I am so grateful for all of the experiences I got to have during my first year at Ohio State, both good and bad. I learned so much about myself and what is is best for my mental and physical health.
One of my favorite classes that I took this year was a film and literature class, but it wasn’t my favorite because of the content; it was my favorite because of my professor. This class was much smaller than my 600-person lectures, with only about 30 of us total, and we met three times a week in a small classroom in Evans Laboratory. Everyday before class started, our professor would ring a set of chimes they carried with them and we would take about two minutes to meditate. After that, we went around the room answering a check-in question; this was anything from “what’s your favorite flavor of soup?” to “in what spaces do you feel your identity is not accepted?”. The first time we did these exercises, there was an obvious level of discomfort amongst the students, but our professor pushed us to be kind and open with each other. After doing these things every single class, I found myself feeling closer with these classmates than I was in any other class. Our professor cultivated a space where we could escape the daily stresses of what it means to be a student, and allowed us to express ourselves and accept each other. I was able to put my trust into this professor, and was able to go to them about things I was struggling with. Even after our class has ended, I am still in touch with both my classmates and my professor. Without this class and the space this professor provided, my first semester of college would have been a much greater struggle. I am truly grateful for what I was able to experience in this class.
This year was probably the hardest year of my life thus far, but also one of the greatest. Moving to Columbus and living on my own was the biggest life change I have had yet, and I am now able to look back and reflect on everything that was wonderful and difficult. About halfway through the autumn semester, my depression hit me harder than ever; I had never had to deal with it without the immediate comfort of my family, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t struggle. My depression became a battle I was constantly fighting, and I still am today. But despite this, I was able to find and experience so much joy this year. I moved into a suite of twelve girls I had never met, whom I can now proudly call my best friends. I joined the Mountaineers club and went on backpacking trips into the Appalachian Mountains with people who had the same appreciation for nature that I do. I had support from my ENR Scholars group, sharing passion and friendship with its members and mentors. I was able to try new things and get better at hobbies, like yoga and meditation. I was able to laugh, to cry, to scream in the Ohio Stadium, and to marvel at the huge sycamores on the Oval. This year was completely full of ups and downs, and was the best adventure I’ve had yet. I can’t wait to see what the rest of my time at Ohio State brings me, and I’m proud to be a Buckeye for life.