Thank you for reading!

For this project, I immersed myself in an in-depth study of substance use disorders, focusing on alcohol, methamphetamine, and opioids. My goal was to understand the molecular mechanisms that shape behavior in people living with these conditions and to explore how those insights could be communicated to a broader audience. Week by week, I dedicated a few hours to reading and analyzing primary, secondary, and tertiary sources, carefully evaluating which findings held the most weight and credibility. Out of this process grew a website that translates dense neuroscience into accessible explanations for readers who may not have a background in science.

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At first I thought I would cover every possible theory, but I quickly realized how unsettled the field really is. Many of the mechanisms are debated, incomplete, or contradictory. That realization forced me to refine my approach and focus on the theories with the strongest evidence. Instead of trying to cover everything, I became more selective and intentional.

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I learned that narrowing focus does not mean lowering ambition. It means making smarter choices.

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The project asked more of me than just research skills. It challenged me as a problem solver and as a communicator. I had to juggle limited time, a full course load, and a part-time job while creating something new. I also had to confront the fact that the information I wanted was not always available. At first the lack of universally accepted theories felt like a roadblock. To move forward I relied on peer-reviewed articles, relevant primary studies, and resources from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Each step required persistence and flexibility.

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I discovered that I can adapt, even when the material is messy or incomplete.

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Building the website pushed me to think creatively. I experimented with layout and language, always asking how to make complex science clear without watering it down. That process taught me how important it is to reach people where they are, not where I expect them to be.

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Through all of this, I learned something important about myself. I thrive on ambitious goals, but I have also started to embrace what my professor calls “good enough” skills, which means balancing high standards with practical project management. I created weekly blocks of dedicated time in my calendar and stuck to them. That rhythm gave me the structure to finish something substantial without burning out.

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Consistency builds more than projects. It builds competence and confidence.

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Looking back, the challenges were real, but they sharpened my resilience. I learned to adapt when the science was unclear, to communicate across different audiences, and to persist even when my time was stretched thin. These are the exact skills I will need as I move into my future goal of pursuing a PhD. More broadly, I know they will serve me well in any setting that demands persistence, innovation, and clarity.

In the end, this project was not just about building a website or summarizing research. It was about proving to myself that I can navigate complexity, turn it into something meaningful, and keep moving forward.

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Resilience is not something you wait to find. It is something you practice until it feels like second nature.