Month: August 2017

After My First Semester at OSU

Before starting at OSU, I already decided that I wanted to be a pre-med student with a double major in Biology and Spanish, and I also knew that academically this could potentially be challenging. I was just determined to work hard to achieve a good GPA and MCAT score. Although, I was unaware of all the other requirements that were needed to fulfill this goal. I was ignorant of the amount of volunteer hours, research skills, shadowing experience, and internship knowledge that would eventually be required to be considered for a competing spot in Ohio State University’s Medical school program as well as the required phenomenal GPA and MCAT score. Quickly, I felt overwhelmed after discovering other student’s previous experience with research and shadowing in high school. Furthermore, I became worried about my ability to fulfill all my credit hours for both majors due to starting my first year with only 15 credit hours.

However, my advisors, Biological Scholars Sciences Scholars peers, and upperclassmen BioSci students helped calm these fears. The Scholars program opened me up to any opportunities and programs to not only volunteer in short-term currently, but long-term future opportunities such as hospitals to volunteer at, interesting fields of research, and resources and people who were willing to help prepare me for difficult courses and inform me of strategies to succeed. I was also introduced to various study abroad programs that could help fulfill my passion to learn about new cultures and gain more more credit hours towards my Spanish major.

I am and will continue to be a determined and goal oriented student. Nonetheless, this Biological Scholars program has given me plenty of resources and introduced me to so many people that can help me complete these goals. I believe the main takeaway from my first semester at OSU is that before I was nervous about the challenges I would face in achieving my goals, however, now I am excited to face new challenges to better me as a student. Now, I am excited to take Chemistry my second semester, knowing that if I do struggle I have plenty of resources through tutoring and through my many peers who are willing to help me while I take that course. Now, I am persistently applying to various hospitals that align with my volunteer interests. Now, instead of being terrified of finding and participating in research (as I was at the start of the semester) I am excited to apply for some research labs in the future that align with my future career and I know how to do so.

This first semester for me wasn’t about learning to be more independent, improving my leadership skills, bettering my study habits, or figuring out who I am as a young adult. For me this first semester was about growing/changing my perspective and approach when striving to reach my goals of graduating with my double major and getting into a phenomenal Medical School (Preferably Ohio State). This first semester has reignited my passion for taking on new challenges and getting rid of my fear new obstacles. I am excited to continue growing as a young adult, a college student, and a future Doctor.

G.O.A.L.S.

Global Awareness: I hope to gain a better understanding of others diverse cultures through studying abroad and reading more about the lives of people in other cultures through their perspective. I studied abroad in high school for two weeks and was involved win an Immersion program in which we discussed issues within Latin American cultures. I hope to study abroad in Spain again, in a new part during one summer while here at OSU.

Original Inquiry: I want to get involved with research programs, and get hands on experience. I’m not completely sure what research I want to get involved in. I just know I want to do it within my sophomore year. I also want to shadow at hospital, and gain more knowledge of what working in a hospital will actually be like. Through original inquiry I hope to gain better knowledge of the scientific process and the functions within a hospital.

Academic Enrichment: OSU is the prefect place for me to gain academic enrichment. I am doubling majoring in Spanish and Biology with pre-med. I believe that crunching the classes and a rigorous routine will allow me to flourish in knowledge and eventually I will be able to combine my two majors to help people.

Leadership Development: I am beginning to redevelop my leadership roles on campus. I am currently in a PASS program and I hope to be a mentor next semester. I am also involved with a student led Ladies of Leadership program in which I am currently a mentee. Next year I hope to become a mentor and help freshmen get better acquainted with the campus.

Service Engagement: I’m really passionate about getting involved with volunteering at a hospital within Columbus.

Artifacts

[Artifacts are the items you consider to be representative of your academic interests and achievements. For each entry, include both an artifact and a detailed annotation.  An annotation is a reflective description of the artifact that attempts to communicate its significance.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

About Me

I’m Lou! I’m a third year at OSU. I am a Biological Scholars student. I am double majoring in Biology and Spanish with pre-med intent. I’m a sports fanatic, but I mostly play basketball and soccer. However, my favorite sports to watch are baseball and basketball. In my spare time, I like to write songs on my guitar or ukulele.  I’m outgoing and talkative, and I love meeting new people. I have a passion for learning new cultures and find language to be an amazing way to unite people.  Long term I aspire to be a bilingual Perinatologist and work with high-risk pregnancies.