Growing as a student and as a person requires one to set attainable goals. At times, clearly defining these goals can be difficult. Here at The Ohio State University we are provided with an over reaching set of goals for which we must find our own path to reach. These goals include global awareness, original inquiry, academic enrichment, leadership development and service enrichment. To figure out a path to reaching these goals I first had to figure out what each of them mean to me.

For me, global awareness is about creating a world view through open minded discussion and exploration. Before I graduate, I plan to meet this goal by taking various comparative culture classes and taking a semester abroad. Through these activities, I will create a more comprehensive world view all on my own. By seeing how my culture differs from others, I will better see the new world culture that is constantly changing in progressing around me. A study abroad would totally immerse me in a culture different than my own and force me to change my perspectives. When I graduate I plan to leave with a new more worldly perspective.

The next goal I sought to define was original inquiry. To me, original inquiry means seeking out areas of personal interest and investing them. I plan to meet this goal by participating in research. There are tons of labs on Ohio State’s campus many of which are medically based. I intend to find a lab that I am interested in and stick with it for the remainder of my time here. I believe I would like to work in a dry lab with humans as of now but I am also highly interested in labs that deal with schizophrenia or multiple sclerosis.

As for the goal of academic enrichment, I define this as being an all around student which means constantly seeking out new ways to learn, in and out of the classroom. I plan to take classes across many departments here and to learn through my various clubs and organizations. I strongly believe it is important to at least have a base knowledge in every major subject area. Thus I intend to take classes in my many areas of interest throughout my time here through the GE requirement. I have looked through the course catalog to find GEs that match my areas of interest.

Leadership Development means stepping up inside and outside of the classroom to serve as a role model to my peers. I do this now by taking initiative in group projects and dividing out the work equally. I plan to do this outside the classroom through sorority organizations and various clubs and service projects. I especially plan to develop this skill set through my mentoring in the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization and I hope to be a tour guide for future buckeyes sometime during my college experience.

As for the goal of service, this has always been a personal goal of mine. Service is not an obligation to me but rather a lifestyle. I plan to serve through my sorority as well as various organizations on and off campus that I am passionate about. I will continue to participate in buckeyethon and big brothers big sisters. I would like to become involved in strive, habitat for humanity, pets for vets, and also hospital volunteering. I plan to take this lifestyle with me beyond Ohio State out into my future career.