Houston Daily

Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine during the Orange Revolution, Sadie Hill was adopted by a Texas family. After losing her adoptive mother to a brain tumor, she has dedicated her life to neuroscience. Now a neuroscience-focused medical student in Houston, she recently earned recognition from Study.com’s College Debt Payoff Program. In an interview with Houston Daily, Hill shares her journey and offers practical tips to help other students succeed.

Houston Daily: What do you remember or know about your early days in Ukraine, and how have they influenced the person you’ve become?

Hill: I remember my time in a Ukrainian orphanage, where I was placed with the boys because they were seen as more likely to be adopted. We had just two caregivers for all of us, and every evening we sat at small children’s tables eating oatmeal while they read us stories. One of my clearest memories is the day I met my adoptive parents, a Guatemalan woman and an American man. They found me, a little girl hidden with the boys, and were able to adopt me and leave the country before the Orange Revolution war began. These early experiences have deeply shaped who I am. Growing up in the orphanage gave me a tender awareness of struggle, and being chosen by my adoptive parents filled my heart with lasting gratitude. I believe my story is living proof that God has a plan for each of us. Their decision to give me a new life became the foundation of my faith; a faith rooted in the unshakable belief that God sees us, knows us, and cares deeply about our future.

Houston Daily: Can you tell us about the personal struggle you have experienced? How have they shaped your passion for neuroscience?

Hill: After my adopted mother passed away from a brain tumor when I was just eight years old, I struggled to understand what was happening. No therapy or medication seemed to help her, and each medical intervention only made her worse. I felt powerless. But the night she died, while I was in Guatemala, I had a dream. A radiant light spoke to me and said, “She is with Me. I will take care of you.” When I awoke, I already knew she was gone. That experience became my first personal foundation: faith. It grounded me. It gave me peace. I learned to trust that God knows each of my days, and that I am not alone. Another personal struggle happened while I was attending university in Mexico. I got caught up in what people call the “college life.” After finishing my homework, I would go out to restaurants, the nightlife scene, and stay out late. After a while, it started taking a toll on me. I wasn’t eating the right foods, the drinks I was consuming gave me brain fog, and the lack of sleep left me emotionally dull. I started asking myself why I was feeling so bad. That’s when I began to reflect on who I was hanging out with, what I was eating, how little sunlight I was getting, and how badly my body needed real hydration. Once I identified those things and made changes, everything shifted. I had more energy, I got back to focusing on my homework, I felt stronger, and my mind was sharp again, just in time for finals. These experiences are what led me to neuroscience. They showed me just how much the brain is affected by what we consume whether it’s medications, processed food, lack of sun, or the people we’re around. It all impacts the central nervous system. I want to bring clarity to patients through my clinic work. I want people to understand why their bodies aren’t healing, or why they feel the way they do. I believe in a holistic view of care; we are mind, body, and spirit, and we need to care for all of it. I truly believe our bodies are made perfectly and can heal themselves. We just have to stop giving them damaging chemicals and start supporting them with the right tools. The answer isn’t always more medication. Sometimes the answer is a complete lifestyle shift and I want to help people discover that.

Houston Daily: What drew you to earn your psychology degree through Study.com, and how did it prepare you for medical school?

Hill: During my first two years of university, I was focused on forensic psychology because I wanted to advocate for individuals whose mental health issues left them defenseless within the justice system. However, everything changed when I took a neuropsychology course. Learning how the brain functions on a detailed level, and how specific injuries or disorders can alter a person’s behavior and biological systems, captivated me. We explored not only brain structures and damage, but also the chemistry of medications and the effectiveness of various therapies in helping patients regain lost abilities through consistent, targeted work. That experience sparked a shift in my career goals. I knew then that I wanted to pursue medicine, specifically in the field of neurology, and offer holistic treatment options that focus on healing rather than simply managing symptoms through pharmaceuticals. Study.com made that transition possible. Its flexible, student-centered approach allowed me to balance academic demands with life’s responsibilities. The platform offered all the courses I needed to meet medical school prerequisites, and the content was engaging and accessible across multiple formats, whether I needed visual lectures, reading materials, or practice assessments. Even the most challenging subjects, like Organic Chemistry I and II, became manageable through Study.com’s clear instruction and supportive resources. It gave me the confidence and foundational knowledge to prepare for the MCAT and further pursue my passion for neurology.

