Service G.O.A.L.S

For my HSS Capstone project, I chose to discuss my involvement with the Program for Advancing Scholarship and Service (PASS). PASS is an organization through OSU’s College of Arts and Sciences for students who share a passion for promoting diversity in academic, career, and community settings. PASS focuses on providing resources to 1st-year students related to academic success, career development, community building, community service, and leadership development. This organization also facilitates critical discussions relevant to college students including mental health, addiction, racism, economic disparities, career planning, and more. The target population for this project were 1st-year and prospective OSU students. 

I was an elected Peer Leader for PASS this year, and some of my responsibilities included:

  • Mentor 1st-year OSU students and provide them with necessary resources
  • Serve as an Ambassador for the College of Arts & Sciences and host recruitment and informational events
  • Speak on panels for prospective college students
  • Organize and lead health, wellness, and leadership workshops designed for academic and personal success
  • Volunteer throughout the Columbus community

For more information about PASS: https://artsandsciences.osu.edu/academics/future-students/buckeye-life/pass

Year in Review

My freshman year of college at OSU has taught me many things that I was not aware of at the beginning of the year, and it helped modify some of my other pre-existing views. The aspect of college that I focused on the most during my freshman year was academics. The majority of my time each week was spent doing assignments and studying for General Chemistry. I only had a few assignments for each of my other classes, so that allowed me to focus on excelling in Chem 1210 and 1220. And I did, I ended with an A for both semesters. However, this meant that I only spent a little time right before my midterms and finals to study for each of my other classes. I ended up still doing well in these classes, but I realized that I was cramming instead of studying with the purpose of long-term retention.

I have now learned that balance is important as a student; During second semester, I realized that I would benefit in the long-run if I spent time reviewing each lecture’s material later that same day so that I was able to fully understand the material right away. This proved to be beneficial as I was able to spend more time reviewing my notes when it came time for midterms instead of trying to learn the material for the first time. I used this technique the most for my Neuroscience 3000 and Biology 1114 classes where a lot of information was required to be memorized/retained. Since I have discovered a new studying strategy that works well for me and my grades, I plan to spend more time next year on preparing for medical school by developing my leadership skills through peer mentoring, volunteering, clinical volunteering, and possibly research.

G.O.A.L.S.

  • Global Awareness: In order to prepare for a future in the healthcare field, there are two aspects of global awareness that I would like to become actively involved in and learn more about. The first issue is the lack of healthcare for individuals below the poverty line. The second issue involves the disparities in healthcare quality among racial and ethnic minorities. In order for all healthcare professionals to do their most effective work, it’s important for people to be aware of the many inequalities in medical care so that they can become educated on how to bridge some of the gaps. Therefore, it is one of my goals to study abroad in a country where the majority of the population identifies as a racial/ethnic minority and/or are below the poverty line. This will allow me to develop a better understanding and appreciation for the difficulties people face trying to receive healthcare around the w
  • Original Inquiry: Hopefully, I plan to get involved with research during my time as an undergraduate. I want to pursue a career in medicine, so I want to pursue research that is focused around medicine, medical technology, psychology, or sports medicine. As a physician, it is important to understand the scientific method, which I will be able to explore as a student involved with research.
  • Academic Enrichment: I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Behavioral Neuroscience, and a minor in either Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies, or a minor in African American & African Studies. I am creating a rigorous course load for myself by filling my schedule with classes that are either necessary for my major/minor, or will challenge me academically instead of just taking classes for an easy A. So far, the majority of my classes have been difficult pre-med requirements, and I have been focused and determined to do my best and excel in all of them.
  • Leadership Development: Currently, I am a Peer Mentor with HSS, I am a Peer Leader with the PASS program, and I am an Ambassador for the College of Arts & Sciences. These positions help me develop as a leader because I am taking charge as a role model for children, first year college students, and prospective incoming college students. Speaking from experience, it can be very lonely and confusing as a first-year student. Therefore, it is my responsibility to help acclimate students to college life, answer any questions, and support them through various struggles they may have, both academically and personally. Over time, this will prepare me for a career in healthcare because the best physicians are those that listen and communicate well with their patients, those who are empathetic and can establish trust between themselves and their patients, and those who are confident in their medical decisions.
  • Service Engagement: The two programs that I am the most involved with currently are HSS and the PASS program. Through both of these, I have been lucky enough to participate in a few community service opportunities, and in the upcoming semesters, I plan on becoming even more involved with these organizations. However, I plan on spending the majority of my time volunteering for either hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, or food pantries. I want to give assistance to those in need however I am able to, but I also want to be familiar with these environments and the types of work that occurs at each of these places so that it can help me become more aware of issues as a future physician.

Artifacts

During my second semester at OSU, I was appointed as an Ambassador for the College of Arts & Sciences. One of the first on-campus recruitment events that I worked was Discover ASC Day. As Ambassadors, we were supposed to talk to prospective incoming students and families at the Multicultural Breakfast and give them a warm introduction to life at OSU. Later on, there was a Majors fair where many of the popular majors of the College of Arts & Sciences had booths for future students to come up to and ask questions. Although this was not part of my job as an Ambassador, I actually helped Dr. Campbell, the Academic and Student Services Coordinator and advisor for neuroscience students, talk to prospective students interested in the neuroscience major. I have to admit, I was extremely nervous at first; I am a naturally shy person and speaking to so many people at once was daunting. However, I cannot put into words how much I enjoyed talking to all of the students. It was so natural for me because I knew exactly what they were all feeling since I was literally in their shoes a year ago. As a high school student, I remember being so anxious and scared about all aspects of college, but also not knowing what questions to ask because I had no idea what to even expect. Therefore, not only did I answer all of the questions that students asked me to the best of my ability, but when some students didn’t have any specific questions, I just talked with them about what kind of classes they should expect to take as a neuroscience major, dorm-life, and most importantly, the best places to eat on campus. I made it my mission to ease their worries about difficult classes and living on their own. I think that’s what 1st-year students need the most- reassurance that everything will turn out okay in the end, even if there are some obstacles along the way. This event was significant because it not only allowed me the opportunity to help students, but I was also able to develop my leadership and public speaking skills, and for that I am very thankful. My role as an Ambassador has helped me realize that I want to become a mentor for 1st-year students, and I plan to apply the skills that I have learned from this event and so many others, to my positions as an HSS Peer Mentor and a PASS Peer Mentor during my sophomore year.

 

About Me

Hello, my name is Naeemah Story! I am currently on the pre-med/pre-professional track and pursuing a major in Neuroscience, which is unique in the fact that the program is supported by both the College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Medicine. I am also a member of the Health Sciences Scholars through Ohio State’s Honors & Scholars Program. Even though I have just started in this program, I am beginning to get involved in community service around Columbus, such as COSI.

I plan to volunteer more through other outreach programs as well. I am part of the Program for Advancing Scholarship and Service (PASS). We also work throughout Columbus to help advance diversity by participating in outreach and community service.

I am also honored and excited to be named a Morrill Scholar because I have access to further expand my learning outside of the classroom. I am involved with the community service team of the program where we will reach out to underserved communities in Columbus to help with various issues. This program has helped me grow as a leader and has motivated me to speak out against social justice issues.

I am passionate about mental health, and as a former athlete, I aspire to work with other athletes in the future, especially those who have suffered concussions. I want to possibly help them discover the relationship between their physical, mental and emotional health and assist them in finding a balance between all three.

I hope to constantly evolve into a better individual and citizen so that I can apply the skills and hard work I’ve done into my future endeavors, whether that be volunteer work, internships, research or a professional field. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions!