My First Week at OSU

Seeing the blocked off highway on move-in day was the first of many moments that stood out to me as I began my journey at The Ohio State University. For me, nerves were practically non-existent when I moved in. This was likely a combination of knowing that my family was less than half an hour away and feeling like I was SO READY for this milestone in my life. It was really cool to go through Welcome Week and feel like a true Buckeye after growing up in central Ohio my entire life. I had even taken some classes at OSU as a high school senior, so I knew my way around the university campus. However, I don’t think I fully conceptualized just how many people went to the school until convocation. The moving lights swept across the stage and lit up the faces of over 6,000 freshmen, all about to take the same first step into their college lives. I went to a school with a graduating class of around 400. What’s awesome is that I have the choice to talk to new people every day, but if I don’t want to, I don’t have to. I will admit that although I’ve been making it to my classes fine and finishing all my homework on time, I need to take a little more control over my sleep schedule so that I can form more healthy habits. The freedom of being able to do what I want, when I want, is daunting sometimes. With full control over my life, I now have to make choices every day that in the end, will shape my college experience. What I’ve been trying to remind myself is that every little decision can help me or hurt me in the long run. Maybe I’ll thank myself for doing my laundry early, or for taking a power nap. In my opinion, these decisions all come down to the crux of what college is about: learning about yourself and what is best for you. I’m excited to learn many more lessons as I move past my first week here at OSU!

Year in Review

[ “Year in Review”  is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student.  You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year.  For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

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 guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. 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.]

Career

[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career.  Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated.  For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

About Me

Annie Ratanapan is a first year majoring in Economics within the College of Arts and Sciences at The Ohio State University. Originally, she is from New Albany, Ohio, and graduated from New Albany High School in 2019. She is a second generation American, which is a large inspiration for her interest in languages and other cultures. Thailand is where her parents grew up and she always enjoys learning more about Thai customs when possible. She is also in the Arts Scholars program at OSU and has a great appreciation for all forms of art. Her forte lies towards the performing arts; she adores the theatre and has been around music her whole life. She hopes to become involved with projects around campus and is excited to take on many new opportunities while living in Columbus!