Emily Thomas

One of my Top 5 Strengths was Learner. I have always been fascinated by the fact that I will never be able to know everything. Personally, I think being a "learner" means that will always be opportunities to gain knowledge. Because of the experiences I have had, I can share my knowledge with others but I can also learn from the experiences of others. I think this strength means that I will never be satisfied being safe and comfortable. I identify with this strength because it encompasses the importance of being challenged. I like to challenge myself in my coursework and I strive to gain as much knowledge from a class as possible. In terms of my personal and social life, I enjoy being challenged in my views and service work. I find different perspectives on religion and culture very interesting. In addition, I think service is an effective way to grow in my values.

One activity that I completed during my EHE Survey course was the "My Ohio State Tradition" assignment. This assignment asked for a description of a tradition that was made during the first semester as a new buckeye. I wrote about how my friends and I decorated a Christmas tree and how we had a holiday celebration that encompassed elements of Christianity and Judaism. By writing out my new tradition, I came to realize how much college felt like home. I realized what wonderful people I had met and how much their friendships meant to me. I learned that the time spent in college is like no other, and that every moment of it should be cherished. This assignment will also help me grow in the future. It will make me think more deeply about the little things that I often take for granted and it will encourage me to keep these traditions going in the future.

Another assignment that I completed for this course was "A Letter to Myself". This activity asked for a description of my future goals and what I hope to accomplish by the time of graduation. In my reflection I talked about how I wanted to be accepted into the Early Childhood Education Program and how I wanted to eventually earn my master's degree. I think that this assignment helped me to think more deeply about what I want to accomplish at OSU. I have learned that I want to accomplish a lot, that my success is up to me, and that I will most likely change as a student and person in 4 years. This will encourage me to look back and see how I have grown academically and personally, and it will keep me focused on my career goals.