Freshmen

I am starting to get a better understanding of how to manage the class load of college. The main difference for me is that I went from having the same classes everyday to only having each class two or three times a week. This is a much bigger difference than I expected for two reasons. One is that you can not have an off day. In high school, you can have a day here or there were you don't really take in everything and just recover the next day, but if you try to do that in college you may miss a whole section of the chapter and not understand the next class, for each class is lying a foundation for the next class. Also, the intensity of each class is greatly escalated over high school. This is because you have a lot more to learn in each class, and you go from taking a class for a whole year to a semester, so you have even less time to learn all the information you need to know. This is a challenge and a blessing. The challenge is the obvious part, but I say that it is a blessing because it forces you to not take a day off and to try and to try and get the most out of each class. This is something that I am truly enjoying about college.

I probably should have blogged earlier this week, but having the day off on Monday really threw me off. It was back to normal on Tuesday, though, with classes and homework and all that good stuff. I'm just excited that it is Thursday night and the weekend is right around the corner (though mine is going to be full with homework and laundry...)!

The one thing that is so cool about college life is that there is always something going on. There's always something to do, so you are never bored in your dorm room! There are actvities going on everywhere--in your dorm, at other places both on and off campus--it's just hard to choose what to go to! College life is so lively and exciting. I love it!

Well... it's Friday of another week and another weekend is around the corner. This weekend is no ordinary weekend, though, because it's Labor Day and I'm going home for the first time since I moved in here! I'm excited to be going home to see my family (including my cats).

This week has been all about finding balance for me. It sounds like the other bloggers have the same problems I do with finding time for everything. I think that is a problem all freshmen are having right now: finding the time to do homework, go to class, participate in all their extra-curricular activities, and still find time to hang out with friends and relax. I've been creating a schedule, and I've come to love post-it notes and to do lists. It really helps me organize my time.

Speaking of time... I still have a couple of hours until I go to my next class, but I still have to pack for the weekend and do some other chores. There's always something to do...

Well I must say that I am getting a better grasp of this thing that they call college. The reason that I say " this thing" called college is because I feel as though no matter what one may call it they will never be able to grasp all that goes into it and then they will not be able to explain it fully to others because there is too much emotion to fully express. With a combination of leaving home, meeting so many new people but barely knowing anyone, trying to grasp the way everything works in terms of class and time management, there is just so much that goes into it. Be warned that it is exhausting, and at times overwhelming. I also must admit that I am not saying this to say that I have figured it out, because I am probably farther than anyone, but I have been able to step back from the situation and analyze it. That is something important, to be able to see the challenge in front of you, for this will to an extent help you get a better grasp on what you need to do to succeed. But through all the ups and downs, it is totally worth it, because " this thing" is something that will make me an all around better person.

Hey there everyone! My name's Victoria and I'm another first-time freshman blogger. I'm so excited to be writing about my college experiences this year! I am having so much fun here at TLU, getting to know the campus and the everyone here (I will admit that I spent a lot of time at the Welcome Week activities last week, just so that I could meet all of the other freshmen).

This past week has been full of getting acquainted with everything. There's a lot to get used to: new classes, new home, roommates, and learning to be an independent adult. It's a very different world, but I'm so excited that I am finally in college! I've learned so much already in my first week, and I know that before the end of the semester I'll learn many more lessons, too. Hopefully I'll be able to share them with you as I come across them!

The biggest thing I am working on right now is time management. I've been working on getting everything done in the time I have. The biggest goal I have right now is to work out my daily routine, including time for homework and the chance to just be me. Since I'm a dramatic media major as well I have the added challenge of fitting everything in around not only my class schedule, but also around our ensemble schedule as well. So to every student who is currently a senior in high school, make sure you can schedule and manage your time before you get to college. It will make your life so much easier!

More to come soon!

Victoria