Author: nawara.3

Summary of Mentorship Experience

As a second year scholar within the Advocates for Community and Education program, I chose to become a mentor for a first year member! I was matched with Giuliana Gechelin, an intelligent and determined freshmen. At the beginning of the autumn semester Giuliana was a neuroscience major like me! As the semester progressed Giuliana discovered her passion within neurology was the field of psychology and changed her major to reflect that! She is now a psychology major with two minors… I wasn’t kidding when I said she was determined. On difference between the two of us is that I am on a pre-medical track and she is on a pre-law track! While I take courses targeting the physical sciences, organic chemistry, biology, Giuliana takes on courses that challenge societal views. She hopes to one day become an environmental lawyer. This dream is reflected in her two minors legal foundations of society and society and natural resources. In addition to both being fascinated in the study of the mind, we are both big fans of dogs. To be honest, I don’t know a single person who isn’t a fan of dogs. However, our love for pups is shown through support of service dog organizations. I train service dogs for 4Paws and Giuliana hopes to become a puppy sitter for Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

When I first spoke with Giuliana she was living with her fellow ACES on campus, however, as time went on and the pandemic continued she decided to go home for the remainder of the semester. Whilst home, Giuliana adopted an Australian shepherd puppy, volunteered, and completed all coursework remotely. Over the course of her freshman year Giuliana grew tremendously both emotionally and academically, she has adapted to many situations and hasn’t complained. Furthermore, not only did Giuliana change her major, she added two minors! She has been an amazing mentor and I cannot wait to see her continual growth throughout the rest of her undergraduate time and into law school.

As a mentor, I also reevaluated myself. I wanted to make sure that I felt ready to mentor a first year, and that I knew had all proper resources at hand. In the process of guiding Giuliana through the trials and tribulations of a covid era freshman year, I saw personal growth within myself. I became more confident in my abilities to support others, learned more about the pre-law track, utilized new forms of stress relief, like meditation (at Giuliana’s recommendation), and developed my leadership skills. I learned the value of empathy, patience, confidence, and developed a passion for guiding others through both good and bad times. This mentorship program strengthened my love for medicine and had me dreaming of one day leading a team of doctors in developing a treatment plan.

In terms of how I mentored Giuliana, I offered her support during her transfer from neuroscience to psychology. I gave her contact information of a few friends in psychology and a fellow ACES scholar that is in neuroscience and pre-law. Also, I assisted Giuliana in understanding service dog organizations and provided support to her when she moved off of campus and felt disconnected from other ACES and OSU students. She was worried how moving off campus would change her involvement and impact her friendships. Ultimately, Giuliana made it her goal to get involved in all the clubs next year, when things will be back in person (fingers crossed). I recommend all ACES take the mentorship program into account, because through this year I not only gained a friend, I unconverted a sense of leadership I never new I had and gained so much knowledge about other fields of study. I believe that I am a smarter, stronger and more responsible person after this experience and am very grateful for all that the ACES program has offered me over these past two years. ACES will always hold a special place in my heart, not only for the mentorship program but for the friends I gained, memories I made, and knowledge I have gained.

Julia Nawara

Second Explore Columbus

After our first ~virtual~ explore Columbus facetime, Giuliana and I had no choice but to have our second explore Columbus also be virtual. As Giuliana doesn’t live on campus and cannot easily commute back and forth, we Facetimed and discussed the places we would have visited! As we are both foodies, we said that North Market would have been a must! With so many authentic restaurants, different cuisines, little shops, and even a cafe… it certainly is a Columbus staple. With my entire family being from Poland, I struggled coming to campus and not having any of my family’s traditional home-cooked Polish meals. Luckily, there is an authentic Polish place within North Market. It is called Hubert’s Polish Kitchen, and the food is absolutely amazing. I asked Giuliana if she had ever eaten Polish food, she responded no… so obviously, Hubert’s would be our first spot! Giuliana mentioned her favorite cuisine to be Japanese and Chinese. I am sure that North Market has one or both of those, so we would have to stop there as well! Furthermore, as a coffee fanatic, I told Giuliana that Stauf’s coffee (which has a location within North Market), is a staple. With flavors from lavender vanilla to English toffee, their coffee is not only great quality but wonderfully flavored. My favorite is the snickerdoodle iced latte, Giuliana said she would try a vanilla hazelnut iced latte! She also mentioned that she really wanted to try Jeni’s ice cream, so of course, that would also be next on our agenda.

