Year One.
I didn’t move very far to come to UC, but living up on campus made it feel like I was away from home. It was an adjustment to have so much more freedom and responsibility and through the year I had to learn to balance. There were nights I should have stayed in and times I shouldn’t have procrastinated, but nonetheless I made it through.
My first semester course load was pretty light, which allowed me to transition into college. But because my first semester was so relaxed, second semester was kind of a wake up call. Taking courses involving new material I had never seen before and taking on a heavier course load was a shock. One thing I wish I had done differently this past year is to have made more connections with students in my major. I went into the year ahead so I did not join a learning community. At first I saw this as a positive thing, my schedule wasn’t as busy and I heard from friends that it was a waste of time. After starting second semester I realized what I was missing out on, not the hour a week with a peer leader or the pre-designated schedules, but the relationships with other students in Chemical Engineering. Going in I knew a few friends from high school in Chemical Engineering and met some others in first semester courses, but those relationships didn’t go as far as I needed them too. Next year I hope to join more major oriented organizations and find more students in my major who have the same goals as I do, students who I can study with and look to for advice.
Though I didn’t make very many relationships within my major I did make a lot outside of it. The most significant relationships I made this year and continue to make are with the women of my sorority, Delta Delta Delta. Joining a sorority was not something I thought of as vital to my college experience. When I rushed I thought it would be cool to meet some new people, but had no idea the impact it would have on my life. Being in Tri Delta has become a part of me and the women I have met have forever changed me. I took on a position as treasurer and hope to become more involved in the future. The best part of being in Tri Delta is having sisters who are always there for you, whether it be someone to study with, grab food with, or even just a friendly face walking to class. It is such an incredible group to be a part of and it doesn’t stop there. From rushing I have met women of all across the Greek community and that connection is so uniting as well, not even being in the same sorority but understanding what it is like to be part of one. I was chosen to be a representative in the Future Greek Leaders program and was introduced to first year students from all the UC sororities and fraternities that were driven, motivated, and talented in all different ways. These individuals are people I would have never met unless I joined Tri Delta.
Next year I will be starting my co-op at Tech II Inc. I am eager to begin getting experience in my field and put to work what I have learned this past year. I want to take what I have gained through my first year and apply it to this new challenge. I want to work on time management. I want to work on developing meaningful relationships with others that can be mutually beneficial and remove myself from relationships that are holding me back. And I want to find a balance of staying focused on my future career goals while still enjoying my college experience. I had an amazing year at UC and I have no doubt the next few will be just as great.
My first semester course load was pretty light, which allowed me to transition into college. But because my first semester was so relaxed, second semester was kind of a wake up call. Taking courses involving new material I had never seen before and taking on a heavier course load was a shock. One thing I wish I had done differently this past year is to have made more connections with students in my major. I went into the year ahead so I did not join a learning community. At first I saw this as a positive thing, my schedule wasn’t as busy and I heard from friends that it was a waste of time. After starting second semester I realized what I was missing out on, not the hour a week with a peer leader or the pre-designated schedules, but the relationships with other students in Chemical Engineering. Going in I knew a few friends from high school in Chemical Engineering and met some others in first semester courses, but those relationships didn’t go as far as I needed them too. Next year I hope to join more major oriented organizations and find more students in my major who have the same goals as I do, students who I can study with and look to for advice.
Though I didn’t make very many relationships within my major I did make a lot outside of it. The most significant relationships I made this year and continue to make are with the women of my sorority, Delta Delta Delta. Joining a sorority was not something I thought of as vital to my college experience. When I rushed I thought it would be cool to meet some new people, but had no idea the impact it would have on my life. Being in Tri Delta has become a part of me and the women I have met have forever changed me. I took on a position as treasurer and hope to become more involved in the future. The best part of being in Tri Delta is having sisters who are always there for you, whether it be someone to study with, grab food with, or even just a friendly face walking to class. It is such an incredible group to be a part of and it doesn’t stop there. From rushing I have met women of all across the Greek community and that connection is so uniting as well, not even being in the same sorority but understanding what it is like to be part of one. I was chosen to be a representative in the Future Greek Leaders program and was introduced to first year students from all the UC sororities and fraternities that were driven, motivated, and talented in all different ways. These individuals are people I would have never met unless I joined Tri Delta.
Next year I will be starting my co-op at Tech II Inc. I am eager to begin getting experience in my field and put to work what I have learned this past year. I want to take what I have gained through my first year and apply it to this new challenge. I want to work on time management. I want to work on developing meaningful relationships with others that can be mutually beneficial and remove myself from relationships that are holding me back. And I want to find a balance of staying focused on my future career goals while still enjoying my college experience. I had an amazing year at UC and I have no doubt the next few will be just as great.