For the first time, I didn’t know how to handle the unexpected. So I did what I felt like then was the unthinkable: I took the fall semester off.

What made my decision so difficult wasn’t disappointing my parents, who come from a culture where academic life was the only path to a successful life, but rather, the fear of Harvard leaving me behind.

In particular, I was nervous about losing the friendships I had developed, the work I had put in as a Crimson sports editor (including giving up my beats), and just, in general, being out of the Harvard “loop”.

But obviously, soul searching took precedence, and leaving the comforts of the Harvard bubble was the only solution.

For an entire semester, I practiced six hours a day. I did nothing but play the violin, and music quickly became a part of my life again.

I occasionally got my fill of Harvard by emailing with blockmates and perusing The Crimson website. I even got to watch the Crimson’s thrilling come-from-behind victory at Yale on national television.

Before I knew it, the fall semester had come to an end, and I now find myself back in Cambridge with newly defined goals influenced by passion rather than expectations.

It’s been over a month now since my return, and it’s amazing to see just how much has changed for me over the course of a semester.

I’ve finally overcome that feeling of uncertainty. I’ve learned that music and medicine, at its core, are intrinsically connected in the sense that both serve as therapeutic treatments–one for the soul, the other for the body. I’ve learned that, with the right guidance, time management, and a bit of luck, it is indeed possible to become a doctor by day, violinist by night. As Yogi Berra said, “If you come to a fork in the road, take it!”

And I intend to do so.

From a sports point of view, I was impressed with just how many new players have dominated the Crimson sports scene. With freshmen such as Louis Leblanc, Victoria Lippert, and Kyle Casey leading their respective teams, I quickly had to learn—and relearn—a lot of names as a Sports writer. No more Chris Pizzotti ’08-’09 and Sarah Vallaincourt ’08-’09 tearing up the gridiron and ice, but rather, new faces like juniors Collier Winters and Liza Ryabkina leading the Crimson to successful seasons.

At the same time, I find it equally astonishing just how much has stayed the same. The anxiety I had of being left behind was quickly put to rest as I was welcomed back by my community in Currier House. My fellow editors at The Crimson made me feel like I hadn’t even left at all, as I felt as comfortable as ever walking into the Sports Cube to talk about sports.

In retrospect, my time away was at times difficult, frustrating, and lonely. Yet, it allowed me to discover what I’m most passionate about, and what I truly strive to be.

So what else did I learn from this whole experience?

Always expect the unexpected.

—Staff writer Kevin T. Chen can be reached at ktchen@fas.harvard.edu.