During my first semester at the University and in SGC, I experienced many things that were different from what I expected before coming here. I had a general idea of what college might be like from what teachers and older students told me, but living it was very different. When I first arrived on campus, I imagined that my classes outside CPSG100 would feel really formal and strict compared to high school. Once the semester began, I learned that college classes have structure but also leave a lot of room for independence. Most professors gave a detailed syllabus, but the pace of the work moved faster than I was used to. I had to adjust to the idea that professors would not remind us every day about assignments or quizzes. Some classes had weekly graded work, while others relied on only a few exams or essays to determine the entire grade. I expected more small assignments, but instead there were long stretches where I worked on readings or projects on my own without anyone checking in. This was very different from high school, where there were regular reminders and a slower pace.
The delivery of the courses also surprised me. Some professors lectured for most of the class period using slides, while others used participation and discussions. I had a few classes where the professor moved quickly through the material and expected us to study outside of class to understand it fully. In high school, I felt that teachers guided us more step by step, but in college I needed to take responsibility for keeping up. Even missing one class made it easy to fall behind, which taught me to manage my time more carefully. Another thing I noticed was that the classroom environment felt more relaxed at times but also more demanding. Professors expected us to think deeply and to understand concepts beyond just memorizing facts. This made me realize that college classes need more depth and independence than I expected.
CPSG100 was also different from what I imagined. I thought the class would focus mostly on basic scientific topics, but instead we learned a lot about the history of science and how scientific ideas have developed over time. I did not expect to spend so much time discussing the connection of science and society, like environmental challenges and how scientific information is communicated to the public. These topics helped me see the bigger impact of science in the world. I did not expect to do hands-on events early in the semester. The outside of classroom activities were another surprise. I thought they would feel like extra tasks we just had to complete, but many of them were interesting and helped me explore new ideas. The field trips and events showed me how science connects to real-world issues, and doing them with other SGC students made the experience feel supportive.
Life as a university student was also different from what I pictured in high school. I imagined that I would adjust easily and immediately feel comfortable living on my own, but the transition took time. Living on campus meant being surrounded by other students all the time. This created a fun and social environment, but it also made balancing my time harder. It was tempting to hang out with friends instead of doing homework, so I had to learn to be disciplined. I also had to adjust to managing everything myself, like keeping track of my meals, laundry, and schedule. Some days felt long because I walked around campus from class to class while trying to stay organized. Even with these challenges, I enjoyed the freedom that came with college. Creating my own schedule, choosing when to study, and exploring the campus helped me gain independence. I also liked meeting new people and building friendships that made the semester feel more enjoyable.
If I were to give advice to future SGC students, I would tell them to stay organized from the beginning. College moves quickly, and it is easy to fall behind if assignments are not tracked carefully. Using a planner or digital calendar can help manage due dates and exams. I would also encourage them to attend office hours early in the semester instead of waiting until they feel lost. Professors and TAs are usually very helpful and can answer questions or explain material in different ways. Another piece of advice is to get involved in SGC activities and meet people in the program. Having a community makes the adjustment to college much easier and provides support during stressful times. It also helps to set aside time each week for self-care, whether that means taking a walk, resting, or spending time with friends.
Outside of academics, my semester came with both challenges and positive experiences. Balancing school, personal life, and health was harder than I expected. There were times when I felt overwhelmed or tired from the workload and the constant movement from place to place. Homesickness came at moments when I felt stressed or when I missed the comfort of my old routine. Even with these struggles, there were many positive and unexpected highlights. I met new friends who made my days brighter. I discovered places on campus where I enjoyed studying or relaxing. I also learned more about myself and what strategies help me stay organized and focused. There were days when everything felt difficult, but there were also days filled with small victories that reminded me why I came to the University.
Overall this semester taught me how to be more independent and responsible. It showed me the differences between high school and college life and helped me understand the expectations of university-level work. Even though things did not always go the way I imagined, the semester helped me grow and feel more prepared for the next stages of my college experience.