About Me

My name is Anya Cohen. I am from a small college town in Ohio called Granville. At OSU I am studying Biology with a Pre-Health concentration. I chose this major because I have always found biology one of the most interesting areas of science to study and it matches up very well with the classes that I need to take on a pre-med track. Being a doctor has been my life’s dream since I was little. My mom bought me a play doctor’s kit when I was five years old, and I think that both of my parents knew at that point that I would some day follow in their footsteps. Some of my passions include figure skating, music, theatre, cooking, reading and traveling. Fortunately, I have been able to pursue most of these passions while at OSU, except for cooking and traveling for obvious reasons. My family and friends are a huge part of my life, and I wouldn’t be who I am without them. My family has been very caring and supportive of me throughout my life in whatever I chose to do. My friends also have been immensely supportive. Most of my closest friends I have known since elementary school, however, my best friend Ashley Batey, who is also in Dunn Scholars, I have only known since the start of our senior year.

Year in Review

Moving into college, especially at a university as big as the Ohio State University was a scary and daunting process. I only knew one person coming in, my best friend Ashley Batey, who is also my roommate. Meeting new people is something that I have always found very nerve wracking and have shied away from. Coming in to OSU with my best friend as my roommate was exciting but also worrying for me because I didn’t know if I would be able to push myself outside of my shell to meet new people. Welcome week, especially the first three days with scholars, really helped me to do just that. Since Ashley and I were split into different families, the only times we could really be together was at the end of the day, so I was forced to try and make friends with other people. I also really liked how all of the activities we did were ice breakers, but not in an awkward way. Playing different sports with each other was a great way to get to know one another without the commonly used awkward ice breaker games like the ones that we had to do at orientation. This first week was also the first time that I went to OSU’s hillel for their back to school BBQ. This experience alone may have been the most influential that I have had all year. I already knew a few people that attended, but everyone was so open and friendly and I have really found my home there throughout the year, as a board member of Ruach, their conservative organization. However, if I hadn’t been forced to do all the activities during scholars kick off week, I would not have spent so much time with and bonded with Hope Pickus, who I attended that BBQ with.

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 that represents my first experiences here at the Ohio State University is the star of david necklace that I wear around my neck every day. I received this necklace when I went through confirmation at my synagogue at the end of my sophomore year of high school. The necklace itself is not only significant because it and the stones inside of it come from Israel, but because it was given to me by my parents who have been the most supportive and caring influence in my life to this day. The necklace always reminds me of them, and my dedication to my faith, which I carry out here at OSU with my weekly trips to Hillel for Friday night Shabbat services, and my involvement in Ruach. Being involved in these things always makes me feel more connected to both my family and my faith, and makes me feel like I am a part of a community much bigger than myself, which is what I believe was the lesson truly emphasized during welcome week and kick off week for scholars. Every activity that we did really made us think about working together and about the group as a whole rather than of ourselves as individuals. Although this was carried out in a sport and wellness context during that week, I now also carry it out through my faith and my dedication to the Jewish community. Every time I look at my necklace, I am reminded of how much community really means to me and how, without the experiences I had my first week here at OSU, I would not be a part of the community that I am a part of today.