My Experience At My College Days

Growing up, my parents had given me everything that any child ever wanted; a good home, loving parents, and lots of materialistic objects. I went to a private school, where on paper I looked very involved. Though I was very active during my time in high school there was always a disconnect, an empty feeling that I had within myself. Day in and day out I was just going through the motions of life, not looking or hearing what God 's will was for me. That empty feeling I had would all change when God put Fradwin in my life who had taught me a valuable lesson. Unknowingly, Fradwin helped me understand the value of hard work and how to become grateful; two important lessons that have been forever ingrained within my heart.

When most people think of college, some of the first words that come to mind are majors, boards, and diploma. The problem with this is that all of those words are associated with academics. Although academics are a big reason as to why you go to college, college is so much more than that. Many different student clubs and organizations are available to apply yourself to. Being involved in more than your classes can better your college experience by widening your opportunities, creating friendships, and making connections. Being a part of a community is very rewarding and being involved on campus is an experience that will stick with you for a lifetime.

My first semester of college was in January I had just graduated high school in December and decided to attend Rappahannock community college for nursing. The road to the college I was attending was named route seventeen. Seventeen is a long stretch of windy, woodsy road that is known to be populated by deer. On the particular day of my accident It was pouring rain, the roads were slick with water so instead of taking my beetle convertible I decided to take my father's SUV. My boyfriend decided to accompany me to the college that day even though my parents did not know I had a boyfriend and I was not allowed to ride others in the car with me at the time.

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.

Years back when I first began college I spent about 2 years pointlessly wandering through classes I didn't want to attend to please my parents. To me at the time there was no purpose for college in my life, because I had no idea what I was doing. I only felt like I was running in circles and ruining my own reputation when it came to my teachers, grades, and GPA. I couldn't find a single reason why I needed to be in college, and I eventually decided to take a break from college to figure myself out. Now that I have had a break and took time to find out what I want to do and what I need to do, I can think of plenty of reason why I am in college. Although there is, in fact, many ways to get through life without college, I have began my journey in college once again because I want to become a elementary school teacher, educationally stimulate my brain, and to be able to afford a good life in the future.

My first semester of college wasn’t quite what I was expected. My classes turned out to not be overly stressful or difficult. I liked all of them, started martial arts again, had my first job, and am ready for the next semester. I was pleasantly surprised that I adjusted relatively easily to the greater independence going to college afforded me and that I think I am relatively well-prepared to continue with my undergraduate years. I’ve learned that I still have issues with managing my time efficiently, I still feel psychology is the right degree for me, and that I have a lot of things I want to study and not as much time as I had believed to study them.

People say once you graduate college to prepare yourself for the real world ahead of you. Going to college was the real world I was eager to experience after high school. The ability to be more independent and give the courage I already have to others surrounded around me. Attending Montclair State University has helped me recognize both my strengths and weaknesses throughout my college experience. Without those setbacks, I wouldn’t have been able to learn different approaches in order to be successful. These top ten lessons focused on preparation skills, communication, and passion.

For many, college is a time of self-discovery. It is a time where many find their calling in life, their spouse, their passion, or their student debt. Some may go so far as to call it the best time of their lives. While there is potential for me to eventually look back on my time at the University of Arizona with similar fondness, for now, I have more pressing issues than finding my soulmate, like finding my next classroom along with many other stressful situations. So far in my limited college experience, the major stressors in my life are religion, academics, and social interactions; however, there are several ways I have found to manage these situations.

I feel that I have grown exponentially my first semester at UMD. Reading the letter I wrote to myself at the beginning of the semester, I realized that I didn’t have anything extraordinary to say to myself. The person I have evolved into over the past months is a lot more aware of the future and how the actions I make truly do affect those around me. Also, academically, I have learned about the educational system, the life around us, and how to relieve stress in my life. I can apply this knowledge my life and teach others about what I have learned. I am so blessed to have received an outstanding education.

Growing up, I never saw myself as one of those people who graduate high school and then off to a four-year college they went. It was hard enough just to imagine attempting, let alone succeeding, at a two-year college. Even though, I had wondered what it might have been like to experience dorm life at a college in another town, even state. But, for me, after high school graduation, I was enrolled at the Community College.

My first semester at the University of Evansville has been some of the best, yet hardest, days of my life. I have made many new friends, joined clubs, attended events on campus, and worked out at the gym, but along with all this fun came a lot of stress, hard work, and restless nights. Although I had some rough times, I believe that taking ID 106 provided with me all the information I need to cope when put into these situations and taught me how to avoid being put into stressful situations.

My college life experience started in 2016, when I finally decided what it was I going to become. College will not only help me with my own personal goals, but it will help with preparing for my future career. Marketing Management is what I am studying for and I know a few things that I expect to learn while educating myself on this specific subject. There are, of course, many new things I am looking forward too when getting my diploma and degree. Once I receive my degree from Coastal Pines Technical College, I will want to achieve great things in my life and make sure that I keep trying once I get there.

A week and a half before Thanksgiving break I found myself overwhelmed in an instant after learning the sheer amount of events and work that would come up. Leading to November sixteenth and seventeenth, the deadline for all my assignments, I was given my first college research paper to due, an important essay for my connections class, a midterm for my calculus two class, and two quizzes and a test for my Japanese class, all due in the span of those two days. I additionally had individual issues around then that affected me further, they include the stress of registration, roommate issues and the knowledge that my mom would not be home for Thanksgiving due to her visiting my grandma to stay with her through the sickness. At that moment I felt a multitude of emotions, which prompt my mental breakdowns and crying consistently. I felt insufficient and futile, how would I complete this work on time and with good marks?

College is all of what you make it. You meet many new people, and see many faces. You will start new friendships, and possibly end some that you’ve had for a while; just know that it’s okay when it happens. Friends come and go, especially in this big transition. That’s what the college experience is, one big transition. Whether you are moving to a new city/state or even just moving down the street, college is a whole new chapter. It does pay off to be social in college, but you still need to have that balance of social and academics.

This college quarter passed by like in a blink of an eye, it has taught me many skills and lessons that will be important and beneficial for future quarters. While this quarter didn’t go by as smoothly as I expected it to go. It has taught me to persevere through the ups and downs and look towards the future. When I first decided to do running start I expected college to be just like high school, but with a little bit more homework and a decent amount of free time. In reality, it has been a whole different story for me with late nights spent finishing homework, writing essays and studying for exams. These past couple months haven’t been so sweet for me like they have been for others, but they have taught me many valuable skills and lessons. They have helped me get used to the college environment, taught me many responsibilities and have helped improve many English skills that I never worked on before. I have also learned first-hand on how important it is to have good time management and how open teachers are to help you if you need help. While I have improved on many skills, I haven’t completely fixed some of my old bad habits with procrastination and not doing homework.