I took CMSC this semester and I liked it! I was surprised because I hated it in high school. I like solving puzzles and being more creative in my coding. I now know that I want to pursue a college career, and maybe an actual career, in CS. I am taking CMSC132 in the fall along with my physics and math classes. I didn't get a chance to take cool general education classes this semester, but next semester I am taking Internation Political Relations and I am so excited. I have never been super into Humanities or Social Sciences but I am excited to try something new.
I, unfortunately, haven't gotten too close to professors in my time so far, but I am not worried about it too much. I know and work with my Physics Professor pretty well and I feel comfortable asking her questions and for advice. I obviously know my SGC professors, but beyond that, I am looking to really build more faculty mentorships and relationships in the Fall and in my subsequent research opportunities. Towards the end of the fall semester and through the winter I am looking into doing research for my practicum project. Hopefully, through those potential projects, there is an opportunity to build some really good connections with people in the fields I am interested in!
As far as peer relationships and connections, some of my best friends at school right now are in SGC! My roommate and my neighbor sit with me in class, we do excursions together, and we support each other through our other classes. I sincerely believe that I would have dropped out of school or transferred to another one if I had not made the friends I did. They are supportive, kind, fun, and feeling and we have such a sense of community between us. I couldn't be in Scholars without them, and I could not be at the University of Maryland without them. As far as advice for incoming freshmen, make as many friends as you can! Talk to new people! I guarantee that everyone else is as nervous and scared and excited as you are. Everyone else is also in a sea of strangers, don't be afraid to make the first move! It would make someone's day, and you might get a new friend out of it.
I felt that my transition to independence and college, in general, wasn't too turbulent, and none of it really surprised me too much. However, something that I don't think a lot of people talk about is how lonely college can feel. Obviously, you have your friends and you are constantly surrounded by 40,000 other young adults, but sometimes that can feel especially isolating. Especially in the beginning, I think it is important to really get used to being alone and being on your own time. In high school, you run on a school-and-parent-dictated schedule. Now you run on your own schedule. While that can feel very good and big and liberating, it is important to remember that everyone can feel a little alone, and that's okay! Part of life is running it yourself. This is just the beginning and it takes some getting used to.
My freshman year has undoubtedly been the biggest and craziest year of my life. From embracing adulthood and independence to escaping COVID isolation, to trying new classes and having new experiences, this year has been my favorite year thus far. I cannot wait to see what my next three at UMD look like.