Katie Thompson

One of the strengths that I identify with the most is Individualization. This strength means that I greatly value intentionality with people and I understand that each person is unique. I love getting to know people on a deeper level and being able to know a person's likes and dislikes. One of my favorite ways to show that I care is in gift-giving – I love picking out and making individualized gifts for my friends and family. Because of this strength, I have many close and intentional relationships with people from various areas of my life, such as sports teams, different classes, and ministry groups.

While writing "Lessons from a First Year Buckeye," I realized how much my perspective has changed over the last five months or so. My life has completely changed since beginning college, and changing with it my routines, some habits, my visions, and my priorities. I enjoyed writing these lessons because it allowed me to think through the things that initially worried me or that caused me stress, and pose them in a way that could help incoming first years. While these issues may have seemed daunting or annoying at times, many were necessary parts of my first year as a Buckeye. Reflecting on them showed me that the culture shift that comes with beginning this new lifestyle in college is not something to stress about.

Though Curriculum Planning was one of those issues that stressed me out during my first semester, it was very helpful when scheduling for my second semester and planning for the future. By seeing a list of the GE credit options as well as requirements for my major, I was able to design a plan of attack for the next few years. This allowed me to notice that I will have extra time for classes before I begin the Exercise Science program – enough time to add a Spanish minor! I ended up taking a very long time to schedule, but because of all the information given with the Curriculum Planning, I was able to map out my future, at least to some extent, and this will hopefully make other scheduling easier.