There’s something about completing the first full year of college. It’s a peculiar feeling — a mix of excitement, a feeling of accomplishment, and a lot of optimism for the future. After completing my first full year of college during a pandemic, however, I feel a special kind of confidence. It’s a confidence that has evolved after a year full of a lot of valleys and couple peaks. It’s a confidence that will only continue to grow throughout these next couple years as I become a seasoned college student.
My first year as an Ohio State buckeye was a huge learning experience. The biggest lesson I took away from my first year is to simply be resilient. Life sometimes went in the way I predicted it to, but many times it did not. Because of the ever changing state of the pandemic, I had to be able to bounce back from whatever resulted. I learned to stay calm during the times when my faulty Wi-Fi kicked me out of Zoom calls, when there was chaos in my house while I was taking an exam, and when plans I had were changed or adapted because of the changing health guidelines. Managing these unprecedented occurrences only made me stronger. The second big takeaway from this semester is the realization that there are always people to talk to when I need it. I faced many emotional hurdles this semester. Knowing that my professors, friends, and advisors were always willing to talk made me feel supported and like my success was in their best interest.
The future is exciting. I am looking forward to being back on campus next semester and continuing to grow as a person and student. My goal going into my second year is to get involved in something that is out of my comfort zone, such as a service event or research opportunity. I am excited to be united with the Ohio State community once again and am looking forward to forming new relationships. I am hoping for lots of laughter, smiles, and in-person activities going into my second year!