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Year in Review: Freshman Year

| Shelby Gregory

This was a year full of meeting new people on campus through classes, activities and organizations, learning new things such as living on my own for the first time and becoming more responsible and independent, and being challenged academically and learning how to get out of my comfort zone in many different situations. Each day here makes me even more thankful I became a buckeye and I am so happy I chose Ohio State as my college. In my first year, I have gotten to experience my first football games, explored campus and Columbus with my roommates, did activities with my Scholars group including volunteer opportunities, sports games, lab visits, research panels, getting ice cream in downtown Columbus, and so much more!

Seeing how much I enjoyed my time as a Scholar, I decided to apply to be on the board and got elected to be the Service Chair! This position has allowed me to take my fellow scholars to different volunteer opportunities around Columbus. I have already enjoyed being in this position so much, and I am happy to continue serving for another semester! I have become more involved in MEDLIFE, which is an organization I joined my first week as a buckeye. I am hoping to eventually get to go on a service trip with MEDLIFE in the future. I participated in BuckeyeThon this year through being on a team with MEDLIFE. I really enjoyed this dance marathon and can’t wait to continue participating in it in the future!

I consider my first year as a buckeye successful. I have had the time of my life being here, had great roommates that will be lifelong friends, and have made so many wonderful memories. I can’t wait to continue my journey as a buckeye!

 

Semester in Review: Spring Semester 2019 (Freshman Year)

| Shelby Gregory

Looking back on this semester, I can confidently say I am starting to grasp this college life. I have started making more connections with peers and professors, and I have been taking advantage of the things offered on campus to help students adjust and succeed in our classes. At the beginning of this semester, I started becoming more involved in my MEDLIFE club, and got selected to be the Service Chair through my Biological Sciences Scholars group. Also, while continuing my volunteering through the James Cancer Hospital, I started a new role as a Restful Nights volunteer. With this, I have the opportunity to visit patients and offer them complimentary items to help them feel more comfortable during their stay. Additionally as a part of the Biological Sciences Scholars, we previously volunteered at Star House. I really enjoyed my time there, so decided to sign up for orientation and become a direct engagement volunteer. This semester has really allowed me to grow, and I am sad that it is already over! I look forward to starting my Sophomore year as a buckeye in just a few short months.

Semester in Review: Autumn 2018 (Freshman Year)

| Shelby Gregory

This semester has presented many obstacles that I have had to face. I have learned new things that I never knew about myself until I had to live on my own, take care of myself on my own, and still remain responsible with my school work and grades. I have had to experience break downs and growths that I never had to when I lived under my parents’ roof. Through all these personal experiences, I’ve grown, learned, and discovered resources to help me adjust to the amount of changes I have had on my journey. Even though it has taken a good portion of the semester to adjust and realize the changes that needed to be made to result in success during my time here, I’m relieved to have discovered these important changes before it was too late to change my ways. I have gained new friendships, especially in my scholars program, and participated in volunteer opportunities that have helped me adjust to my first semester here. On top of doing social activities, I have also found effective study spots around campus that allow me to have time to focus on my school work and create future goals for myself.

The James Cancer Hospital

| Shelby Gregory

When I started my college career in August, I received a volunteer position in the ENT Clinic at The James Cancer Hospital. With my position, I volunteer once a week for 2 hours. My duties include cleaning and stocking rooms, picking up any trash in the waiting room, restocking tissues in the waiting room, taking patients to check out, and completing any other duties that may be requested of me by the nurses or doctors. This position has allowed me to get a glance at what working in a hospital would entail, and has also solidified that the medical field is where I want my future career to be. Having this position has given me the chance to interact with the nurses there and has also given useful knowledge about how a clinic runs.

Mid-Ohio Food Bank

| Shelby Gregory

Through the MEDLIFE organization that I am involved with, we had the opportunity to go the the Mid-Ohio Food Bank and contribute with their first trunk-or-treat. In addition to the trunk-or-treat, there was also a food line. Some of us were assigned to pass out candy at the cars, some were assigned to serve food to those in line, and others were to work in the kitchen to help make food and clean up. This experience was one of the most amazing things that I’ve had the chance to be a part of. Not only did I get to further some relationships with members of MEDLIFE, but I also got to meet other volunteers at the food bank, and experience the great help that the Mid-Ohio Food Bank provides to others. This opportunity opened up an interest for me that I didn’t know was there, and showed me that volunteering at the food bank is something that I definitely want to look in to for a future, long-term activity.

