I imagined university courses to be more anxiety bearing then they actually are. On social media, students warn that exams are harsh and stem classes are dreadful. I honestly enjoy all my classes. The exams I have taken so far are fair; I did well on most of my midterms, and the ones I didn't do well on are because I didn't study enough. Although there is so much work, I still have time to hangout with my friends and be in clubs and have good grades. Unlike high school, the work we get has purpose, it is not tedious. Doing work and study doesn't feel like a chore because I like all my classes. I didn't realize that discussion was a part of university courses, but I like them because it helps prepare us for quizzes and exams, and we get to socialize with students from lectures. It's also important to see other student's thought processes, it helps me learn. I expected lectures to be incredibly long, but it goes by very quickly. I didn't expect that we would make a website in CPSG, but I'm enjoying it. I like to personalize my web page and figuring out what each line of code means. I also didn't expect to learn so much about pseudoscience, but it helps me to stay away from it. I didn't realize how much pseudoscience is around us, especially on social media. Knowing how to distinguish pseudoscience and science helps me to not be gullible to false information and helps me to not spread false information. So far we haven't talked much about climate change, but I know we will in future classes. I knew that the outside of classroom activities were going to be fun, but the activities have exceeded my expectations. I enjoy experiencing new things, like pulling weeds out of ponds and trimming vines. It's so enjoyable because I'm experiencing these things with my friends and it brought me and my friends closer together. I also learned that I like tour guides from the trip to the American Museum of Natural History. My high school self envisioned university to be a place where everyone lived in the library, studied 24/7, and wore pajamas to class. I was mentally preparing myself to study all the time, and I kinda do, but I also do so many other things. I go to football games, go on trips to DC, fundraise for Terp Thon, play volleyball, and have movie nights. Being around people my age makes school so much easier because you know there are people that can relate with the issues you're going through. I didn't expect to have as much independence as I do; I can do whatever, whenever I want. It can be scary sometimes to have this much freedom if you don't have the discipline to balance your life. I didn't expect the balance between academics and social life to be harder than it is. When my friends ask me to play volleyball with them or get food with them, it's hard saying no. The best way I deal with this balance is by making a schedule. I stop studying after seven, and allow myself to hangout with my friends or have time to myself. Me-time is also difficult to get at college because we're always surrounded by our friends. Unlike high school, we can't go home and escape school life. It's important to find me-time, and reflect on your life and things that have happened. I do this by going on walks alone and listening to music. So far, college life has been so much better than I envisioned in high school. My advice to future SGC students is to be yourself. Unlike high school, you won't see the same people everyday. You're going to meet so many people and you will find your group of friends, although it may take some time. Find people where you can have intellectual conversations with, where you laugh until you pee, where you don't have to filter your thoughts to make sure they like you, where you are comfortable with. These people will stick with you through your rough days. Don't forget about your mental and physical health. Mental and physical health should be prioritized over anything, because when you're unhealthy you won't be able to academically flourish. Choose classes that you like, this makes the work bearable. When you do classes you like, the work and studying won't feel like a chore. It's important to make a schedule for yourself and plan out the work you're going to do each day. This helps you be on top of your work and decreases the anxiety of not having enough time. Study ahead of time, do not cram for exams. Try to experience as much as you can and enjoy your time at college.