Things to do in Columbus (plus, a little buckeye)

This past weekend, I was able to go to the Columbus Blue Jackets game with my younger sister, Erin. While my Jackets lost 2-3, Erin and I had a blast AND we received free hats! Can you say #winning?

My younger sister is a freshman at Ohio State and currently applying to the nursing program. I am so happy that she chose to attend OSU – so I can see her a little more frequently AND keep an eye on her. Because truly, what are big sisters for?

cheering on the Blue Jackets!

I’ve mentioned this in a previous post, but I love Columbus, Ohio. I moved here in 2007 when I started at OSU as an undergrad, and I now consider the 614 my home. I moved back to Cincinnati for a summer or two, and then to Orlando, Florida when I was working at Walt Disney World.

Still, from Southern Ohio to Florida – there is something special about Columbus.

When entering the MBA program, you are surrounding yourself with resources, both inside and outside school. We have top companies in the Columbus Area (check out this article that appeared in Inc. in 2011), cool neighborhoods when you are ready for some fun and great sports teams (what can I say – I’m a sports girl).

Cool places to around school:

• Arena District – see a show and have a drink – I’m in heaven!
• Short North – edgy and express (see my post about Betty’s!)
• German Village – shopping, bakeries, coffee and beautiful architecture
• Grandview – Close to campus and great for place for graduate students to go when wanting to relax and enjoy a happy hour. Grandview Cafe has delicious food, great drinks and trivia night on Thursdays.

Sports around Columbus:

• Ohio State Buckeyes (every type of sports team possible) – I bleed scarlet and grey!
• Columbus Crew (soccer)
• Columbus Blue Jackets (hockey)
• Columbus Clippers (minor league baseball) – dime a dog night sells hot dogs for 10 cents…PURE JOY

The great outdoors:

• Columbus Metro Parks
• Columbus Park of Roses 

Food:

• A great list of places to eat in Columbus from Urban Spoon
• Happy hours in Columbus 

Other cool things in my favorite city:

• Columbus Zoo & Aquarium 
• COSI
• Franklin Park Conservatory
• Columbus Museum of Art

So, why are you still reading?!? Go explore this fabulous city – see you around 🙂

End of Autumn Semester

One review session, two exams and one take-home final stands between me and break.

So. Close.

When I look back on the first semester of the Fisher MBA Program, and I can’t even begin to list all the memories. Ranging from classes, hysterical lectures (really, wait till you hear Professor Campbell tell you about pirates), Fisher Follies, drinks at the Varsity Club after finals, tailgating, EOTW (Events of the Week),  study groups, a perfect football season and so much more.

There have been tears, there have been laughs, and there have been hundreds of cups of coffee.

I know that days into the holiday break I’ll be missing everyone at school, but I am excited to sleep-in and watch a few movies. But in all honesty, this break will be a great time to throw myself into my 3rd full-time job: finding an internship.

I know numerous companies will be posting internships and coming to campus in January, and I want to be ready. I have had some great mentors show me how they researched companies, and I know I am up for the challenge. Even better, a few weeks without class will allow me to research more companies and follow-up on networking emails.

No one ever said business school was easy – good thing I love a challenge 🙂

The break will give me a chance to rest, recharge, start researching companies and see my family and friends back at home. I know that next semester with Strategy, Finance II, Marketing II and Operations II will be here before I can blink…so let’s get my last three finals out of the way!

Happy Holidays!

MBA student & FOOTBALL

You didn’t think that I would skip over a chance to write about Buckeye football did you?!

Everything you’ve heard about the boys in scarlet & grey, the ‘Shoe, tailgating and Buckeye Nation is true. It’s big, it’s loud…and  there is nothing better then looking around at thousands of other fans and knowing you are part of it all.

This weekend was the first OSU football game and it felt so great to take a few hours away from stressing about homework and school. The Fisher Social Chairs threw a tailgate at Fisher Commons and the dreary skies couldn’t stop us from enjoying the pregame excitement. It wasUrban Meyer’s first game as a buckeye, and I think we can all agree that the 56-10 victory over the Miami RedHawks put Columbus in a cheerful mood.

When you become a buckeye, you become part of a family. Yup, I just typed that (very) cheesy line. But how can you cheer with thousands of other fans and sing Carmen Ohio without knowing that you are part of something more?

Students, professors, faculty and the entire city of Columbus come together for football games, and it’s pretty easy to see that same family-bond in the classroom. I was talking to my Ethics Professor this morning about the game, and within minutes he is telling me about his own family tailgate and his opinion of the new coaching staff. My core team was still talking about Devin Smith’s catch and deciding what food to bring for NEXT Saturday’s tailgate.

I cannot wait for next weekend’s game and to see even more of Coach Meyer and the Buckeyes, but I also can’t wait to watch the game with my new-found friends. The nervousness of my program is starting to fade (quickly replaced by nervousness of approaching midterms), and I feel that I am finding my footing at Fisher…including some amazing friendships that I know will continue throughout the years.

And, could you believe that it all started with a football game?