Year in Review 2015-2016
August 18th, 2015: I am moving into my new home, my dorm room at the University of Cincinnati. Fearful of starting a new chapter of my life, I unpack my room with my new roommate acting strangely timid and awkward. She tells me about her friends and family and I share small details about the wonderful place where I grew up and my blissful life before college. College was not a chapter of my life that I was ready to start. I did not want to leave the great friends I made in high school and I wanted to live at home with my family for another year.
April 30th, 2016: I am moving out of my old home, my dorm room at the University of Cincinnati. I carefully pack all of my belongings, some old, some gathered throughout the year, into my boxes. I realize that is what my life truly is now, a beautiful mixture of old and new. While I kept in touch with my high school experiences and friends throughout freshman year, I paved an entirely new path for myself. I got involved in a plethora of activities outside the activities my friends were involved in. I exceled academically and even landed an internship for the summer after my freshman year! My first year was full of twist and turns that have shaped me into who I am today. Although, the most important factors in solidifying who I am today were the relationships I cultivated throughout the year and the activities I became involved in.
The most important relationships I developed throughout this year were the relationships I cultivated with the people in my learning community. Everyone in my learning community lived on the same floor, so we became extremely close. We did everything together- we basically ate, breathed, and slept together. I knew that I could consult any of them with homework help or study help. My best friends in my business program and learning community, Francie, Noelle, Claire, Brady, Alec, and Matt, were especially helpful. Before big tests, we would all be down in the study lounge cramming until about 3 a.m. Memories like those nights are some of my fondest, even if it didn't seem like it at the time. Besides academic help, my learning community helped me grow socially. I have always been an outgoing person, but I learned how to communicate effectively with others while living in an extremely close environment. Because we all lived on the same floor, we ran into some living arrangement issues. I learned how to address these issues in an appropriate manner, which will help me in the future. The members of my learning community also created hilarious memories with me that I will look back on and cherish for the rest of my life. I will never forget the countless laughs we shared and I am excited to further develop these relationships next year.
The people in my learning community were the main driving force behind my involvement. They motivated me to get involved in a wide variety of clubs and activities and it was comforting to always have someone to attend meetings with. One club I immediately became involved in is the Lindner Student Association or LSA. LSA is basically the governing body of the college of business and sponsors numerous events/groups, such as the career fair, Launchpad, cats on deck, the Lindner speaker series, and Lindner outreach. Next year is an especially integral year for LSA because we are helping formulate the design for the new business school, while taking the business students' preferences into consideration. I was on the executive board of the club last year and this year I was elected to the position of Vice President of Communications. My involvement in LSA has been incredible- I have had the opportunity to design fliers, help with the club's social media accounts and website, plan the career fair, and attend the club's first mission trip to New Orleans. LSA has allowed me to meet countless people and become involved in the college of business in a way I never thought possible.
Another organization I became heavily involved in last year is Lindner Women in Business. Through Lindner Women in Business, I attended company tours, networking events, and dinners for special occasions, like the Cincinnati Business Achievement Awards. Lindner Women in Business assisted me in developing my professionalism and poise. Most importantly, it was an organization of only women where I could let loose and completely be myself. I went to an all-girl high school, so I enjoyed the comradery and comfort of being a part of an all-women group. I made some great friends through the organization, which I will forever be grateful for. I look forward to possibly holding a leadership position within Lindner Women in Business and continuing to build upon the relationships I formed this year.
My first year at UC has been one to remember. I expanded my horizons and stepped outside of my comfort zone a plethora of times. I truly accomplished my goals of improving my involvement, network, and academic skills. I feel like I have exceled in each of these areas and I look forward to future opportunities I will encounter. I am ready to continue my collegiate journey and better my school and myself.
Entering into my second year, I will maintain the involvement I have now, but also expand upon it. I will take advantage of more opportunities through the University Honors Program, like study tours, and participate in more ambassador events. I hope to foster more relationships with my peers beyond the wonderful friendships I have already made. I will exponentially increase my professional network. I will try new things and attend new events. Finally, next year, I want to travel abroad and experience the world so I can grow culturally and spiritually. By the end of my sophomore year, I hope to be the independent, powerful woman I have always wanted to be.