Steps for Sarcoma

| Shelby Gregory

My Biological Sciences Scholars Program got to volunteer at the Steps for Sarcoma walk/run. Steps for Sarcoma raises money for orthopaedic sarcoma pilot research, and promotes improved patient outcomes and quality of life. My position was at the dog station, where I handed out bowls of water and doggy bags to the
participants who had dogs with them. It was an experience to interact with the other workers at the table, and the runner/walkers and their dogs as they came by us.

 

Columbus Zoo: Animal Health Rehabilitation Center Tour

| Shelby Gregory

The Biological and Health Sciences Scholars took a trip to the Columbus Zoo. During the trip, we got to take a tour through the Animal Health Rehabilitation 
Center and see where the veterinarians and vet technicians cared for the animals. Animals were brought here if they were sick, injured, or if they needed a check-up. We got to learn about the history of the center and about personal projects some of the veterinarians have done. In the picture below, the picture frame talks about the “giraffe project”, which is one of the projects completed by a veterinarian at the center. The veterinarian on this project got to travel to Africa to complete a blood test on a giraffe to learn more about them. This newly renovated center now allows the staff to have the best space and resources to keep the animals healthy. We got a glimpse at how close the animals are with the staff, and the trust the staff has developed with the animals is unbreakable. They informed us that the trust betweeen the staff and the animals is their top priority, next to their health, because having their trust allows them to complete tasks more efficiently and take care of their health properly. This tour gave me the opportunity to see how the animals are cared for, and what the facilities look like.

Star House

| Shelby Gregory

The Biological Sciences Scholars Program went to volunteer at Star House in Columbus to sort through the donations and organize the donation room. We were able to learn about Star House history and what they offer to the homeless youth that come to them. Star House provides the youth homeless and alone with food, clothing, backpacks and bags, and hygiene items. Not only do they provide these basic items, they also offer two full-time therapists who are there to provide individualized treatment. The therapists also connect the youth to other resources in the area to provide them with additional help, and they also serve as advocates to help the youth accomplish their goals. I have attached the website if access is needed for more information on volunteering, donating, or receiving help from them! https://starhousecolumbus.org/services-2/ 

G.O.A.L.S.

| Shelby Gregory

Global Awareness: I plan to do a yearly, week long volunteer brigade during my time here at OSU. This brigade will allow me to go to a different country to volunteer for a week alongside doctors, dentists, and nurses to do pop up clinics and different sessions to check the health of the people in that country. I have this amazing opportunity through my MEDLIFE club. I want to expand my knowledge on the different cultures that are in different countries, and this will be the perfect opportunity to do so.

Original Inquiry: I am very interested in getting involved with research, and although any area would be fascinating for me to be a part of, a specific area that has more recently spark my interest is epilepsy. Although this research isn’t directly related to my future career goals, it is something my family has been challenged with here recently, which makes me want to be part of research to eventually determine what factors are related to the cause of this, and what can be done to end epilepsy.

Academic Enrichment: I am pursuing a dual degree in Biology and Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. I’ve always known that I wanted to go in to Biology because of my interest in it during high school and post secondary. I decided to add on Psychology after reflecting on my past classes and seeing how interested I am in learning about how the human brain works. These majors will allow me to challenge myself, and learn more for my career.

Leadership Development: Throughout my time here, I want to obtain a leadership position in one of my clubs or in my scholars program. I know that having a board position will give me many opportunities, allow me to be in charge, and I’ll be able to be more involved and dedicated with it. During my time in one of these roles, I know I am going to learn a lot of skills that will help me in my future opportunities and career.

Service Engagement: I have been involved with serving my community through many small volunteer opportunities as well as a long-term volunteer position. My long-term volunteer position is at The James Cancer Hospital in the ENT Clinic, and I have the opportunity to volunteer here once a week. These volunteer opportunities allow me to serve others and learn as I do so.