We moved on from discussing what we would visit to what we would chat about! Giuliana mentioned that she has lots of questions about what classes I recommend taking. Since I am a neuroscience major and she is psychology, many of our classes overlap. I mentioned that I am specializing in Cellular-Molecular neuroscience so many of my classes actually are not within the psychology course load, however, I do have many recommendations based upon what my friends have told me, and the psych classes I have taken. I recommended many behavioral classes, and even suggested one of my favorite classes, Hormones and Behavior! I also gave Giuliana the contact information of my friends in neuroscience who are pre-law, as I am pre-med I wasn’t sure of any specific pre-law guided psychology courses. Furthermore, Giuliana also mentioned her fascination with 4Paws and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Both are service dog agencies, however, GEB places seeing-eye dogs, and 4Paws places a variety of service dogs. I had shared my experience with 4Paws and my love for training and how much I care about my current foster, Cappy. Cappy is a Goldendoodle and he is very literally the sweetest dog I have ever met. I explained to Giuliana how beneficial my time has been and strongly encouraged her to join either of the clubs on campus. She expressed her hope to join a service dog organization next year, as hopefully then she can live on campus!

Giuliana and I then discussed ACES and the various ways that it has shaped us. I shared how amazing my first-year experience was, how living on a floor with all my fellow ACES scholars let us not only form a stronger bond but adjust to college life much easier. I expressed how terrible I felt for the current first-year ACES. They have missed out on so much bonding and excitement. From studying together in the common area to eating Buckeye pizzas at community meetings, I had so many positive experiences and only wished the current freshman could have experienced them. Furthermore, Giuliana stated how if the Coronavirus pandemic hadn’t occurred she would have stayed on campus! It truly is a shame that the pandemic occurred when it did, however, I am hopeful that it can act as a wake-up to our society. Giuliana and I agree with that sentiment and both talked about how we hope positive change will come out of this unfortunate time. I mentioned how I hope appreciation for health care workers will skyrocket, that individuals will take others’ health into account and that more people will be more cognizant of their actions. Giuliana mentioned how she wishes the same, however, also hopes that people will still feel the need to check in on one another. I have loved taking these virtual visits around Columbus with Giuliana and can’t wait until this pandemic is over and all the ACES can get together and travel the town! Until then, Zoom it is 🙂

Second Semester Mentee Interview

My mentee Giuliana Gechelin and I had the chance to facetime this week chat and catch up on everything school, life, and future! Giuliana is a psychology major, and has recently added two minors! She is a new student within legal foundations of society and society and natural resources. Prior to our chat I had never heard of those minors. Upon hearing she joined these minors, I asked how she found out about them and why she chose to join them! Giuliana explained that one of her pre-law professors had mentioned the minors and she spoke with her after class regarding both of them! After several conversations, Giuliana decided both minors would be an amazing addition to her transcript and she was passionate for both of them. I also wanted to clarify and find out what type of law she was hoping to practice in the future. She explained that she was extremely eager to go into environmental law and is excited to work for the betterment of the world.

We then moved on to the topic of ACES! Giuliana noted that she loved meeting each and everyone one of the ACES and loved her first semester roomate. She said that the ACES community made her feel welcome and included on a campus that felt so large. Unfortunately, Giuliana moved off of campus during her first semester, and said that she feels that she has lost many of her formed connections because of this change. Not only was she not able to get as close to her floor mates, she wasn’t able join as many clubs as desired. Despite the current disconnect, Giulina hopes that when the pandemic is over, she can return to campus and join as many clubs possible, within reason. She did note, however, that she is in Guiding Eyes for the Blind and hopes to get more involved, and possibly foster her own Service dog in training! Personally, in a non biased current service dog raiser way, I think that she should definetly get a foster pup!

Furthermore, we discussed the goals we set for outselves at the beginning of the semester and school year. I mentioned that I was hoping Cappy (my service dog in training) would go to Advanced training, and was really hoping to get an A in organic chemistry. Giuliana stated her goals for grades, connections and health. With hopes for straight A’s, strong connections with friends and professors, and great health. However, with the pandemic… the health part was worrying her, and to be completely honest I was worried about both my own and my families. In terms of forming bonds, Giuliana pointed out that she has found a mentor in one of her pre-law professors. I mentioned my love for Legally Blonde and we discussed how much we want to channel Elle’s I-want-to-go-to-Harvard-so-I’m-going-to-Harvard energy.

