My First Semester at OSU

This first semester has not been easy. Adjusting to college life and college academics have been a real challenge. As an office assistant, I’ve had to juggle crazy hour shifts, getting up at 5 A.M.  two days a week to work a shift, and sometimes even 1-5 A.M’s,  all while also going to class and doing my work/studying. Before college, I never really got a background in chemistry. My sophomore year honors chem teacher made it a lot more like honors storytime, instead of actually teaching. When I got to college chemistry was a complete shock to me, the amount of work, effort, and time that has gone into this class has been insane. I spend hours every night, completing the homework and prelectures while also trying to study for the final in the class. It has definitely been a major challenge for me academically, as I have never really studied and if I did definitely not to this extent that I have had to for this class. Another major challenge has been adjusting to living with another human. I shared a room at my house for a few years when I was younger, but for the majority of my life I have my own room as an escape, but that is obviously not a possibility in college. Finding alone time is quite rare, although I do love social interaction and being surrounded by people; it is hard to always have another person around. During high school, I would socialize during the day, but then when I got home, I would go to my room for hours and not interact with anyone. That is obviously not possible, and the only alone time I get is when my roommate has plans or classes. I like my roommate and we get along, but that doesn’t mean I wish i could be alone sometimes. There have also been some small issues between us that have created tensions at times, but that comes with living with anyone, as some of their little habits can come to annoy you times; but these issues have always worked out between ourselves. Homesickness didn’t really affect me for the first two months of college, but after I went home for fall break I realized how much I missed being back with my family and my room, so coming back here made me a little bit sad. Being at Ohio State right now has been tough especially, because this time is my favorite time of the year. Before i left, my family put up the Christmas tree and some of the decorations putting me in the Christmas spirit, but then the very next day I was coming back here for the Michigan game and slammed by the all the final projects and final exams approaching. I’m not quite sure if I have found my place here at OSU yet, but I am sure that will come as I get involved in clubs and activities, and as I develop stronger relationships with the people that surround me. Overall, this first semester has been a big change and transition, maybe one not so easily accepted, but I am learning to adjust and growing as a person, and am excited to see what next semester has to bring.

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 guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

G.O.A.L.S.

[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.

  • Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc.
  • Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
  • Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
  • Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
  • Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]

Career

[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career.  Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated.  For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

My First Week at OSU

This is technically my second week at OSU because I have a job as an Office Assistant over in Morrison and was required to move in early for the position. Adjusting when I first arrived was hard, as it was quite lonely. There was no one on campus and absolutely nothing to do, other than a few two hour shifts as an OA. However, all of my doubts disappeared as soon as move in day rolled around. Immediately, I interacted with my hall mates and bonded with them. Being a part of arts scholars and the Baker West community in general has already impacted me, making Ohio State seem smaller and home-like. It has been weird adjusting to the odd middle of the night hour shifts I work as an Office Assistant, living in close quarters with another human, and the different style of classes. Those are things I know I will have to work on to succeed here. However,  as of now I feel like I have been adapting to these changes quite well taking them on and already feel at place here at OSU. I wasn’t sure how well I would be able to adapt to this new chapter of my life, however, these new adjustments are the first of many changes as I become an adult and hopefully I’ll be ready to take them on, so I can continue to succeed and do well into my real life. To be honest, my expectations prior to coming here don’t live up to the reality of experiencing being an actual student at Ohio State meeting new, awesome people, forming bonds with them, and experiencing all the new, great things OSU has to offer. I’ve already created so many friendships that I hope will last for a lifetime.

 

About Me

 

Hi I’m Lauren Rodgers, I’m a first year student with a molecular genetics major., your academic interests, your goals, as well as the things that make you unique. I’m hoping to go to graduate school or med school after my undergrad, to eventually become a geneticist, doing ground breaking research in lab on gene expression or a doctor helping patients with various different genetic disorders and working with them to find treatment.