My College Experience : My First Year Of College

I would describe myself as a very fast learner prior to coming to college here. I have been preparing for this step in my life ever since I was in school by participating in hard classes and being involved in my community. Keeping high A averages in my classes has given me the opportunity to become involved in national honor society and national art honor society but also granting me with the incredible trip to Blue Bonnet Girls State this past summer. I believe that involving myself in these three organizations gives me the extra drive a student needs to flourish as an aspiring student to UT Austin. I grew up in a good home as a child and my parents both pushed me to the best of my ability that thankfully got me accepted into this amazing university.

Before creating my collage, I sat down and brainstormed a list of the areas where I felt challenged during my first year of college. After I wrote down my struggles, I thought about my friends who I know are going through college or university with certain challenges. I talked with some of them about what their most significant stressor was during their first year of college/university. Once I had my list complete I went through magazines and searched online to find photos to represent all of the challenges.

The impression of starting college creates such an excitement for myself. Within the article “Your First Year of College: 25 Strategies and Tips to Help You Survive and Thrive Your Freshman Year and Beyond” by Dr. Randall gives imposing tips on ways to survive college the right way. An important quote that he said was to “avoid temptation” (Hansen), such as the 8am alarm clock I have set can be so tempting to turn off every morning. He provided a substantial amount of information that will help anyone or myself who has the basic college questions. Some information he provided was to always strive for good grades, get involved, and take responsibility. By doing so will significantly help me out as I survive my freshman year of college.

The first year of college comes with many changes and challenges. These changes can include the food in the cafeteria, study habits, time management skills, and much more. Every student has to find their own way to handle the first year and determine what works best for them. For many the most essential change is living away from home. Campus life provides opportunities to become a part of a unique, diversified community. With these opportunities come challenges, such as having a roommate, being away from one’s parents, and determining self-limits.

Picture this, a big high school football playing senior in the middle of his school’s stage. A sea of freshman fill the audience in front of him. He has his thumbs up, elbows back, butt out, knees together, head back, and tongue out.He was singing the song “Singin in the Rain” and that football player is me. I was leading the freshman in our first icebreaker of the day in hopes of waking them up while also setting the scene for fun the rest of the day at our Freshman Ignition. For the third year I decided I would be a mentor for the Freshman, except, this time, as a Senior, I would have a part in running the show. That day was full of fun activities like kung fu introductions, a skit for the freshman and a game called the human machine. I had a lot of fun myself leading the kids around and talking to them. We were able to make a fun and exciting atmosphere which contributed to a positive first experience for the freshman at high school. The ability to give back, help others grow, and make the time worthwhile is the job of a mentor. In college I want to grow more than just academically. I strive to share lessons with others while .

I take in a puff of fresh air as I stroll down the sidewalk on my way to eight o clock mathematics. I take in the last of my summer, which engulfed me in the canyons of the west and allowed me to cherish the last of my childhood, as I step into the door. I meet my professor and new friends as my first steps into the life outside my comfort zone. Throughout the day I get the first glimpse of what college is like, and, unlike my first impressions, I start to like it. I start to enjoy the days ahead of me: new friends, more free time, and, to my surprise, not as difficult as I thought college classes. The days rolled into weeks, the weeks rolled into months, and before I knew it Christmas break was at the door. By now I have gotten used to life away from home. With my feet in a firm foundation and bit of food throughout Christmas break, I’m ready to tackle the next three and half years of college. I encounter both highs and lows throughout those next few years, from sleeping in on test days to getting an A on that paper I dreaded for five months. One of the biggest highlights I have is a travel abroad trip to Alicante, Spain that I had always been dreaming about. During this trip, I try delicious seafood and earn my history credit in a whole new perspective all while getting the chance to practice my Spanish with natives. Upon my return to the States, I keep at my work in hopes to earn the biology degree. Time flies and it’s already graduation. What I thought would be a least a

My first day attending Texas A&M University approached. Feeling anticipation and eagerness, I did not knowing what I should expect from college in the coming years. At the time, I was unaware only two thousand people in the University called themselves “Cadets” and that their journey is difficult yet rewarding. My parents forced me into this organization by making an unyielding and resolute decision that I was to develop my social and academic skills in the Corps.

I never in a million years imagined that I would be a sophomore in college at Forest Park at seventeen. I imagined myself at McKinley surrounded by a bunch of seniors trying not to catch the dreaded senioritis. College wasn't on my mind when I was handed a letter containing the greatest opportunity that I've had and possibly the greatest I will ever have. I was chosen to be a guinea pig for a new upcoming program that would allow juniors in high school to take community college classes on campus instead of attending their old high school. Participants were enrolled in both their old high school and at Forest Park but would only take classes on campus. They were allowed to have the freedom to do after school activities and sports at their high school. The program would allow participants to graduate in two years with a high school diploma and an associate's degree completely free with no strings attached.

