For my freshman time capsule reflection essay I will be exploring many different points. However, first I will be discussing the many aspects of university life that I was least prepared for coming into my freshman year. One of the most jarring of all these aspects was time management. Coming to college was a shock in more ways than one, but the most difficult aspect to manage was my time. Without strict schedules or deadlines I have found myself falling behind on assignments or missing class entirely. These experiences have taught me that I have to hold myself accountable and create my own schedule to help manage how I spend my time, helping me make decisions about how I can use it most effectively. Another point that wraps into time management is managing how I spend my time studying or working. Attending university level classes forced me to think differently about how I prepare for quizzes and tests, especially now that its finals week. Another aspect of university life that I wasnt prepared for was managing group work. Classes dont always allow for slots of time where you can meet with group members and get work done during your class period, that responsibility is on the students. You will be expected to coordinate with your peers in order to complete your assignments in their entirety in a timely manner.
The next topic I will discuss is my genetics class, which has surprised me the most during my freshman year. I came into college with a few bio AP credits, so I was able to skip some entry level classes and get into a genetics course that has been very engaging and surprising. so far I have really enjoyed the coursework and now that the final is approaching and I reflect on all the work I have done over the past few months, I am very satisfied with my time in the class. The lecture along with its dry lab discussion section was very engaging and informative, especially because I came into the course having very basic entry level knowledge on genetics. I would reccomend that students in highschool take as many bio AP courses as they can so that they can get a head start on material and coursework while they are still in highschool before taking the course in college.
Developing mentoring relationships while in college is a very important key to success. I have found it slightly difficult to connect with my professors but I have found the teaching assistants to be very helpful in understanding difficult material and connecting on a much mroe personal level with the students. This is possible because while lecture halls may have over 100 students in attendance, TA sessions are usually much smaller groups of 12-15 students, allowing for individual assistance on coursework. I would encourage any new students to reach out to their professors and TA's to ensure they do well in a particular course or subject area.
My relationships with my peers has made the transition to university life much easier. Many of my friends from highschool attened the same university as me which helped make the switch easier, but getting to know new people has also helped as well. Knowing classmates can help you get through tough material in a course with their help and encouragment, and talking with friends about how you are doing outside of class can help you maintain a good headspace as you make your way through the semester. I would reccomend any new students to meet as many of their peers as possible during the first few weeks of school, and to take part in the opportunity to be part of a larger community.