1st Year (2015-2016)
One year of college has passed and these few months have seriously impacted my life. From class to clubs and even people too, I have been fortunate enough to grow incredibly as a person. I joined various organizations such as the Student Alumni Council, Honors Ambassadors, Student Government, a social fraternity, and more. These groups help to keep me busy outside of the classroom but have been critical in the growth I have had. So much feels in part to all the people I have met in my time at UC. Entering college, I despised the word “networking”. It felt like such a disingenuous way to label, what I found out to be, simply meeting and talking with all sorts of people, rather than contrived meet and greets. I may not go to true networking events, but through meeting people with diverse backgrounds and ways of thinking in organizations I have truly grown a network of Bearcats. I know people who have had co-ops around the US and with companies of all shapes and sizes along with meeting people who challenge me in new ways through discussion.
While the relationships have been incredible through these organizations, my involvements have also revealed to me some of my values that have begun to shine through. Mainly, it is being generous to those who helped you. Joining Lindner Ambassadors and Honors Ambassadors are great opportunities, but I was motivated to join so I could impart their benefit to others who were interested in UC. I feel fortunate to be an honors student at the University of Cincinnati along with being a part of the Lindner College of Business. Another similar thread in my involvements is the realization of philanthropy’s importance. Through the Student Alumni Council, I have learned how all students have the majority of their college experience thanks to chartable alumni and Cincinnatians who felt a call to give back. Without the generosity of donors, many of the things I participate in would not be possible. From my social fraternity to the Kolodzik Business Scholars I learned how many people who have given me and my peers opportunities I would not have had otherwise. In these ways I have realized that I am driven to be involved not only to build relationships, but to also give thanks to the individuals and institutions who helped me to my current station in life.
Examining the next year as summer days draw by, I have begun to identify objectives for the upcoming year so I will not lose my momentum from an exciting first year. Before goals themselves, advice that I need is to find a balance and focus on my core passions. Obviously I am a student first and though I sometimes enjoy organizations more than coursework, I cannot allow grades to slip at all. Much in the same way, any positions I have taken on already must be completed in a fair manner and I must be sure that I can execute any subsequent positions to their fullest potential. With both of those in mind, I lastly need to make sure I am enjoying what I am doing. From classes to clubs If I am not passionate about it, I am wasting my own time and the teacher or organization’s time. With that, one goal I would like to carry out in the coming year is to be a meaningful member of each organization of which I am a part. I have no interest in becoming just another name on the roster or show a perception that I no longer am interested in the organizations I joined. Being a meaningful member may take shape in running for a position or just signing up to work events. But with that in mind, I want to make sure I stick to my commitments and be deliberate and meaningful in my actions. Lastly, in addition to this chief goal and all the things I have learned over the last year I am sure I can help give back to the community and society. One of the ways is to make sure that my meaningful membership means giving back with my time and money. One thing that has stuck with me is that of ‘time, talent, and treasure.’ This small saying has clarified for me what I should do in order to better the world around me. As a college student I am short on money, so I want to try and give my time and participate in some meaningful community service. Many of my organizations have opportunities for service and for the ones that do not, I want to be a part of helping them create chances for involvement. With this I want to continue to refine my relationships and gain new ones along with growing into my leadership everyday. If I can help to lead organizations to impact Cincinnati and society I truly could not ask for more from my college experience.
A year into college and my life has been much different than myself and others could have expected from my high school self. Through immense involvements and my coursework, I have been able to grow into my values and gotten a perspective into adulthood. Next year as I begin co-op, college will take another turn on me. However, I will make sure to build upon my strengths and mistakes from my freshman year and continue to pursue my passions over the next few years.
While the relationships have been incredible through these organizations, my involvements have also revealed to me some of my values that have begun to shine through. Mainly, it is being generous to those who helped you. Joining Lindner Ambassadors and Honors Ambassadors are great opportunities, but I was motivated to join so I could impart their benefit to others who were interested in UC. I feel fortunate to be an honors student at the University of Cincinnati along with being a part of the Lindner College of Business. Another similar thread in my involvements is the realization of philanthropy’s importance. Through the Student Alumni Council, I have learned how all students have the majority of their college experience thanks to chartable alumni and Cincinnatians who felt a call to give back. Without the generosity of donors, many of the things I participate in would not be possible. From my social fraternity to the Kolodzik Business Scholars I learned how many people who have given me and my peers opportunities I would not have had otherwise. In these ways I have realized that I am driven to be involved not only to build relationships, but to also give thanks to the individuals and institutions who helped me to my current station in life.
Examining the next year as summer days draw by, I have begun to identify objectives for the upcoming year so I will not lose my momentum from an exciting first year. Before goals themselves, advice that I need is to find a balance and focus on my core passions. Obviously I am a student first and though I sometimes enjoy organizations more than coursework, I cannot allow grades to slip at all. Much in the same way, any positions I have taken on already must be completed in a fair manner and I must be sure that I can execute any subsequent positions to their fullest potential. With both of those in mind, I lastly need to make sure I am enjoying what I am doing. From classes to clubs If I am not passionate about it, I am wasting my own time and the teacher or organization’s time. With that, one goal I would like to carry out in the coming year is to be a meaningful member of each organization of which I am a part. I have no interest in becoming just another name on the roster or show a perception that I no longer am interested in the organizations I joined. Being a meaningful member may take shape in running for a position or just signing up to work events. But with that in mind, I want to make sure I stick to my commitments and be deliberate and meaningful in my actions. Lastly, in addition to this chief goal and all the things I have learned over the last year I am sure I can help give back to the community and society. One of the ways is to make sure that my meaningful membership means giving back with my time and money. One thing that has stuck with me is that of ‘time, talent, and treasure.’ This small saying has clarified for me what I should do in order to better the world around me. As a college student I am short on money, so I want to try and give my time and participate in some meaningful community service. Many of my organizations have opportunities for service and for the ones that do not, I want to be a part of helping them create chances for involvement. With this I want to continue to refine my relationships and gain new ones along with growing into my leadership everyday. If I can help to lead organizations to impact Cincinnati and society I truly could not ask for more from my college experience.
A year into college and my life has been much different than myself and others could have expected from my high school self. Through immense involvements and my coursework, I have been able to grow into my values and gotten a perspective into adulthood. Next year as I begin co-op, college will take another turn on me. However, I will make sure to build upon my strengths and mistakes from my freshman year and continue to pursue my passions over the next few years.