Sophomore Year (2014 - 2015)
This year has been a year of change. A year of growth. A year of struggle. A year of revelation. As cheesy and cliché as it sounds, I am most certainly not the same girl I was a year ago, and I am happy to be able to say that.
There is a definite change in everything when you come back to college as a second year - you move into an apartment instead of a dorm, you have to go grocery shopping and cook your own meals instead of going to the dining hall, and, for the most part, people stick with their tried and true friend groups from their previous years instead of reaching out to make new friends. One of the biggest changes was no longer going to football games at my beloved Nippert Stadium, and instead trekking all the way down to Paul Brown Stadium in downtown to watch the Bearcats play. All of these differences were, to be honest, a little overwhelming for me. After a rocky freshman year where I put all my energy into being with the wrong people, it was difficult to find the right people to focus on, and I still have trouble with doing so today. I struggled to get along with my roommates - they were complete strangers (save for one freshman year friend who moved out to be with family first semester), and seemed bound and determined to make my year miserable, but then again, I guess no one will ever be able to live up to my amazing Turner Hall roommates. Overall, the beginning of this past year was filled with the struggles of still trying to find my place at UC.
At the end of my freshman year, I wasn't involved in much, other than the Honors Program, my sorority, and Bearcat Buddies. While that may be enough for some, I desperately wanted more, so I sought it out. At first, I only looked within my sorority - I felt safe there, and knew that there were plenty of opportunities to get involved and leadership positions to be held. I applied to be on our Sisterhood Support Team, a group of girls selected to help lead New Members through their New Member experiences. I was so excited when I found out I was chosen for it, and put my all into it. As the meetings came to a close, I found I still wanted more. When I was not elected to any executive positions for the remainder of the year and the fall of 2015, I was a bit disappointed, but pressed on, applying for a few of the smaller leadership roles within and eventually being selected for one. During this time, I was also in the process of applying to be a ROAR Tour Guide. I had always wanted to be involved in ROAR, but had not applied my freshman year because of my busy schedule, and regretted it. I was bound and determined to become a Tour Guide and have the chance to share my passion for the University of Cincinnati with prospective students. I was selected to interview for a spot, but, to my dismay, I was not chosen. As minor as it seems looking back, at the time, it was a huge, disappointing setback, and in all honesty, it was probably the first time in my college career that I truly did not feel good enough. Eventually, though, I shook it off, vowing to commit myself to an organization that wanted me as much as I wanted them. If they didn't think I was good enough for them, I was going to show them how wrong they were (which I ultimately did... but I'll save that until the end).
Fall semester passed by quickly, and as per usual, my science classes had beat me down and had, once again, convinced me to change my major. My goal, at the time, was to ultimately work in Healthcare Administration. Unfortunately, UC did not offer any sort of undergraduate major that aligned with this career path, so after talking with advisors in both the Lindner College of Business and the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, I decided to pursue classes in the field of Health Education for my spring semester. I was happy to finally have found a career that suited me perfectly, but was a little wary of classes that weren't related to it whatsoever.
In-between fall and spring semester, I had the awesome privilege of being able to travel to Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland, for the Military Bowl to watch the Bearcats take on Virginia Tech. While the bus ride was long, the stay was short, and the outcome of the game was pretty bleak, it was an experience I will never forget. It was an awesome experience to have with my boyfriend, and to get to know one of his fraternity brothers. I'll always remember looking out over the Chesapeake Bay and walking the streets of Baltimore at night!
When school resumed in the spring, I began to take on my Health Education classes. As I took them, I began to realize that they were not at all suited for me. They did not give me the challenge I needed to stay motivated, and left me aching for my old, difficult science classes, a feeling I thought I would never have. These classes gave me the revelation I needed -- they helped me realize that there was no better major for me than Health Sciences, and no better career path for me than Occupational Therapy. While I am a little unhappy that my semester off set me back in my degree progress, I'm grateful that it gave me another chance to rekindle my passion for Health and science.
My final months of spring semester and my second year concluded with some very big accomplishments. I was selected to be a Trip Leader for a volunteer service trip to Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro, North Carolina, where I met some of the people I can call my close friends today (if you're interested, it was one of my experiences, so there's a whole tab about it where you can read about my experience!). I received a job as an Adventure Guide at the Cincinnati Zoo, which I am still at and love today. I was one of nine Greek Life members selected to join the Fraternal Values Society, a group dedicated to encouraging values-based discussion and promoting those values in our organizations. I was chosen to be an Honors Ambassador for the University Honors Program, which has given me the chance to share my love and passion for both UC and the Honors Program with prospective and incoming students. I achieved my goal of receiving a 4.0 and making Dean's List. Last, but not certainly not least, I was elated to have accomplished my ultimate goal of being selected to be a Rho Gamma, or "Recruitment Guide" for Formal Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment, a very selective and highly sought after position. This year was only the beginning - I can't wait to see how these organizations, classes, and relationships shape me for my final two years of college.
As Andy Bernard from The Office (my favorite show) said, "I wish there was a way to know you're in the 'Good Old Days' before you've actually left them." I spent a lot of time focusing on the differences and changes between this year and last year, but along the way, failed to see just how much I accomplished and was doing. Looking back, I see the huge strides I have made as a student both in class, organizations, and in my personal life, and I wish I would have spent more time just living and enjoying life instead of worrying how my experiences were comparing to others', or to last year's. A final word of advice, for anyone reading this, whether you're a freshman, an upperclassmen, a graduated senior, or whoever you might be: live in the moment, enjoy life in all of its beauty, and appreciate the simple things. You never know if you're going to look back on moments or events fondly or if they're going to be the best times of your life until they've already passed, so make the most out of all of them. Life is much more fun and enjoyable that way.
