I had high expectations of college from a very early age. I grew up watching movies where high school seniors got into their dream schools and made wonderful friends and got to explore a new world away from their parents. I always thought that would be my experience too. I dreamed of going out of state, studying science, making friends, going to parties, exploring the new world around me. When I got rejected from all of my targets and reach schools and realized I had to go to UMD, my heart broke. My childhoods of going out of state and starting a brand new life were crushed - or so I thought. I got to UMD and immediately made fantastic friends who I like a lot. My classes are interesting and I am having a lot of fun. And, a sentence I never thought I would ever feel, I am glad to be close to home. After spending a year and a half locked in a room with my family, I found it a little difficult to leave my sisters. Having them 30 minutes away makes me feel more comfortable and not as lonely.
As for my classes, I fully expected my classes to kick my butt. I went into college and thought that all of my professors and TAs would be intense graders with little remorse. I thought I would have to teach myself the subjects and I thought the workload would be a thousand times greater than it was in high school. This was, thankfully, not the case. Sure, I have a lot of work, and I some of my professors are not super forgiving with grades, but it is nothing I can't manage, and I have a feeling it will get a lot harder.
I really enjoy my Sustainability class, which I didn't really expect. I am more of a math/science mind, and I took this class to fulfill some requirements and because I thought it would be easy and a little interesting. I actually really enjoy going to class and learning the material! The work is always interesting - even if it is a lot - and the professor is fantastic.
My math class is my favorite class. I took Calculus AB in high school and didn't really do too well on the online AP exam, so I am taking it again now and I am honestly glad I did because I have made some really good friends and I am building a better foundation in that subject that I need for my degree. I was originally sad about not being able to get AP credit for Calc I but I like my class so much that it barely matters anymore!
A class I tried out and don't feel as connected to anymore was Astronomy. I took a summer college program in Astrophysics from Columbia University over summer 2020 and loved it, so I was excited to take college-level astronomy. However, the class itself is pretty boring to me and I feel less connected to the field now. I still really like space and astrophysics, but the class is more focused on planetary science and conceptual astronomy rather than the math.
I am in two one-credit physics seminars, and I really enjoy them both. They have helped me acclimate to the department and the university without pushing me into the deep end of it all. I have heard from famous physicists, UMD Physics faculty, and more about their careers and their experiences. It has been incredibly validating and reassuring. I am very glad I took these classes because it gives me something to look forward to every week and I know that every time I go I will learn something to help my future. Hearing that famous physicists and faculty went through the same feelings and obstacles that I feel is insanely validating.
As for the first-year colloquium, I am enjoying it! I like learning about things I totally wouldn't have looked into otherwise. Learning about rocks and fossils and extinctions was unexpected to me. When I joined Science and Global Change I thought I would be learning about today's environment and how to save the future, not learning all about fossils and thousand-year-old rocks. Regardless, I am enjoying the class! The books are interesting and I like the website project a lot.
Finally, some advice I would give an incoming SGC student: try new things! As I mentioned before my sustainability class is one of my favorite classes and I am NOT a social sciences person. I normally find classes like English, Psychology, or Geography mind-numbing, but I wanted to branch out and try something new, and it paid off! I am learning a lot and picking up a lot of skills I can use in the real world. If you think something sounds cool, try it! It might pay off! Also, don't be afraid to talk to people. College can be intimidating and making friends in your classes can seem scary, but honestly, it is one of the more important things you can do. Talk to people! I guarantee they are just as scared and intimidated as you are.
Overall, college is exceeding my expectations. I am having fun and feeling fulfilled and satisfied with my life. I am glad I am here.