Academic Enrichment: Informational Interview

I interviewed a fourth year medical student to learn better about the field of medicine and medical school. He was very informative and helpful in explaining the application process and how each year of medical school progresses, as well as how he prepared during his undergraduate career. He explained that Year 1-2 is similar to undergrad and involves extensive studying and academics; Year 3 is the hardest and most intensive part of medical school, involving rotations which can be very stressful and time-consuming; Year 4 is the easiest and most relaxing. He gave some helpful tips for medical school applications, including where to focus my efforts, to apply to a large number of schools, and to make sure I know “why I want to be a doctor” and the “story” of my pursuit into college and medicine. He talked about some classes which can be helpful in undergrad, and emphasized the importance of preparing with Anatomy and Physiology, before the intensive courses which take place in medical school. Classes like Art and Pottery can also help in tuning fine motor skills.

MEDLIFE Mobile Clinic and Leadership Corps

From May 16-28, 2017, I attended the MEDLIFE Leadership Corps (Medicine, Education and Development in Low-Income Families Everywhere) in Lima, Peru and various locations in Ecuador (Riobamba, Quito, San Juan de Jillo). The trip primarily consisted of mobile clinics in Ecuador and a development project in Lima, in addition to touring local hospitals and clinics, and learning about the health care systems.

I took blood pressures, temperatures, heights and weights, while practicing my Spanish with patients at the clinic’s triage station. I also assisted with the pharmacy, and shadowed a physician and dentist on the clinic. In Lima, we focused on building a staircase up the mountains of Pamplona, to allow for water access and easier travel for members of the community.

Do.

I attended a ballroom dance class for the first time ever. Through the Club Dance Sport team, I took a dance lesson on campus. I learned how to dance the international cha cha. Although I was not very good, I had fun and learned many new dance moves. It was a great experience for me, and I really enjoyed challenging myself. 

Go.

I went to my first NHL game this year. I went to a Columbus Blue Jackets game versus the Carolina Hurricanes. It was a close game, and we ended up losing, but it was still an exciting experience. I love hockey and I had a lot of fun attending an NHL game here in Columbus. It’s a great atmosphere and it was fun exploring the Arena District downtown.

Eat.

Although I had heard that Jeni’s ice cream is very good and something special from Columbus, I had never tried it until this April. They have all sorts of crazy flavors anywhere from Celery to Extra Dark Chocolate. When I finally visited Short North and tried Jeni’s, it lived up to expectations. It was a great experience and a delicious treat. 

Final Strategic Life Plan

Through my strategic life plan with the Health Sciences Scholars, I have learned what my projected classes will be for my microbiology major over the next four years. If I should not succeed in microbiology, I have fallback plans of astronomy and astrophysics. If I should not be accepted into medical school, I always have the options to be an x-ray technician or physical therapist. The Ohio State University campus has many resources I can use for advice or consultations regarding my career including the School of Arts and Sciences Career Center as well as the Younkin Success Center. In order to stay healthy, I need to focus on all of the elements of wellness and not only physical and intellectual wellness. I must devote time to my emotional and spiritual wellness, in particular, including potential meditation, yoga and an increased amount of sharing my feelings and not being afraid to cry. I also need to pay attention to the time logistics of my extracurricular involvement to avoid an overloaded schedule and resulting stress. I am always able to talk to my academic advisers, professors, upperclassmen friends and student consultation services whenever I need assistance. If I ever feel overwhelmed, I am able to use these resources for relief and advice. I plan to continue to grow in the foundations of my beliefs and opinions during my time at The Ohio State University. I hope that it will allow me to form firm and educated opinions on political and social issues.

 

Year in Review

My freshman year at Ohio State has witnessed great personal growth. When I started here, I felt new to everything and very inexperienced. As the year has progressed and come to a close, however, I have taken part in many noteworthy moments. I obtained a leadership role on the executive board of MEDLIFE (Medicine, Education and Development in Low-Income Families Everywhere) the first week of school as the Collaborative Events Chairman. I recently, however, obtained the position of Fundraising Coordinator for the 2016-2017 school year. I have gained volunteering and hospital experience by volunteering weekly in the James Cancer Hospital in the Wexner Medical Center. I started fall semester in the Emergency Department, but moved to the Radiology Department in the Spring. Both the MEDLIFE and hospital positions have taught me valuable responsibilities as well as medical experience and social skills. I also recently obtained a position as Resident Adviser for the 2016-2017 school year. This will be a major part of my sophomore year and I look forward to the experience and the challenge.

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.]