I have trully loved getting to know Giuliana this year and I see so much success in her future. She is the kind of person we need more of in this world, and the kind of lawyer that the world needs (very literally). I cannot wait to see and hear about her sophomore year and am extremely grateful to have metored and gotten to know her as a friend.

The questions I asked during the mentee interview were as follows;

  • Are you enjoying your major? Why or why not?
  • How have you gotten involved on campus?
  • Have you enjoyed your first semetser in ACES? What has suprised ou about the program?
  • Have you career plans changed since the first semester? Why or why not?
  • What goals have you set for yourself this semester?

Meet my Mentee!

Earlier this academic year I was matched with a mentee in my scholar’s group! Her name is Giuliana, she is majoring in neuroscience and is just as obsessed with dogs as I am. We discussed the field of neuroscience and I found out that she learned of her passion through shadowing a neurologist at the University of Miami hospital. In addition to being in neuroscience, Giuliana is hoping to join Guiding Eyes for the Blind! This is a service dog agency that trains guiding eye dogs. I found this amazing for I am currently a handler for 4Paws for Ability. 4Paws is a service dog agency that matches dogs to children with disabilities and veterans. I can’t wait to see what Giuliana does with Guiding Eyes! In addition to Guiding eyes, Giuliana hopes to become involved with a few pre-law clubs or sororities. Our conversation then took a turn from puppies and clubs to discussing our post-collegiate plans. Turns out that not only is Giuliana passionate about neuroscience, she is also passionate about environmental law. She plans to attend law school and pursue a future protecting the environment. Giuliana dreams of working for a governmental agency one day!

When discussing academic plans, I asked which class was Giuliana’s hardest. She quickly replied with general chemistry, and I believe that many would agree. However, Giuliana says that studying in Thompson is one remedy to her stress! Personally, my remedy is sitting outside Mirror Lake and eating chicken fingers. Very effective. This then transitioned to our favorite dining locations on campus. Giuliana loves Sloopy’s and honestly I couldn’t think of a better option. Sloopy’s is home to the Brutus Buckeye burger and world-famous milkshakes. It is a definite campus favorite. Giuliana claims that Sloopy’s is amazing due to its proximity to her dorm… which funny enough is the dorm I am an RA at! Through our conversation I not only learned so much about Giuliana, I learned of all the similarities we have. It’s crazy how many similarities individuals can have and not about until they have a meaningful conversation. Thank you ACES for matching me with an amazing mentee, can’t wait to get to know her better!

Virtual Explore Columbus

Every year, the mentorship program has the mentor and mentee pairs go explore the city of Columbus. However, with the current pandemic we cannot go venture out in the world in fear of spreading or contracting the virus. My mentee, Giuliana, and I discusses what places we would want to go visit if coronavirus was non existent. Our first choice was the Columbus Zoo! The Columbus Zoo is one of best zoos in the world and it would be an amazing experience. Giuliana and I are both animal lovers and both would love to see polar bears and possibly lions!! In addition to the zoo being a fun option for mentor mentee bonding, it is a very good socialization for the service dog I’m training. However, the Columbus Zoo is quite far from campus and transportation will need to be found.

Our second option would be the candle lab. The Candle Lab is an amazing place to go to explore Columbus. Giuliana said that she would love to make a candle for relaxation as times are getting stressful with midterms, perhaps a lavender or flower candle? I would make a beach scented candle as the beach has always been my favorite place to relax. However, the Candle Lab can be a bit pricey, and would also require transportation or a bit of a hike off campus.

Furthermore, another amazing choice we discussed for exploring Columbus that is both close to campus and affordable is Coffee Connections. This is an amazing coffee shop located right off of south campus. It is my favorite place to get coffee as it has amazing syrup flavors and spectacular snacks ( like confetti waffles ). Giuliana, however, claims to not be a coffee person… Coffee Connections will change that :). Giuliana said that she would love to try the french toast syrup (which is AMAZING), and possible get a waffle or two. While discussing places to visit, Giuliana mentioned that she was considering switching majors. We discussed this possible change and I advised her to follow what she believes is best for her. I am certain that whatever major Giuliana ends up she will excel in! We also discusssed finals, as these are Giuliana’s first OSU finals. As crazy as it sounds I was excited for her! As an old sophomore now I can say that looking back my first college finals were stressful, however, very rewarding.

