The first student organization meeting I went to on campus was the Society of Physics Students’ opening meeting. I heard about this organization when I was looking into physics organizations at Ohio State and made sure to join the club at the activity fair. I went to this first meeting alone, but I met a few other freshman there who are in my physics class and we sat together during the meeting. I found the upperclassmen at the meeting to be very welcoming and friendly and met several different people with varying majors and levels of interest in physics. I found the casual lecture format really inviting and I am excited to go to the next meeting.
The Society of Physics Students excites me because it connects me to the physics department and gives me a place to meet other people who are passionate about physics. The organization also keeps its members informed of upcoming physics department events and open positions within the department that students can fill. Having a group that helps me connect to the department will be beneficial for finding research opportunities and other events, such as colloquia within the physics department. I feel that the Society of Physics Students is unique in that it offers me a chance to hear lectures from professors on intriguing topics and introduces me to other students within the department who can offer their advice and wisdom as I continue in the physics program. I think this organization will help me network within the department.
The leaders of the Society of Physics Students were great at communicating with the group gathered and they kept the environment casual and fun. They managed to keep it light without putting a damper on the lecture we heard for the largest part of the meeting. There was food for the attendees and plenty of casual conversation before the lecture portion began. The leaders made announcements about upcoming events for the club and announced the speaker for the next meeting as well. I could see myself doing these things and becoming a leader in the club in future years. I will block out the time for these club meetings in my calendar and plan to shift my studying and the other parts of my schedule to enable me to attend the Society of Physics Students meetings.
I think the size of Ohio State has made me more motivated to find the clubs that will help me find people who have similar passions as I do. I also think that the vast amount of clubs at Ohio State has made it much easier to find clubs that suit my specific interests. I could see myself starting a club in the future that relates to scientific debate because I have a passion for debate and feel that it is important for physics (and other STEM) majors to be able to articulate their positions and argue for them and there is not a club that fits that criteria.
I am excited to continue getting involved in the physics department and look forward to taking advantage of all that the Society of Physics Students has to offer.
