So far, the course that was most surprising to me at UMD was Calculus III. Although it is a major requirement for me I found it to be very interesting. The most surprising part of this course was its applications to different sectors of mathematics. Calculus III has a very cool application to geometry and allows us to understand different ways to find volume and area of 3D shapes. For future students, you might be surprised to learn that even major requirements can be classes that serve as a revelation to the breadth of a research university's scopes. But, even by browsing through the potential classes you can take, and choosing some that you might find interesting, could also serve as that pathway.
My greatest success in developing strong relationships with faculty members came through research opportunities. At Maryland there are countless opportunities for undergraduate research. At the beginning of the first semester, I emailed professors whose research interests I found interesting and eventually someone responded. So, since October I've been working alongside a professor working on a research project, which has been a great experience in both connecting with faculty members and gaining research experience. It is also pretty easy to develop relationships with the professors that teach your classes. I would recommend going to office hours if you ever need help in the course and asking questions. But, even if you don't need help, many professors even encourage you to come to office hours just to ask general questions or talk to them.
When adjusting to University, I had a fairly easy time because many of my high school friends were also going to Maryland. Having friendships with fellow students allow you to have an easier transition into college. In my opinion, spending time with friends can help you destress and regain focus. Also, making new friends in your classes is extremely helpful. If you ever have problems with class material you can ask them for help and also study together. I will admit that there are some obstacles with making new friends at University. It may be difficult to go out of your comfort zone and approach someone, but you will notice that most people are open and willing to become friends with you. To make best use of the connections you have with your peers, make sure to spend time with them, although you do need to work hard to do well in University, make sure to have a healthy balance of social time as well.
Although, I didn't really have any troubles with college academic life. I have heard from many people that college is where people learn to fix their study habits. To do well in college, you need a high level of self-motivation and self-discipline. It is hard to do well in classes that you are not interested in, so, I also think it is important to pick a major that you truly find interesting. Time management skills are very underrated in college. If your time management skills are good, you’ll have more time to enjoy your social life, partake in hobbies and other activities. To address issues about your study habits, I think that just reflecting on how you spend your time when you study, and how you study should be sufficient in fixing it. For example, if you find yourself easily distracted when studying, you should probably keep your phone away from you when you are studying.
All in all, although college may seem difficult and overwhelming, it is a fun and interesting new experience that can be life changing.