I will always hold my experience as an Environment and Natural Resource Scholar close to my heart. I look back on my freshmen year and can see that I have grown in a number of ways.
The highlight of my experience as an ENR Scholar was absolutely getting to live together our first year. I am so thankful that I immediately had a group of people to hang out with, especially at such a big school. In fact, I met my very best friend and roommate through the program, Sophie Manaster. I will be forever grateful for that. Moreover, it was so comforting to know that Amanda and Esther always had our backs.
Throughout the years, I have learned and experienced so much more with our environment and even beyond that. Whether that be skills to better enjoy the outdoors, knowledge to better protect our planet, or just ways to de-stress. I came in as a tree-hugger and left an educated and experienced environmentalist. Since I am not an ENR major, it has been so important for me to still have this outlet.
I have significantly reduced animal products in my diet since coming to college and joining ENR Scholars. I stopped using plastic bags and purchased reusable straws. I have been to a countless amount of parks in Columbus. I plan to continue to reduce my carbon footprint and travel the Earth throughout my remaining time at Ohio State and after graduation.
I will be moving off campus next year (yay!), and am excited about the opportunities that will bring me. I will be able to shop for my own groceries instead of being stuck on a meal plan. Additionally, I hope to reduce my waste significantly next year. I am going to implement everything I learned in the “Living Sustainably Off-Campus” event.
To the future ENR Scholars, embrace every moment! There will be dark times during your first year in Morrill Tower but remember to hang tight during those times and lean on your friends and fellow scholars. Soon enough, you will be a 15-minute walk away from some of them, instead of a walk down the hall.
Whatever you put into the events and requirements of the program is what you will get out of it. Take advantage of every opportunity but always make sure to check in with your mental health. Be open-minded, be passionate, and be you!
It’s been real, ENR Scholars, thanks for the mems!