Now to recount my college chapter I would have to say that it didn’t end so successfully. I began as a freshman at the University of Washington-Bothell (UWB) campus. There I followed the general path all freshmen went through; completing their prerequisites and adjusting to college life. I was like many students, still unsure of what I wanted to pursue in college but a key factor of college is exploration. However, as the year went by I slowly started to notice that the vision I had of attending this college was not what I expected. I felt that the courses laid out to freshman weren’t beneficial as they combined the essential disciplines of say math, history, English, and science into one class they like to call ‘Discovery Core’. Of course, you are selected to choose a pre-major of your choice where you would be taking the classes you’ll need to complete the set of requirements for that major. At the time I was thinking about going into the STEM field as it was something I enjoyed doing during high school. I took the beginning series of Computer Science and going into the class it wasn’t a problem it was the end of the quarter that caught me off guard; the finals.

During my first week as a freshman in college, I was still wondering if I had made the right choice for myself. Intrigued if the major I had chosen was right for me, I decided to attend a workshop strictly for product design students. I wanted to meet people in my major and also get a taste of what I had gotten myself into. On my way to the event, I ran into a girl with short curly hair that seemed lost and looking for a specific classroom. I asked her if she was a freshman and, relieved, she replied that she was, wondering if it was my first time in that maze of a building too. The URBN Center is the building where all the design classes are, and accordingly, it has an intricate system of half floors that is eye-pleasing yet confusing to get around.

There have been a few places where I been uncomfortable and have noticed many people’s mindsets such as being a growth or fixed mindset. The two places I will talk about where I have been the most uncomfortable are college and on the city bus. I will talk about what I’ve heard and I what I learned about how people think and how that can affect what others think about that person.

This semester was a journey I was not expecting. It turned out to be completely different from what I imagined, and I still can't decide if it turned out better or worse than I expected. At the beginning of the semester I was a constantly anxious and angry person, which happens to me every time after a long break. Coming to Capstone class I didn't know what to expect and how it will be connected to the field I am studying in. I am still confused about what exactly I learned in this class, but I will be describing everything I learned this semester from my outside of classroom commitments. In the middle of the semester I received a job offer with a City of Bridgeport. It was a 3-month finance internship with the office of Small and Minority Businesses. My classes were always my main priorities, however, once I accepted the offer, I knew that I'm not only representing myself, but my employer is judging the whole school based on my performance. This led me to the first change I've made this semester: change of priorities. This is important if I want to live a balanced and fulfilling life. Many people are successful in their career but don't have good relationships with their family because of wrong priorities. They put things like money and reputation above their relationships. And I used to do that a lot. My classes, work, and other commitments were always above any social interactions, whether it was family or friends. Yet, I realized that I do not fill accomplished if I

When I first enrolled in this course I thought it would be a good chance for me to meet new people with an interest in ballet, but I never thought that it would have a larger impact on myself. For instance, I did not believe that I would relate the world of ballet to my economics and statistic class that I am currently enrolled in as well, but that is exactly what I began to do. During these past 15 weeks I have learn much about myself, life, and ballet. The class is not what I ever imagined; however I would not change a thing about the class overall. Ballet like everything else has a rich history that although it does not seem important, or appear interesting is key to having an understanding of where it

My college experience has been an academic exploration and a self discovering journey. I have never felt more at home than when I first arrived to UC Berkeley. As an immigrant, I feel like I am not from here nor from there thus, carrying with me an anger against the system in which we live. Since the the Bay Area and UC Berkeley are known for their political activism, I learned and contributed in creating the change that I wanted to see in the world. Therefore, the classes I have taken have focus on Latin America, social justice, and the arts as a text.

Not being able to graduate has affected my life, a bunch. Not graduating, made effects difficult for me, however, made effects bigger, however, on the other hand, made them even worse for what I had been under, stress and pressure. The one person putting greater pressure on me, was none other than me, still my family puts pieces of the stress on me too. Not being able to walk from Ridge community and graduate from High school and be a graduate, had been already humiliating enough for me, how I brainwashed myself, and continued thinking of my future, had yet to hold for me, it enduring setting off all those stress factors those lasting was a suffering for a long time. These thoughts that were racing constantly, "what should I identify now?" The stressful tension had been already too much to handle, but having a few of my family put me down was even worse, I struggled with my ACT, and worried around passing my classes at Ridge, and competing my requirements.