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YEar In Review: Reflecting on my Second Year at UC
PART I: What? So What?
As I reflect on my sophomore year in college, I always come back to the same thought: “How did I get so lucky?” Upon choosing to attend the University of Cincinnati, I was reluctant to go to my hometown college and felt like UC may not be a good fit. However, after two years in, I am ready to call this university my home. I have found lifelong friendships, incredible career opportunities, leadership development through campus life, and proximity to my family.
Throughout the course of this year, I took on three major leadership positions within student organizations, networked with prominent alumni and Cincinnati business leaders, took a Latin ballroom dance class, attended the Walk the Moon concert, organized the Fall Career Fair, became a lector at a local Catholic parish, co-oped at a #1-ranked wealth management firm, met the former CEO of Procter and Gamble, initiated 60 new brothers into my fraternity, ran a nearly naked mile, went on a retreat to Lake Cumberland, participated on another retreat at Camp Joy with my business class, tutored fourth grade students downtown, went grocery shopping with my parents many times, planned Homecoming, visited New York City and Asheville North Carolina, attended many formal events, received a tour of Great American Ball Park and the UC Athletics facilities, picked up a part-time job on campus, went on a week-long mission trip to El Salvador, attended my sister’s Spring recital, and interviewed and got a job offer to work at Procter and Gamble. And this is only a fraction of the list, for UC has provided me with opportunities every single day to have fun and develop as a leader in my life.
Throughout the course of this year, I took on three major leadership positions within student organizations, networked with prominent alumni and Cincinnati business leaders, took a Latin ballroom dance class, attended the Walk the Moon concert, organized the Fall Career Fair, became a lector at a local Catholic parish, co-oped at a #1-ranked wealth management firm, met the former CEO of Procter and Gamble, initiated 60 new brothers into my fraternity, ran a nearly naked mile, went on a retreat to Lake Cumberland, participated on another retreat at Camp Joy with my business class, tutored fourth grade students downtown, went grocery shopping with my parents many times, planned Homecoming, visited New York City and Asheville North Carolina, attended many formal events, received a tour of Great American Ball Park and the UC Athletics facilities, picked up a part-time job on campus, went on a week-long mission trip to El Salvador, attended my sister’s Spring recital, and interviewed and got a job offer to work at Procter and Gamble. And this is only a fraction of the list, for UC has provided me with opportunities every single day to have fun and develop as a leader in my life.
PART II: Now What?
Across my sophomore year, there are several lessons I have learned that other people have taught me or that I have observed throughout personal experience:
First, never give up if you are truly passionate about something. Do whatever it takes to accomplish your passions, because you only have these resources and opportunities for a limited amount of time. My job offer from Procter and Gamble was one of the most rewarding parts of the year, for I had worked so long and hard on it.
Second, treat people with respect and give them your full attention when they are talking to you. One of the reasons that I constantly find myself in amazing situations is because I form relationships that go beyond a one-time meeting. Our lives become busier as we get older, so giving someone your full time and attention is a sign that they are important and worth hearing.
Third, have as much fun as possible without hurting other people or damaging relationships. Never again will I have the freedom and the time to do whatever I want, whenever I want. I took a trip to New York City this year just “because”. It was an awesome experience and my friends and I had a blast. Part of developing relationships and expanding horizons is engaging in social situations with other people.
Last, have a vision in mind at all times. If we wander around all the time without a purpose or a goal, we find ourselves to be unproductive and ordinary. Always have something to work on and always be taking steps to achieve the next step in your life, whether that be through your career, your relationships, your spirituality, or anything. I have found that by always having something to focus on, I accomplish a lot more and am happy with the way I live. These are the lessons I have learned this year and I will strive to practice these things throughout the remainder of my college experience.
First, never give up if you are truly passionate about something. Do whatever it takes to accomplish your passions, because you only have these resources and opportunities for a limited amount of time. My job offer from Procter and Gamble was one of the most rewarding parts of the year, for I had worked so long and hard on it.
Second, treat people with respect and give them your full attention when they are talking to you. One of the reasons that I constantly find myself in amazing situations is because I form relationships that go beyond a one-time meeting. Our lives become busier as we get older, so giving someone your full time and attention is a sign that they are important and worth hearing.
Third, have as much fun as possible without hurting other people or damaging relationships. Never again will I have the freedom and the time to do whatever I want, whenever I want. I took a trip to New York City this year just “because”. It was an awesome experience and my friends and I had a blast. Part of developing relationships and expanding horizons is engaging in social situations with other people.
Last, have a vision in mind at all times. If we wander around all the time without a purpose or a goal, we find ourselves to be unproductive and ordinary. Always have something to work on and always be taking steps to achieve the next step in your life, whether that be through your career, your relationships, your spirituality, or anything. I have found that by always having something to focus on, I accomplish a lot more and am happy with the way I live. These are the lessons I have learned this year and I will strive to practice these things throughout the remainder of my college experience.