Houston Daily: You recently received the College Debt Payoff Award from Study.com. How has it impacted your educational journey?

Hill: It is an answered prayer. For a while, I planned to work extra hours and dedicate a large portion of my income toward paying off school debt so I could start medical school with a clean financial slate. Receiving the College Debt Payoff Award changed that path in the best way. Instead of focusing on financial obligations, I can now give my full attention and energy to my medical studies. This opportunity has brought peace, clarity, and a renewed excitement for the journey ahead. With more financial flexibility, I’m able to study more deeply, engage in meaningful learning, and confidently pursue the calling I feel toward holistic neurological care. I'm incredibly thankful for this recognition, it has empowered me to move forward with greater freedom and focus.

Houston Daily: Many students struggle with motivation and confidence. What are some of the most effective, actionable tips you’ve learned that can help students succeed?

Hill: One of the most powerful strategies I’ve developed is changing the way I think about tests. I’ve trained myself to see them not as something to fear, but as a helpful tool as a checkpoint that shows me what I understand and what I still need to work on. I also remind myself often that grades do not define intelligence. Everyone learns differently, and staring at notes for hours may not work for everyone. What’s helped me most is teaching what I’ve learned, to myself in the mirror or to my friends. I break down complex concepts into simple, easy-to-understand explanations. If I can’t explain it simply, I know I don’t fully understand it yet. And let’s be honest, people don’t want complicated answers; they want clarity. By simplifying the material and practicing how I would explain it to someone else, I gain a deeper understanding and more confidence going into any test. And when I face a question I’m unsure about, I remember Occam’s Razor: the simplest explanation is usually the right one. It reminds me not to overthink, but to trust what I know. Learning is a process, not a performance, and confidence comes from practicing grace with yourself while staying curious and persistent.

Houston Daily: What daily habits or mindset shifts have helped you stay grounded and focused on your goals?

Hill: One of the daily habits that grounds me is meditating on Psalm 139:16: “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” This verse reminds me that God already knows every detail of my life: the good, the difficult, and everything in between. It gives me peace and confidence that nothing is outside His plan. So when I begin to worry about things beyond my control, I pause, breathe, and surrender those thoughts, trusting that God knows my heart and holds my future. Another important mindset shift has been learning to be gentle with myself. I used to be hard on myself when I didn’t meet goals within the timeline I imagined. But I’ve learned that growth doesn’t always follow our schedule. By practicing positive psychology, I’ve become intentional about observing negative self-talk and purposefully replacing it with words of encouragement, forgiveness, and love. This habit has changed everything. It helps me stay grounded, release self-pity, and see new possibilities and paths forward, even in the face of setbacks. These daily practices: faith, surrender, self-compassion, and intentional positivity; keep me aligned with my purpose and give me the strength to keep moving forward.

Houston Daily: What tips do you have for other students in the Houston area?

Hill: If you’re pursuing university, take it one step at a time. Success isn’t just about intelligence, it’s about strategy, self-worth, and how you manage your time. One thing I often tell my peers is this: break big tasks into small, manageable moments. I recently spoke with a Houston student who was struggling to complete homework. I shared a method that’s helped me: set a 20-minute timer and focus completely on your homework, no distractions. After that, take a break, do something you enjoy, and come back later for another 20-minute session. By the end of the day, you may have dedicated multiple hours to your homework and completed it, without stress or burnout. Doing this consistently shows you that it’s not the amount of homework that’s overwhelming; it’s how you manage your time. This approach builds self-discipline without burnout. It teaches you that consistency matters more than intensity. Don’t compare your journey to others. Outsmart the pressure by doing what works best for you. Your path is valid, and you’re capable of getting to the finish line, one small step at a time.