Hannah is continuing to grow during her time at Ohio State. We sat down at the new Starbucks in Target on High Street to discuss her transition from first semester to second semester and overall her freshman year experiences. Hannah, a special education major, enjoys her classes and major. During her second semester, she is enrolled in her general education classes, but she finds her math class for education majors most difficult. About three times a week, Hannah visits a school in the Columbus area through her First Education Experience Program (FEEP). Hannah learns first-hand about the special education field by spending time in local K-5th grade school setting. She describes herself as a teaching aid for the assessment/breakout room and student buddy to those students with autism or down syndrome. She spends her time helping students reach goals for their individual education program. At the end of this semester, she will have completed 110 hours with FEEP. When it comes to study habits, Hannah enjoys studying on the 10th and 11th floor of the Thompson Library or the common room tables near the windows of her dorm, Smith-Steeb. Like myself, Hannah is easily distracted by her friends or the comfort of her bed. She finds it difficult to study with her roommate, Rachel, or other friends because they like to socialize a lot. Although Hannah has to apply for her major in the upcoming fall, she is confident about her academic decisions.
Outside of the classroom, Hannah is very passionate about the student organizations she’s involved with. Other than ACES, Hannah has been with Best Buddies since last semester. An organization that creates relationships with those with special needs, Best Buddies allowed Hannah to meet her buddy Kim, a 26 year old with down syndrome. Hannah attends the bimonthly meetings and Holiday parties/events. Hannah and Kim text frequently and have formed a great friendship. Last month, Hannah rushed Alpha Xi Delta (AXiD) sorority and is excited to meet her big on Wednesday. She describes AXiD as being a very diverse and inclusive group of girls. It’s very fitting that AXiD volunteers with the philanthropy organization Autism Speaks, something Hannah is passionate about. Hannah enjoys chapter meetings, the chef’s meals, and will live in the sorority house next year with one of her friends from Cincinnati. Although it was a lot of first to balance, Hannah has been able to control each time commitment and credits her laptop calendar for her way of staying on top of things. Hannah stated that she will continue to be involved in these organizations in the future.
As far as ACES, Hannah liked her first semester and was surprised that there was a diverse group of majors besides education. She loves the learning community aspect. Living in the connector wing of Smith-Steeb floor five, she enjoys having the opportunity to live with both ACES and non-ACES members. I agree with Hannah that ACES is the perfect amount of commitment because it allows to be involved with something while also giving the freedom to get involved in other organizations. She said the service hour requirement was manageable because her and Maddy volunteered through the Office of Social Change Schoenbaum music explorers every Friday for about 30 minutes.
Hannah’s freshman year experiences have strengthened her career plans. She hopes to pursue a special education career with a young children focus because she has always had a “soft spot” of admiration and compassion. Hannah mentioned that through FEEP, she has learned strategies to use with special needs individualizes as well as the importance to “adopt their thinking.” As a junior, Hannah will likely participate in a student teaching program.
Hannah’s favorite memories of freshman year have been meeting new friends, which loves dearly, as well as joining her amazing sorority. Hannah plans to maintain the same GPA or reach for a higher one. I’m really proud of Hannah’s growth and I sense her comfortability with her major, organizations, and OSU in general. I’m excited to see the great things Hannah will do in the future with her passion, drive, and incredible personality.