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Month: September 2015
Year in Review
The semester of autumn 2015 went by faster than one would have expected. Between classes and the work that comes along with it one stays fairly busy. Yet within our scholars program of environmental scholars we still made time within our program and outside in our own time to put in time to volunteer helping others around us whether it be small or large; ultimately to provide aid to our community no matter where we are. Over the few months I have participated in a few volunteer projects. Ultimately I wish I could have done more but volunteering to give isn’t about the quantity but the quality that you bring. One of the first activities I participated was along with my fellow environmental scholars the first week of school with an Olentangy River clean up. This service was a kick off to the year to come of helping our community for its people and the environment and its habitants all around. All the hazardous material and un-biodegradable material were picked up and ridden of, to ultimately have a cleaner river. One of our next project together as a group was our time at the local farm on our campus to pick apples. We helped the workers there turn a long task short with our many volunteers and ultimately rewarding knowing that all the food we picked for them was to be donated to a food shelter to be distributed to others in need. These first two service experiences were spectacular, especially since it was our first few of the year and was with our entire program building a community in ourselves as we helped others in more ways than one. After gaining the first few steps into our services it was time to take steps on our own to volunteer and help in other ways we thought necessary and interested us. Over Thanksgiving break being home I took the initiative to make an impact in my own area. I turned my passion of horses into something useful with volunteering my time at a therapeutic rehabilitation stable. At this farm I had tasks from taking care of horses that had clinical needs, to simple barn chores, all the way to aiding in lessons of handicapped students. Seeing the smile walking around on a horse brought joy to myself and helping them with exercises to stimulate their minds and muscles gave a deep satisfaction that I am doing something right. All of these services performed were amazing memories made that I am glad I participated in to help others. My services addressed different aspects from environment conservation to aid of others in different circumstances. Over time being aware and helpful to those around me in any way can continue my aid to the issue in the future to fix it. Each event surpassed my expectations of how rewarding they were. There may have been moments of just being tired but by the end of it all the work was worth it. Overall I learned big or small the assignment it is meaningful to someone which is by far the most rewarding thing, to bring joy to others. As for myself as stubborn I may be taking even if it’s a little bit out of my day helping out around in other parts of my life for others brightens up more than just that moment but more of my life.
G.O.A.L.S.
The semester of autumn 2015 went by faster than one would have expected. Between classes and the work that comes along with it one stays fairly busy. Yet within our scholars program of environmental scholars we still made time within our program and outside in our own time to put in time to volunteer helping others around us whether it be small or large; ultimately to provide aid to our community no matter where we are. Over the few months I have participated in a few volunteer projects. Ultimately I wish I could have done more but volunteering to give isn’t about the quantity but the quality that you bring. One of the first activities I participated was along with my fellow environmental scholars the first week of school with an Olentangy River clean up. This service was a kick off to the year to come of helping our community for its people and the environment and its habitants all around. All the hazardous material and un-biodegradable material were picked up and ridden of, to ultimately have a cleaner river. One of our next project together as a group was our time at the local farm on our campus to pick apples. We helped the workers there turn a long task short with our many volunteers and ultimately rewarding knowing that all the food we picked for them was to be donated to a food shelter to be distributed to others in need. These first two service experiences were spectacular, especially since it was our first few of the year and was with our entire program building a community in ourselves as we helped others in more ways than one. After gaining the first few steps into our services it was time to take steps on our own to volunteer and help in other ways we thought necessary and interested us. Over Thanksgiving break being home I took the initiative to make an impact in my own area. I turned my passion of horses into something useful with volunteering my time at a therapeutic rehabilitation stable. At this farm I had tasks from taking care of horses that had clinical needs, to simple barn chores, all the way to aiding in lessons of handicapped students. Seeing the smile walking around on a horse brought joy to myself and helping them with exercises to stimulate their minds and muscles gave a deep satisfaction that I am doing something right. All of these services performed were amazing memories made that I am glad I participated in to help others. My services addressed different aspects from environment conservation to aid of others in different circumstances. Over time being aware and helpful to those around me in any way can continue my aid to the issue in the future to fix it. Each event surpassed my expectations of how rewarding they were. There may have been moments of just being tired but by the end of it all the work was worth it. Overall I learned big or small the assignment it is meaningful to someone which is by far the most rewarding thing, to bring joy to others. As for myself as stubborn I may be taking even if it’s a little bit out of my day helping out around in other parts of my life for others brightens up more than just that moment but more of my life.
