There are many classes at Ohio State that have transformed me as a student. However, one stands out in particular. In the spring of 2020, I took the health promotion and ideas prevention class that is a requirement for my major. From the first lecture, I knew that this class would become one of my favorites. The professor was well-versed in the subject, and was truly interested in helping us learn more about the topic. Throughout the course, we learned about health promotion through public policy, media, and many other channels. We are learned about disease prevention through the health promotion channels. I further developed my interest in public health through this course, and was able to apply the information even further when COVID-19 was announced as pandemic. By watching the news, reading articles, and keeping up to date with the World Health Organization, I was able to utilize the information gathered in this course to understand different aspects of this outbreak. This class changed some ideas I held about public health, strengthening my skills as a future health professional!

My second year at Ohio State has definitely been amazing! Throughout the year, I have been able to dive into many of my major courses, and work towards completing my minor. I have grown close with many of my professors, and feel like I have found a home in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. My minor classes have been interesting for me to take, as well! Along with all of my classes, I have spent a lot of time working with my clubs! As the president of Project Sunshine, I spent time organizing fundraisers, planning meetings, and volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio. This year I also become very involved with the Campus Outreach ministry on campus. Both of these activites have enabled me to create strong relationships with many people in the Ohio State community. Sadly, the spring semester of this year was cut short due to COVID-19. I had to move out of my dorm, leave my friends that have become my second family, and leave Columbus. It is been quite the transition, but I am thankful for the wonderful people that understand this is a hard time for students. Overall, this year has definitely been on to remember. I am grateful for the chance to continue my time at Ohio State, and it is hard to believe that I only have 3 semesters left of my undergraduate degree!

As I look back at my freshman year, I am still shocked to say I am a student at The Ohio State University. I have been given the chance to study at an amazing school, with outstanding people and professors. While I have been challenged academically, I have overcome all of the struggles. At the beginning of the spring seamster, I decided I wasn’t content with my Molecular Genetics major. I knew I wanted to work with children and in a medical institution. I found occupational therapy, and it instantly clicked with me. I am now officially a Health Sciences major on a pre-Occupaitional Therapy track. I am beyond thankful for all of the support that is given to students to help find our passions.

I would not have been able to make it through this year without my newfound best friend (and roommate for freshman year and sophomore year), Shelby. She helped me and supported me when I was overwhelmed. I also wouldn’t have made it through the year without Project Sunshine, which I am now the President of for the upcoming year. I cannot wait to continue volunteering at the Ronald McDonald house and helping brighten childrens’ days. And finally, I am thankful to have volunteered at The James Cancer Hospital, which offered me experience and patient interaction that left my heart warmed with joy.

Freshman year was far from easy, but it was so much fun and very rewarding. I have learned so many new things and met so many new people. Coming from such a small town, I was nervous for the change, but am now more than prepared and ready to venture out and grow as a person. Freshman year gave me the tools to get started, and I am excited to see what the next 3 years have in store for me.

As I finish my first semester of college here at Ohio State, I have realized how fast time passes. The past few months have been full of moments of excitement, achievements, and some disappointments. Starting out, I felt myself not being as proactive as I could have been. It was hard to catch myself up and try to get ahead. I have gotten to the exact point where I want to be, but now the seamster is almost over. I know that I can to use this lesson learned to start out stronger next seamster.

As far as classes go, my favorite class is my Molecular Genetics class that is based on research opportunities on campus. I have learned about many career paths that I could follow in my degree that I didn’t even know existed. I also have been able to connect with fellow molecular genetics majors, across all years, and connect with a professor (and researcher) who teaches the class. This was only one out of the six classes I was registered for this semester. Chemistry has been the hardest class that I have faced this semester. The information is not necessarily more difficult, it is just taught at such a fast pace that I found myself having a hard time digesting all of the material. To cope with this, I realized that studying for exams earlier than normal helps.  This gave me time to visit the Learning Resource Center if I have any questions that need addressed. This will be useful to know when going into next semester, as well.

Overall, my classes have been hard, but I can tell that I am learning and growing as a student and individual. Outside of the classroom, I have been able to meet many new people through volunteering and networking with the people I met early on. Volunteering around Columbus with various Biological Sciences students has been a major part of my first seamster here. Being able to take a break from school work to help people and make a difference was something that meant a lot to me. I also had the chance to meet people, who introduced me to other people they knew at later times. This gave me a network of people that I could connect with when I saw the around campus and at events.

During this semester I have learned so much about myself, due to the fact that this is the first time living on my own without family close by. I have been able to accomplish small things (like never accidentally turning my whites red in the laundry) and major things (like dealing with a parking garage gate closing on my car). I have gained strong communication skills and became more confident in who I am and know that I belong here. I will use all of these valuable skills and lessons throughout next semester and throughout my collegiate career and continue to build on them. I hope to develop myself daily, and this semester was only the beginning of this amazing journey.