I've been told that time moves faster when you get older, which my freshman year has confirmed! Even though it feels like I just moved in, I've acquired new study habits, met new people, and had my fair share of memorable experiences since last Fall. Although I thought high school prepared me well, college is a new level of work and commitment, even for beginner classes like ENGL101. I felt much more challenged and held to a higher standard throughout all my classes, and I felt the least prepared in adjusting to the "new normal" of how much I needed to study. This was especially the case in classes where exams were weighted much higher compared to high school. I recommend other students quickly find their best study habits if they haven't already. I wouldn't overcomplicate things by diving into alternative study habits like the Pomodoro method, which my friend recommended to me. Instead, mix and match study techniques such as using flashcards, creating flowcharts, and doing practice problems. I would also recommend to other students to learn how to prioritize your assignments and delegate them if you have managed your time well enough. Also, physical exercise is key and a gym membership is basically included in your tuition, so make sure to take advantage of it.
Never skip out on a new opportunity. Not going to the a club meeting or office hours could cause you to miss out on meaningful relationships. In the first semester, I mainly stuck with my established friend group, which no doubt made my transition easier, but I wasn't in the best position to make new friends. I had almost forgotten making new friends doesn't always come naturally and I had to be the one introducing myself and creating conversation with others. Also, making friends in larger GenEd classes was difficult, but thankfully the scholars program allowed me to meet new people in my community. I also began making new friends in my second semester by putting myself out there and staying on campus more often on the weekends. One (safer) college hack to meet new people is to ask to study with them and their group, since you already have something in common with them. Aside from academics, I aim to participate more in clubs I've joined like the Filmmakers Club and the Terrapin Trail Club.
I have had some success developing relationships with my professors. My math professor Dr. Rowland, memorized almost everyone's name in a class that filled up a lecture hall. He is the exception, though, since most professors have (understandably) not gone out of their way to meet their students, just due to how large the classes are. I found office hours to be a helpful way to both get help and get to know professors. I've also emailed my professor to meet one on one in order to talk about my grades on a recent assignment. I actually learned about how you could "cold" email professors about their research when guest speakers came to as scholars colloquium this year. This will be a possibility if I choose not to do FIRE research next semester.
I came into college ready to take specific and interesting courses that were not offered in high school. I discovered HIST289O: The History of Lawlessness, to be a course that matched my I-series and humanities requirement, and I was pleasantly surprised by the content. I discovered the course on the GenEd history page, and somehow there were still seats available. We had interactive discussions about piracy, train robberies, and other criminal activities, and I was satisfied being able to have an in-depth conversation with others about a topic that I enjoyed. Another class that stood out to me was BSCI207: Organismal Biology, which went into the biology of different classes of life. I never appreciated the intricate design of organisms and the biological trade-offs necessary for survival until this class.
My freshman school year was valuable in that I learned many the do-nots and do's of college, and I learned more about myself as I applied myself to more rigorous coursework. I am now looking forward to continuing my journey and to take advantage of my time at UMD, whether through research or connecting with others.