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.