Reflecting Back on my First Semester

So this is the last time I will be posting on this blog. It is the end of this semester and it is now time to reflect on my first taste of the college life.

As a college student I have learned that this isn’t as hard as I first anticipated. My senior year of high school I was ready to get out. Then over the summer my nerves started getting to me. Two weeks before the semester began I suffered from migraines from stress and lack of sleep. I was a wreck the night before the start of classes. I made my boyfriend drive with me to Southern multiple times before the semester started to ensure that I wouldn’t get lost commuting to school. Now I look back and laugh at myself. I learned that once I adjusted to having independence and control over my education, life became so much easier.

My biggest challenge so far has been putting myself out there. I barely spoke during all of my classes and never asked any questions. It’s not that I’m afraid that if I ask a “stupid question” or answer a question incorrectly that people would think that I’m dumb. I just never liked talking in general and figured someone else will ask the question I have and if they don’t then it’s not an important question. I knew I needed to change this habit.

I started off slowly by talking more in smaller groups. Then once I was comfortable with that I started talking more class discussions. It began with just answering simple questions that I knew I couldn’t answer wrong. Then I got more comfortable with putting myself out there. And I knew it was okay to get an answer wrong. By getting an answer wrong you help dismiss that answer as a possible right answer that someone else may have thought was correct. Then I started asking questions when I was confused with the information, especially in statistics.

I guess my biggest achievement is just being here. I’ve changed so much since I started college. I feel like I’m being intellectually challenged and I’m not being babied anymore. I’m speaking out more, socializing, and trying new things.

Being punctual and determined have helped me to be successful this semester. I hate being late because I believe it’s rude. So I prepare myself the night before so that I’m ready to get to class on time. I plan accordingly so that I make sure all of my work is done ahead of time. I use the library to get homework done. It’s a quiet place where I can be alone and focus on my schoolwork without the distractions of friends and technology. I’ve also used the computer lab to type up blogs, reports, etc. And I use the fire study are upstairs in the student center to be able to be in a quiet, comfortable environment to study or read.

I have done a great job with my time management. I’ve had no problems with getting my assignments done in plenty of time. I haven’t put the majority of my time into my schoolwork. I work 30+ hours a week and I try to have fun on the weekends but I have no problems with fitting in schoolwork. Having 2 hours in between every class helps because I’m forced to get work done since I don’t live on campus and can’t just go back to my dorm and nap.

My grades have been pretty good so far. I’m learning a lot in all of my classes except for anthropology. I’m learning useful computer skills and being introduced to new software, I’m learning the basics for my major, I’m learning a lot about statistics and the business world, and I’m learning a lot about important college habits. But anthropology just seems pretty useless to me. I usually zone out, but I’m trying to improve that. Last class I paid more attention, took better notes and even participated in the discussion. I feel as though I learned a bit more than I usually would have.

I’m not where I expected to be at this point, but I’m definitely improving. I knew it was going to be a long process of becoming more open and social. I think I’m headed in the right direction. Hopefully next semester I’ll be over the first hurdle and sprinting for the finish line.

I just want to keep headed the way I am. My time management is pretty good, but I can always improve on that. I want to spend more time focused on my schoolwork so I may need to cut back on my socialization. Although my boyfriend and I understand and respect when the other person needs to spend time on their schoolwork. Maybe I’ll try to set one day a week to just focus on getting assignments done.

Next semester I want to become more involved. I planned on joining clubs this semester, but with trying to adjust and balance college, work, and other aspects of my life, it just escaped me. I’ve done research and asked other students information about when and where clubs meet. I plan on at least joining one next semester. I also need to keep myself motivated. Half way through this semester I got a little lazy and slacked a bit. I’m going to try to keep myself better focused and motivated by reminding myself why I’m here.