Sam Morgan, Biology
Imagine going into something brand new with no idea of what to expect and without someone you know by your side every step of the way. Think of how scary and terrifying it could be to be alone in a brand new world. For me, this was what walking into college was like. I knew no one and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. My family was over an hour away, and if I’m being honest I think I missed my animals most. This wasn’t going to be like high school. I knew that. Everything was a brand new start to my future.
Being accepted to The Ohio State University was exciting, yet terrifying. I knew that college would be different from high school. I expected it to be insanely hard and full of parties, due to the way the media portrays college. However, when I arrived on move-in day, I knew this would be something far different from what television or movies had told me. I would sum up my first week in one word: scary. I had to share my room and get used to going all the way down the hall just to use the bathroom. I had many doubts and I felt there was no way I would be able to keep up with everything. I was worried I wouldn’t have friends, be involved, or be able to get a good G.P.A.
The first week of classes had me running all over the place. These classes were longer than any class in high school and that made paying attention a little difficult. Since I didn’t know anyone, I had no one to sit by which made me feel weird, like an outsider. I had no idea what was normal in college, so I spent a lot of time in my room that first week. At home, my room was always the place I would go to if I wanted to be alone or if I needed comfort. Now, I wouldn’t be alone in my room and that was weird. On the first day of move-in, my roommate and I went to get Chinese food. That’s when I saw someone I met at orientation! We invited him to eat with us but he had to go meet his roommate. After we ate, I was determined to find him so that I would have at least one other person I knew. I went to the third floor where he said he lived and I made my best guess at which room was his. Knocking on that door has changed my college experience for the better. His roommate answered and I asked if someone who fit the description of who I met at orientation lived there. Lucky for me there was. My roommate and I spent time that night talking to and getting to know them. As time went on we became great friends and that’s when I knew college wouldn’t be as scary as I thought. I realized that I wasn’t alone in this because they knew as little about college as I did. We all hung out every chance we got. We spent many nights in the amphitheater on campus just looking at the stars or by the fountains talking about our days or venting about our problems. We got to know each other very well, very quickly. We each brought new friends into our little group and soon it wasn’t so little. The friends I have made here are truly who have gotten me this far. They have helped me study, made me laugh, helped me through tough times and even let me drag them to ice skating. They are more than friends to me. I consider them family.
Through the Buckeye Generation Learning Community (BGLC), I soon got to know many other people on campus and I gained the confidence to introduce myself to more of them! I ended the semester on the dean’s list and that was more than I could have ever wanted. After my first semester went so well, I decided to try to get involved in things during my second one. I now volunteer with third graders in a program called Diversity through Artistry. Those kids have made me so happy and I have learned so much from them.
Overall, I like how my brand new start has begun. The beginning was scary. I was alone and I didn’t think that would change, but as the year moved forward, I made friends, passed all of my classes and I believe I did the best I could. Second semester is looking just as bright as the first. I am so grateful for every opportunity and for the BGLC. I intend on continuing to volunteer for different things because it makes me happy. Some people say that high school is the best four years of your life, but I disagree because college has already been so much more fun and informative about everything. I’m glad I applied to and chose Ohio State because my life has truly changed forever for the better.
More about Sam
My major is biology because I want to go into the medical field and work with children as a pediatrician, but I’m considering changing it to become an elementary school teacher. Either way, I love working with kids and helping them become better versions of themselves. I graduated from Hilliard Bradley high school.
