As the end of the semester grows nearer, I look back at my first semester the Ohio State in awe.  When I first started on the 19^th of August, I was anxious about starting college classes, meeting new people, and finding a home on campus.  Now that there are only two weeks left in the semester, and I grow more and more comfortable every day.  When I wrote about my first week at OSU, I reflected upon my fear of being alone and exams.  Despite having taken eight midterms, I still become anxious over taking my exams, and I do not see that anxiety going away.  While I am anxious, I am not worried about this anxiety because it is completely normal to be anxious about exams, especially during finals week.  Another fear I initially felt was being alone on a large campus.  During the first two weeks of the semester, I was nervous about making meeting new people and making lasting connections with them.  Now, this fear has completely gone; I have made friends both in and out of classes, and I feel comfortable on campus.  The people I have met throughout these past three months have made my first semester at OSU unforgettable.

In the Humanities Scholars program, I have found opportunities that have helped me experience events that I would not have experienced on my own.  I thoroughly enjoy the community service activities the program has been involved with.  For one service activity, we planted trees at a local park.  I know I would have never gotten involved with that project without Humanities, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to do so because it was incredible and rewarding.  Another Humanities event I have enjoyed has been seeing the Broadway musicals.  Because I love theater, I immediately signed up to see any show available.  Without the program, I never would have had the opportunity to see School of Rock or Waitress, and I am excited to see future shows.  I also enjoy seeing the shows because it is a great opportunity to meet people; I always sit next to someone I have never met before and I make great connections with them.

Looking forward, I plan on being involved with Humanities for all four years as an undergraduate.  While I could not attend the Chicago trip due to a midterm, I hope that I can attend the New York trip in the spring or the Chicago trip next fall.  The Humanities Scholars program has been an easy and great way to get involved at Ohio State, and the opportunities that come with being in the Scholars program have been wonderful.  I am excited for the three and a half years I have with the Humanities Scholars program.

Before the 19^th of August, I was terrified at the thought of my parents leaving me behind at this huge campus and I’d be all alone.  Thankfully, saying goodbye was not as hard as I thought, and now the scariest part of college is the exams.  As someone who likes to know what to expect, I’m nervous about not knowing what my first exams will be like.  On the other side of the spectrum, I am excited to learn how to be autonomous.  Because I have been reliant on my parents for my entire life, I am eager to start my own life.

From trying to find the easiest way to Scott to going to my first Chemistry 1210 lecture, my first week at OSU has been an adventure.  Overall my first week at OSU went better than expected.  Before moving in, I worried over living with a stranger, starting my classes, and making new friends.  Thankfully as soon as I got here, everything fell right into place.  I have met new people and I feel confident in my classes as well as finding my classes.  Everyday has been a new experience.

During my time at OSU, I hope that I find a place where I can grow into an independent person and meet people who will change my life.  Over the next four years, I want to graduate from the Dental Hygiene program and be accepted to OSU’s dental school.  Along with my academic aspirations, I hope to find new passions outside of volunteering and dentistry.  With the Humanities Scholars programs, I want to get more involved with both the OSU community and the Columbus community.  I cannot wait to learn and explore places that I never would have thought to experience on my own.   As a Humanities Scholars student, I’m excited to have an easy, close to home way to get involved at OSU.

[Artifacts are the items you consider to be representative of your academic interests and achievements. For each entry, include both an artifact and a detailed annotation.  An annotation is a reflective description of the artifact that attempts to communicate its significance.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]