First Week of College Classes

Last Monday, August 24th, was the official beginning of my college career.

My UNIV100HON professor gave my class a discussion prompt about how college met or not met our expectations and where those expectations came from to begin with. I figured that I should sort of use that prompt for this blog post as well since I planned on writing about the first week of school anyway. 

My Mondays and Wednesdays are my most hectic days because I have three classes. I have UNIV100HON, COMP100HON, and ENGL115, which ends up me having to read and write a lot Sunday and Tuesday nights. So far it is still manageable, but mind you I already procrastinated the of the 30th doing homework for those three classes (which wasn't even brought up in class on the 31st).

On Tuesdays and Thursdays I only have MATH103 and ART124A, After two years of drowning in my math classes (Algebra 2 Honors Trig & Math Analysis Honors Calculus A), I finally feel at peace in my math class. I've forgotten what it's like to not lose my head over the first homework question. I also like how I finish my math homework fast and ahead of the class so then I have time to help my friends with theirs. In a way it's a way for me to review and keep practicing what I already know so I can master it. Also, it's like giving back for all those times I've messaged numerous people in the last two years asking for help. My art class is another story. I can draw semi ok, but my classmates' skills are just on a whole new level. I can't wait to see the progress I'll be making throughout this semester.

Unfortunately, I am required to take a Lab for my Math class and the only option for it to fit in my schedule is to have it on Fridays. It's only a 50 minute class but I wish I could have it on another day because then I'd be able to go back home on Thursday nights. 

Now let's talk about college meeting my expectations. First, let's all agree that every single high school teacher in this country have conspired to scare the crap out of every first time freshmen out there. I remember the night before the first day, I was so anxious. I read my professors' emails over and over, I packed and unpacked my bag again and again, and I read their syllabi at least a hundred times. I remember tearing up while face timing my mom and she thought it was because I miss her, which I do, but it was actually because I was so nervous and scared about college. High school was pretty easy to me and I guess I'm just so scared of failing college. I know deep within me that I am responsible enough and capable enough to pass my classes with flying colors even, but that fear of failure is just looming over my head. I blame it all to my previous teachers who would always talk about college classes and professors under a bad harsh light.

My school has over 40,000 students this semester so I was expecting to have those lecture halls in every Hollywood movie as my class, but I was dead wrong. My classes are actually smaller than my high school classes which is very fascinating considering I go to a Cal State. For 2/3 of my classes the student teacher ratio is 24:1. 

Unlike what I've been told multiple times, I am not just a number to my professor. My professors actually take the time to get to know us by name, they literally take their time looking at our faces, memorizing them, as they call out our names. Also, if you have questions or just want to have a one on one time with your professors, you are more than welcome to. Some of my professors even require that you meet them to talk about your papers and projects. 

I love having older people in my class. I feel like I learn more during discussions if there's an older person in my class versus when it's made up all freshmen. Hearing about their experiences and just their perspective on things is fascinating. It makes me think 'would I have the same experience?' 'would I see it that way too once it happens to me?'

Most importantly, although not really that important, but is actually pretty important... College food is nothing like high school cafeteria food. I honestly would take all the people I know to eat with me at the restaurant here at the housing if I could. I mean, we're talking unlimited frozen yogurt over here.