Month: April 2022

Review of Ochem 2510

One of the most impactful courses that I have taken thus far is Ochem 2510. I went into this course worried for what was to come after hearing all about its difficulty. This class definitely lived up to its expectations and was challenging. Although, I was able to learn a lot of content as well as how to be a better student. I had to be disciplined in order to stay up to date on the content while also taking four other classes during the semester. During this class, I learned more effective ways to study and prepare for weekly quizzes and exams. I was able to change my study habits and how I review and practice the content. Organic chemistry was something that I had never been exposed to before, so it was really interesting to learn more about. I felt engaged throughout the course, and I was able to learn a lot in a short amount of time. Taking Ochem 2520 during my spring semester allowed me to build upon the foundation of knowledge that I had learned in Ochem 2520, and I was able to use similar study techniques in order to do well in this class as well. Ochem 2510 changed the way in which I managed my time and studied, which has impacted my performance in other classes. I plan to use what I learned as a result of Ochem 2510 in order to do well in other courses throughout college and my future educational endeavors.

 

End of Year Reflection (2nd Year)

I was able to learn and grow a lot this year as a result of the challenges that I faced each semester. I went into my third semester nervous for the class schedule that was ahead of me. I had heard all about organic chemistry and how difficult it was, so I was not looking forward to having to take it. By the end of my first year of college I thought that I had learned the most effective ways to study and manage my time. It turns out that this method was not as effective with my new courses and schedule. Taking organic chemistry and physics along with three other classes was a challenge. Staying on top of the material and leaving enough time to study for each class was difficult. Although, I was able to change the way that I studied and manage my time better in order to prepare myself for quizzes and exams. Autumn semester pushed me to a level of adversity that my course schedule had not done before. This being said, I learned a lot about myself and the steps that I need to take in order to stay organized and do my best. I learned that I can push through these challenges with hard work, and that I should not hesitate to ask for help.

Spring semester allowed me to put the time management and studying skills that I had learned to the test. My course load was equally as challenging as the previous semester with more difficult courses to take. Although, I was able to ensure that I took more time to do the activities that I enjoy in order to have a better mindset during the semester. I signed up for a soccer class so that I could have a scheduled time where I would be able to exercise and do something that I enjoy. Taking this class allowed me to de-stress and start out my mornings on a positive note. Another change that I made in the spring semester is that I made more of an effort to volunteer and be active in my clubs on campus. I was able to go on a trip to Knoxville, Tennessee with Remote Area Medical in order to volunteer at a free clinic. I was also able to volunteer with Project Sunshine at the Ronald McDonald House a couple of times each month. Overall, my fourth semester allowed me to find my rhythm and show what methods work best for my schedule.

 

Vision Statement/ Statement of Action

In my remaining time on campus, I plan to focus on my future goals and show my passion towards a future in medicine. I want to find more opportunities that can build upon the experiences that I have had thus far. I will look for more opportunities to volunteer in a clinical setting, get involved in research, and shadow different medical professionals. I will also take the steps that I need to in order to be a competitive applicant to medical school, such as taking the MCAT and asking for letters of recommendation. 

 

Volunteering in a Free Clinic

This year I joined a club at Ohio State called Remote Area Medical (RAM). As a part of this club, I have the opportunity to work in free clinics across the U.S. in order to help people in need of medical care. This semester I was able to go on one of the trips with the club to a clinic in Knoxville, Tennessee. During this trip, I was able to volunteer for over 20 hours in the clinic where I sorted through donations, directed patients to their locations, and scribed patient conditions during examinations. I spent the majority of my time in the dental section, where patients were able to receive fillings, get an extraction, or a cleaning. I was able to see how dental hygienists complete initial examinations, and learn the terminology that they use to describe the procedures that need to be performed. It was also interesting to be able to watch some of the dental procedures that were taking place in the clinic. 

This experience has shown me another aspect to medicine that I had not really been exposed to before. I enjoyed being in this medical setting and being able to see the effect that this clinic had on the patients. In total, this clinic helped over 1,050 patients receive free medical care over the course of 3 days. I now am more aware of the need that many people in the U.S. have, and how impactful access to free medical care can be. I hope to build on this experience by going on another RAM trip during a future semester at Ohio State. I would like to be able to go to a different community and see the impact that a free clinic can have on the area. Along with that, I hope to volunteer or shadow in other areas of the clinic such as vision or other medical services.