During my first year at the University of Maryland, I have had a variety of classes with different structures, delivery methods, and required graded items. In general, I have found that the nature of university courses is very different from what I expected. One of the biggest differences between my high school and university classes is the time aspect. In high school, I could succeed by just doing the in class assignments and homework, but in college, I need to do some self-learning and additional studying. This has been both challenging and rewarding, as it has allowed me to delve more deeply into the subject matter and gain a deeper understanding of the material. Another difference is the level of independence and self-direction required in university. In high school, I was used to being given a set of tasks and assignments to complete, with clear instructions and deadlines. In university, I have found that I am expected to be more self-motivated and take charge of my own learning. This has been a big adjustment, but it has also helped me to work on my time management skills. Regarding CPSG100, I have been surprised by the type of material that we covered in class. I wasn't sure what to expect going into the course, but I have found that we have covered topics that I had previously not considered. Some of the topics that I didn't expect to cover include the ideas of antiscience. One thing that I wasn't expecting in CPSG100 was the amount of outside-of-classroom activities that we have had, such as the scavenger hunts and the excursions. This has been a great way to learn more about global change, and what I can do in the future to help. One of the biggest differences between high school and college is the rigor level of the work. In high school, I had a few hours of homework a night, or maybe none at all. but in college, it is not uncommon for me to have several hours of work, along with in person meetings with groups and study friends. This can be really overwhelming, as my time management skills are currently pretty poor, but it also allows me to work on these skills so that I can improve as a student. In addition, I spend less time in classes, but instead I spend a much larger portion of my free time studying or finishing work. Another difference between high school and college is the social life. In high school, I was around a group of long time friends, and I did not really branch out too much. In college, I had to talk a lot more to people I did not know in order to make new friends. This has been both a blessing and a challenge. On the one hand, it has given me the opportunity to make new friends and explore different social groups. On the other hand, it can be isolating at times when I am not able to connect, especially as an off-campus student. Overall, university life has been a very different experience from what I imagined it would be in high school. It has been similar to high school in some aspects, but has also drastically differed in other aspects. I have learned a lot about myself and have grown both personally and academically. If I were to give advice to future SGC students to ease them into college life, I would recommend the following: First, I would encourage them to get involved in student activities such as clubs or study groups. Joining clubs is a great way to branch out and meet new people, and you might even find an academic passion you never had before. It can also be a good way to relax from academics and enjoy yourself. Academically, I would recommend getting closer to your professors during your time here. They host office hours, which are extremely important if you are struggling on a topic. In addition, many universities offer tutoring and other resources to help students succeed academically. I would also recommend that they set aside time for self-care and prioritize their mental health. College can be stressful and it is important to take breaks and do things that help you relax. Overall, I would just recommend trying new things out. College is a massive change from high school, and it is a perfect opportunity to branch out and discover yourself.