Author: karolak.6

Year in Review- First Year Down

This first year at college has certainly been like no other; full of the highest ups, the lowest downs, and some of the craziest experiences I’ve had in my short time on this Earth.  I’ve learned from every direction here at college, and cannot believe I’ve come this far.  At the top of my list, college classes have taught me the value of accepting yourself as you are, imperfections and all.  From the exams I’ve flunked and the scores that could be just a little bit better, college classes have really taught me that perfect scores are truly not everything.  Sure they may look nice now, but literally no one cares, not even in the next semester.  I’m definitely still learning how to roll with the punches these college classes continue to throw.  Outside of the classes, which seems like such a small part of my life when studying is literally all I do, I’ve learned the value of great friendships.  Having been an independent person my whole life, friendships haven’t really been a thing I’ve taken to heart.  This year, though, I’ve made some really awesome friends, ones that I cannot imagine my life without, ones that have taught what it feels like to belong and be appreciated.  Through all this craziness of my first college experience, I’ve also learned a surprising amount about myself.  I’ve learned that I really can’t stand people who walk too slowly, that I should really never drink coffee, and that I’m more resilient than I could ever imagine.  I have been hit with so much in these equally never-ending and speeding months, situations and stress that have tested my strength over and over again.  I’ve crumbled so many times, but have really learned how to dust myself off, and march my way to the finish line, sights set on my goals.

One memory that stands out to me happened not that long ago.  In the blizzard that resulted in a much-needed cancelling of classes, one of my roommates and I spent the better part of that day just watching movies on my laptop, snacks and blankets and all.  It was so refreshing after the stresses of exams and cold weather that I always go back to that one time as the pinnacle of happiness.  Next year, we even plan to make it an end-of-week treat for us, something I am definitely looking forward to.

Speaking of next year, I’m looking forward to taking more interesting classes that are suited to my major.  The GE’s this semester (well, one in particular) have been like pulling teeth; things that need to get completed but will take all my will power and then some.  I’m excited to delve more into my major, really learning what interests me.  I’m also really looking forward to being a bigger part of the OSU community.  This first year, I don’t think I participated enough, something that I will always have to warm up to, but I’ve gotten into some really nice organizations, ones that I hope will lead to great connections and amazing learning opportunities.  Overall, next year is looking up for me and I’m ready to take it head on!

Spring Break Review

Spring Break, the week of bliss to boost the spirits for one final push toward the end of the year.  This spring break was especially welcome as a temporarily escape from the stresses of college classes; well certain ones at least.  My last week was filled with much-needed sleep, perhaps too much, and time spent with my family and pets.

One of the most memorable events occurred at my local performing arts center, the Schuster Center.  The Friday I went back home, my family went to see a musical life story of the famous singer Gloria Estefan.  The performance took the audience through Estefan’s early life, rise to stardom, accident, and intensive recovery.  Throughout the whole performance, I was amazed by how hard she worked to follow her dreams, even going against those around her, and how she became internationally renowned.  Getting to follow her story, I thought more about my goals and felt even more motivated to do all that I can to achieve them.

Another memorable event may seem like one of the most ordinary.  On one of the warmest days of spring break, where it wasn’t blowing trees sideways or snowing profusely, I took one of my dogs for a walk.  My little, round-bodied pug named Constantine (Con-con for short) was so happy to explore the neighborhood with me and really seemed to want to be around me the entire week.  I’ve been playing with the idea of taking Con-con up to college with me in the future, and this little walk solidified my desire to have him by my side.  I love my other 2 dogs, but Con-con and I have a really special bond, one that would be really great to share on campus.

Overall, this spring break served as a time of relaxation, re motivation, and solidification of my life and how I want to lead it into the future.

Nature in the City

Columbus, the city known for bustling streets and booming economic growth.  Surrounded by all that liveliness and urbanization, one can very easily forget about the natural world.  Where seemingly endless flora grew without a care now spans endless rows of cement and metal.  Where creatures interacted in a constant battle for survival, now creatures of a different breed interact in a battle for dominance, social competition replacing the thrill of survival.  Since moving to Columbus from a suburban area, I’ve come to miss the vast amounts of flora and fauna that once surrounded me.  Sure, OSU has its own special breed of squirrels that would gladly rough you up for some food, but I miss the little chipmunks and neighborhood cats that used to grant me their presence for a few touching moments.

I wanted to reclaim my appreciation for nature, even if I was surrounded by the city.  Even though Columbus is very much a booming urban sprawl, it has one interesting attribute that sets it apart from the rest, the Olentangy River that lazily meanders throughout and around Columbus.  I am fortunate enough to cross the Olentangy River almost every day throughout my rounds of class and love seeing how the flow of the river and which animals are present change based on the weather of that day.  I wanted to take this brief interaction one step further.  Instead of simply crossing the river, I wanted to walk along it, to experience the radiating energy of the river for a more extended period of time.

