My second academic year at Ohio State was very different from my first. I recently reflected on the growth and development which I had throughout my academic year, and how it was primarily captured through Organic Chemistry 1 and 2. However, the rest of my academic path was also well defined by these classes among many others. During my second year, I also became heavily involved in taking my minor classes for Nonprofit Management. The classes which I took for my minor gave me a challenge different from what I knew in my science-based major classes. I learned how both cases impacted my growth on campus, as I could see myself using learning skills and strategies from both classes. In my upcoming third year, I am really looking forward to using the growth and development I have had during my second year and making the best of the rest of the time I have at Ohio State.
Year in Review
Class Reflection
Being able to take classes on campus and truly connect with the Ohio State community made all the difference this year. I felt immersed in my education and could see my growth drawn out from August 2021 to May 2022 in my second year of undergraduate studies. The growth and development which I had throughout my academic year were primarily captured through Organic Chemistry 1 and 2.
Going into my second year, Organic Chemistry was my boggart. General Chemistry had been a struggle that I managed to surpass, but I knew I wanted to excel in chemistry beyond what I could show on the online exams we had faced before. I knew that Organic Chemistry would be tough, so I was mentally prepared for the challenges that were going to come. I bought numerous textbooks outside of the class material, attended an open house Zoom hosted by my Ochem 1 professor, and connected with classmates and teaching assistants to gain new study strategies.
I left Ochem 1 feeling successful that I had passed a class that was originally so frightening to me. But what made me proudest of my growth was that by the end of Ochem 2, I was looking forward to taking more chemistry courses.
My development could not have happened without the belief that my professors and teaching assistants instilled within me. I was taught by professors at Ohio State that I will forever remember and be thankful for. The classroom where I had both Ochem 1 and 2, McPherson 1000, is a place I now cherish and will pass by with fond memories.
Year in Review
My time at Ohio State has had its ups and downs: with the impact of COVID-19, I have tried my best to make the most out of my first semester.
In terms of extracurricular activities, I have been heavily involved in the Biological Scholars Program and the Undergraduate Student Government. I have also maintained my research position in the Bakaletz Lab. My scholars’ program has provided me with a lot of insight into my career pathway in health science. The opportunities to meet and connect with others are endless. I had to learn how to manage my time between Zoom calls for my extracurricular activities and classes during this time.
Speaking of academics, my first semester went very well. I was able to use my resources during this semester by regularly attending office hours, completing practice exams when given, and even attending BioSci’s tutoring hours for general chemistry help. While it has been slightly difficult to adjust to learning while away from a classroom, I think that I have found myself less stressed as a result while taking exams. I can think more clearly when I take the exam in the same setting that I study in: that way, I am already comfortable in the setting. I’m interested to see how next semester will go if we begin to have in-person classes.
I look forward to next semester.