The End

I can’t believe that we are already at the end of our first semester. It’s crazy how time flies by. Looking back on this overall first time college experience has been great. Sure, there have been times where I just wanted to give up and just not want to go to school anymore. But I am glad I didn’t. I just still can’t wrap my head around the fact that my first year in college is half way done. Going into college I thought I was not going to be able to do it especially, with being on my own. It was a big change for me to say the least. I was not mentally prepared for leaving behind my family and, living in a different city. I am very close to my family so, it was going to take some time to get use to. Another thing that was different was the work. The class work I mean. I noticed that college is very fast paced and, you learn a lot in just a few short months. It can sometimes get to be too much especially, during midterms and finals, with everything being due around the same time. You just are going to have to know how to manage your time wisely so, that you can get your things done. If you know certain things are going to be due later in the future then, it is best that you start doing them early on. So, that you can have more time in doing them. This first semester of college has been a huge significance in my life. It has taught me to not give up on myself and to keep pushing myself. It has been good so far and, I hope next semester goes just as better!

Time is Ticking

Today I realised that there are not that many days left for this semester and, winter break is just around the corner. It is going to be good to go home and not have as many worries as I do now. The only thing bad about these last final weeks to come is that I, and like many others have to stay on top of their school work. It can be hard because most of my classes have assignments due and they roughly land being due together all at the same time. For instance this week I have three papers due and a project that we will be beginning to get started on in class. It can be so tiring when I have everything due all at the same time and I sometimes find it hard to stay focus on one thing for so long. Especially with all these papers being due! I actually like writing papers but, it is hard doing research and putting your focus into multiple different ones at the same time. I am midway through them but I feel like they are not the best of the works I have done before. I am trying to still stay focused. So this week I am trying to manage my time wisely and the rest of my future weeks. I am just looking forward to getting these papers done and the rest of things that will come up and, for a much needed break just like everyone else.

Plans

Last week I was in the hospital since Wednesday night, it was lucky for me that I did not have class on Thursday and the only one I missed was on Friday. When I was in the hospital and stayed over a few nights, I felt so behind in my studies. I had the entire rest of the week and weekend planned out about how I was going to divide up my use of time so, that when it came to this week I would not have to worry about what needed to be finished and would be able to just go over it and turn it in. I now feel extremely behind in all the papers I need to finish and with my notes. I know this week will be a bit stressful and hard to keep up with but, I have to find some way to get all my things done. My mother always told me to never make any plans because you never know what could happen and what can change. I know this is just a bump in the road and there would be more soon to come but, it just sucks knowing that I was on top of my school work and now I stumbled back a bit. I am sure and know that whatever happens I will get my assignments done on time. I would just be a bit more under pressure is all. I just have to come back with all I’ve got and continue to push through and not feel discouraged.

Go to Class

For my last two years of high school my attendance was horrible. Throughout my junior and senior year I would show up about half an hour late to my morning class or, just not go to my morning class at all. I would also leave in the afternoon early before classes even ended. I changed my habits when I was confronted by one of the teachers about it and talking about how I was threatening my graduation status. Attendance is the most important thing I realised overall. In college attendance is not really mandatory it is really up to you if you really go or not. The thing with missing even one class is that you miss a lot of things, even if it is just a simple lecture. Especially now that it feels like the pressure is on because we are midway through the semester and all these exams and papers are being due and, a whole bunch of other things. It is a lot but, I just have to keep pushing through. That and the fact that it would just be a waste of a whole lot of money not going and just be a complete waste overall. If you can take anything out of this is to go your classes. They are very important even though it might seem like it. It is, because why would you not go to a class that you paid for and how do you expect to graduate, if you don’t go? Attendance is key in order to graduate and to perform well in class.

