Thrifting

I have learned so much about myself in the past semester. In the past, I have always been about sustainability and being green; however, I didn’t do much to promote sustainability in my daily life. When I got the opportunity to host an event that discussed the impacts of fast fashion on the world, it made me conscious of my decisions as a consumer. In that event, I learned about all of the horrible impacts that fast fashion as to the environment and to the people involved in it. It was after that event that I decided to thrift a majority of my clothes and to only purchase from big corporations if I really needed a specific item of clothing. That decision made me realize how easy it was to stick with your commitment and promises. It made me change for the better even if it was a small step in the right decision. The image that I provided is a shirt that I thrifted.

Mask for OSU Student

High school ended abruptly, there was no prom, no senior events, and no banquet. With high school ending rapidly, and everything being moved online, students felt disconnected from their peers. Since everything was over zoom, students, like myself, could not meet with their friends over lunch or in the halls.

As an Ohio State student, I knew I was automatically given three things, iPads, software, and OSU styled masks. With COVID-19 changing everything in the world, OSU acknowledged its existence and knew its impact. By having OSU styled mask, all Ohio State students had a signature style, beside the basic OSU gear, that displayed the symbol of buckeyes for good. It made the experience of COVID-19 feel less isolated since everywhere you went, people were rocking the same mask as others.

 

The experience of wearing a simple mask made me feel whole, for I knew that I was not alone in the craziness that COVID-19 has brought to us all. It showed me that, all of my peers are going through it just like me and that we all have one thing in common.

Year in Review

My first semester at OSU was full of little realizations about myself. Being in a new environment made me more aware of who I am like, how I am a morning person, value communication, loving having a roommate, and miss seeing the stars at night. I never realized any of those things until I got to OSU. While the semester was full of meeting new places, I really got to hone in on who I am as a person. I realized that I am very social when talking to new people, goal driven, and willing to put in action when others need help. Being independent really did let me focus in on myself and being in Mount Scholars, really nurtured my personality and made me feel comfortable.

My second semester, was mainly focused on my career and academics. I realized that I want to be proactive at OSU and be more involved to be more prepared for my career. I have been to numerous advising meetings and talking about starting research, making a resume, and even establishing a minor. After many meetings I have a better understanding on of it and have even declared a minor in Environmental Science. I wanted to discuss research, resumes and having a minor now, so that way over the summer I can find a good research team to work with, have a well written resume, and have a study abroad trip planned out for the Environmental Science minor.

G.O.A.L.S.

My undergraduate experiences have helped me with understanding diversity. When discussing diversity, people immediately think about race, however after attending a meeting with my scholars group I have been educated about ableism. I have learned that diversity is much more than race and sexual orientation its about accepting everyone of all backgrounds and capabilities. I have learned to applicate the knowledge that was bestowed on me because I would never want to single out a specific group. I would want every group to be equally represented so I could satisfy everyone’s need.

One of the wonderful opportunity that being a biology major offers me is working in a lab setting. Having the opportunity to work in a lab and to synthesis chemicals and make crystals allows me to look at how our world works at a macro level. It gives me the opportunity on how perform proper lab technique.

I have chosen to take the courses that I am in now because they will help me most for my future career: being an optometrist. That is why I have decided to take Organic Chemistry Lecture, Organic Chemistry Lab, Spanish, Statistics, and Diversity in Social Justice and Leadership. I have decided to take Spanish and Diversity in Social Justice and Leadership because, Spanish is a growing language in the states. Diversity in Social Justice and Leadership, is a class that is very important to me because, I believe that having a diverse group allows for the people in the group to understand each other allowing more leadership opportunities to grow in the community.

In my scholars program, I have decided to be a co-chair to the Leadership and Social Change Committee. Being a chair gives me the opportunity to make decisions for the group like, delegating roles, making the group cooperate with each other, and listening to other people input when they want to change something. My involvement has transformed me because, I have learned to be accepting of new ideas, how to cooperate with people that I dislike, and how to have good time management skills.

I am helping my community by providing service work for Equitas Health. I have decided to volunteer with Equitas Health because, they serve an important demographic to me: people that identify with the LGBTQ+. Since LGBTQ+ healthcare is being challenged in Ohio, I wanted to give back to my community so everyone will get access to their healthcare.

Career

Being a Mount Scholar has taught me so much about leadership and service that I will carry onto my future career. My scholars program taught me how to collaborate with a group of people, how to end professional emails, how to be a good listener, and so much more. No matter what job I have I will always have to collaborate with others wether it be in an office space, with clients, staff, and patients. Since my future career is aimed to be an optometrist, I can use the skill of being a good listener to really hear what my patients concerns are and then be able to address them properly.

Artifacts

I never imagined myself riding a skateboard, for starters it is scary, I have terrible balance, and I do not know where to start. Everything changed when I got to Ohio State. Ohio State is an enormous campus where it take me 20 minutes just to walk to biology lab. After being exhausted from walking and sore, I decided to invest in a skateboard. Investing in a skateboard is a big step for me because although I am comfortable with doing non-physical activities, I get very uncomfortable with physical activities.

Skateboarding changed my view point because it proved that I could do anything if I put my mind to it. I had no limitations and I could master the art in less than a month if I set myself to it. It made me realize that even though I might fall twelve times, get 3 bad scratches, and almost run into people, it is all part of the learning curve and must occur so I can get more and more comfortable skateboarding.

The whole experience showed me how possible it is for me to do anything I set my heart to. It may take a while, and I might get hurt while doing it, but along as I am passionate in it. I can do anything I want.