Though the weather currently doesn’t seem much in tune with long walks in nature, I thought the experience was perfect.  The cutting chill of the air and wind highlighted the softness of the leaves that fell from the trees above.  The clear sky contrasted with the deep natural tones the earth began to take on as it prepared for hibernation.  I was even able to see some animals on the way.  Little squirrels scrambled about, getting ready to bed for the winter; birds flew above in search of now ripe treats.  I felt at peace with the world again.

Now back within the shell of Columbus and specifically OSU, I can say that walking that little bit of the Olentangy River Trail was one of the best experiences I’ve had since being on campus.  The ability to step away from the stresses of college and urban life to surround oneself with nature is truly something not fully utilized and appreciated in everday life.  I hope others can find time in their day to appreciate nature, even if it is simply from the window of their dorms.  I learned that the energy of nature always thrives, even if in the confines of the city.

Career Options

Since childhood, I have been pretty set on my career of choice.  Veterinary work has always been at the top of my list, my strong affinity for animals being the source of this decision.  As I have been sure for so long, I’ve essentially closed off any other possible career options as time has progressed.  Sure, I have back up plans if, by some tragedy, veterinary work doesn’t work for me, but I’ve never truly thought of them as possible life long careers options, but more so ones that will serve as intermediaries that’ll get me back to working with animals.  So, it was interesting to have taken the RIASEC Test and seen the results.  At the top of my list was “Pattern makers, Wood”.  I was surely bemused.  Though I love art, both creating and experiencing, I didn’t really see it as a true career option (except for that short period in childhood where I was sure people who went to my veterinary clinic would want hand drawn pictures of their animals drawn by me).  I was surprised that this quiz was able to pick up on my passion for art and see it as stronger than my passion for science and animals.  Directly under pattern making with wood, the second best option was working with musical instruments.  Though I love music and having been playing an instrument for the majority of my life, again it never really crossed my mind as a career option.  By this point, I was very intrigued as to why this little test viewed my answers as aligning with career options that suited my hobbies more than the career I had been set on since childhood.  Lower down on the list, I had “Geneticist” as a career option.  This choice fits almost directly with my want to be a Conservation Geneticist with a Veterinary licence to practice.  It was nice to see that what I have planned on my entire life did align with what this quiz seemed to think of me.  It was assuring to see my choice career in the mix.

Though I am well aware that this test really doesn’t have a solid baring on what I end up doing as a career, I was surprised by what it highlighted for me based on my likes.  My code, Investigative, Artistic, and Realistic, certainly fit in with my choice career, but I can now see how they too fit with career choices like the others presented to me in the results.  Overall, I am still very set on being a Conservation Geneticist and am definitely continuing on my path to veterinary school.  Right now, I am majoring in Animal Science and Genetics with a minor in Biological Science and Visual Arts, paths that will certainly help me in my career goals.  The minor in Visual Arts is really just to keep my passion for art alive as I begin to really focus my studies towards veterinary medicine, but now knowing the results of this test, it just may open the door for a future career.

Ice Cream Scene of Columbus

Food is the one thing that can bring anyone and everyone together.  It is the one staple that no matter what social tension is present, can bring the people of the community and culture closer to one another.  In Columbus, a place where cultures mix and mingle with such variety, food plays arguably the biggest role in promoting harmony and diversity among its residents.  To see just how food is able to impact this city, I decided to start with some of the most popular food items, the ice creams and desserts.  From very young to much older, sweet treats can span lifetimes as staples in creating lasting memories.  From exploring this small part of what the Columbus food scene has to offer, I wanted to see how these memories are being created everyday and how I too can experience joy surrounding these fun treats.

My very first stop had to be the local treasure, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream.  Since moving to Columbus from a suburb of southern Ohio, I was bombarded with the buzz around this local ice cream shop.  I had heard so much about the modern atmosphere and absolutely amazing ice cream flavors.  I had to try them for myself.  Even though it was probably not proper ice cream weather, being winter coat weather and all, a group of friends and I set out for this experience.

First walking into the little building, I was intrigued by the minimalist design.  The bare row of light bulbs and largely blank white walls didn’t make the place feel too welcoming.  But oddly enough, it fit with the vibe of Columbus.  From my hometown, I was used to establishments having a sort of homey feel, where you walked in and felt warm.  I didn’t really feel that with Jeni’s.  From Jeni’s, I felt this push towards modernism, towards advancement and a fast paced lifestyle, something that was definitely more suited for a busy major city like Columbus.  It made sense.

