My second year at OSU included some very unexpected challenges that I gradually learned to navigate and conquer. In the first semester, I waws taking Biology 1113, Microbiology 4000, Spanish 3450, Tumbling 1, as well as General Chemistry II. While still remaining active through my fraternity, Biological Sciences Scholars, Social Change, Ladies of Leadership, PASS. In additon, I started volunteering at Nationwide childrens Hospital; and worded a part-time job. I quicy begam overwhelmed and had to be honest with myslef that I ha surpised my linits. I decided to stop working at my part time job. Although I felt embarassed at forst to admit that I couldn’t handle balancing everying in hte way that I hoped, I beliegved that losing a little bit of extra cash flow was worht sacrificing to improve my grades. Eventually, I also realized that taking three labs simultaneously aflso was no loner managaeable, so I made the tough decision to drop my first class ever. Through this semseter, I really learned that while it is good to challenge myself and grow; opushign myelf pasts my limits does nothing but harm me long term. There is strength in admitting  your weknesses and taking the apprpriate precausitng to fix them.

During my second semester, I took statistics 2480, Spanigh 3404, General Chemistyr II, Biologu 1114, and Art Eduicatin 1600. a t this point I had come to realize that Chemsitry was not my strong suit. Therefore, from the very begining of the semster, I sought out a tutor and met wiht him three times a week. I also invested time in finging another out=let to relaize my streess; working out more. This sumester my prorites were academics, my fitness, and then my social life at school. I found that by working out while i was extremely stressed I would leave the gym feeling good mentally and physically ehich allowed me to focus more while doung my schoolwork. It took a lot of work but I was able to pass chemistry whihc was a majr personal accomplishment. In my opinion, this semester really helped my improve my physyical health and enabled me to find healthy ways to manage my stress as well as taught me it is okay to ask for help. I still have a lot to leatn and grow from as a college student, but i am happy with my prgeress d excited to see what the future entails.

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.