Semester in Review

As my first semester at The Ohio State University comes to a close, I cant help but look back and reflect on all that has changed and the ways I have grown so far.  When I first arrived at OSU, I was nervous yet excited, and unsure of all that was in store.  In the 14 short weeks that have passed, I truly feel like I have changed in my academics and the way I view myself.  Throughout all high school, I easily passed each of my classes merely from taking notes and doing homework, and part of me expected to be able to do the same this year as well.  However, after my first chemistry midterm, I quickly realized this could no longer be my primary way to learn and study in college.  Although I did not do incredibly well on the first midterm, I used it as a learning experience for the rest of the semester.  The first midterm taught me that I have to be committed to working hard in order to be successful.  I’ve learned that university is a much more independent experience, and my grades depend on how much I personally put into them and that I must use the resources and people around me to move toward where I want to be.  In the semesters and years that follow, I hope to continue growing and bettering my study habits as I begin to shape who I am as a person, student, and community member at Ohio State.  In my first semester, I have found so many reasons to love OSU, and am proud to call myself a Buckeye.

OSU Triathlon Club

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On October 11, 2015, I completed my first triathlon with the OSU Triathlon Club.  As I climbed the top of the last hill of the race and crossed the finish line, I knew that without the trainingand hard work I put in at practice each week, I would not have been prepared for the race.  My first artifact is the shirt i received after completing the triathlon.  Because triathlon club was the first organization I joined at Ohio State, this shirt not only reflects the determination required to complete something as physically strenuous as a triathlon, but also marks the beginning of my involvement at OSU.

IMG_20151021_133748 So far, triathlon club has taught me that it is important to work hard if you hope to accomplish a goal.  The training I did for the triathlon can be applied  in similar ways to any part of life.  You only gain as much as the effort  you put forth.  I hope to continue working with triathlon club for the  rest of the semester and year, with the goal of competing in more races  in the future.

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G.O.A.L.S.

[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.

Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc .
Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]

About Me

Hi, my name is Alana Osterday.  I am from Milford, Ohio, the suburbs of Cincinnati, and cannot wait to discover all that campus life and the city of Columbus have to offer.  I am currently a biology major and am a part of the Biology Scholars program.  Running is an important part of who I am, and it has helped me not only stay active and healthy, but it has also taught me how to work well in a team setting, act as a leader, and overcome obstacles and challenges that may be difficult.  I love drawing and painting, and hope to use my creativity in my learning.  In the summer of 2014, I was given the opportunity to attend an immersion trip to Managua, Nicaragua with a few classmates.  This trip pulled me completely out of my comfort zone.  Over the week I spent there, I was began to build relationships with people who were very different from me and I learned the importance of community, friendship, and hard work.  In my time at The Ohio State University, I hope to also make connections with people who share similar and even different views from me, get involved in the Buckeye community, and be successful in my academic pursuits.  This year, I hope to take advantage of the opportunities presented to me and further develop my goals and aspirations for the future.

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