Young Scholars Program (YSP)

This program is something that has only given me more reason to be an overachiever. This scholarship and program are such a big impact in my education here at OSU. Without it, I wouldn’t be here. This pushes me everyday to remember why I am and here and how amazing it is to have this opportunity.

High School Graduation 2017

High school graduation was a wonderful time for me. I graduated as valedictorian and it was a great achievement. I think this will be the drive I need to keep me going because I always want to achieve more.

Service Engagement

Volunteering is my absolute favorite thing. Each year, I want to increase the number of times I volunteer and who I volunteer with. I love to give back and help out. I want to bring awareness to issues while also helping those in need.

Leadership Development

My leadership qualities are some that I am proud of. I have a strong voice that will refuse to go unheard. My mind rarely thinks about one side and not the other. Everything I do is done in consideration with others around me and what is best for what we are doing. One day, I plan to lead an organization to do great things. I have not yet found my place, but when I do I plan on helping with a new way of thinking.

Academic Enrichment

Each course I take has an impact on my way of thinking. Every person I encounter has an effect on me and can change my perspective. Through my academic career I want to educate myself and mentally evolve. Participating in clubs and taking a wide range of classes will help me do that. The choices I have in my areas of study are meant to challenge my way of thinking.

Original Inquiry

Research has always been interesting to me. Conducting research and having information that can contribute to a better way is the end goal. I would love to examine new ideas and styles for athletes and their practice styles. I want to evaluate and compare many different situations to try and create new information that can lead to a better way in athletics.

Global Awareness

I plan to engage in global awareness by studying abroad. I want to experience how sports and athletes are treated in different countries. This will give me an outlook that will allow me to understand new perspectives and challenge our ways of thinking.

Who Am I?

My name is Maya Bygrave and I am an undergraduate student who lives in Columbus, Ohio. I was originally born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Currently, I am interested in double majoring in Exercise Science and Sports Industry while minoring in Communication. The Honors program and Young Scholars Program are two university affiliations that I have. Both of which challenge me to be better than the average and push myself mentally and personally.

Being involved on campus is an important thing to me. Although, Young life and Black Student Association (BSA) are the only two organizations I am involved in right now.

Majoring in athletic areas keep me connected to my athletic background and I get to help other athletes at the same time. Injury rehabilitation, interacting with sports, interacting with athletes, sports medicine, and problem solving are a few of my interests. Working with athletes to maintain or rebuild their health is a lifetime goal of mine and my time at The Ohio State University will help me prepare.

 

Freshman Year- Fall Semester

My freshman year started three weeks before most freshmen because I moved in early to participate in a Summer Bridge Program with the Young Scholars Program. I was this eager high school graduate who was just so glad to be out of her parents house and living with a lot more freedom. College was not a scary place for me given that I spent two years taking courses at other colleges. The year started out as me believing I can conquer OSU and prove anyone who did not believe in me wrong.

Classes were not too hard, but time management was my biggest struggle. Over this first semester, I have learned better time management skills and how to live independently. Personally, I have learned to make it without having everyone as my friend but not shutting everyone out. I have met people who can help me in my success in the future.

I did not expect to drop a class, but it needed to be done. Doing this took three credit hours away from my intended plan to use every semester wisely. Surprisingly, this time allowed me to put more effort into the classes I needed to and having the time to attend office hours and really speak with my professors.

A major disappointment that came with this semester was knowing that if I changed my major to athletic training, I will have to spend an extra year as an undergraduate student. This was hard to hear because I was really excited about it. It got better once I realized I could still have a way to become an athletic trainer if my heart desired. I am now in exercise science and this major actually allows a little more diversity when it comes to career paths.