My second year of college posed a new challenge, much different from year one. I learned how to adapt to a new educational system and environment, as all lectures were remote. My only in-person classes were labs, and even those were not fully in-person. Not only was I pushed academically, but personally as well with maintaining a routine and balance with my life and all the restrictions that the pandemic brought.

My first semester of this year was difficult from the start. I had to quickly develop a daily routine and schedule that revolved around classes being held remotely. Learning from a dorm room was odd from the start, as I quickly found that I hardly left my room. I realized how much I missed actually walking to classes and sitting in large lectures with students. I felt restricted in my room and also found that learning online was a lot harder than learning in-person too. The many distractions that a dorm room possesses and the lack of a dynamic for many lectures made it harder to stay locked in. With all of this in mind, I knew I was in the same situation as every other student at OSU, so I figured I was not the only one struggling with college during a pandemic. I was able to adapt over the first month of remote classes and find stability and structure. The rest of the semester was staying strong with the structure I was able to construct, and focusing on what I could control: my grades and my involvement in my extracurricular involvements. The pandemic really did a number on me, as my plans for research and volunteering at one of the local hospitals were cut short, leaving me to wait until it was safe and for places to begin opening up again before continuing with those plans. This semester was a unique experience, one that I will never forget, as just about everything was altered due to the pandemic.

Moving into the second semester of the year, the college structure remained the same as classes were still held virtually. Many opportunities were still not viable as everything was still on lock down due to the pandemic. I was prepared for classes to start up again, as I was adapted to life online. I was confident coming in, knowing that my courses would be difficult, maybe even the hardest yet. I had the mindset that I once again needed to focus on only what I could control, with that being my courses and my involvements. I did just that, and I was excited to see my hard work and dedication to those areas pay off and yield great results. My grades this semester were the best I have gotten yet, and each semester since my first semester at OSU has seen a higher GPA than the preceding semester. With my involvements in student clubs and organizations, I still remained an active member of MEDLIFE, and I was elected to the Executive Board for First-Gen Pre-Med Organization. I am happy to have been able to still participate in these clubs, as they were a great escape from schoolwork and studying in my dorm room. I was upset to see that all intramural sports were cancelled for this year, but I am optimistic that they will be back next school year. I specifically missed playing intramural basketball with my friends, but I was able to get shots up with a few of them this semester as the courts were opened up to pairs of two per half court. This semester was my favorite semester of college yet, and I am really hoping to be back in-person full time next year.

My second year as a college student at The Ohio State University was unique to say the least. This year was highlighted by the pandemic that the world faced. This year was difficult for that reason, and all of the change that it brought along with it. This year emphasized the need and importance of accountability and perseverance, because the pandemic was no excuse to fall back, as the world and society keeps moving. This year was another unforgettable time, one in which I grew as an individual yet again. I am excited and optimistic for the future and my last two years as an undergraduate student at OSU.

My first year of college was a true awakening. I learned so much, both inside and outside the classroom. My classes pushed my academic boundaries, while my independence and individuality from being on my own after moving away from home tested my habits and routines.

My first semester was very difficult. I had to develop a daily routine and schedule that revolved around my courses. This took me very long, and overall, finding structure and stability on campus was hard to do. Getting acclimated to college life was something I knew I needed to secure upon moving into the dorms, but it turned out to be much harder than I initially imagined. This added to my struggles during my first semester. My courses were challenging, something that I had not really ever experienced too much prior to college, so that made getting adjusted harder too. First semester was a real tough experience, but I learned to hold myself accountable and put forth more effort than ever in order to be successful.

After my first semester, I survived, and was finally comfortable on campus and being on my own. I learned from my issues and conflicts from first semester, and went into my second semester much more confident and prepared than I was at the beginning of college. I was more focused and determined for second semester, and I was able to perform better in my courses, but also start to get involved in clubs and organizations on campus too. During this time, I joined MEDLIFE and First-Gen Pre-Med, both being student-led clubs/organizations on campus. I also created an intramural basketball team with some of my friends on campus. Getting involved provided me with many opportunities on campus and in the community, but it also helped me learn how to manage my time better.

My first year as a college student at The Ohio State University was truly an unforgettable experience. My time on campus led me to experience some defeats and some victories, and, with those, many meaningful and impactful lessons that have taught me many things. My biggest takeaway from my first year as both a student and as an independent adult is that time management is one of the most important areas to work on in order to succeed in school and in the real world.

My first year had its ups and downs, but I definitely wouldn’t change any of it. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

[ “Year in Review”  is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student.  You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year.  For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]