I have learned some serious lessons as well as some not so serious lessons this semester. Some of the more serious lessons were how to fix a friendship and how to be courageous in the face of adversity. My first semester at college was not what I was expecting. I expected to come to college and study and I wouldn’t have any problems. Life does not work like that and so my first semester was a little less perfect than I expected it to be. Overall, my first semester here was quite good.
1) How were classes?
Classes were mostly fun. I only had one class that I did not want to go to. That class was Chemistry 101 which I think is the most boring class I have ever taken in my life. You really should think about signing up for Chemistry and not just do it because your advisor told you to sign up for it (make sure you have the necessary background knowledge of the subject before taking it). A hint is to look at the prerequisites. I really liked one of my English classes since we talked about poetry and literature by writers and poets such as Elizabeth Barrett Browning, William Wordsworth, and Matthew Arnold. English 101 was kind of boring and you had to write a lot of papers. I had a teacher that was boring and wouldn’t look at us in the eye when he spoke. Take what you would enjoy in college (but take challenging classes with a challenging teacher instead of a class in which you do not have to work hard for a good grade) and what you need to graduate.
2) What about friends?
Someone once said to me you learn who to trust and who you want to spend time with in college. I have made some good friends with a bunch of different interests. One friend likes to cook and she is a nutrition major. Another friend is a Zoology major and loves animals. My best friend is a business major and he likes watching videos of Michael Jordan back in his playing days in Washington and Chicago. In college, you learn who you can trust. There were some people who I never became friends with at all such as this classmate of mine who would always blow me off whenever we were supposed to do anything. For example, we were supposed to study for an exam and he blew me off because he was at Taco Bell. Let’s just say we are not friends. I think you shouldn’t fear when you get to college that you won’t have any friends because you will make friends. Note: do not trust everybody in college since they are complete strangers when you meet them.
3) Shout out to Student Safety and Teachers
I think those who work to ensure student safety deserve to be mentioned. These people include the police here at NC State, fellow students who stand up against violence to women and men, and the amazing people who work at the women’s center or in crises/emergency centers. Also, a shout out goes to out to those who organized Take Back The Night and all the volunteers and everyone involved with Take Back The Night. Also, a shout out goes out to the teachers everywhere and specifically at NC State who challenge us, help us to reach new levels of hard work and effort and success, and make us better lifelong students (who are always learning something and trying our best even though we may not be in a classroom). Also, thank you to these teachers for challenging us and giving us difficult exams so that we would study even harder. Thank you to teachers for never giving up on us and continuing to push us to reach our full academic potential. I am deeply thankful for teachers. You teachers are heroes and I thank you.
4) Stress, Final Exams, and Worrying About the Future
I was not that stressed. I learned that I really had to stay organized and stay on time with my assignments. My final exams were not that hard because I studied and reviewed a lot before the reading days and before the week formerly known as “dead week.” I also wouldn’t worry about the future because the future will happen whether you like or not. Make you sure you have great family and friends and work hard to keep your relationships. Also, try your best and your interests will come along. Eventually, you will know what you want to major in and what career you would want. Remember, the career you choose does not have to be the career that you end up with all your life. Basically, do not freak out if you have doubts about your future career.
5) The Dining Halls: Was it Yummy or Yechh?
The dining halls are really good. I love their Anaduile sausage which is excellent. Their chocolate chip cookies are amazing. Their food is quite good. However, remember to eat healthy and with moderation. Someone once said something funny about getting too much food. This person said “do not let your eyes get too big for your stomach.” This means do not get so much food just because it looks good and you want to eat the food if you are not going to be able to eat all of the food you got.
6) What about the freshman fifteen?
I actually did not get the freshmen fifteen. I actually managed to lose weight. I played soccer and ran. I also walked to every class. I tried to eat healthy with a few chocolate chip cookies and some cake every now and then. If you do not want to gain weight, then don’t drink alcohol because alcohol increases your weight. I would say that if you eat healthy, exercise a healthy and moderate amount daily, and get a good night’s sleep then you will not be affected by the freshman fifteen.
7) Sports teams at N.C. State: Hall of fame or average athletes?
I actually never went to go see a sports team. I really don’t care about sports at NC State. I care about the NBA and International soccer. I just don’t care much about sports at NC State…but I know that’s not the case for everyone!
8) What is the most interesting that has happened to you at NC State? Most weird?
My soccer ball actually blew up (for some unknown reason) while I was playing soccer and that is probably the weirdest thing that has happened to me here at NC State. The most interesting thing was meeting my friends and just hanging out.
9) What is your most memorable moment?
I would say that my most memorable moment this semester was when I went to Take Back The Night and it was amazing because it was such a amazing atmosphere and I think NC State should take more appreciation for safety and work to make our campus safe for all women and all men.
10) What about the parties at NC State?
I didn’t go to any parties and I didn’t want to. I am against going to parties. Going to parties takes time away from your studies and trust me that your grades will suffer. I would rather do something worthy of my time like play soccer, study for my classes, or watch a movie with a friend.
P.S.
Shout out and thanks to the person who drew the picture of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. outside of the Freedom Expression Tunnel.