Career
Shadowing: David Sturgeon
Deciding on a career choice is more than it seems to the eye. It is easy to say I want to be a doctor or a painter, but there is much more to it. Behind every career is the schooling needed for the profession, hours devoted for recommendations and experience, and the overall lessons that come from each day with ones experiences whether positive or negative. The events in your life make you who you are and shape your view on the world and your placement in it. Experiences bring moments that dictate what we like and dislike that correlate over to our moments when growing up to decide where do we want to be down the road; whether it be five years, ten years, or even thirty years. This holds true to all, given those experiences that I have had I for the longest time wished to be a vet working close up with many animals from a cat to horses. Yet working in a vet clinic showed me my heart didn’t lie there. It was experiences in junior and senior year in my AP classes of calculus, chemistry, and biology that showed me I wanted to be within the medical field. I enjoyed breaking apart structures and the formulas to make them complete and how they would effect and organism. Those learning moments gave me sights to pursue medical research.
Going through with my goals in the medical field The Ohio State University has opened up many opportunities even as a first year student. Ironically my aunt use to work at the medical center of OSU and her husband (my uncle) is also within the medical field. I simply asked if I be able to follow them for a day to see within the world of medicine. I followed for the day seeing entirely what my uncle does. The overall day consists of phone calls and business workings throughout hospitals. I was curious on his days and if they were consistently easy in the fact of keeping organization for the hospital. Yet I was enlightened. He explained that every day is something new. Days can range from boring desk work to last minute emergency calls. He elaborated there have been times of just ease just driving around to attend necessary business with partners or being called in for aid in the hospital itself. My uncles job is not entirely what I originally thought it was let alone along the lines of what I wanted to do in my perception but as the day went on I had my eyes open to much more. Overall the experience I had in own day made me consider a lot about my field of choice and that it isn’t just one specific job. There is a lot that can occur especially in hospitals. Yet the experience and stories made me want to delve in more to the life of a medical personnel.
Even with specific qualities learned and professionalized in one has more than just a single job. My uncle goes through his day working on business and numbers to calls into the hospital. It is something that overall keeps him on his toes but allows him to also enjoy much of the little things in his life. From the eye opening experience of just a day I know that my choice of career is very unpredictable when it comes to the work day but that is what excites me to proceed on. As just starting college I do have some time till I have to be in an exam room but there are steps I can begin now to my future. The major I have chosen starts my first steps. The next step, especially emphasized by my Uncle is research and volunteering in labs. Gaining the experiences gives you experience and ready for when you do set out into the world to have references and an idea on how the work flow goes in the office/lab/hospital. As the four years consist on it is important to enjoy them and thrive. Exceed and work hard are the two biggest motivators because undergraduate is just the beginning. Graduate school is the next step in my course and working in residency of with higher ranked professors or researchers to become known and knowledgeable in areas. The goal is to be well rounded yet specialized. School is to specialize in a set skill and everything else I do to lead to my dream is what sculpts the person I will be and skills I can apply with my specialization in research.
Artifacts
Sapling Interview
Arrival into a new environment is nerve racking. However, being a part of a program like ENR scholars helps in the transition. Within our program are other students ahead of us that have lived through what we went through already, that is why we are assigned mentors to help us along the way. I was fortunate to be paired with Kathryn Losnes a sophomore majoring in horticulture. While her and I don’t share the same major we are both from Florida and relate on the experience of coming from so far away.
