Ritika's "Expectations vs. Reality" Reflection Essay

• Before starting the semester, I did not expect all of my classes to be online and to be conducted through Zoom. I also didn't think there would be three sets of exams and that the weights of exams would be much more than quizzes/projects assigned throughout the semester. In addition, my brother goes to college in California where grades are based on the class average. Therefore, I believed UMD would also grade assignments similar to the system in California, but that was not the case.
• I did not expect to cover logical fallacies. There isn't anything I was expecting that we didn't explore. The outside-of-classroom activities are quite different from what I was expecting as I didn't get to experience any of them in person. However, it was still easy to engage in them.
• Throughout high school, my teachers told me college is easier however, I don't think this is true. I thought college wouldn't be very stressful, but it definitely exceeded my expectations. There are a lot of lectures, assignments, quizzes, projects, and exams to keep up with.
• Before starting your semester, try to not have extremely high expectations. Since these are very strange times don't compare your experience with those who started college a few years ago as it won't likely be the same. It is definitely harder to focus with online college as college relies heavily on self-motivation. Unlike school, no one is going to remind you to complete your assignments so it is important to stay motivated and organized to keep track of your exams or assignments. It is also a little beneficial, as you have more time on your hands, so you can pick up a new hobby or explore other interests as well. Attend any virtual events to stay connected and be hopeful of a normal semester.

Last modified: 11 May 2021