As I finish up my first semester at UMD, I can say that my overall experience has aligned with what I expected it to be. Academically, I knew that school would be more challenging, especially as an engineering major. In high school, I took AP classes and dual enrollment courses at my local community college that were meant to reflect the style of college coursework. The main difference I noticed was not in the difficulty of the material, but in the structure and expectations. College classes tend to be more organized around a few big graded items, like exams or projects, rather than many small assignments. Professors also expect students to keep track of deadlines and reach out when they need help, which gives a lot more flexibility but also requires more personal responsibility. The classes here also move at a faster pace, which is something I expected, but still had to adjust to. Calculus and chemistry especially required a lot of self studying and reviewing outside of class to do well on exams. Overall, the shift has been more about adapting to a new structure and level of independence instead of being overwhelmed by the difficulty itself.
For CPSG100, there were several things covered in class that I did not expect. I initially thought we would be focusing almost entirely on climate change and sustainability. Instead, we spent a surprising amount of time learning about pseudoscience, lies, fallacies, and Sagan’s Toolbox. I did not expect the class to dive so deeply into how to think critically about the information we encounter. Even though it was not what I predicted, these topics were interesting and useful, especially in understanding how science is communicated and sometimes misrepresented. On the other hand, some of the topics that I expected to be covered, like climate change, were covered. As for the outside of class activities, they were different from what I imagined. I was pleasantly surprised by Service Day at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. At first, I was not looking forward to it, especially since I had just moved into my dorm, but it ended up being a really positive experience, as I got to meet new people. The excursions we needed to complete were also enjoyable because we had the freedom to choose the activities that interested us. I attended a climate art workshop, which I found to be both relaxing and informative. All in all, SGC turned out to be more interesting and engaging than I expected.
My day to day life here on campus feels very different from what I experienced in high school. In high school, my schedule was the same every day. I spent half of the day in classes, followed by after school activities like clubs and sports. In college, my schedule varies a lot. Some days I have back to back classes, while other days I might only have two, which makes each day feel different. Another major change was adjusting to sharing a room with someone. The dorm was definitely small, so learning to coordinate our schedules and find personal space was an adjustment. But over time it became more comfortable, and it was nice always having someone around to talk to. One of the biggest changes is that I rarely feel alone here. I am constantly surrounded by people, and I spend a lot of time with my friends, whether we are studying, eating, or just hanging out. At the same time, I also feel like I have a lot more freedom and personal time than I did in high school. Aside from attending classes and keeping up with my work, I can choose how I want to spend my day. I am not limited to staying at home or following a rigid schedule, there is always something to do, somewhere to go, or someone to see. Overall, university life feels more flexible, social, and independent than what I imagined in high school, and it has been a refreshing change.
My advice to incoming freshmen is that college is a big adjustment, but it is one you can ease into if you stay open minded and give yourself time. The biggest thing I would tell future SGC students is not to be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Another important piece of advice is to find something to do outside of your major, whether it is a hobby, a club, or something just for fun. Having an outlet that is not tied to schoolwork makes a huge difference. It gives you a break from academics, helps you meet new people, and keeps you balanced when things get stressful. I would also recommend staying organized from the start. Having a planner or digital calendar helped me balance everything without feeling overwhelmed. At the same time, do not forget to take breaks, you do not have to be studying every second of the day. Overall, college takes some getting used to, but if you make some time for the things you enjoy, it can be an enjoyable experience.