Backup Plans are Good

Today in the morning I had an advising appointment and it was just to see what classes I would need to take for the following semester. This semester I did not get into about two classes that I needed for my major because, there was only a limited space. So, now the upcoming semester I will have to put those classes on top of my other classes that I need for my major and if I don’t then, I will behind in my prerequisites and it will just be a longer process to graduate on time which, I do not want to happen. It is so stressful not getting into the classes you want or need because, you already feel like you are behind. The only good thing is that I am able to get more of my GE classes out of the way. That is why it is always good to have backup plans and different classes you want to get into if you don’t get into your first priority classes. It just sucks that you don’t get into them in the first time. But having a planned out schedule before hand is good. Like sure I will have to take more classes next semester but it’s just so that I will be able to graduate on time. So, if you can take anything from this is to have backup classes on the side just in case you don’t get into the ones you want because, most likely throughout your college life this will happen to you once or a couple of times.  

Alarms are your Bestfriend

The majority of my classes begin in the afternoon except for tuesdays and thursdays, where I only have one morning class. The thing with having later classes is that in the beginning I noticed that the first couple of weeks I would sleep in till late. I would wake up about an hour or an hour and a half before my classes begin (my classes are at twelve or one). I sort of realised that I was taking advantage of the fact that my classes are in the afternoon and that I live on campus. So my classes are literally five or ten minutes away so it is not much of a problem getting to my class. Except for waking up late and having the majority wasted away sleeping. I did not like waking up to having half of the day already gone so, I knew I had to make changes to my schedule. That and the fact that I woke up late one Thursday, thinking that it was a Friday and, almost overslept for my class. I set an alarm for eight-thirty to get me to wake up early. I chose specifically eight-thirty because it would give me an hour before my morning class to get ready. Now I sometimes wake up even before my alarm goes off which, I find very helpful and good to start my day off even a bit earlier. I now have time to finish things I did not get done the day before in the morning or could study for one of classes during that time I have free.

Deadlines...

Deadlines, just thinking about the word alone stresses me out...not really. Deadlines are a pain to have, especially if you like to procrastinate and put things off towards the end. It feels as though this month towards the next two months are just filled with them. They are just full of essay, quizzes or exams, presentations, and group project deadlines. Not only is it just inside of my classes but it is now for financial aid dates, dates when I am allowed to choose my classes for next semester, when I have to finish my housing payments, and other outside payments I have to make. I thought deadlines for presentations in high school were stressful but college, is a whole other level. Through it all I am trying to pace out what needs to get done so that, I won’t feel so bombarded with as much stress then I already have and, do it all at once. I have been putting my planner to a lot more use now. It helps me figure out what needs to get done. I am trying to have my things done a few days before it is actually due as well just so I won’t feel the pressure of it all. Throughout this my main goal is to not put so much stress onto myself and to do everything with ease. I just don’t know if it will work out or not but, I will try my best to stay at a reasonable pace along with the deadlines for these next few months.

Away from Home

This can be your first time living away from home well, I know it is for me at least. Being away from home can be beneficial and help you grow more as a person but, then there are times where homesickness can occur. If you come from a big family that are close with one another it, can be hard to get use to the situation of living by yourself. I have had days where I just wanted to go home. Whenever I have thoughts like that I try and occupy myself. I do laundry, study, read, or spend some time with my friends. Yes, I call my parents and siblings but, it is not entirely the same. It is also difficult in a way with all our schedules overlapping one another. I have only went back home three times and that was just recently. The first time I went was for the labour day weekend but, I ended up working so it was not really spent being with my family. The second time I went home was two weeks ago and, I only went back home because my dress finally came in for my sister’s wedding. So, I had to go in for a fitting. Then, just this weekend I went back home for the wedding. It was nice to see all of my family together again. They kept telling me that it has been so long since they have seen me but, told me how proud they are of me for continuing school and, being the first to actually do so. That made me realise that the days where I just wanted to go home were silly in a way. When they told me that, it made me remember why I came to Stan. Sure it was a big step for myself but I’m not doing this only for my benefit but, I am also here for my family. It’s just the little sacrifices we all have to make in order to make our dreams come true.

