Bessie Guo

While scientists have made immense progress in memory formation research, so much is still unknown. What’s keeping us from fully understanding this aspect of the human brain, and what are memory researchers doing to overcome these obstacles?

Growing up, I had been different. I usually had fewer friends than other kids and often felt disconnected from the ones I did have. I regularly forgot assignments and exams — teachers would pull me aside and tell me I had so much potential, if only I would do the work. I was beginning to see why.

In my life, there is a Before and an After.

This point in the year is brutal — the 4 p.m. sunset and the thick exhaustion that settles into the darkness. But inside the pool, it’s always bright. The deep water of the lap lane is cool, while the hot tub and sauna are warm.

It’s hard to notice when the things you love begin to hurt you, and harder still to leave them once you realize it. Prioritizing my sanity and wellbeing was scary, disheartening and took longer than it should have.