Nov 4
Vol. 8 Issue 1
CHAPTER NEWS
Adapting ASDA to a School Year Under Quarantine by Clara Kohlmetz, class of 2023 Anyone
who
sometimes
knows
me the
knows plot
of
I
hate
a
“not
movie
knowing.”
during
the
I
will
opening
credits. I relished the fact that I read the Game of Thrones books long before the show and knew exactly what was coming for The Young Wolf (and honestly, I’m still not over it). Spoiling books and movies doesn’t affect how much I enjoy reading and watching them. However, the uncertainty of not knowing how things will end drives me crazy.
Uncertainty defined these past few months under quarantine. Many dental students, myself included, are Type A. We love to plan, make schedules, and know exactly where we will be in the next five years. These days, I’m sometimes not sure what will happen in the next five hours. As the president-elect for our ASDA chapter, that uncertainty presented a unique challenge for the upcoming year. We could no longer simply plan the
Dr. Spears shows off the culinary masterpiece he created during our virtual cooking class.
same events from previous years safely, forcing us to come up with new ways to engage our members. The first few weeks into quarantine, my goals for ASDA shifted from improvement and innovation
to
relevance.
Who
would
want
to
attend
virtual
ASDA events without the free food?
Over
the
past
few
months,
uncertainty
became
my
constant companion. Though I may never stop reading the last page of a book before the first chapter, I no longer feel as anxious about my future or the future of Houston
I’m only half-joking about the food, but I did go into this summer
ASDA. Everyone can only do their best. As long as we
with
drastic
strive for that, everything else will work itself out. We plan
change, and I was worried ASDA would be the last thing on the
to continue hosting excellent events throughout the year,
minds
and I feel lucky I get to work with such excellent team
some
of
hesitation.
both
officers
The
and
team proved me wrong.
pandemic
members.
During
the
caused
such
Thankfully, summer
our
session
officer alone,
members to make them happen.
ASDA hosted half a dozen events. From essay prep for predentals to a virtual cooking class to a Q&A with national ASDA leadership, our officers continue to amaze me. We also made improvements to our website, social media, and organization as a chapter. To address membership engagement, we worked on providing events with better and more relevant content. Rather than seeing quarantine as a barrier to participation, we viewed it instead as an opportunity for improvement.
Virtual events
allow more members to attend, including students from other District 9 schools. Since we no longer need to pay for venues or food, we can hold more events during the semester. We also primarily focused on wellness and social events that allowed our members to escape their apartments, at least for a little while. Once the fall semester begins, we hope to tailor our events based on membership feedback. ASDA exists to serve its members, and we will continue to do so virtually or while 6 feet apart.
Pre-dental committee pulled off yet another successful Interview Prep Day, despite the new virtual format!
