As my first year at Ohio State University comes to an end, and I look back on the past eight months, I see each and every struggle, challenge, and joy I’ve experienced here in Columbus. I’ve laughed, I’ve smiled, I’ve cried a little bit, and I’ve come out the other side a changed person.
I started freshman year as a scared, uncertain eighteen year old who was positive that she was not up for the challenge of college. The very thought of doing my own grocery shopping was daunting, so how was I supposed to handle sixteen credit hours? The answer, it so happened, was in the people I would meet. Firstly, my amazing roommate, Sophia, who encouraged and supported me through each bump in the road, helping me to always see the brighter side of things, and to have patience when I didn’t get the results I wanted. Through her, I found a sister and a life-long friend who helped me survive the year.
Secondly, the entirety of Ohio State’s Cru Organization. I got plugged into the Christian group during the involvement fair, and being apart of their group has brought me peace and multiple friendships that will last a lifetime. I went on three retreats with my Cru friends, helped plan two parties, and really got plugged in with a community of people who continually support and uplift me, no matter the circumstances. Because of their presence in my life I’ve learned that it is okay to be vulnerable, and that it is okay to not be okay. They’ve taught me how to open up, and love people more freely.
Thirdly, the professors and staff at Ohio State. While the majority of my classes were huge, and my professors personally have no idea who I am, their passion and zeal for the subject they taught and their profession encouraged me to try my hardest and be excited for my course work. While general chemistry was a bit of a rough patch, Dr. Loza’s spunk and humor made each 9:35 lecture worth it; Professor Grimsley’s excitement and depth of knowledge surrounding World War II made me genuinely excited to attend class; Dr. Bootan’s analogies and demonstrations of mitosis and meiosis made biology more understandable and enjoyable. My classwork was an adjustment from high school, and at times the multiple lab reports and mastering biology assignments seemed overwhelming, but because of the patience of my TA’s and the thoroughness of my lecture professors I was given the tools necessary to succeed.
Overall, my first year at Ohio State has gone by in a whirwind. I’m looking forward to the summer, but I’m also dreading leaving this campus that has become my home and the friends who have become family. I cannot wait to return in the fall, start my sophomore year, and continue along this journey. I’ve grown so much in the past year alone, I can only image how different I’ll be after three more.