All in all, the city of Columbus has a lot to offer to new Ohio State students. You could go exploring for weeks and still find an endless amount of activities to take part in. The Columbus zoo, Candle Lab, and Coffee Connections are our top choices and we would eventually love to go visit!

Fight against childhood hunger

Recently, I had the opportunity to make snack packs for children in Ohio with the Pen Pals club. I learned of the rising rates of child hunger and the steps many organizations are taking to combat these frightening statistics. The snack packs we made included healthier options which will allow for all nutritional needs to be met. I hope to attend more Pen Pal meetings and stay involved with the fight to end childhood hunger.

Global Enrichment

Growing up in America, I have always been exposed to a certain melting pot of cultures and ideals. However, with my entire family being from Poland our household is filled to the brim with polish culture. From the countless visits to my parents hometowns, to the days in polish school, I was raised as Polish as an American can get. I love my heritage and my language. The pride I get fron telling others that I am Polish is immense. I hope to spread and inform others on how to make pierogi and how to say hello and good bye. I hope to enrich others with the knowledge I have gained and will gain through my Polish minor.

Why Neuroscience?

Why does the brain behave as it does? Are our personalities and actions predetermined just by a set of codes within our DNA or are they developed throughout our childhood? The study of the brain and psychology fascinates me and I hope to continue the study of neuroscience throughout my years in college.

The amygdala, hypothalamus, cerebellum, without any one of these structures, the human body would cease to exist. With other bodily organs like the pancreas, liver, and muscles relying on the brain; why don’t we fully understand this skull encapsulated organ? The mystery behind the brain is as vast as the mystery of the ocean floor and my dream is to one day operate on this mysterious grey and white matter that makes you, you.

This dream to specifically operate on the brain was discovered junior year while taking AP Psychology. I was most notably shaped the day before winter break, 2017, when university students came in to give a neuroscience presentation. That was that day I held a human brain and spinal cord saw each crease of the brain and felt central nervous system nerves. A moment of awe took over me, and with full faith, I established that the study of the brain is my academic future.

The brain is the most intricate organ of the human body, one that takes years to understand, the organ with which you are reading and understanding my words at this very second, the organ that I wish to devote my life to. The brain is fuel to my intellectual dreams and the seed of my growing knowledge.

 

 

Adam’s Angels

Recently, I created a student organization dedicated to helping children with neurological disabilities. This organization was created in honor of my uncle Adam. Adam was like an older brother to me, he suffered from various disorders and passed away three years ago. His loss weighed heavily upon my family and after his death, I realized how many things he missed out on the sole basis of his disability. People treated him differently just because he looked and sounded different. Others assumed he wasn’t capable of many things, what they didn’t know is that he wrote for hours about sports history and was hands down the wisest person.

Adam’s Angels is both a tutoring and social program for children in the Columbus area of ages five to ten. With social programs like going to the Columbus Zoo, and watching Disney movies, students will bond with one another and families will establish long-lasting bonds. Our tutoring programs include all subjects from science to social studies and are highly personalized to each student. Adam’s Angels offers children in Columbus the opportunities my uncle never had, and I am hoping for amazing results!

About Me!

Hello everyone! My name is Julia Nawara and I am very excited to officially be a Buckeye. I am from the Chicago suburbs and am a freshman here at Ohio State. My family immigrated from Poland in the early 2000s, I am a first-generation college student and American. In high school, I was passionate about chemistry, math tutoring, surgical-bay volunteering, and leading my tennis team as captain. I am now a neuroscience major on a pre-medical track and an Advocates for Community and Education scholar. My goal for the future is to become a physician within the dermatology or anesthesiology field. Within my first few months at Ohio State, I have become involved in 4 Paws for Ability, Adam’s Angels, and ACES! I am the founder and President of Adam’s Angels. This is a student organization dedicated to helping children with neurological disabilities in the Columbus area via tutoring and social programs. I truly do believe that every individual and organization member makes a difference! Furthermore, I am very excited to further my knowledge in the field of neuroscience and eventually be able to apply it to Adam’s Angels!

Thank you,

Julia Nawara