This semester has proven to be quite demanding as I navigated through numerous changes while balancing the demands of a student-athlete lifestyle. This semester saw me take on an additional major, complementing my ongoing pursuit of a degree in Business Management and in Economics. The rapid transformations over the past few years have fueled my growing fascination with economics and its profound relevance in the world.

Adapting to New York Winters

As December unfolds, marking a season of significant changes, the weather has steadily grown colder, and the days shorter. Being an island boy all my life, adapting to the shorter days and diminished daylight, common during New York winters, has presented its own set of challenges. Staying connected with friends and family back home has been instrumental in keeping me grounded and feeling less homesick throughout the semester.

The Nova Educational Grant has provided me with the financial ease to embark on this academic journey, facilitating the inclusion of extra classes. To accommodate the increased workload, I opted for a summer class, freeing up space in my fall semester for additional courses. Eager to delve deeper into my newfound academic pursuits, I enthusiastically enrolled in three economics classes, a decision that, in hindsight, might have been overly ambitious. Nevertheless, I am relishing every moment in each class, with particular enthusiasm for my Environmental Economics course.

Appreciation for Environmental Conservation

Growing up in the Cayman Islands, surrounded by pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, instilled in me a profound appreciation for environmental conservation. This semester's focus was eye-opening in relation to the interplay between the:

• Environment
• Population growth
• Economic needs

Especially engaging has been my Quantitative Analysis and Forecasting class, initially intimidating but ultimately rewarding. I successfully presented my research proposal on 'Pollution's Effect on Crime Rate' in different New York counties, earning commendation from my professor.

Insights into the Cayman Islands Impact on Pollution

In my final research project, I aspire to investigate the impact of pollution on tourism in the Cayman Islands, aiming to contribute valuable insights to my homeland. Despite the academic rigor, I continued to compete on the university swim team throughout the semester. While our team faced challenges, particularly on the boys' side with injuries and departures, we persevered, exhibiting resilience in close competitions. Personally, this semester marked success in swimming, consistently securing high placements and contributing points, despite facing scheduling conflicts that impacted my training consistency.

Looking ahead to the next semester, I am thrilled about a more manageable class schedule, affording me additional time for training leading up to the championship meet in February. Reflecting on both successes and challenges from the previous year, I feel more prepared than ever to embrace the opportunities and experiences awaiting me in 2024.