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Year in Review
Freshman Year:
Looking back on my first few weeks at Ohio State makes things feel like forever ago. I remember arriving on campus feeling nervous and excited all at the same time. Everything felt better once I was placed with my scholars family. They were all so welcoming and made me feel like I had my place. I have talked to a few individuals about this week and how absolutely overwhelming the experience was. So many new faces and experiences were thrown at me all at once. Overall, the first weeks were unforgettable. Honestly, I did get stressed out during these first weeks but that was due to the newness of everything. I would not take back these first few weeks for anything. In that short amount of time, I feel like I learned so many new lessons and many new things about myself. One of the things that I feel like I learned about was that you will not fit in absolutely everywhere you go. College will present you with situations that you are not always comfortable in. For example, being thrown in a room with sixty new faces didn’t make me feel comfortable. In this type of situation, I was able to break out of my bubble and expose myself. I also learned that with time, things will get better. Coming in at first, I thought I would never get ahold of campus and I felt alone. After a few weeks, I was able to connect more with my peers thus the lonely feeling was able to disappear. With the time, I was able to get acclimated to the campus as well. The first few weeks of college are trial weeks where one gets a chance to learn more about what makes them who they are as well as learning new things about their surrounding world.
Sophomore Year:
Sophomore year has proved to be a whole different ball game than freshman year. Looking back at my time as a Dunn Scholar, I can reflect at what the program has done for me. Dunn Sports and Wellness has opened many doors for me, both professionally and personally. Professionally, it has given me networking tools and has improved my personal communications. With these skills, I was able to land a co-op for the year in which I am very grateful for. Personally, the program has pushed my comfort zones. I am a quiet person, no surprise there. But living amongst scholars last year helped me to meet people I would have never met and to improve upon getting out of my bubble. After looking at the doors the program has opened, I can analyze the lessons I have learned. I have learned that all things will take time. You are not going to jump into whole new world and expect things to so right at the very first moment. For example, last year moving in was a big change. For a little while, I felt alone and like I didn’t have anyone to turn to. Over time, I realized that I had people surrounding me that truly cared and were always there if I needed anything. Looking back at everything Dunn Sports and Wellness has done for me makes me very happy. I love the connections I have made, the people I have met, and the places and opportunities it has granted me with. I get the opportunity to go explore with my peers with Summer in London and it is yet another example of an experience Dunn Sports and Wellness is giving me. I would like the thank to staff for everything they do and making my Ohio State experience one that is very unique.
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 information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. 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 information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]
Artifacts
An artifact: something that gives a representation of a deeper meaning to a time in one’s life or the memories held captive within. If I had to choose an artifact regarding my first few weeks at Ohio State, I would choose my Dunn Sports and Wellness Scholars family t-shirt. This may seem like an odd and simple object to choose, but it carries a deeper meaning. This was one of the first items presented to me upon arriving on campus. Right away, this object connected me to a group of people of whom I knew would be there to support me. This simple t-shirt made me feel like a part of something bigger. Our family chose to put the words “dunndisputed” across the front. Undisputed, to me, means to not argue or question. With this type of saying across the front, I took the meaning as to not question the reasons that I chose to be on this particular campus. Even when times get hard, this reminds me that this is where I am meant to be. To me, this also means that our program is united as one and is a network that will always be there for one another, no questions. In general, this object is a simple representation of something that reminds me of why I chose Ohio State and my beginnings here. The saying makes me remember that from the start, I found my place and had people behind me with support. With no questions, Ohio State has become my home and is full of amazing people to cheer one on on their journey to success.
About Me
My name is Kara Barlage and I am from a small town called Russia, Ohio. Russia is about two hours from Columbus; it is about an hour north of Dayton. My high school class graduated with only 44 students so I will be transitioning from a very small school to a very large one. While in high school, I participated in golf and cheerleading for my involvement in sports. I was a member of the concert and marching band as well for three years. Once I became a junior, I became a part of National Honors Society and by my senior year, was the vice president. I served on Student Government during my four years as well.
Transitioning into college, I still want to stay very involved. I will be a member of the Dunn Sports and Wellness Scholars groups as a kick start to this goal. After settling in, I will strive to join an organization. My goals for my time at Ohio State consist of me exposing myself to a more diverse setting and graduating with a high G.P.A. Once I graduate with my bachelor’s degree, I hope to move on to receive my Master’s in Business Administration. I feel like I learn at a good pace and hope to keep up in college. I kept my studies very high ranked on my high school priorities and can ensure that I will be doing the same in college.
One experience from high school that I will take away into the rest of my life would be traveling to New York City to help the needy. Seeing the need in the world really taught me not to take anything for granted and to live my life to its fullest. I am excited for college and everything it brings. In four years, I hope to be holding my diploma thinking that I have taken full advantage if my time at The Ohio State University.