Finishing my first semester at the University of Maryland as a Science and Global Change student feels unreal, mostly because college life did not turn out the way I imagined it would. I have been a commuter ever since joining SGC, and I was warned ahead of time that there might come a point where I would feel socially disconnected. I tried not to let that happen. I pushed myself to go to Welcome Week events, showed up to interest meetings, and joined clubs that sparked my curiosity. I really did try to put myself out there. Still, I quickly learned that friendships in college form very differently than they did in high school. A lot of people already came in with established connections, and once they found their group, they often became closed off. Even when I met people and exchanged contact information, most of those relationships stayed at the level of acquaintances. In high school, friendships were often based on proximity, but there was always a built-in support system. In college, I realized that support is not automatic. Even with that disconnect, SGC became the one space where I consistently felt welcomed and seen.
The first time I met other SGC students was at the baseball stadium, where upperclassmen welcomed us like we were famous athletes. That moment stuck with me because it was the first time on campus where I genuinely felt a sense of belonging. Shortly after that, we went through different rounds of icebreakers. My group ended up being one of the most active ones, especially with our mentor pushing us to dance and reenact popular trends. Stepping that far out of my comfort zone in front of a group of strangers was something I never expected to do so early in college. Even though it felt like all eyes were on me, I still got up and participated. That moment taught me that sometimes discomfort is the price of connection.
One of the most memorable experiences of the semester was our service day at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Of course, I coincidentally scheduled a doctor’s appointment that same morning, which meant I missed the initial bus ride with everyone else. After headcount was done, I quickly left the group and ran back to Lot 6 to catch up to the buses. I had to weave through traffic just to keep them in sight. At one point, I completely lost track of them for almost a mile, but somehow I caught back up. When I finally arrived, everyone cheered, and in that moment, all the stress disappeared. Once we entered the gardens, we had to decide who would wear the waders and who would grab tools. I took initiative and chose the waders, stepping straight into the water. At first, it was a cool and exciting experience until the mud started pulling at my legs and I realized my boot had sprung a leak. I tried to ignore it, but once the water reached my torso, I knew it was too late. I was completely drenched. Even then, I stayed out there helping my peers clean up and finished the day laughing through it all. I did not expect SGC scholars to have us outside doing physical environmental work. I assumed everything would be about lectures and data analysis. That experience opened my eyes to what hands-on environmental work really looks like, and I loved every bit of it.
Another highlight was our scavenger hunt in Washington, D.C. We were given Metro cards and told to explore the city on our own. I had never used the Metro before, so being forced to figure it out on the spot felt like a crash course in independence. We explored different parts of the city together, and even though we barely knew each other at the start, the experience strengthened new bonds. It also showed me how CPSG100 was not just about learning inside a classroom. The activities outside of class pushed me to think differently about place, movement, and how systems function in the real world.
Academically, college classes were very different from what I expected. The structure of my courses was much faster paced than high school. There were fewer graded assignments, but each one carried much more weight. Exams and projects mattered far more than daily homework. There was also a lot more responsibility placed directly on the student. Professors expected you to manage your time, stay on top of deadlines, and seek help on your own. Scholars, in comparison, felt more lecture-heavy but also more laid back than my other rigorous courses, which I appreciated. One challenge I faced was having meetings at 5:30. Since my last class ended at 4:50 and traffic was unpredictable, I often did not make it home until after the meeting had started. At some point, I began joining mid-drive just to avoid being late. That was not something I ever imagined I would be doing in college.
CPSG100 also surprised me in meaningful ways. I did not expect the course to focus so much on extinction, climate systems, and long-term environmental change. Learning about hominids, human evolution, and environmental patterns tied directly into my supporting archaeology course, which made the material feel even more connected. Studying ideas related to Kolbert’s The Sixth Extinction showed me how deeply human actions shape the planet over time. These topics made me think differently about the future and about my role as a student in Science and Global Change. Another moment that stood out was hearing former SGC students speak on a panel about how they landed internships and research opportunities. One statement in particular stuck with me: “Close mouths don’t get fed.” That made me realize how much growth I still have in learning to advocate for myself.
Being a commuter definitely shaped my college experience differently than I imagined. I missed out on some late-night bonding and dorm life moments, but I gained independence, time management skills, and discipline. Balancing academics with life outside of school was not easy. There were days where exhaustion, stress, and deadlines all collided. At the same time, there were unexpected highlights like chasing buses, getting drenched in muddy water, navigating the D.C. Metro, and slowly finding community within SGC.
If I could give advice to future SGC students, I would tell them to protect the genuine connections they make, even if it is only with a few people. Step out of your comfort zone early. Stay on top of your studies before stress piles up. Do not be afraid to speak up for opportunities, ask questions, or reach out for help. College is not always what you imagine it will be, but sometimes the parts you never expected become the most meaningful ones.