My second year at Ohio State was a great one. I started the year off becoming an Office Assistant through the Office of Student Life. I moved into my dorm building with the other Office Assistants a few weeks early and made friends with everyone on the staff. From this position, I gained leadership experience and the ability to work as a team to keep the residence hall safe and secure. During my time as an Office Assistant, I sorted mail and organized packages, ensured the safety of the building, and even put out a fire in the lobby.
Academically, the fall semester of my sophomore year was a little rough. I took organic chemistry for the first time and even though I passed the class, I had trouble getting a good grasp of the subject matter. I also took physics for the first time and learned that physics is a challenging subject for me. Through these classes were difficult, they helped me learn how I study best.
During Thanksgiving break, I traveled to California for the first time and brought Ohio’s cold weather with me. I went back during winter break and it was beautiful! I spent this break traveling across the country, visiting different landmarks and states that I had never visited before. It was a great experience and allowed me to get a feeling for the world outside of Ohio. This experience pushed me to want to travel more, something I am hopefully able to do more in the upcoming years.
The second semester began as a great one. I was taking a vision science class that I was very excited about and I took biochemistry which I absolutely loved. I was looking forward to finishing out the semester with my friends when COVID-19 hit and canceled in-person classes. When I found out that classes were virtual, I was in Times Square in New York City, a hot spot for the virus. I was scared and worried about how this would change the semester. I loved the hands-on experiences that I was getting in my classes and I wasn’t ready to give up living in a dorm with all of my friends. Virtual learning was an adjustment, but I was able to keep myself focused on my studies and finish the semester strong.
Though this year was cut short, I wouldn’t have traded it for anything. If next year is even a fraction as great as this year was, I will be satisfied. My junior year will be my last year in undergrad at Ohio State and I plan to make the best of it before I enter optometry school!