My Sophomore Year was one of the best learning experiences of my time at Ohio State so far. At the beginning of my sophomore year, I had the goal of becoming more involved in my campus community. I believe I did accomplish this, having joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Theta Chapter and M.A.P.S., and holding leadership positions within those organizations. Upon joining AKA, I accepted the position as Chaplain and volunteered to be on the planning committee for the 2019 Undergraduate Regional Conference. Additionally, I was elected Service Chair of M.A.P.S. which, at the time, was at the beginning of its partnership with the Columbus Free Clinic. Accordingly, I began volunteering for the Columbus Free Clinic weekly. However, as I continued to pursue further involvements and opportunities for leadership, I would soon learn that it is better to put your all and complete effort into a few projects rather than a little effort into many different ones.
Having become so much more involved in my campus community, I began to underestimate my workload in combination with rigor of my courses. In the fall semester, I began my journey with Organic Chemistry. I received my first F on a college exam on the first Midterm of Organic Chemistry I and, to say the least, it was devastating to me. I began to imagine the very worst-case scenarios: Failing the class, my GPA falling tremendously, and never getting into Medical School. Soon after receiving my exam grade, I began to reevaluate my intended career path and whether or not I was good enough for Medicine. At this point in my life, I was afraid of failing. I feared failure so much, that I almost decided not to pursue my dream anymore. However, in a time in which I need it most I was introduced to the teachings of Dr. Sandra McGuire and the LSU Study Cycle she had developed. I read Dr. McGuire’s book, “Teach Yourself How to Learn” and it instilled in my a newfound hope for classes like Organic Chemistry and taught me that failures are just tremendous opportunities for growth and better learning.
My first Organic Chemistry exam did not teach me I was not good enough, but it taught me how to become better. I changed my approach to learning that once worked in high school and even my freshman year of college. I asked more questions in class. I studied ahead of time. I lived in my professor’s office hours. I ate ethers for breakfast and epoxides for dinner. I did everything in my ability to do well and decided that if I still did not perform at the level I wished on the following exam, I would try again. I ended up with a B+ in Organic Chemistry I, which I was very proud of having started the course failing. However, my biggest accomplishment academically was that I found a new love for Organic Chemistry. The challenge it provided for me slowly turned it into my favorite class. In fact, in the Spring semester, I went on to receive an A in Organic Chemistry II.
As for my professional developments of sophomore year, I was finally able to secure an opportunity for undergraduate research. In February, I was accepted into the ASPIRE Medical Research Experience, which aims to provide research experiences for OSU undergraduate students from underrepresented and/or disadvantaged groups who “aspire” to make a difference in the field of medicine. Through this program, I would be conducting research in the Cystic Fibrosis and Sickle Cell Lab of Dr. Benjamin Kopp at Nationwide’s Children Hospital. The two main areas of this research laboratory are 1. how immune cells called macrophages fail to regulate infection in chronic lung diseases and 2. elucidating biomarkers/pathways of early inflammatory airway disease. I will be researching the role of macrophage health and non-genetic influences on Cystic Fibrosis outcomes.
Unfortunately, my research and the ASPIRE program were set to begin during the summer of 2020. These plans have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis, and have accordingly been postponed until the fall. Although I was disappointed that I could not start my research sooner, I am extremely excited to enrich my college experience through undergraduate research and become better aquatinted with the field of Medicine.