A Transformational Second Year

I think that my second year at Ohio State was very transformational for me and allowed me to grow a lot both as a student and as a person. I took the most challenging classes I have taken in my life, including Organic Chemistry I and II, as well as cognitive neuroscience. These classes really pushed me and although they were challenging at times, they ultimately made me such a better student. They taught me how to study effectively and efficiently, and how to be ready to handle a test and push through no matter how daunting it may seem.

On the other hand, I also experienced a lot of personal growth this year. I took on opportunities to build my leadership skills, including the role of Lead of the Academic Committee on the Health Sciences Scholars Leadership Council, and the role of Co-Internal Affairs Chair on the First Generation Pre-Medical Student Association’s Executive Board. These leadership experiences allowed me to learn so much about working with others. I have found it so rewarding to have the opportunity to be a leader and role model in these student organizations that I have been a part of since I joined Ohio State. My academic and personal growth during my second year at Ohio State makes me so excited for the opportunities ahead of me as I transition into my third year.

My Service this Year

I fulfilled my 20 hours of service during my sophomore year by volunteering at the NNEMAP local food pantry. My duties included personal shopping and stocking shelves. This experience opened my eyes to the problem of food insecurity in central Ohio. It was so rewarding to get to make a positive difference in the lives of people in my community who are in need.

I fulfilled my 20 hours of service during my freshman year by doing volunteer work with several pre-medical clubs that I am involved with on campus, such as Med Life. I made blankets, cards, and pillows to be donated to be patients at local hospitals. I found it really rewarding to know that I am giving gifts to patients that will put a smile on their face during a very challenging time in their life.

My Goals To Complete During My Time at OSU

Global Awareness:

I would like to study abroad so that I can experience and learn from a new culture.

Original Inquiry:

I would like to get involved in a research experience in medicine and/or psychology.

Academic Enrichment:

I want to take advanced course work in psychology.

Leadership Development:

I want to continue to grow and develop my leadership skills in the Health Sciences Scholars Leadership Council, as a Health Sciences Scholars Peer Mentor, and in other leadership opportunities.

Service Engagement:

I want to volunteer at a local food bank in order to combat the issue of food insecurity in Columbus and have a positive impact on people’s lives. I successfully completed this goal in the spring of 2021 through my HSS Capstone Project.

One of my other goals is to help my community by taking a service trip with an organization such as Buck-i-Serve. I also would like to help others by volunteering at a hospital.

 

A Year of Academic Growth That Has Influenced My Professional Goals

My first year at Ohio State has been a time of great academic growth for me. I have taken classes that I would have found daunting as an incoming freshman, including calculus and chemistry. The courses I have taken at Ohio State have challenged me more academically than any courses I have taken in my past. But I have learned more information that I would have thought possible just a year ago, and I am so glad that I am in a learning environment where I’m challenged everyday because that has made me a stronger student and more prepared for my professional career.

During my first year, I have learned that some of the academic and professional goals I had coming into college were a good fit for me, but that some were not. For instance, I was very set on majoring in biology when I came into college. But after having the opportunity to explore my interests in a wide array of classes this past year, I have figured out that I am very interested in studying the field of psychology. As a result, I am now considering changing my major, although I am still weighing that decision because I know how significant it is for future. On the other hand, I came into college wanting to go to medical school, and the more I take pre-medical courses and learn about what a career in medicine can look like, the more I want to become a physician. And I plan on continuing my involvement in health-related courses and extra-curricular activities throughout my college career so that I can prepare for a career in healthcare.

The Lecture on Metacognition that Changed How I Learn

A major tuning point in my academic career occurred when my chemistry professor gave a full lecture on metacognition, focusing on how to effectively study. I have always been successful in school, but I had definitely noticed that my studying habits were inefficient and often exhausting. The lecture completely changed how I approach studying. I learned not to force myself to learn a lot of material all at once, but rather to spread out my learning with lots of breaks. This has made studying a much more efficient and effective process for me. I am so grateful for this professor and this lesson that he shared with us because it made me a more effective learner and provided with a mentality for studying that will set me up for success in my future.

About Me

Hi, my name is Virginia Anderson! I’m a first year student at The Ohio State University and a Health Sciences Scholar. I’m majoring in biology and I’m on a pre-med track. I’m very driven and motivated; academics are a top priority for me. I also love meeting new people and making connections, which is one of the many reasons why I chose to attend OSU. I love the feeling of community at this school, which I have even though I’m actually a commuter and live in a town called Bexley right outside downtown Columbus. I’m excited to be involved in the Health Sciences Scholars program because it introduces me to like-minded students, and because it can connect me to so many opportunities like community service programs and research. I hope to continue to grow academically and to explore my passion for becoming a physician during my undergraduate years at Ohio State, and I can’t wait to get started!

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.]