American Family Issues

One class that had huge impact on me during my first two years here at OSU was HDFS 2367: American Family Issues. I took this class as a General Education requirement, for it is a second year writing class; however, it ended up being one of my favorite classes I have taken here at the university.

One of the requirements for the class was to read The Second Shift by Arlie Hochschild, and this was probably my favorite aspect of the class. This reading really opened my eyes to the gender stereotypes that women have had to face and still face within our society. Women are expected to have careers while still working the second shift at home. Without any help from their husbands, women are working an extra month of the year every year, which can cause a lot of problems within marriages.

Our class discussed these issues and how they can affect the children and the family dynamic within American families. This class was so impactful to me because it made me realize what I am looking for in my future marriage and family. This class taught me how future issues may potentially affect my children, or how they may even affect my marriage. This class gave me real-life knowledge that I can apply to my future life and relationships. I absolutely loved this class and I highly recommend it.

Vision Statement/ Statement of Action

During my remaining time on campus, I plan to expand my professional experiences in as many ways as possible.

During my junior year, I plan to finally be able to participate in the undergraduate research assistant program in emergency medicine at Nationwide Children’s hospital. I was suppose to be able to participate in the position last academic year, but Covid-19 prevented this from happening. I also plan to continue volunteering at the James Cancer Center every week throughout the duration of the semester.

While maintaining these volunteering positions, I also plan to apply for a PCA position at the Wexner Medical Center. I want to work there a few days a week when I am not in classes or volunteering. In terms of extracurriculars, I plan to continue my involvement with Buckeyethon as an Executive Team Captain. I also plan to continue participating in these various different organizations and positions into my senior year as well.

I plan to start studying for the mCAT during my senior year of college as well. As of right now, I am planning on taking a gap year before applying to medical school so I can pursue my Masters degree in Health Sciences. This would also me some extra time to study before taking the mCAT. I am so excited to continue my education at the Ohio State University while also having access to so many amazing opportunities professionally.

2nd Year in Review

I had another incredible year at The Ohio State University.

This year was full of new challenges that college students had to face. We had to start learning in an entirely online environment in the middle of  global pandemic. Aside from these obstacles, I still had to face the sophomore year premed curriculum. While taking 16 credit hours in the fall semester and 17 credit hours in the spring semester, I was as busy as ever with my schoolwork.

Despite all of the various challenges throughout the school year, I was still able to thrive academically and professionally. During spring semester, I worked as a student ambassador at Traditions at Kennedy and volunteered at the All People’s Fresh Food Market. I really enjoyed volunteering at the Fresh Food Market, for it allowed me to help and hopefully make an impact on a large amount of people during such pressing times. During times like this, it is so important that we are there for one another in anyway possible, so it meant the world to me that I was able to lend my time and help to others.

Academically, I made the Dean’s list every semester while also being involved in several extracurriculars. I was promoted to Buckeyethon Executive Team Captain this year as well, which is something I am extremely excited about! I love Buckeyethon and everything it stands for, and it is an honor to be so involved in such an amazing organization. I have also made so many amazing friends during my experiences in Buckeyethon, some of which I think will be lifelong friendships.

All things considered, I had such an amazing semester and feel as though I grew so much more as an individual than I ever could have imagined. I had to figure out how to learn in an online environment for the very first time while also trying to keep myself and those around me safe and healthy. Life is full of challenges, and this academic year proved that to be true. It is how we handle these challenges that make us who we are. I cannot wait to see what my junior year of college has in store for me!

Wildcard Artifact

For my Wildcard Artifact, I am going to introduce a topic I have yet to discuss on my ePortfolio; My pursue of a career within the medical field began with me wanting to be a veterinarian. The image above is a picture of my beloved family pet Scarlett. I got Scarlett when I was six-years-old, and she has been a huge part of my life ever since.

Scarlett has been a huge influence on the career path I have chosen for myself; I was so interested in her health and well-being as a child that it made wish to pursue a career as a veterinarian. I absolutely adore animals, for I truly believe that pets are considered to be a part of the family. I started watching animal planet continuously for years, obsessing over the well-being of every animal I came in contact with. This love for caring for animals quickly developed into a love for caring for human beings as well.

As I got older, I started taking more of an interest in human care rather than animal care. I was able to expand on this new interest by taking a class to become an STNA during my senior year of high school. After working as an STNA, I knew that the medical field was the perfect career path for myself. I love helping others in anyway possible; it brings me a great sense of joy to make a difference in someone else’s life. This passion for serving combined with my love of science is why I chose to pursue a career as a surgeon.

Scarlett will always hold a very special place in my heart because her presence is what kick-started my love of caring for other living individuals. I am so excited to see where my passions will take me, but I know that I will spend the entirety of my life ensuring the wellbeing of others, whether they be human or animal.

My 1st Year in Review

I had an amazing first year here at The Ohio State University.

In terms of relationships, I have met some of my absolute best friends here on campus. My roommates and I get along so well and do almost everything together. I have developed relationships with them that I would not change for the world. I have also developed amazing friendships with nearly everyone on the third floor of Barrett House. Its amazing how close you can get with some people in such a short amount of time.

In terms of extracurriculars, I am blessed to be able to say that I was able to join two different clubs along with being a member of Biological Science Scholars and a volunteer at the James! I am a member of Humanism in Medicine club and WISE (Women in Surgery Empowerment) club. I really enjoy being able to part take in these different extracurricular activities because I have met so many amazing new people. Biological Science Scholars has introduced me to my roommates and all of my best friends, and being in the two different clubs has provided me with many great opportunities to listen to some extraordinary guest speakers. Everything that I am a part here at OSU has provided me with amazing opportunities outside of the classroom in terms of experience and service hours, and I am very thankful for these opportunities. I love spending time with the people in my extracurricular activities.

