Expectations Essay

by Braden Ansaldi

Taking classes here at the University of Maryland has been what I expected and a bit of a surprise in specific ways. I had anticipated a shift from the structured and guided high school environment to something more independent and self-directed. That expectation was met, especially regarding how the classes are structured. The professors in my courses are experts in their fields and typically have clear expectations for students, but they don't micromanage as high school teachers sometimes do. Instead, the structure of the courses encourages a lot of independent study. Most of my classes were lecture-based, and careful note-taking was essential for doing well on quizzes and exams. I expected to do a lot of self-study, but the workload was more intense than anticipated. Many of my classes require regular homework that can be tedious and participation in discussions, which I sometimes need help with as I tend to be shy. I also have to write research papers and essays, which require considerable time and effort. The grading seems less forgiving compared to high school, and it's clear that the emphasis is on critical thinking and independent learning rather than just plain memorization. The structure, delivery, and expectations are a good balance of independence and support, although the workload can sometimes be overwhelming.

CPSG100 has been an interesting and informative course that has exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed the lectures as both Dr. Merck and Dr. Holtz were very engaging and witty in their lecture styles, which kept me interested throughout the course. Their ability to present complex ideas clearly and entertainingly made it easy to stay focused, even when discussing topics I needed to become more familiar with. The content has also been more engaging and thought-provoking than I anticipated. I was particularly surprised by how relevant the material is to my field of study, especially since we've touched on the broader applications of problem-solving and analytical thinking, and the occasional reference to something astronomy-related brings a smile to my face. Additionally, I enjoy the coding aspects of the assignments because, although I am not a CS major, I have a natural curiosity and interest in coding. As an Astronomy and Physics major, coding will become more critical in my future courses and research, so gaining these skills early on has been quite beneficial.

University student life has been more exciting and challenging than I imagined. I live on campus, in Centreville Hall, which has made the transition from high school much more manageable. The first thing I noticed was the sense of freedom—there's more flexibility in organizing my day and balancing my commitments. I love getting lunch or dinner whenever I please, and everything being so close makes it much more manageable. That being said, with this freedom comes a greater sense of responsibility. Unlike high school, where teachers remind you of deadlines, the university requires you to take the initiative to stay on top of assignments and exams. Socially, college life is much more diverse and inclusive than I expected. Meeting people from different backgrounds, countries, and walks of life has been one of the most enriching aspects of the experience. For example, I have a Bulgarian friend, an Argentine friend, and a Venezuelan friend. Learning about their families and where they came from has been incredible for me, as in high school, my school did not have much diversity. The academic load is heavier than I anticipated, and managing time effectively has been a key challenge. I've had to adjust to working long hours on assignments, which I didn't fully grasp before starting college, as in high school, I could put in the bare minimum effort and get by with excellent grades. Overall, college life has its challenges but offers numerous opportunities for personal growth, social connection, and academic development.

To future SGC students, I'd offer advice I wish I had known earlier. First and foremost, I would advise on college life in general: In high school, you may have been able to rely on reminders from teachers or a structured schedule, but here, it is on you to keep track of deadlines, readings, and other responsibilities. Get a planner or use a digital calendar to keep organized, and give yourself enough time for both studying and downtime to socialize and meet new people. Secondly, feel free to ask for help when needed. Professors, especially TAs, are there to support you and can help if you need clarification about an assignment; just feel free to ask. Specifically, for SGC, some advice is to take advantage of the excursions as they are a fun way to learn about things you are likely interested in and how to navigate to DC from campus. Also, keep up with the readings, and don't forget about the questions due before every class. My most significant piece of advice, however, is to have fun.