Year-in-Review Year 1
As my first year has come to a close, I have taken time to reflect carefully on the highs and lows I have experienced. Through this exercise, I am confident that I have grown and learned from my past experiences as I have begun to define my next steps for my sophomore year at the University of Cincinnati.
Entering my freshman year at UC in August 2014, I moved into Turner Hall with three freshman roommates. It was an exciting time for me to begin living on my own while still maintaining close friendships with high school peers nearby. I spent my first night at the dorm and quickly left to attend the Honors retreat the next day. On retreat, I met so many friends and learned about key components of the Honors program. I met students from other majors who would also be taking Gateway to University Honors with me. I also met students from different majors who I would not have known without the retreat. It was great to meet freshman who were interested in getting involved in different activities on campus, just like I was. This became such a positive experience, I applied and was chosen to be a leader for the next Honors retreat in August 2015.
Creating these Honors retreat connections gave me my first perspective on college. I realized the willingness and energy of the people who would be my new academic peers. With the start of classes in the Lindner College of Business, I became close with my classmates in the Kolodzik Business Scholars program. Exploring a variety of organizations I wanted to be involved with, I stepped out of my comfort zone to meet new people with similar interests. With an older sister who was already leading many organizations on campus, I had the opportunity to meet and engage with upperclassmen from all over campus. These relationships positively impacted my first year at UC. The variety of students I met helped me expand my love for the University of Cincinnati. With my first year over, I know I will miss the friends that I met and I look forward to returning to Clifton in the fall for a new set of experience with my friends. While classes and an education are the main reasons for attending college, the friends you make and experiences you have are what truly completes college life.
Over the course of the year, I participated in many group projects, presentations, and learning experiences. Each group member I encountered provided a different background to the group. In learning and understanding this, I gained a greater ability to work with others and listen to their perspectives. Everyone can give a different input, big or small, that can make a difference in the situation. This was a challenge for me as I came from a small private all-girls high school and I was accustomed to working with the same students, mostly my friends. Being at UC helped open my mind to others' stories and their perspectives, as well as their ways of planning and thinking. I grew to learn to work at different paces with different people. Academically, this changing process helped me grow stronger. When people who don't know you are working with you to perform well for a project, you never want to let them down. This taught me to be on my "A" game at all times - even when other group members were not. I never wanted to be the student who forgot a piece of the project or wasn't prepared enough for a presentation. This learning experience confirmed that I could lead the projects and assist other team members toward a mutual goal. The times that were difficult for me to keep a team together made me stronger and more prepared for future situations.
So...what's next? For the upcoming year, I hope to continue on a successful path through the University of Cincinnati. If I could give myself one piece of advice, it would be to continue building meaningful relationships. Many times in business, students just look for someone who can help them get to their 'next step', or who can be another LinkedIn connection. I believe in creating quality relationships built on mutual respect. Often there is pressure to cave in and act as if you know companies presidents and CEOs. My advice for myself is to focus on meeting new people and maintain ongoing communication with them; create meaningful business relationships where a connection is made, and move beyond a linked request.
For the upcoming year, my goal is to earn professional experience at an Accounting firm. To accomplish this, attendance at professional events and meaningful networking, while staying active in the school work and activities, are vital. I realize that I am at a disadvantage since I am only going into my second year of college. At this time, accounting companies are looking specifically for students who are nearing graduation so full-time offers can be given after one co-op rotation. I look forward to attending career fairs and other networking events with the goal of securing a co-op position for summer 2016.
Finally, I want to continue living out my interests on campus. In order to further explore these passions, I will continue to stay involved on campus in community service events and through campus organizations. While I will not be involved in all of the same activities, some will stay concrete. Bearcat Buddies is a passion of mine and I look forward to tutoring again in the fall at Ethel M. Taylor Academy. I had a rewarding experience tutoring there this past spring and I look forward to making an impact in a young student's life. I am interested in getting involved in Student Activities Board next year, as well. Through this organization, I will be one of the deciding opinions regarding new organizations brought to campus. Involvement in Students Activities Board will provide a better understanding of UC and its students' interests.
