This course has left me with many thoughts… as a more difficult class this one challenged me to study more for exams and memorize more than I have for previous courses. But, I’ve also taken more knowledge from this class and have been able to apply what I’ve learned more than any other class I’ve had. I’m surprised at just how much I’ve learned while taking this course and in a way made me relearn why I decided to major in Neuroscience. I hope to learn more about how circadian rhythms can be used to optimize our lives and our society. One of the most interesting things I learned was just how detrimental night shift work is on the human body. So much so that it’s making me reconsider the summer job that I’ve signed on for. Yikes!
Sophomore Year: Review
This year I began the year undecided on what I wanted to do after college (or rather between two totally separate paths) and now have a pretty good idea on how to get my PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience. From my first actual football game to finishing my neuro degree this year has definitely brought a lot of change and new experiences into my life.
The biggest event this year seemed to be the transition out of Covid times and more into the post-pandemic era. I remember the first time the mask mandate lifted and sitting in a class with everyone seeing faces for the first time. Pretty weird. Other notable things that have happened this year is that some peers and I started the first eve OSU Garden Club! As of now it’s still finding its feet but it seems to have great potential and I can’t wait to see where this club will go.
Academically I’ve been doing very well. I’ve become much more experienced at managing my test nerves and taking a new approach to my academics that has let me be much less perfectionist and taking a more loving approach to learning new things in neuroscience. I’m proud of the growth I’ve gone through this semester and I can’t wait to see where the future takes me.
Vision Statement
For my remaining time on campus I will prepare myself for success in grad school for neuroscience. I will continue to grow Garden Club as president and work with other clubs to raise awareness for sustainability on OSU campus. I will also develop my own research thesis through the Barrientos Laboratory. I want to continue to grow as a buckeye and experience more of student life on campus and join more organizations that shape the campus atmosphere.
Sophomore Year: Not Just Treading Water
Pictured above is Oscar (betta fish) and a pretty cool snail I bought from a local pet store. I think their presence was a good depiction of how my second year has transformed. For starters I acquired these fellas halfway through the year and as I got a good footing for my second year and grew in my career by getting a job at the Barrientos Laboratory so did my aquarium. Over time I learned how to propagate aquatic plants and how to care for different types of pets. As the tank grew so did my knowledge of different organisms, biological processes, and how to take on new responsibilities without getting overwhelmed.
All throughout the year I’ve been learning new hobbies, growing as a person and growing in my hobbies.
Service and Hot Chocolate
This year I had one service event that was especially different from my previous experiences. Autumn semester of my sophomore year I woke up at 4:30 in the morning to set for the Hot Chocolate race through Columbus. It was especially cold and early that morning and rain was quickly approaching to make things worse. But through it all me and the other volunteers bonded in a way you only can by enduring garbage weather and waking up way too early. Sometimes commiserating is the best way to form friendships and build character.
All in all it was a wonderful experience in less than wonderful weather, we got some nice jackets for volunteering as well which were pretty decent on their own.
Career
Between the Barrientos Laboratory and other career building programs on campus I’ve been building the skills to be better suited for pursuing a career in neuroscience research. The next step in my professional development is designing my own research thesis that I will be pursuing this coming Autumn through the Barrientos Laboratory. Another career accomplishment I want to add here is that in approximately one week from writing this (April 28th) I will be the first OSU student to be finishing the bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience in two years. I’m taking a victory lap next year to apply to grad schools and take on a few extra classes that will be helpful for me in applying for PhD programs.
Also connect with me on LinkedIn! linkedin.com/in/james-demarsh-3ab046232
Artifacts
Pictured above is my first night stand whilst living away from home at college. On it you’ll find that it’s really a milk crate from moving in, a lamp, a box of tissues, a bottle of Febreeze (why would anyone actually clean when you can just spray Febreeze is beyond me) and a stack of books that I plan on reading. I have never been an avid reader AT ALL to my shame and almost every book throughout high school I was assigned I used Sparknotes on some or all of it. But now I’ve made it one of my goals to read a book a week and to keep myself disciplined when it comes to reading, and so far… I’ve done alright! I’m behind and one of those books was a collection of Charlie Brown comics but this is a goal of mine that I’m really putting my energy into accomplishing. You’ll notice that the top book is Sigmund Freud’s “The Interpretation of Dreams”, a book that I’m very interested in reading and studying, I hope that in my pursuit of studying Neuroscience and working towards a career in psychology or neuroscience I can better myself with reading things that pertain more to what I want to pursue. I want to also add here that probably my greatest struggle with college so far is keeping myself disciplined, which may be a battle I fight with myself over the course of my young adult life but I do believe that it’s an important one. With this I hope to keep up on my reading goals as well as my greater goal of pursuing something meaningful in studying neuroscience.
About Me
Current first year student at OSU studying Neuroscience, James DeMarsh is planning on pursuing clinical psychology. An Eagle Scout from Westlake Ohio, James enjoys gardening, biking and hammocking around the parks of Cleveland, and playing the drums for different music groups. James finished high school in the top 5% of the class receiving an honor roll diploma. In high school James was elected President of the Westlake High School Marching Band, served as the Drumline Captain, and was the Jazz 1 drummer. After receiving the rank of Eagle Scout James also was a co-founder of Venture Crew 555, an outdoor adventure program for young adults as well as serving as the vice president of Latin Club. James hopes to help further our knowledge and treatment of mental illness in the US and hopes to attend graduate school for PhD.
Welcome to my Honors & Scholars e-Portfolio: Abstract
Within this E-Portfolio I will journal my experiences at OSU and what I hope to learn and how I plan on moving forward with my career aspirations. Check out my career tab for updates on my career developments! Also check out the services tab for updates on fun service opportunities that I want to share with the world. I’ll also add more updates on my experiences every year and how I’ve changed.
Sit back and relax! Grab a sody pop and watch how I change over time with this E-Portfolio! I’ve already changed a bit in my goals since beginning this and I can’t wait to see how my aspirations change in the future!
Year in Review
Semester in Review…
When I arrived on campus in August I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from the college experience, especially during COVID times. What I came to discover which was mimicked in the things I packed and what I forgot to pack was that I also came prepared for some things and absolutely not for other things.
For example I came totally prepared with 4 sets of binders and legal pads and found that I could just use my computer for literally everything! And in managing my own schedule I was totally and helplessly in over my head… But throughout the semester I found that just like a short visit home I could pick up the things I forgot and return the things I didn’t need I could likewise take time to myself to really think about how I could better myself in different ways whilst living on my own.
Academics wise I found that I didn’t like my chemistry courses nearly as much as I enjoyed my psychology courses. One thing was for sure though- I can’t wait to have classes back in person. I was pretty successful semester, but I have choice words for the chemistry department and how they handle exams. Though I was successful academically I don’t think that I spent enough time to be socializing safely in a healthy way nor did I spend enough time doing club activities or volunteering, but I hope to do more of that next semester.
I think I’m still glad I decided to come to campus this semester and test myself living alone for the first time in my life, and I think I did very well adapting to the new situation! I hope that I continue to grow in this way as an individual and keep meeting new people.