Year: 3th year
Major: Anthropology
Hometown: Vienna, Virginia
This week’s Campus Celebrity is a UVA 3rd year and a doctor in the making. Learn more about Deega Omar as she discusses her life as a pre-med student, what she is involved in around grounds, and much more in this week’s edition of Campus Celebrity.
What are you involved in around grounds?
I’m on the executive board of Daniel Hale Williams Pre-medical Honor Society, I am a peer advisor through OAAA, and part of United Sisters. I also mentor with United Sisters and volunteer through Madison House.
Why are you involved with this/these organization(s)? How do they add to your experience at UVA?
Each one of these organizations enriches my experience at UVA, academically, mentally, and socially. I also love volunteering in the Charlottesville community as a break from all my academic duties. It’s definitely a humbling experience as well.
What is the hardest thing about being on the pre-med track?
Not being able to do certain things with friends or go to events because I’m studying. Some of the pre-med classes are really challenging as well so it sometimes feels defeating when I don’t do as well as I would like on an exam or assignment.
What is SMDEP and how has it changed your view on becoming a doctor?
SMDEP is the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program that I attended here at UVA this past summer. SMDEP was a great experience that solidified my reasons for wanting to become a doctor. I now understand that I have to be sure that this is something I really want to do because it will be a long and hard process but be rewarding in the end.
Advice you would give your first year self?
I would just tell myself to try to enjoy these four years I have at UVA.
Although doing well academically is one of my prime goals, I have to remember to take some time and do things that I enjoy and take a break from all the academic stress sometimes!
Best part about being a Wahoo?
All of our traditions! I love Lighting of the Lawn and singing the “ The Good Old Song” at sports events!