My first semester as a college student was one of much transition. It started off well. I was able to do well on my coursework and still be able to work out. My mind and body were both sharp. However, as the coursework started to ramp up in the middle of the semester, I started to struggle. Despite the struggles, I worked as hard as I could; most of the time it did not work out but this did not deter me from continuing my efforts. I finished out the semester strongly. My grades were not as good as I hope they would be. This was the first time in my life that I really struggled in school. I would try my hardest yet sometimes to no avail. This has given me a sense of empathy for those who struggle in school. Before this semester, I did not see how people could fail if they tried their best to succeed. I have much more perseverance than I did before college. College has also prepared me for a life of my own. It’s a great step into the life of an adult. I have also made a lot more friends through my classes and Mount. I have also strengthened some relationships from high school. I used to be much more into video games before school started but then I did not have enough time to play games so I lost some interest in video games. I gained some new interests like listening to music and watching TV shows. I am going to work even harder this semester and now that I have a semester under my belt I believe I am prepared to have a very successful semester.
My first semester of college has had lots of ups and downs, both which have taught me valuable lessons about myself and my future. My rigorous schedule taught me time management skills which will serve me well for the semesters still ahead of me at Ohio State. Being involved in clubs has been a great way to meet new friends and explore interests that I have always had a passion for.
A year in review:
I have taken courses that have bettered my understanding of global studies and diversities; I am taking Spanish courses to learn more about Spanish culture, and my research in linguistics enables me to learn more about different dialects in the United States. I am part of a multicultural sorority, which is part of OSU’s Multicultural Greek Council, and I have had the privilege of learning about the different groups that form the council. There are many ethnic backgrounds and different cultures that groups bring to the Multicultural Greek Council, and being a part of MCGC has also taught me more about intersectionality. My sorority promotes awareness about LGBTQ+ culture and is made up of diverse individuals who often share their stories and get involved in events that promote our differences as crucial to OSU’s success (such as spoken word nights and cultural showcases). I still plan to go abroad to study and volunteer.
Using the Honors Contract, I have constructed courses carefully that work toward bettering my knowledge about topics that I would like to understand better. I am doing research in dialects right now, and I am interested in the effect that bilingualism has on the understanding of different American dialects. I am also interested in learning more about how language develops in children and the crucial time period in which children are most open to the development of a second language. That being said, I hope that the courses I have chosen for the next two years are helpful as I explore this topic of research.
I have done my best to take rigorous courses and stay on top of the required GPA for Honors. My proposed schedule has many 3000 and higher level courses, which go toward academic enrichment. I have taken up research and have joined a sorority in order to educate myself beyond just the classroom. The majors I have chosen are to help me work toward the intersections of psychology and linguistics, and I think the rigor of the majors will encourage me to do my best, academically.
I have developed as a leader by making my way into the executive board of my sorority, and I am the member preservation chair. My responsibilities include promoting health and wellness in our members and aiding with the recruitment process. Having my own committee within the sorority has enabled me to develop my leadership skills. I still have plans to take on an internship that will help me develop as a leader.
I have the opportunity to volunteer through my sorority, as we have philanthropy events during which we support both communities on and off campus. An example is that some of our philanthropy events have been in support of organizations such as Equitas and the Trevor Project. Additionally, I volunteer as a research assistant at COSI. I would still like to go abroad to do volunteer work in South America, as I would like to implement what I have learned through my Spanish classes.