glad you transferred to OU and hope Oklahoma has been treating you well. I am looking forward to reading the stories you create!

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  12. Hey David

    I can really relate to your experience except the difference between you and me is that I still have no idea what I want to do. So far I think my plan is to do my summer internship doing commercial real estate and if I don't enjoy it I will probably go to law school. I'm originally from Texas and I have a couple of good high school buddies who go to Baylor. I wish you the best of luck in your need dental career!

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  13. Hey David! It is a huge struggle finding what you want to do so I am happy you found the thing for you! I am from Texas and have a ton of friends who go to school at Baylor. I've been a couple times and it's just not the place for me so I am happy you ended up in Norman. I also have several friends who are in pre dental school at OU and like you they all seem super passionate about what they want to do. Best of luck this semester!

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  14. David!
    No shame in being old for an undergrad lol. I say that because I am currently 24, and about to turn 25. It's always nice to know that you are not alone; afterall, college is great for everyone. I'm so glad that you have gotten the time to find something that you enjoy. Best of luck on the rest of your journey.

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  15. Hi David!
    This story is amazing! When you apply for dental school, you can tell this amazing story that lead you to dental school. I applied for medical school this last cycle and struggled to really understand why I wanted to be a doctor because I was so young. Being older definitely has its perks. Also, I am glad you came to Oklahoma! I am such a big fan of this state. Boo Texas!

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  16. David, reading through your journey was an awesome trip. More people should be comfortable with taking the time to figure out what they really want to do in life. I just know too many people who rushed to do one thing because it was the highest paying degree at the time, only to realize they hated every minute of it. I'm glad you got everything figured out (so far) and I wish you the best as you go forward!

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  17. Hi David, so nice to meet you! I loved reading about your story. I think all to often, we are programmed to have our entire life plan thought out going into college, but that is not true. I think experience is the most important thing because you don't wanna do a job for the rest of your life that makes you miserable. I had a similar story, I was pre-med throughout my entire college career and even took the MCAT before deciding that I actually didn't wanna be a doctor. I ended up switching to pre-law senior year and I am so excited to be starting law school in the fall! I remember thinking I would never get in this year since I was so behaving, this experience has taught me that everything works out in the end!

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  18. David,
    One thing I will say about your beginning story of your struggle to finding the paths that you are set out to find, is that this is highly common especially at this stage in our lives! I think that the most important thing that you're doing right now is maintaining the drive to find out whatever it is you are trying to do. It is better to spend years looking for the right path for you, rather than spending your entire life on the wrong path. But my, all the way from Connecticut?? I think this is one of the furthest places that I've encountered a fellow student at OU! Not counting international students of course. Overall it is great to meet you and I look forward to reading more and more from you. Never stop until you find your path!

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  19. Hi David,
    I am glad you found something you are passionate about! There is no shame in not being able to decide what you want to do. The most important thing is that you enjoy it because it is something you will be doing for the rest of your life! I wish you the best of luck with everything and stay safe in these troubling times!

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  20. YES!!! GO YOU! And might I add... OU!!!! "... peaking right now and still going up." That's going to be my new bio for all my social media. Haha! Just kidding, but not really. Great motto to live by though. I'm so happy that you're happy with where you're at - figuratively and literally. I hope this semester has not steered you away from the place I call home though. Things have been quite abnormal to say the very least. And I have to ask: are we better than Texas?? I mean, is OU better than Baylor? I'm curious hehe...

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