Author: halperin.12

The next two years are going to take a lot of adapting. It will require a lot of patience with myself, classes, friends, family, and just the world in general. But whatever comes our way will only make all of us stronger. In the meantime, I think that it is important to stay optimistic. I am excited about the classes I am going to take and for the ability to explore different specialties within my major. I will hopefully spend a few weeks abroad in December to make up for the trip I was supposed to take this past summer. And I will be interning at Carpenter Technologies next summer. I will take these opportunities to explore different fields and figure out what I want to do after I graduate.

This past school year was filled with many ups and downs. I started taking classes in my major and getting more involved on campus. I became an ambassador for the college of engineering, a team captain for Buckeyethon, and was elected to a leadership role in my sorority. I also joined Guiding Eyes for the Blind and Buckeyes Against Alzheimer’s. I got to take a few lab classes in some of my electrical engineering classes and develop really important skills for my future including building digital and analog circuits and working with oscilloscopes. I also spent a lot of time getting more comfortable living in Columbus. I got to explore the city with my friends by walking to and around the Short North and trying different restaurants. After living in one city for my entire life, it is refreshing to find myself in a new place with an entirely different personality.

However, our time on campus was cut short due to the pandemic and I went home to New York City. I, like all other college students, was forced to adapt to online learning and a restricted way of life. My summer internship in Tel Aviv was inevitably canceled and all of my plans for the year were suddenly up in the air. Living in New York at the height of the pandemic was like living in an apocalypse. Unfortunately, I knew too many people on the front lines, too many people who got sick, and too many people who passed away as a result of coronavirus.

This coming year will be unlike anything we’ve seen before so it is time to adapt and grow as people and as students.

I find it remarkable how a single decision can cause one to discover a whole new part of themselves. I decided to come to The Ohio State University from New York City. I left everything familiar behind, including all of my friends and family, even my twin. Then to further challenge myself, I signed up for a Wilderness Welcome trip through the Outdoor Adventure Center. I consider this one of the best decisions that I have ever made. I met the most wonderful people and was exposed to a completely new hobby. My friends from home are often shocked to find out that I spend most weekends alternating between rock climbing and bouldering, but I would not have it any other way.

The New York City public school system requires students to apply to elementary, middle, and high schools, meaning that I was separated from my friends every three to four years and was never able to fully cultivate the bonds that define so many people’s childhoods. I was nervous that I would not be able to cultivate the relationships that define the college experience, but I was immediately proven wrong. Even though many students come here with their friends from high school, we are all here to meet new people and experience new things. In my short time here at Ohio State, I have become closer to my current friends than I did with anyone throughout my entire high school experience.

The Biological Science Scholars program has forced me to step out of my comfort zone. Despite changing majors (from Biomedical Engineering to Electrical Engineering), I am still fascinated with biology. Through this scholars program, I am still able to explore this passion of mine while living with so many amazing people despite no longer being in a major related to biology. We support each other through difficult classes and make each other smile when times get rough. My involvement in the Biological Science Scholars program inspired me to become an Honors & Scholars Ambassador so that I can give back to these fantastic people. This is an amazing community that I love being a part of and I cannot wait to be a part of for years to come.