While I am amazed that my first year at the University of Cincinnati has come to a close, I look forward to what the future holds and the endless opportunities ahead. Go Bearcats!
Entering my freshman year at UC in August 2014, I moved into Turner Hall with three freshman roommates. It was an exciting time for me to begin living on my own while still maintaining close friendships with high school peers nearby. I spent my first night at the dorm and quickly left to attend the Honors retreat the next day. On retreat, I met so many friends and learned about key components of the Honors program. I met students from other majors who would also be taking Gateway to University Honors with me. I also met students from different majors who I would not have known without the retreat. It was great to meet freshman who were interested in getting involved in different activities on campus, just like I was. This became such a positive experience, I applied and was chosen to be a leader for the next Honors retreat in August 2015.
Creating these Honors retreat connections gave me my first perspective on college. I realized the willingness and energy of the people who would be my new academic peers. With the start of classes in the Lindner College of Business, I became close with my classmates in the Kolodzik Business Scholars program. Exploring a variety of organizations I wanted to be involved with, I stepped out of my comfort zone to meet new people with similar interests. With an older sister who was already leading many organizations on campus, I had the opportunity to meet and engage with upperclassmen from all over campus. These relationships positively impacted my first year at UC. The variety of students I met helped me expand my love for the University of Cincinnati. With my first year over, I know I will miss the friends that I met and I look forward to returning to Clifton in the fall for a new set of experience with my friends. While classes and an education are the main reasons for attending college, the friends you make and experiences you have are what truly completes college life.
Over the course of the year, I participated in many group projects, presentations, and learning experiences. Each group member I encountered provided a different background to the group. In learning and understanding this, I gained a greater ability to work with others and listen to their perspectives. Everyone can give a different input, big or small, that can make a difference in the situation. This was a challenge for me as I came from a small private all-girls high school and I was accustomed to working with the same students, mostly my friends. Being at UC helped open my mind to others' stories and their perspectives, as well as their ways of planning and thinking. I grew to learn to work at different paces with different people. Academically, this changing process helped me grow stronger. When people who don't know you are working with you to perform well for a project, you never want to let them down. This taught me to be on my "A" game at all times - even when other group members were not. I never wanted to be the student who forgot a piece of the project or wasn't prepared enough for a presentation. This learning experience confirmed that I could lead the projects and assist other team members toward a mutual goal. The times that were difficult for me to keep a team together made me stronger and more prepared for future situations.
So...what's next? For the upcoming year, I hope to continue on a successful path through the University of Cincinnati. If I could give myself one piece of advice, it would be to continue building meaningful relationships. Many times in business, students just look for someone who can help them get to their 'next step', or who can be another LinkedIn connection. I believe in creating quality relationships built on mutual respect. Often there is pressure to cave in and act as if you know companies presidents and CEOs. My advice for myself is to focus on meeting new people and maintain ongoing communication with them; create meaningful business relationships where a connection is made, and move beyond a linked request.
For the upcoming year, my goal is to earn professional experience at an Accounting firm. To accomplish this, attendance at professional events and meaningful networking, while staying active in the school work and activities, are vital. I realize that I am at a disadvantage since I am only going into my second year of college. At this time, accounting companies are looking specifically for students who are nearing graduation so full-time offers can be given after one co-op rotation. I look forward to attending career fairs and other networking events with the goal of securing a co-op position for summer 2016.
Finally, I want to continue living out my interests on campus. In order to further explore these passions, I will continue to stay involved on campus in community service events and through campus organizations. While I will not be involved in all of the same activities, some will stay concrete. Bearcat Buddies is a passion of mine and I look forward to tutoring again in the fall at Ethel M. Taylor Academy. I had a rewarding experience tutoring there this past spring and I look forward to making an impact in a young student's life. I am interested in getting involved in Student Activities Board next year, as well. Through this organization, I will be one of the deciding opinions regarding new organizations brought to campus. Involvement in Students Activities Board will provide a better understanding of UC and its students' interests.
While I am amazed that my first year at the University of Cincinnati has come to a close, I look forward to what the future holds and the endless opportunities ahead. Go Bearcats!