草莓视频

When students choose the pre-med path, they know they鈥檙e signing up for a rigorous journey 鈥� packed with demanding coursework, MCAT prep, and hours of volunteering and shadowing. For recent 草莓视频 Judy Genshaft Honors College graduate Brooke Casey, the experience offered more than just an academic challenge. It became a journey of learning to make an impact in the spaces where she lived, worked, and studied 鈥� long before donning a white coat. 

Throughout her time at USF, Casey balanced rigorous academics with multiple jobs and family responsibilities while supporting her peers. She served as a Peer Advisor Leader (PAL) and an orientation office assistant, helping incoming students navigate the transition to college, manage their finances, and build a sense of community. 

In recognition of her resilience and dedication, Casey received the 2025 Courageous Bull Award from the 草莓视频. Presented annually since 2017, the award honors students who demonstrate 鈥渃ourage in the face of adversity, the courage of conviction, and/or the courage to act when others might not.鈥� She was nominated by her supervisor in the New Student and Family Engagement office, who noted her consistent commitment despite an overloaded schedule. 

鈥淒uring my entire junior year, I was working three different jobs across seven days a week 鈥� over 40 hours 鈥� and I was taking a full course load,鈥� Casey said. 

At first, Casey was surprised to learn she had been nominated. 

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 do anything wild or extreme. To me, my achievements were kind of mundane,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut being recognized for the award showed me that there鈥檚 courage in everyday actions. You don鈥檛 have to do something remarkable to be recognized or have courage. Courage is required in day-to-day events.鈥� 

Finding Balance 

Maintaining balance wasn鈥檛 always easy. As a pre-med student studying for the MCAT while working three jobs, Casey often struggled to take time for herself. 

"You don鈥檛 have to do something remarkable to be recognized or have courage. Courage is required in day-to-day events.鈥� - Brooke Casey

鈥淢y self-care slacked a little,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 sleeping as much as I should have been 鈥� I was staying up late doing homework, and my relationships faltered a little bit. But having open communication about my capacity with people close to me and having a strong support system was really important to finding balance.鈥� 

Support from her coworkers helped her manage her many responsibilities. 

鈥淥ne of my supervisors told me to imagine I鈥檓 taking off one hat and putting on another,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something I embodied at each job: If I鈥檓 going to work at USF, then I鈥檓 wearing my USF hat. It doesn鈥檛 matter how my last test went 鈥� it鈥檚 a new opportunity to restart.鈥� 

Encouraging Others with Her Story

Casey mentored first-year students through being a PAL, where she scheduled calls with first-year students and guided them through joining on-campus organizations, study strategies, and other tips for assimilating into college life. 

鈥淏ecause the transition to college was a little rocky for me, I wanted to help other people feel supported during their transition,鈥� she said. 鈥淓ven if they鈥檙e excited about coming to USF, it鈥檚 still a big change.鈥�

Many students confided in Casey, expressing the challenges of balancing school and work. She offered not just advice, but empathy. 

鈥淚 was able to resonate with those students who were going through similar situations to me, and in a way, they helped me too,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e found community together.鈥� 

In her role with the Office of Orientation, she also supported incoming students who called with concerns about class schedules, involvement opportunities and time management. 

鈥淚 think being able to talk to them and share my story 鈥� as a way to relate 鈥� helped them,鈥� she said. 鈥淧roviding resources was important, but being a listening ear was even more important.鈥� 

Preparing for the Future 

While juggling three jobs and full-time study, Casey was preparing for the MCAT. She studied whenever she could, pushing through exhaustion and external pressure. 

鈥淚 was really committed to still taking the MCAT during my planned year, despite circumstances in my personal life that led me to work so much,鈥� she said. 鈥淒uring that time, I was getting in a couple hours a day, just because that鈥檚 what I had the capacity for.鈥� 

Besides taking the MCAT, Casey also credits her Honors College experience with helping her prepare to one day work as a well-rounded and critically informed physician. 

鈥淓very Honors course has enriched me, especially the ones focused on global medical humanities,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think having that cultural competence is extremely crucial when going into the medical field. The Honors College provided me with a holistic approach 鈥� through peer collaboration and understanding others鈥� lived experiences.鈥� 

Looking Ahead 

Following graduation, Casey feels confident in her accomplishments and newfound perspectives. 

鈥淚've just learned to stop comparing myself to others and just compare myself to myself,鈥� said Casey. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud that I have completed the rigorous application process for medical school, and whatever happens, happens.鈥� 

Having personally witnessed issues of access and inequity in health care, Casey hopes to use her future career in medicine to advocate for underserved populations. 

鈥淗aving seen close family members go through health issues and not feel supported 鈥� and working as much as I did last year 鈥� I鈥檝e learned that being able to get good health care is a privilege, but it shouldn鈥檛 have to be,鈥� she said. 鈥淜nowing that people are working all the time and unable to prioritize their health, I want to take that into my future career in medicine by advocating for the underserved.鈥� 

Her advice to students juggling school, work, and family responsibilities: Be present. 

鈥淕ive yourself time to relax. Get involved with the campus community. Live in the moment,鈥� she said. 鈥淪how up to each role with a fresh hat on and give yourself grace to enjoy what鈥檚 around you.鈥