My First Semester of College: A Reflection

As my first semester of college wraps up, I decided this is the perfect time for a blog post. I haven't published since before I graduated high school this past June, so it has been at least 6 months. At that time, I wasn't even sure where I was going to be attending school because I hadn't made up my mind yet. That makes me laugh thinking about it now.

As part of my presentation for my First Year Experience class, I have decided to put all of my thoughts about the semester here, for my classmates to see, professors, family, friends, and anyone else who comes across my blog. 

But first... big news. I just declared my major as Biology last week. :) 

What lessons have you learned thus far?

• How to plan well, be organized/structured. It allows for less procrastination
• This has also helped me to study better. My notes are structured well, and I know have studying strategies.
• Basic things, such as writing a formal email, and how to properly head a paper. 
• Having exceptional teachers does make a difference. My biology professor is probably the best instructor I have had in all of my career as a student, and I am doing very well in the class, but also love the topic itself more than ever. 
• College is very different than what I thought it would be. Personally, I was never sure what to expect, it would be a different experience based on where you would be attending. I was always told when you leave your high school, and everything you are familiar with, you are entering into the real world. I guess I knew that was true, but not how true until I got here. Maturity levels, friend groups, motivation and drive. Things here are much different than in high school, where you can pick and choose friends and you aren't necessarily forced to see the people you dislike everyday. Also, no one cares who you are friends with. Most of my friends here are a lot older, but that is because our maturity levels just match I guess, but also, they are motivated to do well, they have the drive to succeed, and spending time with people like that drastically changes your experience in college for the better. 

What have you learned about yourself?

• I enjoy structure and organization a lot more now.
• I need to get my work done before anything else, otherwise I stress and panic, not to mention, not turning things in is terrible for grades if you start doing that. 
• I stress less when I work ahead and get things done with in advance. It also allows for more time to do other things when stuff pops up.
• Recopying the notes I took that I don't understand is the best way for me to study.
• I know what subject I am into, and which ones I am not. For example, I took a biology class and a lab with it this semester, as well as an art class. I love biology class, I never want to miss it because it is intriguing to me. Art class makes me feel annoyed and stressed and "bleh." So I know I won't be majoring in art.
• I love personal space. I do not like sharing a room at all. I never grew up sharing a room at home, so this is new to me. I just want the freedom to do what I want without having to worry about someone else too. Like staying up late doing work, or if my room is messy for a few days, when I can have friends over, etc.
• I may not want to join a sorority or rush in the spring as much as I thought I did before.
• I have learned to be selfish, but for the better. I put myself first before everything else most of the time now. But that is because this is my experience here, and my degree, etc. I deserve to be happy, and I have to make the choices that benefit me in the long run. 

What are some of your personal goals?

• I want to find internships, find work, and also study abroad a few times.
• I think I want to try out for the dance team here now that I am more adjusted than before. It would be good for me and give me more to do.
• I want to work harder next semester, and keep creating good habits. I know things will probably get more difficult each semester I am here, so it is best to learn healthy habits now.
• I want to take advantage of the time I have here. I will never be this young again, or have this much fun again, so I should keep making friends, going out when I can, getting involved, etc.
• Continue to focus on me, my journey.
• Have my own space. Eventually, I want an apartment with some of my gal pals.
• Keep going in the direction of Biology and/or sciences.

What are some of your professional goals?

• As of now, I want to graduate with a degree in Biology and hopefully go on to medical school. 
• I want to be aware that things can change, suddenly and also a lot, and I may not want to be a doctor anymore, or want to major in biology. But I know there are a lot of great options and other things I am interested in.

Highlight one event you went to that impacted you the most and explain why it impacted you and what you took away from it.

• Earlier in the semester I attended Mock Recruitment. This is put on by the sororities and allows you to meet them and talk to them, basically just learn more about each sorority and some of the young women in them. I had a really good time talking to a lot of new people and learning about each sorority and what their philanthropy is. I left feeling great, excited, eager for formal recruitment this coming spring. However, I have been reflecting on the experience, and though it was great, I know who I am and I am wondering if rushing is a good fit for me. I know I would be living with a lot of girls and I really do not like gossip or drama, but it is bound to happen if you are living with them. Also, I am ready to get an apartment, but I am almost certain I would  have to live on the sorority hall for a school year because I believe it is required by each sorority. It wasn't a bad experience, and I would still love to try it out, so I am planning on signing up for Formal Recruitment in the spring and going through the motions to figure out if I want to join or not.

Personal plan for how I will succeed at the G:

• I plan on using Degree Works to figure out what I need to be taking as requirements and to get all of my credit hours to graduate. 
• If you don't know, Degree Works is something that our school has that allows us to enter a possible, or already declared major, and it outlines what courses you must take, what you have already taken that fulfills requirements, and what is suggested to take. 
• Basically, I just want to go down the list and start getting things done, but I want to get my general education classes out of the way first because I would be taking those no matter what major I was declaring.

Check out these pictures below that can help summarize my first semester here

   

70s party at Sig Ep

Home in Asheville at the waterfalls for the weekend

Got into modeling a bit more. Just for fun!

My Mimi came to visit me.

Homecoming event at Green Street downtown with my friend Hannah.

Homecoming bonfire with my friend Casey!

Happy Halloween!

This is the dog I want for my apartment. He is a puggle. I have a name picked out. Hopefully someone doesn't purchase him and take him home before I can get him... hehe. Sorry, Mom and Dad.


Thanks for reading! If you made it this far, I'm impressed. I know this was a long post. But hopefully you felt like you gained some knowledge about my time here so far. Until next time, Nichola Rae. ☀☀☀