New Major & New Beginnings

College has been all about change. Before this year, I feared change and stepping out of my comfort zone.   Even after coming to Ohio State, change seemed scary and it still kind of is. So when I realized that I wasn’t happy with what I was doing in terms of school, I was left upset and confused. I was sure that by picking Biochemistry as my major, I would be content, and it would only make my goal of going to medical school that much easier. However, as the year progressed, I realized that I was hitting a wall of sorts. I liked biochemistry, but not enough to feel that it was what I was meant to be doing.

I always knew I wanted to be a psychiatrist or a psychologist, but I somehow never considered majoring in Psychology until I sat in my Introduction to Psychology class lectures. Psychology 1100 was only meant to be a GE, but the more I sat in that class, the more I was intrigued by it. Meanwhile, my major classes were starting to feel dull, and I was not doing as well as I hoped because I did not feel passionate about my major anymore. That is how I decided to seek help and talk to the people that knew me best, and to schedule appointments with my psychology professor and a psychology advisor. After doing this, the decision was made and I haven’t looked back.

Although this decision brought about this old fear of change, I learned that sometimes change is what you need to be happy and to find where you belong. Sometimes it is good to follow your heart and gut feeling, and now that I have made the change, I realize this more than ever. It feels good to admit that maybe I wasn’t right in picking Biochemistry, but making the change only opened up a new chapter for me, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Now, as I finish scheduling for the autumn semester, I look forward to the new classes that I will be taking as a Psychology major. This change allows me to keep both the medical school door open, but it also allows me to think back to my original thoughts about being a clinical psychologist. Wherever this new path takes me, I know that I have made the right decision, and I cannot wait to see the great things it will bring.

Year in Review: Freshman Year

Freshman year was as unexpected as it could have been. From a change of major, to new friends, to new classes, it was hard to find a place in time without twists and turns. With all of these new settings and changes, I learned that although we may be ready to take a break or hit the pause button, college, and life in general, does not stop and the only thing we can do is hang on and adapt. I have learned to keep going, and that might be the most valuable thing I learned from all of this. This new take on life allowed me to really begin enjoy the place that I call home, and the people that surround me.

This new, fast-paced lifestyle only made me more grateful to be part of such great communities, and to be surrounded by amazing people. International Affairs Scholars, the Newman Center, and Morrill Scholars introduced me to some of the kindest, most welcoming people I have ever met, and without them, my first year at Ohio State would not have been what it was. I met people from different backgrounds, with different ideas and beliefs, but somehow everyone was still understanding and willing to not only share, but to listen as well. I love being part of these organizations, and I look forward to continue to meet people like this in the years to come.

Overall, freshman year was full of new experiences, thoughts, and ideas, but it all comes together to the big conclusion that is that I know I chose the right place. The Ohio State University is what brings all of these communities and people together, and I could not be more grateful to be a part of it. It has been great to fall in love with this place, and as I take my last few walks on the Oval for the semester, I only look forward to coming back in August and to continue to experience what it means to be a Buckeye.

 

 

Year in Review

[ “Year in Review”  is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student.  You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

G.O.A.L.S.

[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.

Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc .
Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]

Career

[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career.  Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated.   For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

First Game Day as a Buckeye

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Before coming to Ohio State, football games were just another sporting event. I remember coming to OSU football games every fall due to both my parents being alumni, but I never understood what they meant until I experienced my first game day as a Buckeye. From the moment I arrived at the stadium, I could already feel the atmosphere of the student section. There was so much love and pride for our school radiating from everyone, and it seemed that even those that were not too interested in the sport itself were just as part of it as those that were. All the events that went on, from the cheerleaders to the best band in the land, left me in awe in a way that I had not experienced before. Even though I did not know the people sitting around me besides the friends that I went with, conversations flowed easily, and when it came time to sing Carmen Ohio after our win, we all wrapped our arms around each other and just sang without a hint of awkwardness. I felt grateful to have come across such a welcoming and accepting community, and I felt even more grateful to finally be a part of it.

The first football game proved to me that I could not have picked a better school. Watching everyone come together to show support for our team despite any differences we might have had showed me what Ohio State was all about, and it gave me the comfort that I needed to start off the semester on the right foot. As time goes on, I hope to be as kind and welcoming to new Buckeyes to show them what I was shown my first game. I know this ticket will stay with me for a long time, and it will serve as a reminder of the great school that is The Ohio State University.

 

 

 

 

About Me

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Hello, my name is Ana Vazquez Villasenor and I am a freshman majoring in Psychology with Pre-Medicine. I am from Troy, Ohio, although I was born in Guadalajara, Mexico where I lived until I was eight years old. Because of this, I am fluent in both Spanish and English. I went to a small high school with only about 200 students, so Ohio State is a huge change for me. Throughout high school, I played soccer all four years, and I participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program where I mentored children at a local elementary school. I was a member of the National Honor Society among other clubs, and I focused on my strong Catholic faith. I aspire to go to medical school and become a psychiatrist. Throughout college, I hope to do research on several mental disorders as well as the mental health stigma. I have a passion for aiding in the treatment of mental health and I can’t wait to pursue this career. I am a Morrill Scholar, and I am a part of the International Affairs Scholars Program. I love to travel so I am looking forward to studying abroad. I am so excited to be a Buckeye and to meet so many new people throughout these four years!