The following is my statement, as a first-year student regarding each of the goals outlined by the Ohio State University Honors and Scholars Center.

Global Awareness

This goal promotes appreciation for the diversity that exists in the world. It strives to give each student a respect for different cultures around the world. It also provides students with an opportunity to develop a global perspective, which allows them to look at a situation and think about it in terms of its effect on the rest of the world, and not just as it relates to your own company, region, or country. A decision by a company within the United States can have an impact far beyond the US border. To protect the global community, decisions must be made after looking at the globe as a whole, the skill developed here by this goal. I will take classes here that will increase my understanding of the world around me. I am also considering studying abroad, as it is probably the best way to increase global awareness.

Original Inquiry

This goal helps students understand better the research process by promoting experiences and opportunities for students to engage in scholarly endeavors and inquiry projects across campus and around the world. This goal is especially important to me. One of the many careers a person with a degree in Physics could undertake is doing research. In order to get a head-start or open up more opportunities in the Physics research field, engaging in research as an undergraduate is crucial for success. Throughout my undergraduate experience, I will find as many opportunities to do research as I can, including finding professors who are doing research that will help mentor me, as well as taking advanced classes that include a research component.

Academic Enrichment

This goal encourages students to engage in coursework that is of a higher level than that of their non-Honors peers. This can include access to honors and graduate level courses that involve a rigorous curriculum designed to challenge every student, including the best students. I will take advantage of as many of these opportunities as I can. I am not satisfied with simply coasting through school and getting good grades. I wish to be challenged and learn absolutely as much as I am able to. I am particularly intrigued by the opportunity to take graduate level courses as an undergraduate student. As someone who is likely to attend some form of graduate school following my undergraduate years, the opportunity to show graduate schools that I can succeed in a graduate level course will make me more likely to be accepted to the graduate school of my choice.

Leadership Development

This goal promotes students’ leadership skills by encouraging them to involve themselves in activities and in the community that will prepare them for their future roles in society. Every person needs leadership skills to succeed in society. Even those not in leadership positions can benefit from these skills. They can be applied to any form of communication between people and having well-developed leadership skills makes you a better job applicant and more likely to be offered a job. I will involve myself with a few student organizations on campus and look for internship and job opportunities that will help me further develop these skills.

Service Engagement

This goal commits Honors and Scholars students to service in the community. Service is the way that we can give back to the community that supports us. The city of Columbus is very supportive of the university and its students. It is our obligation to in turn help the Columbus community where they need it. One of the best way to do this and the way I will be involved is through student organizations. Many student organizations provide service opportunities to students that benefit many areas of need in the community. The service done by these organizations can have an impact on a student’s studies by alerting them to social issues or problems in that community. This can shape a student’s whole experience as an undergrad while also bringing positivity to both the students and those they help.

[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.

• Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc.
• Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
• Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
• Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
• Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]