In terms of academics, I have learned so much in my first year here at OSU. I took 16 credit hours my first semester, and I am planning to take 18 my second semester. Although Gen. Chem. is a tough class, it taught me so much about time management and work ethic. As long as you put the time in, you will be able to succeed in any class. I am still majoring in Health Sciences on a Pre-med track, and I plan to continue on this route for all of my undergraduate career. I love the medical field and everything it has to offer! I am so excited to continue my eduction here at The Ohio State University, and I cannot wait for my second year!

Scholars Service Event

A Scholars event in which I have attended this semester was Steps for Sarcoma! I volunteered to work the race route for this amazing, annual walk to raise money for those fighting Sarcoma. My job was to encourage the walkers to keep going during the race. We were given many different noise-making devices to just be as loud and encouraging as possible. I enjoyed every second of this experience because I thought it was so fun fun to be able to engage with the participants and to see the smile on their faces as we pushed them to keep going.

I learned quite a few different things from this experience, but I would have to say that the most prominent lesson I learned was to always keep pushing. The individuals who participated in this walk were sick themselves, or were supporting a family member who was ill, and I just thought it was such a heartwarming experience to see them out enjoying themselves while they are going through so much. They took the time out of their busy schedules to come together and spend time with their loved ones for a good cause. I will forever be grateful for the life I live and that I am given the opportunity to experiences so many amazing things here at the Ohio State University. I will continue to serve my community in any way possible.

Important Artifact

The photo above is an artifact that is really important to who I am as a person and my intended career path. Shown above is my State Tested Nurse Aid (STNA) registry number and certificate. During my senior year of high school, I had the amazing opportunity to be able to take a Nurse Aide’s class, to then be able to take the state test at the end of the semester. I took advantage of this opportunity because it allowed me to gain the experience of hands on work with patients, and I was able to work on my bedside-manner.

Both of these experiences are very important within the field of healthcare, but that is not the only reason I had decided to take the class. I truly have a passion for helping, supporting, and encouraging others; I try to do at least one of these in every single thing I do, whether it be work, personal relationships, or school. So when an opportunity where I would be able to support patients in their time of need arose, I was all in. I knew that I wanted to make a difference, and this was a way in which I could make a difference right now with my amount of experience and qualification. I loved every experience I had being an STNA; I really love being a part of the healthcare community, and I am looking forward to working as an STNA in the future summers to come.

G.O.A.L.S.

G stands for Global Awareness, which is an appreciation for diversity and how each individual has their own unique differences. There are many ways to show global awareness: studying abroad or taking classes with a cultural focus. I myself have shown global awareness during my high school career by taking a Cultural Diversity class and by taking a school trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. My trip was absolutely amazing; the environment of the islands was a view I will never forget. It was so intriguing to me to be able to see first hand how people of a different culture live their everyday lives. My favorite part of the trip was getting to try all of the foods specific to their culture. This trip made me realize that I want to travel the world in the future.

O stands for Original Inquiry, which is the understanding of research and the researching process as a whole. Students take part in original inquiry by taking part in research opportunities and in-class scholarly endeavors. I have not yet taken part in any research opportunities, but I have received a research opportunity in emergency medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital! Unfortunately, I am currently unable to participate in this opportunity due to covid-19, but I am planning to start my Research during the 2021-2022 academic year!

A stands for Academic Enrichment, which is the pursuit of academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm. This can be done both in and out of the classroom. one of the few ways I have shown academic excellence myself is by maintaining a 4.0 GPA all throughout my high school, while also taking the most challenging classes as possible. I was also in many clubs, sports, and the marching during high school, all of which were extracurricular. While being here at OSU, I have also shown academic enrichment. I am a part of the Biological Sciences scholars program along with involvement in WISE (women in surgery empowerment club), Buckeyethon, and my volunteer position at the James Cancer Center in the ED.

L stands for Leadership Development, which is the development of leadership skills that can be demonstrated in several aspects of life. I have shown leadership development by being the president of several different clubs in high school, including National Honors Society, Spirit Club, and Student Council. I was also the Secretary of the senior class, section leader of the percussion section of the marching band, and number 1 in my graduating class. Aside from all of these leadership positions, I was also Varsity team captain for softball, swimming, and cross country. In college, I am now a Buckeyethon Team Captain with the hopes of soon becoming an Executive Team Caption for Buckeyethon.

S stands for Service Engagement, which is students’ s commitment to service the community. I have shown service engagement throughout my high school career by taking part in community service activities through the clubs I was involved in and by serving a mentor for my school’s peer mentoring program. I continue to show service engagement here on campus by actively serving as a volunteer here at the James Cancer Center. I have a volunteer shift every Friday morning, and I absolutely love it. I plan to volunteer again next semester! Along with my volunteering at the James, I will soon start my volunteer research position in emergency medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital!

About Me

My name is Lauren Kohler and I am a first year here at the Ohio State University. I intend to major in Health Sciences on a Pre-med track. I am interested in almost anything science related, and although I have not declared a minor, I am quite interested in sign language. I have many goals in regard to be accepted into medical school and one day becoming a surgeon, but my main goal is simply to make a difference in the lives of others. I believe that selflessness and kindness are two of the most important qualities a person can have, especially someone pursuing a career within the medical field. I have decided to dedicate a portion of my time this semester as a volunteer at the James Cancer Center. I am extremely excited to see what my volunteering and academic experiences have to bring this coming semester!