End of Year Reflection

Looking back on my second year at Ohio State, I can see how much I’ve grown from freshman year (and even throughout sophomore year). I started my college career as a neuroscience major, and after almost a year of struggling, I came to terms with the fact that changing your major doesn’t mean you’re quitting or giving up on yourself. I changed my major twice after that, and after exploring different paths, I am able to major in something that combines my passions for the environment and politics; Environmental Policy and Decision Making (with a specialization in policy and governance). Additionally, I will earn credits towards a political science minor.

Besides the academic changes I made this past year, I made some major lifestyle changes as well. I believe I have become a healthier person, both mentally and physically, thanks to these changes and the work I put in to make them. I have developed healthier habits around my sleeping, eating, exercising, and studying. I am much happier than I was last year when I was less organized, motivated, and overall less healthy. I know I will continue with these habits as well as developing new ones throughout the remainder of my undergraduate career.

The changes that I was able to make academically, mentally, and physically throughout my second year have gotten me to the point where I can say that I am extremely proud of myself. I have been able to make myself mentally stronger, happier, more driven, more focused, healthier, and all around a better person. I am proud of who I became this year academically, and I am proud of the mental and physical progress I was able to make this year. I know that the habits and motivation I created for myself this year will allow me to continue to be successful not only as an Ohio State student, but in my future career and life as well.

Statement of Action

For my remaining time as an Ohio State undergraduate student, I plan to become more involved in my organizations (Defend Our Future, Buckeyes for Life, Biological Sciences Scholars, Alpha Xi Delta) through my various leadership roles, and I hope to pick up new leadership roles as well. I have adopted many healthy habits throughout my second year that have helped me be very successful in my studies, and I will continue with those habits (going to bed/waking up at the same time every day, eating three meals per day with minimal snacking, exercising 2-5 times per week, journaling, utilizing a planner/Google calendar, good study habits, etc.). I was very successful in my second year by being organized and disciplined, and I will continue to work just as hard throughout my remaining time on campus.

Vision Statement

After two years of college, I feel that I have a good grasp of what I visualize to be my future, throughout the rest of my undergraduate career and beyond. For the rest of my time at Ohio State, I plan to stay active/become more active in my leadership roles in the various organizations I am involved in, as well as continue to thrive in my classes. After graduation, I plan to go to law school in Washington, D.C. and then establish a career working in policy after that. I will make an impact on this world, and I plan to do so by taking action towards the things I feel passionately about.

Abstract

This ePortfolio documents my goals, visions for the future, and growth from the past. I have documented where I came from and involvement in high school, as well as my current and past involvement and leadership here at Ohio State. You can also find information about the things I am doing to reach my goals, as well as documentation of things that I have found to be interesting and plan to pursue.

Exploring Environmental Impacts of Different Actions

Many of my classes have allowed us the freedom to choose topics for research papers, as long as we can use the prompt to answer certain questions. The topic I have chosen for almost every single paper this year is about environmental impacts of cattle farming. Attached at the end of this post is a paper I am particularly proud of, but is just one of the many varieties of papers I have written on this subject.

I think this topic is so fascinating to me because of the ways that individuals can actually help, even on a small scale. Through my research, I have learned about movements like “meatless Monday” and how cutting certain types of meat from your diet (or just limiting your intake of it) can have positive environmental impacts. I still eat meat, but it is really interesting to learn that I really can make a difference by consuming chicken instead of beef, or only eating meat once a week.

I look forward to learning more about this topic through future assignments. I hope that other people will begin to educate themselves on how they can impact the environment in more positive ways, and they can see that one person really can make a difference.

Environmental Impacts of Cattle Farming – Term Paper

End of Semester Reflection

As my first semester of college comes to a close, I have spend some time thinking about how far I’ve come. I have learned how I need to study to be successful and ways to keep myself organized. I have picked up valuable time management skills and learned how to communicate with my professors and instructors. One of the most important things I learned was how beneficial going to office hours can be. Going into next semester, I am somewhat nervous about my schedule, but I will be able to use the skills I learned this semester to help me get by.

In addition to my academics, I have grown as a person these past few months. Coming from a small town in North Carolina, I was scared to be going to such a huge school so far from home. It made me realize that I am capable of handling things on my own, even if it seems intimidating at first. I have made great friends and really found my place here at Ohio State. Being in Scholars has helped with that, and has allowed me to explore some of my interests outside of my major. I look forward to the rest of this year, and the rest of my time at Ohio State.

Lacrosse

From the age of three and on, I was always playing a sport. I was put in dance classes, put on volleyball, swimming, soccer, and basketball teams. I learned to golf and play ultimate frisbee. I even tried ice skating for a bit. I learned quickly that I loved team sports, and I loved competition. Even so, I couldn’t seem to find a sport that I wanted to focus my time on. When I was in sixth grade, my parents decided that it was time for me to try lacrosse. This was a big deal for me, as both of my parents played in college and I was excited to see just what was so great about it. My first experience with lacrosse was absolutely horrible. I attended an advanced skills high school clinic at the age of 11 having no previous exposure to the sport. I struggled to keep up with the older girls who knew was they were doing, and left camp every day on the verge of tears. Instead of giving up on it, as much as I wanted to, I stuck with it and tried out different camps, clinics, and teams. As time went on, I realized how much I enjoyed having a stick and ball in my hand. When I was a sophomore in high school, I made the varsity team at my school. This was a huge deal, as we were state runner-ups two years in a row and boasted a total of four state titles, the most of any team at my school. I was absolutely ecstatic to be able to play at such a high level and be able to compete with some of the best teams in the entire state. I began playing on a travel team in the summer and fall so that I almost never had to stop playing.

Lacrosse was a large part of my life for about seven years. Coming to Ohio State, i decided not to try out for the club team in order to be able to focus my time on my classes and getting adjusted to college life. However, the sport of lacrosse taught me many lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I learned how to be a good team player, and that hard work will pay off in the end when you get what you’ve been waiting for. As team captain my senior year, I learned leadership skills. Additionally, I learned communication skills from interactions with my teammates, coaches, and even referees and other teams. Although I’m sad that lacrosse is no longer a part of my life, I am so grateful for my time playing it and all of the lessons I learned from it.

 

Year in Review

[ “Year in Review”  is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student.  You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]