The Residential Hub

Living on campus is  a great experience. You get to meet new people who have a similar situation as you by living on campus and, being able to make those quick connections with other individuals. Housing always has planned out events that they provide for residents to participate in. These events can range from being very informational to being a fun and laid back event. Participating in these events you are able to meet new people and show your school spirit. Instead of just studying all day in your dorm, you can go and check out the great studying spots throughout the villages. You can either sit outside at a table around the trees during the evening with your nose in a book. My favourite place to study is the residential hub. A place where you are able to go in and study in either by yourself or with your friends. It is quiet and a nice place to study in overall. Just last week my friend and I decided to go and study in there. You can either study in the front or can go into the back with your group of friends into a nice and quiet conference room. It is a nice place in there if you and your friends don’t want to be bothered. So, if you live on campus and need a place to study whether it be by yourself or with a group of friends, I definitely would recommend to check out the residential hub.

Maintaining a Budget in College

The cost of college is not cheap! When you were in high school you might not have paid attention to your spending habits as much but, once you hit college you do. Once you are in college you begin to have different kind of obligations and responsibilities. You now have to pay for school, rent (maybe), gas (if you drive), books, and other personal items. Throughout my high school years when my parents or relatives would give me money I would save it up and put it into my bank account. This was very helpful because, when it came around to start paying for college related fees I didn’t have to worry about asking my parents for money. I paid the majority of my school fees which included various of application fees, housing, food, and books. The thing with being in college is that you can’t go out and just go on spending sprees anymore or making impulse purchases. You should make purchases that you need not on things that you want. You might be tempted to buy it but do not do it! It will also help you save up some money if you do not go through with that impulse purchase. Budgeting yourself or saving can be very helpful when you are in college for the fees you would have to pay in the years to come. You just have to be wise about purchases and to not miss any deadlines on payments you have to make because, those late fees can be pretty costly once they begin to add up. So manage your time and budget just right!

First Time Friendships

One of the many hardships of coming to college is making new friends. If you are anything like me, you were probably so used to hanging around the same people every single day throughout, high school. It was way better back in high school, having your own group of friends that knew who you were. But once you hit college, it is time to go and make new friends! Australian author, Patrick Lindsay once said, “Every new friend is a new adventure... the start of more memories.” With that being said, you might be thinking “ Well how am I going to make new friends?” Well it is just your luck! CSU Stanislaus has a various of different clubs and organizations, that you can get involved in. This is one of the best ways of being able to make new friends. By joining clubs that interest you and being able to connect with others. Sure, you might be nervous and afraid to meet others but, you shouldn’t pass up an opportunity to get to know others. I was nervous as well but, I met one of my friends at an event that one of the organizations held and ever since then she has helped me out with so many things regarding school and, is actually helping me open up more by joining different clubs and participating in school events! What I hope you can take from this is, to not be afraid and meet other people because who knows maybe the friendships you make here in college can last much longer than the ones you had back in high school.

First Time College Experience

There is always a first time for everything especially, if this is your first time as a college student. You might be feeling mixed emotions; stress, anxiety, excitement. That is probably only half of what you might be feeling. Let’s just say college is very different from your high school experience and what you actually might be expecting college to be like. Being a first generation college student can be tough. I know it from first hand experience. I was very nervous coming into college, just like you might have felt. I was very anxious just with all the different applications you are suppose to fill out: college applications, scholarships, FAFSA, housing, etc. You don’t really know who to ask what. It can be stressful but, once you actually go to college it is completely different. Here at CSU Stanislaus I realised that there are a lot of people here to help you out in order for you to succeed. Which is great! From going to go talk to your professors during office hours to going to tutoring and joining study groups! These things are all here for your own benefit and it is best to take advantage of all the resources they have. Well that and you mostly paid for all these things so, why not! You have to come to a realisation that there are many people just like you and I; who have many different questions and the only way to find your answers, is if you just ask. Like I said they are all here to help you and guide you in the right direction.