Year in Review 2017 – 2018

It’s hard to believe that another year has come and gone.  First semester of this year seems like it happened a lifetime ago, rather than a few short months.  Chemistry continues to be difficult, but I managed to survive the second Gen Chem class and the first Ochem class.  I also participated in STEP this year, and over the summer, I will be training a therapy dog to take to hospitals and nursing homes as a form of stress relief.  He will live with me in the residence hall as I pursue an RA role.  I made many new friends this year, and although I did not get involved in many clubs, I still had a great time and had the opportunity to participate in many great events, including MLK Day of Service and the Mirrors Gala.  I will be incredibly busy next semester, as I am taking 18 credits, on top of being a peer mentor, an RA, and training a therapy dog.  However, I know that it will all be worth it in the end, and I look forward to seeing what the coming year has in store.

Go Bucks!

BioSci Scholars Heart Walk

I joined the BioSci Scholars team and helped to raise money to support The American Heart Association.  On August 27, 2016, I walked in a 5K with other members of the BioSci team

I joined the BioSci Scholars team and helped to raise money to support The American Heart Association. On August 27, 2016, I walked in a 5K with other members of the BioSci team.

 

Raising money and walking to raise awareness about heart disease was a truly eye-opening experience for me.  I never realized how prolific heart disease is in America, or how many people and families it affects.  Seeing everyone joining together to raise money and awareness showed me that everything counts.  Even when it seems like your efforts are insignificant, you are capable of making a real difference.  Together, all of the Heart Walk participants managed to raise almost $2,000,000 to contribute to heart disease research.  It was nice to be able to participate in such a wonderful event, knowing that I was helping to make a difference.  I would love to do another event like this in the future, as it was a rewarding and heart-warming experience.

Introduction

My name is Brianne Flanagan, and I am a freshman here at The Ohio State University. I am currently a member of the Biological Sciences Scholars, with a Pre-Vet major.

Year in Review

The year so far has been a whirlwind.  I’ve gotten involved with different clubs, got an on-campus job with Dining Services, changed jobs to one that relates more to my major, and I’ve met many new people that I am proud to call my friends.  Things have been hectic at times, but I wouldn’t change my experiences for anything.

The beginning of the year was a very stressful time for me.  I was trying to balance living on my own, working, and going to school all at the same time.  There were a few nights where I just wanted to give up and go home to my family.  However, as time went on, things got easier.  I learned how to budget my time so that I could get everything done when I needed to, while still leaving myself some time to do things that I enjoy.  Studying took some getting used to, but I would like to think that I figured out the best methods for me fairly quickly.  Calculus continues to be the bane of my existence, despite my best efforts towards studying and understanding the material.  I hope to be able to use all of the resources available to me in order to do well on my last midterm and on my final in the class.

None of my parents’ stories prepared me for what college would truly be like, but I think that that is fairly typical.  No one is going to have the exact same experience in college because no two people are the same.  As time has gone on, I have learned to be more accepting of myself and others’ differences.  These differences are what makes up our distinct personalities and lives.  Without our differences, everything would be monotonous and dull.

College has also fostered a new sense of independence for me.  I have always been independent, but never before have I been solely responsible for feeding myself, studying, going to class, doing my own laundry, and getting involved with activities outside the classroom.  It’s liberating to know that I am the one who is completely in control of my life.  If I succeed, it is because I tried my best and did everything that I could.  If I fail, my failure rests solely on my shoulders.  While it is somewhat stressful to not have some kind of a scapegoat, it has forced me to become more responsible and aware of my actions and how they affect my life and the lives of others.

I have already had many great opportunities while on campus, including the chance to participate in the Heart Walk, the chance to get a job in a veterinary hospital, and the chance to meet other people from cultures vastly different from my own.  The Heart Walk showed me that thousands of people are willing to work together to help total strangers.  It warmed my heart to be a part of something that helped to raise money and awareness for a disease that is the number one killer of Americans.  While I have not started my new job at the veterinary clinic, I am excited.  I cannot wait to see what opportunities will emerge as a result of this pairing.  I also cannot wait to meet even more new people, both in the workforce and out of it. OSU has an incredibly diverse campus, and it feels like I get to see a sample of a different culture every day.

The year is only half over, and I already feel like I have done and seen so much.  I can only imagine what the future will bring, but I look forward to seeing what comes.

G.O.A.L.S.

Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. 

In the coming years, I am planning on studying abroad, either in South Africa or somewhere in Europe.  I would love to learn about the different cultures and the diversity of the people living in these places.  Study abroad would give me a chance to live in and experience the different cultures first-hand, while also learning life-long lessons that have to do with my major.  I am planning on taking a few history/cultural classes in the coming years, all of which focus on different aspects of the cultures of different places.  I also plan to get involved with some of the diversity clubs on campus in the coming years, so that I can learn more about the vast diversity and the numerous cultures that this world has to offer.

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.

I know that I will be pursuing several research opportunities while here on campus.  I did some research at Notre Dame my freshman year of high school, and I loved every minute of it.  I would like to explore several of the different research opportunities available to me, so that I can find something that truly interests me.  Research is such a rewarding experience, and I cannot wait to explore the various research positions that are available here on campus.  I also plan to take some science courses that have research aspects to them, so that I can expand my horizons and perfect my research techniques.

Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.

I am planning to take Organic Chem, Biochemistry, Molecular Genetics, Physics, and multiple different biology and chemistry classes throughout my time here at OSU.  In addition to those classes, I am taking many different animal science classes that focus on several different types of animals as well as the processes that must be gone through to raise the animal from birth to death.  Many of these classes will not be easy, but I know that if I am willing to work hard, study, and do the homework, I will be able to succeed in all of the above classes.  I would also like to look into tutoring students who may need some extra help in subjects that I know fairly well.  I enjoy helping others, and I feel that the experience would be rewarding.

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.

I always try to sit in the front row of the classroom so that I can participate in the lecture and ask questions when I do not understand anything.  I am currently the student recruiter for the Duck Club, where I am in charge of letting other students know about the club to get them interested in joining.  At work, I am currently in the process of becoming a student lead, which means that I will have more responsibility and longer shifts than I currently do.  I will be partially in charge of making sure that everything is running smoothly and that everyone is where they are supposed to be, doing everything that they need to do.

Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.

I love to volunteer my time to help others who may be in need.  Last year, I went to the local vet and volunteered every Saturday.  I plan to do the same again this summer.  This year, I participated in the OWLs program, which involved moving in early so that I could help others move in on Move-In Day.  While the experience was stressful (and rainy) at times, I still enjoyed it.  Helping other freshmen to feel more comfortable at a scary time in their life was very satisfying for me, and I was glad to be a part of the program.  As the school year goes on, I would like to get involved with more community service, including volunteering with the local Rabbit Rescue.  I am also considering becoming a part of Buck-I-Serv, so that I can continue to find new ways to give back to the community and help others.

Artifacts

\The Other Wes Moore Essay

the-other-wes-moore-book-cover

This summer at freshman orientation, I was given a task: Read The Other Wes Moore and submit a reflection that ties the morals and events of the novel to my own life.  I am an avid reader, but I was a bit more reserved when it came to reading this book for homework over the summer.  However, as soon as I picked it up on the car ride home from orientation, I was hooked.  I finished the book that day and was astounded by how applicable the lessons and themes in the book were.

Through reading this book, I discovered how important someone’s environment and support system can be.  Life can be what you make of it, but only if you’re willing to put in the effort.  I was surprised by how amicable the author seemed; after his experiences in life and with others in similar situations, it would seem that he has every right to be bitter.  However, his continually positive outlook on life inspired me.  If he can completely turn his life around and make something of himself, so can I. This novel inspired me to be the best person that I can possibly be, no matter what life throws at me.  As long as I keep a positive outlook on life and try my best to continually improve myself, everything will work out in the end.  My life may take some unexpected turns in the process, but eventually, I will end up exactly where I need to be.

This book was the first tangible link I had to my new home.  It made the upcoming transition to college seem so much more concrete, and as a result, I began to really focus on what I wanted out of my college education.  The Other Wes Moore made me realize how privileged I truly am to be able to pursue my dream, obtain an education, and have a family that fully supports me.  I plan to always look to the bright side of things while working hard to be the best person that I can be.  I know that if I can do this, everything will work out in the end.  The journey may be long and difficult, but I have many resources available to me that others do not.  As long as I utilize them and keep a positive outlook on life, I will ultimately finish my life accomplishing what I was supposed to.

 

About Me

My name is Brianne Flanagan, although most people call me Bri.  I am entering OSU’s family as a freshman in the Autumn 2016 semester, with a major in Pre-Veterinary Science.  In the future, I hope to complete graduate school and obtain a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.  Ideally, I would eventually like to open my own veterinary practice.  I decided that I wanted to pursue a degree in Veterinary Medicine when I was four.  I have always loved working with animals, and volunteering with my local veterinary clinic has only solidified that desire.  After visiting one of OSU’s informational sessions about their veterinary opportunities, I knew that this was the place for me.

Unlike many other freshman at OSU, I am not an indigenous Buckeye.  I was born and raised in Niles, Michigan, which is in the lower west side of Michigan, right on the border of Michigan and Indiana.  I have a twin brother named Joshua and a red Poodle named Hershey.  I love to listen to all sorts of music, although hard rock and oldies are generally my favorite.  Rap is my least favorite genre of music.  I love to read, bike, swim, knit, and play with my dog.  I am very passionate about helping animals, and I would love to get involved with some of the veterinary clubs on campus.

I am extremely excited about attending OSU this coming fall.  At first, I was unsure as to whether or not I wanted to become a part of such a large university, but after visiting campus several times, I am convinced that OSU will come to feel much smaller.  I want to get involved with several clubs with the hope of becoming more outgoing, as I am typically shy and introverted.  As of right now, I know that I am going to attempt to get involved with the Quidditch Club and at least one veterinary club.  In addition, I want to be able to utilize many of the resources that OSU has to offer.  There are many programs designed to prepare students like myself to be successful in the working world, and I intend to accept any assistance that is offered.  I am hoping that I will be able to push myself out of my comfort zone to make new friends and to have new experiences, all while navigating through my time as a student at OSU.  I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me.

Go Bucks!

 aDSC_0772