Until next year - GO BEARCATS!
There is a definite change in everything when you come back to college as a second year - you move into an apartment instead of a dorm, you have to go grocery shopping and cook your own meals instead of going to the dining hall, and, for the most part, people stick with their tried and true friend groups from their previous years instead of reaching out to make new friends. One of the biggest changes was no longer going to football games at my beloved Nippert Stadium, and instead trekking all the way down to Paul Brown Stadium in downtown to watch the Bearcats play. All of these differences were, to be honest, a little overwhelming for me. After a rocky freshman year where I put all my energy into being with the wrong people, it was difficult to find the right people to focus on, and I still have trouble with doing so today. I struggled to get along with my roommates - they were complete strangers (save for one freshman year friend who moved out to be with family first semester), and seemed bound and determined to make my year miserable, but then again, I guess no one will ever be able to live up to my amazing Turner Hall roommates. Overall, the beginning of this past year was filled with the struggles of still trying to find my place at UC.
At the end of my freshman year, I wasn't involved in much, other than the Honors Program, my sorority, and Bearcat Buddies. While that may be enough for some, I desperately wanted more, so I sought it out. At first, I only looked within my sorority - I felt safe there, and knew that there were plenty of opportunities to get involved and leadership positions to be held. I applied to be on our Sisterhood Support Team, a group of girls selected to help lead New Members through their New Member experiences. I was so excited when I found out I was chosen for it, and put my all into it. As the meetings came to a close, I found I still wanted more. When I was not elected to any executive positions for the remainder of the year and the fall of 2015, I was a bit disappointed, but pressed on, applying for a few of the smaller leadership roles within and eventually being selected for one. During this time, I was also in the process of applying to be a ROAR Tour Guide. I had always wanted to be involved in ROAR, but had not applied my freshman year because of my busy schedule, and regretted it. I was bound and determined to become a Tour Guide and have the chance to share my passion for the University of Cincinnati with prospective students. I was selected to interview for a spot, but, to my dismay, I was not chosen. As minor as it seems looking back, at the time, it was a huge, disappointing setback, and in all honesty, it was probably the first time in my college career that I truly did not feel good enough. Eventually, though, I shook it off, vowing to commit myself to an organization that wanted me as much as I wanted them. If they didn't think I was good enough for them, I was going to show them how wrong they were (which I ultimately did... but I'll save that until the end).
Fall semester passed by quickly, and as per usual, my science classes had beat me down and had, once again, convinced me to change my major. My goal, at the time, was to ultimately work in Healthcare Administration. Unfortunately, UC did not offer any sort of undergraduate major that aligned with this career path, so after talking with advisors in both the Lindner College of Business and the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, I decided to pursue classes in the field of Health Education for my spring semester. I was happy to finally have found a career that suited me perfectly, but was a little wary of classes that weren't related to it whatsoever.
In-between fall and spring semester, I had the awesome privilege of being able to travel to Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland, for the Military Bowl to watch the Bearcats take on Virginia Tech. While the bus ride was long, the stay was short, and the outcome of the game was pretty bleak, it was an experience I will never forget. It was an awesome experience to have with my boyfriend, and to get to know one of his fraternity brothers. I'll always remember looking out over the Chesapeake Bay and walking the streets of Baltimore at night!
When school resumed in the spring, I began to take on my Health Education classes. As I took them, I began to realize that they were not at all suited for me. They did not give me the challenge I needed to stay motivated, and left me aching for my old, difficult science classes, a feeling I thought I would never have. These classes gave me the revelation I needed -- they helped me realize that there was no better major for me than Health Sciences, and no better career path for me than Occupational Therapy. While I am a little unhappy that my semester off set me back in my degree progress, I'm grateful that it gave me another chance to rekindle my passion for Health and science.
My final months of spring semester and my second year concluded with some very big accomplishments. I was selected to be a Trip Leader for a volunteer service trip to Carolina Tiger Rescue in Pittsboro, North Carolina, where I met some of the people I can call my close friends today (if you're interested, it was one of my experiences, so there's a whole tab about it where you can read about my experience!). I received a job as an Adventure Guide at the Cincinnati Zoo, which I am still at and love today. I was one of nine Greek Life members selected to join the Fraternal Values Society, a group dedicated to encouraging values-based discussion and promoting those values in our organizations. I was chosen to be an Honors Ambassador for the University Honors Program, which has given me the chance to share my love and passion for both UC and the Honors Program with prospective and incoming students. I achieved my goal of receiving a 4.0 and making Dean's List. Last, but not certainly not least, I was elated to have accomplished my ultimate goal of being selected to be a Rho Gamma, or "Recruitment Guide" for Formal Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment, a very selective and highly sought after position. This year was only the beginning - I can't wait to see how these organizations, classes, and relationships shape me for my final two years of college.
As Andy Bernard from The Office (my favorite show) said, "I wish there was a way to know you're in the 'Good Old Days' before you've actually left them." I spent a lot of time focusing on the differences and changes between this year and last year, but along the way, failed to see just how much I accomplished and was doing. Looking back, I see the huge strides I have made as a student both in class, organizations, and in my personal life, and I wish I would have spent more time just living and enjoying life instead of worrying how my experiences were comparing to others', or to last year's. A final word of advice, for anyone reading this, whether you're a freshman, an upperclassmen, a graduated senior, or whoever you might be: live in the moment, enjoy life in all of its beauty, and appreciate the simple things. You never know if you're going to look back on moments or events fondly or if they're going to be the best times of your life until they've already passed, so make the most out of all of them. Life is much more fun and enjoyable that way.
Until next year - GO BEARCATS!