Sydney, from Columbus, OH chose to attend OSU after taking a few classes on campus while in high school.

Research is very important to Sydney.  With the help of faculty mentors Dr. Tasha Posid and Dr. Vladimir Sloutsky, Sydney completed Honors Thesis on “The Effects of Training on Pre-Algebraic Pattern Thinking in Preschoolers”.  The goal of her research was “to understand the best way to teach preschoolers patterning, as patterning has been associated with future mathematic ability. Therefore, I manipulated pattern materials and implementation to explore how they would affect children’s learning and retention.”  The research was very well received; she took first place at the CogFest Undergraduate Poster Session and second place at the Psychology Research Colloquium. 

For two years, Sydney also worked as a Peer Expert Tutor in the Psychology 2220 Learning Lab.  During this experience, she built strong friendships with her fellow tutors and supported students as they overcame their challenges with statistics.

Sydney's advice for future students: “Find mentors early, go above and beyond the call of duty, don’t sweat the small stuff, savor your time at Ohio State, and celebrate your accomplishments.”  After graduation, she is attending Kent State University's PhD in clinical psychology program.