G.O.A.L.S.

Global Awareness:

Original Inquiry:

Academic Enrichment: I sought advice from a 4th year Neuroscience major in how to better manage my undergraduate years here at OSU. I learned that in order to succeed in the major, I had to spread my coursework out, finding a balance between difficult and easier classes. Before I have to start worrying about the MCAT, I was advised to seek out a source of scholarly, independent input that I could bring to the table in a medical school interview, such as finding a research or lab-work position. Her most important piece of life advice was to maintain a healthy lifestyle. She made a point that, as a pre-med student, I should be more concerned with my own health than the health of others for the time being, and work out properly and not to let stress take me over. She also said to savor every moment of college and learn to be more independent, but also be ready to study. I will remember and follow her advice as I prepare myself for the years ahead.

Leadership Development:

Service Engagement: As a piano player and competitor for 16 years, it makes me happy to see younger piano students step up and compete in the same competitions that I did when I was in grade school. I had the opportunity of volunteering in a nationwide annual music competition, known as the National Federation of Music Teachers’ Association Competition, in the piano division. I spent a day helping judges in their grading of the many students that performed for the chance to boost their yearly ratings. Ever since I won the President’s Cup in the Federation, the highest award in the whole program, in grade school, I have provided charisma and hope to the younger players. Volunteering in this competition gave me the chance to improve the morale of the performers who competed in the room I was monitoring before and after they performed. Being able to volunteer in this event have made me realize now more than ever that setting a good example can provide many with a better capacity to perform better work, and I will keep trying to set good examples in the way I study and help my community.

Artifacts

[Artifacts are the items you consider to be representative of your academic interests and achievements. For each entry, include both an artifact and a detailed annotation.  An annotation is a reflective description of the artifact that attempts to communicate its significance.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

About Me

Rohun Vangal is a freshman in the Health Science Scholars program who is majoring in Neuroscience. He plans on working hard from day one to hopefully become a valedictorian at The Ohio State University. At the moment, he wants and is currently working towards one day becoming a brain surgeon. His hobbies include playing the piano and violin, playing tennis recreationally, and working out.

Year in Review

My first year of college was admittedly a rocky start to college. In the first semester, I felt trapped. I was in a college with a student body of around 60,000 students, and I felt alone. With my parents constantly breathing down my neck, I felt heavily micromanaged ever since I started college. In the first semester, I took 18 credit hours, but managed to make the Dean’s List for the Autumn 2017 semester. I decided I needed to fix in the second semester what I couldn’t in the first, and find a little more independence for myself. I did this by joining and forming an influence in two student organizations on campus, and by trying to branch out a little more by exploring the opportunities available to me here at OSU. Alas, I got extremely bogged down in the coursework of four tough classes. By the end of the second semester, not one grade was an A or even an A-. However, nothing dipped below a B, so I managed to save myself from anything worse. The biggest thing I realized I needed to have moving forward in my undergraduate years is a balance. Before the weight of studying for the MCAT starts to hinder my extra-curricular opportunities, I need to be able to find a research or lab position, as well as volunteer for medical school. I also need to solidify my presence as a potential E-board applicant for the two clubs I pour most of my extra-curricular time in. At the same time, I need to not allow my GPA to sink, so while I will have to take some difficult courses, I need to find a balance between the difficult and easier classes. Even though I have not walked away with the best GPA this spring, I know I can bounce back and earn my seat in medical school. I know I can also make myself happy with my friends and my extra-curricular activities as I move forward in my undergraduate journey.