Richard Hu's "Freshman Time Capsule" Reflection Essay


My first year at UMD was very busy. As a math major, I had decided to take the most challenging math courses that I could. This, combined with the work from my other classes, meant that I really had to put in effort. However, this is not to say that my courses were simply tedious and dull. One notable course that I took was HIST289Y(Zombies, Fear, and Contagion: A Cultural History of Public Health, Medicine, and Technology), which is likely the most unique course that I have ever taken. The course is offered in the spring semester and is about the historical and cultural significance of zombies and the living dead throughout history, and how they can be representative of cultural anxieties. The class actually taught me a great deal about the origins of zombies, and how their portrayal in films are related to the public’s perception of the undead. This course was relatively difficult, however, so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it, but it is definitely worth checking out. There are also many other interesting or unique courses at UMD that are worth exploring.

Maintaining relationships with other students is important for getting through college. My connections with my peers were definitely useful for helping me in my classes and to adjust to university life. Since I am from Maryland, some of my classmates from high school were also at UMD, so I already had some friends here to begin with. However, I also met many new people and made friends with many others. I would definitely recommend initiating conversations with other students, even if you are not a social person. It is especially useful to get to know some people who are in the same course as you, so that you can ask for help if you forgot something or are stuck on an assignment. Of course, don’t hesitate to ask a TA or professor for help in a class if you need it. Try to find time to hang out with others, as this will greatly improve your mental health, which is important to combat the stress from academics. Another way to meet new people while having fun is by joining a club. For example, I joined the chess club and poker club at UMD. This allowed me to find time to take a break from work and socialize with others. Overall, making friends in college is beneficial for relieving stress and staying motivated.

The greatest challenge for me in my first year of college was probably time management. The difficulty of the classes in college meant that significantly more studying is required to keep up with a class. Procrastination was an issue for me, especially for my most difficult courses, as sometimes I did not have the motivation to start working on difficult homework assignments or projects. In order to avoid this, I would recommend staying organized, keeping track of what work needs to be done soon, and planning out how you intend to spend your time. This will help you remember what you need to work on and prevent accidentally overwhelming yourself later. Also, make sure that you are up to date with the material in your courses. Avoid falling behind in class, as this will significantly increase the amount of work you will need to do. Planning ahead will make your experience in college much more manageable and enjoyable.


Last modified: 10 May 2022