Part One: What? So What?
The past year proved to be a year of growth in a variety of ways. My first year at UC revealed a lot about who I am, but also helped give me a better direction of where I want to go. The honors program at UC assisted in this journey, but the people I met along the way shaped a huge portion of my year. They became close friends, remained close friends, and others drifted away, but the wide variety of personalities, interests, and backgrounds helped shape how I view my own life.
When I began the year in August, I was nervous as was to be expected. Simple things like how I would get to my classes, related to my roommates, and just learning to survive college weighed heavily on me as welcome week and the opening days of school began. However, I soon settled into a routine, and things came easier. School went well, I found success making friends, in the classroom, and adapting to the added responsibility that comes with living on a college campus.
One of the most important relationships I developed was with a guy I met on the honors retreat and one with whom I quickly became friends. We shared similar values, emphasizing hard work and he quickly became my best friend on campus. Perhaps the most important part of the relationship is the healthy competition. We both are strong willed, academically inclined, and competitive, and each day he pushes me to learn something new, gives me a competitive drive and overall helps me be the individual I wanted to become upon entering school. I plan on living with him next year and hopefully the relationship will continue to push me to be a better student and man.
Beyond that, one of the most important parts of my year was being accepted into the University ROAR tour group. When choosing Cincinnati, I was not really sure if I would like it. I had been accepted to more expensive and “elite” schools, but fell in love with UC while on a tour. The opportunity to then turn around and give back to the college as a volunteer representative was incredible. It has made me even more passionate about UC, and allowed me to realize my passion for speaking and meeting with prospective students. The experience has allowed me not only to make friends and become involved on campus, but to also help share the university I’ve come to love.
Part Two: Now What?
Overall, my first year was a successful one, and I want to continue that growth into the future. I made good friends, became involved on campus, learned about myself, and grew as an individual.
Looking forward, the most important thing I can remind myself is to stay focused and manage time wisely. I’m taking on more than ever before between working, a heavy class load, and my group and volunteer involvements. I’ve always been at my best when I’m busy, but this coming year more than ever, remaining focused and using my time wisely will be incredibly important going forward.
This year I realized how much I enjoy learning from others. I would love to go forward this year always looking for a conversation, and taking the opportunity to learn something from anyone that will talk. I want to continue to develop my listening ability, but to also appreciate the diversity of background and ideals that surround me at school. I truly enjoy learning from others, and it is something I hope to continue to do as the next year passes.
Finally, as a goal going forward, I want to become better at understanding my own limitations in terms of commitment. I have always been heavily involved in extracurricular and clubs, but sometimes I feel that this stretches my ability to truly commit myself to the organizations. As a result, I want to curtail my involvements to only those I feel truly passionate about. I want to invest in ROAR, learn more about Globe Med, and continue to volunteer at Good Sam hospital, but learn to say no when I cannot fully commit myself to a cause or group. If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right, and I want to work on centering my time around school, work, and causes and groups I truly feel passionate about.
The past year proved to be a year of growth in a variety of ways. My first year at UC revealed a lot about who I am, but also helped give me a better direction of where I want to go. The honors program at UC assisted in this journey, but the people I met along the way shaped a huge portion of my year. They became close friends, remained close friends, and others drifted away, but the wide variety of personalities, interests, and backgrounds helped shape how I view my own life.
When I began the year in August, I was nervous as was to be expected. Simple things like how I would get to my classes, related to my roommates, and just learning to survive college weighed heavily on me as welcome week and the opening days of school began. However, I soon settled into a routine, and things came easier. School went well, I found success making friends, in the classroom, and adapting to the added responsibility that comes with living on a college campus.
One of the most important relationships I developed was with a guy I met on the honors retreat and one with whom I quickly became friends. We shared similar values, emphasizing hard work and he quickly became my best friend on campus. Perhaps the most important part of the relationship is the healthy competition. We both are strong willed, academically inclined, and competitive, and each day he pushes me to learn something new, gives me a competitive drive and overall helps me be the individual I wanted to become upon entering school. I plan on living with him next year and hopefully the relationship will continue to push me to be a better student and man.
Beyond that, one of the most important parts of my year was being accepted into the University ROAR tour group. When choosing Cincinnati, I was not really sure if I would like it. I had been accepted to more expensive and “elite” schools, but fell in love with UC while on a tour. The opportunity to then turn around and give back to the college as a volunteer representative was incredible. It has made me even more passionate about UC, and allowed me to realize my passion for speaking and meeting with prospective students. The experience has allowed me not only to make friends and become involved on campus, but to also help share the university I’ve come to love.
Part Two: Now What?
Overall, my first year was a successful one, and I want to continue that growth into the future. I made good friends, became involved on campus, learned about myself, and grew as an individual.
Looking forward, the most important thing I can remind myself is to stay focused and manage time wisely. I’m taking on more than ever before between working, a heavy class load, and my group and volunteer involvements. I’ve always been at my best when I’m busy, but this coming year more than ever, remaining focused and using my time wisely will be incredibly important going forward.
This year I realized how much I enjoy learning from others. I would love to go forward this year always looking for a conversation, and taking the opportunity to learn something from anyone that will talk. I want to continue to develop my listening ability, but to also appreciate the diversity of background and ideals that surround me at school. I truly enjoy learning from others, and it is something I hope to continue to do as the next year passes.
Finally, as a goal going forward, I want to become better at understanding my own limitations in terms of commitment. I have always been heavily involved in extracurricular and clubs, but sometimes I feel that this stretches my ability to truly commit myself to the organizations. As a result, I want to curtail my involvements to only those I feel truly passionate about. I want to invest in ROAR, learn more about Globe Med, and continue to volunteer at Good Sam hospital, but learn to say no when I cannot fully commit myself to a cause or group. If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right, and I want to work on centering my time around school, work, and causes and groups I truly feel passionate about.