The courses which provided the greatest revelation for me were my computer science courses and my STAT400, statistics and probability class this semester. As an incoming freshman, I had a good amount of computer science experience outside of programming and the classroom which I thought had well-equipped me for the introductory Computer Science courses I was going to take. Coming off of a lazy year at home with online classes, I had a rude awakening as soon as I got to school and realized my hubris and lack of work ethic were a major problem. My computer science class last semester not only humbled me, but allowed me to refocus my time and my attention to what mattered most as I was lost in the new environment which is college.
Getting through my intro Computer Science class last semester taught me a lot about my limits but also what I could achieve with proper time management and motivation, as I adjusted to an entirely new environment and way of living away from home. These courses also opened my mind to the opportunities available in STEM and other fields as I grew more interested in Computer Science and other disciplines such as statistics as well, a subject I have grown to enjoy. I would recommend that incoming students keep their mind as open as possible with classes and never say no to a new experience, given that they mind find a new interest. Also I would recommend putting some though into how to manage ones time and what extracurricular activities matter most to them in terms of a time commitment.
Adjusting to university coming off the tail end of a pandemic was not the easiest thing to do for me, but it forced me to define my goals for myself and define what kind of person I wanted to be. Campus has been icnredibly fun for me as I have met many new people and made some of my closest friends. Especially during rough periods of time on campus, being with friends whether it be having fun or simply studying helped me improve my mood while also having people to depend on. The greatest obstacles to pursuing these relationships is a students attitude, so I would recommend to be open minded when meeting new people and going out of your way to meet others if possible. Being with friends on campus will not only allow you to enjoy your time but make more monotonous periods fun to be a part of as you are with friends.
The aspects of university life I was least prepared for initially were the academic rigor and adjusting to living in a dorm. Living in a dorm wasnt the hardest adjustment given that my roommate and I had a good relationship, but rather the fact that I no longer really had a space to myself. I would recommend that incoming freshman establish good realtionshops with people on your floor, if you are dorming, and your roommate along with maintaining good study habits and keeping up with people in classes and school work in a manageable style.