The selection of ice cream flavors was amazing, from salted caramel to the limited edition white chocolate peppermint, I was astonished to find how Jeni’s was pushing the envelope of flavor.  I decided to go for a scoop of salted caramel and the darkest chocolate.  It was a good choice.  The creaminess of the darkest chocolate complimented the more grainy texture of the salted caramel perfectly, and both combined with a waffle cone made for a truly tasty ice cream experience.

As I sat in the little back area of Jeni’s with my group of friends, I realized something.  I realized that the blankness of Jeni’s interior allowed for the people within to create their own homeyness, to make the space their own for the time they inhabited it.  It was something truly interesting, to be able to make a space your own just by being around a group you enjoyed spending time with.

Now looking back at this experience, I’m happy to have tried Jeni’s.  Though the day was cold, my heart was warm with the laughter I shared with my friends.  We had such a good time just being ourselves and enjoying this treat together.  Everyone should try Jeni’s for the experience of good ice cream and amazing quality time.  Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream really does hold up to its name, serving splendid frozen treats and allowing for the creation of splendid memories.

What I Learned From a Mentor

Meeting with Brietta was such an eye-opening experience.  I got to hear more about her story and what got her here as a second year Ohio State student mentoring in ENR Scholars.  I learned that she really values getting involved with the community at Ohio State and finds that surrounding herself with all that the college life has to offer is the best way to stay afloat and to feel fulfilled.  Brietta talked about how she was involved in sports, ENR Mentoring, and a variety of other clubs and working functions.  She has found so many opportunities through the connections she has made both on and off that have provided her with work and endless life experience.

Additionally, I also learned that expectations don’t really have a place in college anymore.  The college life is so full of new experiences and different people that no one way of understanding and experiences will get you where you need to go.  Classes specifically are an area of the college life where expectations just don’t work.  Just because someone says this professor or that class were the bane of their existence doesn’t mean that you should let this get in the way of you getting all that you can out of your experience with that professor and/or class.  On a similar note, communication is a major part of getting where you need to be.  Asking is the only way to get answers.  No one will ever know you need help unless you express it.

From this meeting, I will definitely take away the importance of getting involved on campus to build good connections and experiences for the rest of my time at Ohio State.  Specifically, I will try to join more clubs and explore all that Ohio State has to offer while also making sure to get the most out of each and every learning experience that comes my way, both inside and outside of the lecture hall.  I hope to be as successful as Brietta by the time I am in her shoes and hope to impart just as good knowledge on next year’s incoming ENR scholars as she has done with me.  Taken from her life motto, I will try to throw myself wholeheartedly into every situation, no matter how difficult or impossible it may seem, and really try to make something of myself and my time at college.  I will ask questions.  I will seek answers.  I will explore.

About Me!

Hello! My name is Madeline Karolak, and I am an Animal Science Pre-Vet Major as well as an ENR Scholar.  All my life, I have had an affinity for animals and now want to focus on conserving wildlife as a Conservation Geneticist with a liscence to practice Veterinary Medicine.  At The Ohio State University, I plan to obtain an Undergraduate degree in Animal Science and in Genetics to better prepare me for Veterinary School, and later Post-Graduate work at either The University of California, Davis, or an international Veterinary school.  In high school, I was an International Baccaluareate (IB) student, and have since received my IB Diploma on top of my other Honors diploma.  Being an IB student has allowed me to focus more on how knowledge is gained and how different facets of learning interconnect.  This experience has enabled me to better prepare myself for this journey called college!

A little background on me, I was born in Southern China and placed in the orphanage system.  I was adopted at 26 months and have been living in Ohio ever since.  Though over a decade and a half ago, the experience of being in an orphanage has cultivated within me a strong sense of survival and an iron will, two characteristics that are still very present within my personality.  Additionally, I also have a younger sister and brother from China, though none of us are biological siblings.  Overall, I would describe myself as very open minded, diligent, caring, and respectful.  Though I am always learning from those around me, I find utilizing and focusing on improving these qualities makes for a better life experience.

As an adopted person, I have recently tried to reconnect with my Chinese roots in the form of studying the culture and teaching myself Mandarin.  On top of Mandarin, I also plan to learn Hindu and a Nordic language (I haven’t decided which yet) to enable me to travel to regions that speak these languages with more ease.  In India, I want to volunteer at the Animals Aid, Unlimited Sanctuary in Udaipur.  I found their sanctuary a few years ago and really align with their beliefs and ability to save the many abandoned animals of India.

As a whole, I love traveling and experiencing new cultures as a way to understand more about the culture that I experience currently. Coming from suburban Kettering, Ohio, to the massive Columbus, Ohio, exploration has reached an all time high. As a more reserved and introverted person, I was weary of the sheer amount of people that I would encounter on campus and in the city, but have since come to really enjoy my time seeing such an array of people with vastly different backgrounds.  I hope to continue my exploration of my surroundings and my exploration into who I am.