My Sophomore Year in Review by Reflecting on G.O.A.L.S.

Global Awareness: With my time at The Ohio State University, I have developed my global awareness through my course work and with peer interaction. Specifically, in my History of Ohio course, I have studied the Native American’s struggle in the iniquitous development of our state and the influx of immigrants in our growth. I plan to continue my global awareness education by engaging in future anthropology courses. My growing appreciation for diversity, however, mainly results from my interactions and genuine friendships that I have formed with students on campus. As a member of the Varsity Swim Team, I compete alongside and form great bonds of trust with countless international swimmers. To illustrate, my relay team last year consisted of myself and three strong young women from England, New Zealand, and China. When we train and race, our differences and backgrounds become invisible as our identity as The Ohio State Swim Team arises.

Original Inquiry: My research project in my honors introductory biology course has exposed me to creative inquiry. Presented with the focus of fungal endospores, my partner and I developed and completed a research project that was applicable to our interest in medicine. This project revealed to me that making your passion a part of your studies is imperative to personal satisfaction and high performance. I plan to continue to work towards this realization by choosing advanced coursework that I can become fully engaged in. With numerous biological electives remaining, I hope to find a specific area of study to concentrate on and apply that topic to future research endeavors and shadowing opportunities.

Academic Enrichment: My honors contract is an example of a comprehensive and diversified curriculum of study. With challenging general education requirements, I have explored numerous areas of study that, in high school, I was oblivious to. For example, in my comparative studies course, I have been able to critically reflect upon my beliefs, and in my chosen history courses, I have been enlightened by unique happenings of the past. Although my selected GE courses address other subject areas, they all reflect my passion for science, biology, medicine, and The Ohio State University. With my experiences thus far in elective courses for my major, I have been amazed by how all of the sciences work together. Biochemical processes dictate cell behavior and resulting anatomical functions which all can be controlled and altered by medicine. In my future aspiration as a physician assistant, I will be utilizing all of these aspects of science when diagnosing and treating illness. I long to provide unparalleled, genuine care to my future patients, and my commitment to academic excellence at The Ohio State University will ensure it.

Leadership Development: On Ohio State’s campus, I have found my leadership role within my team and the athletic department. This past semester, I was invited to the Lead Like a Buckeye Program, led by Coach Urban Meyer. In these monthly sessions, I have analyzed my actions and added imperative skills to become an effective leader of character. By learning to build bonds of trust with consistency, competence, and connection, my relationships with teammates and coaches, classmates and professors, and family have gained authenticity and stability. With these newfound skills, I am pursuing a position with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to share my ideas and accurately communicate the aspirations of my peers and the athletic department. Additionally, if I attain this position, I can attempt to fulfill my personal goal of beginning events at the university that bring appreciation to women in athletics and inspire younger female athletes to pursue their athletic aspirations.

Service Engagement: Since freshman year, I have completed the majority of my volunteer work at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Over four semesters, I have held volunteer roles in the surgical intensive care unit, surgical preparation and recovery, and as an ambassador. I have received the utmost fulfillment during my ambassador shifts where I serve as an escort for patients and visitors to their intended destinations in the Medical Center. Every person that I meet has a different story to tell, and I’m so blessed to have been able to open my heart to all perspectives of life, whether its hearing about someone’s past or their journey of battling a disease. Also, I love volunteering with Special Olympic events that are held at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on campus. Interacting with children and adults with intellectual disabilities heightens their feelings of inclusion and strengthens our unity as the human race. Lastly, twice a year, the women’s swim team prepares and serves a warm meal to those staying at the Ronald McDonald House. I plan to continue this engagement of serving the less-fortunate by joining my church in their Food for the Homeless Ministries.

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.]

Year in Review

At the beginning of the semester, I expected my introductory courses to be a breeze. However, over the course of the semester, I have been challenged with understanding new material that I have never seen before. In high school, learning new topics was at a slow pace and extremely individualized. On the other hand, in college, one is expected to learn the material, analyze and apply it, and be tested on one’s mastery all within a few weeks. Therefore, since coming to The Ohio State University, I have had to direct my own learning by previewing material, asking questions, and creating problem-solving skills. Although these tasks have been meticulous and rigorous, I have created great habits for the remainder of my time here.

Artifacts

This semester, I competed at my first OSU Varsity swim meet! Representing The Ohio State University is a true blessing. Being on the swim team has enhanced my time management skills and taught me the value of competing for the success of my team rather than myself in past individual high school competitions.

 

About Me

Hello, my name is Hanna Gresser, and I’m a dreamer from Akron, Ohio. Although I am only a first-year student at The Ohio State University, my days have been filled with ongoing satisfaction and joy. In the classroom as a biology major, I have enjoyed conducting my first research project, collaborating with my peers and instructors, and learning how to apply classroom information to real-life situations. I aim to excel in my pre-medical field by volunteering at the Wexner Medical Center and participating in research with brilliant professors here at Ohio State. In my future, I picture myself as a physician at a hospital near my hometown giving patients my greatest value: good health and happiness.