When Kathryn came into Ohio State University, she was an exploration student. Yet she knew that from her past experience her major will come, which it did emerging to declare a major within horticulture. When declaring a major may seem scary it is right in front of us and we may not even know it. When I asked Kathryn about what led her to her decision it was simply her life. She spent her life with a love of plants and nature. Kathryn grew plants and fruits while growing up that began at her grandfather’s garden. As time went on she spent time in volunteering at organic gardens and working in a flower shop much through high school. With the passion she had growing up it was only suitable that she pursue her passion.
While pursuing her goals at Ohio State with hours spent studying and in the classroom, Kathryn also found time to assist in volunteering within ENR. Events within environmental and natural resources scholars such as her involvement in mentoring for underclassmen and other events such as watershed. With her involvement in environmental scholars she has been honored to be a part of some amazing opportunities. She is more honored to be an aid in the annual camping trip to add aid. Also with more meaningful events such as apple picking, planting trees, and overall helping the environment, which all gladly correlates to her passion of plants and the environment.
Years come and go through college, with many amazing memories made. With those adventures we face through the times of college our future is one thing we always look forward to. What is beyond our college journey are goals we have set for ourselves. Kathryn isn’t strict about what is to happen next. All she wants is to start with internships to evolve into a good job that betters the world all around. That is the future down the road. There are many more moments to occur on the campus of Ohio State University though. Just from her two years an on campus the one thing she has taken to great heart is that nothing is ever as permanent as it seems. An example Kathryn explained to me was such as classes, there are good and bad days with many ups and downs. With all that occurs it becomes in the past and what matters most of all is what we do with it to become something better and greater than before.
Kathryn overall has enjoyed college with it only being two years of its ups and downs. She has listened to me speak and given much insight. It is hard to adjust to a new world around you. But at the end of the day it becomes one of the greatest memories of your life. No matter the stress, enjoy the moments and the friendships created. It doesn’t last forever and it will not matter much except what you do with what all you learned in and out of the classroom. Freshmen year is a big year and I am glad I have people such as Kathryn here to help me along the way.
About Me
All about me consists of something just more then my past and present but also my future. Those three components make me who I am. Simply my background starts off as simple as being from the Sunshine State, lovely Florida. Grew up knowing independence with the fact my parents divorced not to long after I was born. No matter the situation, making the best of everything was my goal. Excelling in school brightened my day and allowed for me to pursue my dreams with horses. And it was just that simple to define me, an over achiever in school and horse crazy. Things may not have always been easy, but its the choice to stay down or get back up and fight back. All the persistence led to the moment I am in now, attending my dream school of Ohio State University. My goal from high school was achieved from my determination to get to this very place. While my adventure continues at OSU I tend to keep my determination and hard work ethic to flourish through the school years to come. That no matter the task, to do my best and strive for graduation in my major of choice, biochemistry. After undergrad I foresee medical school for medical research. While my time persists at OSU I see many doors opening. Research opportunities to gain knowledge and connection into the world of medicine will arise through the many options and chances OSU gives us.
Within ENR Scholars our motto revolves around the environment, sustainability, and outdoor adventures. Each aspect of ENR holds true in our hearts to connect all of us in our different interests within each field. Personally environment holds true to be in the beauty I can experience each day. Starting from simple things of the scenery touches deeply in the serenity and peacefulness. An example would be a morning walk watching the sunrise brightens the day just a slight bit more to make things so much more. Yet also the environment can also be about the creatures that revolve around us. The flourishing color of life all around reminds that the slightest touch of life is beautiful whether its a turtle to a whale. Life is beautiful and witnessed in the sights in our environment that all should take a moment to cherish. With all great life and beauty there is an aspect of destruction. With the realization of the dark side to all that is light, as an individual you can take into your own hands sustainability. My goals are to with knowledge realize the impact humans have and do what little part I can. Whether it be from recycling, energy conversations, or even large clean ups of our area. Volunteering to maintain the beautiful world we are in is a passion to act from simple motives to massive actions to make a difference. Lastly with all the realization of our world with good and bad and our actions to maintain adventure arises. I truly love being out in nature from a simple walk out on the beach to camping for days out in a rugged terrain. The aspect is to take the amazing world we have that is around us and explore with new sights and events.