Transition to college

What are you most excited about for your first semester of college?

Even though I have been in college for two years already, this is my first semester on campus and at ODU; so I am most excited about meeting new people and making real friends, and getting a college experience!

What do you expect to be your biggest challenge this semester? (Think about living on your own, time management, procrastination, making friends, etc…) 

The biggest challenge I think I’m going to face this semester is not going to be able to work at the bank while attending classes this semester. The bank was my favorite part-time job until I became a nurse, but now with a full-time class schedule, I can’t work an 8:30 am-5:45 pm shift anymore and I’ve had a job and depended on myself since I was 16 years old, now I’m 20, in college with no job and have to ask for help?!?!?!!? OHHHH NOOOO!!! This is going to be DIFFICULT!!!

What other time commitments will you have during your first semester (job, sports, student organization, etc…)

I am a part of the LLC so I will have to attend multiple organizational meetings and fun gatherings. And I am in the theatre experience course, so I have to attend all the plays ODU puts together.

About how many hours will you spend each week with these commitments?

Times will vary depending on what week it is, but I will say on average about 3 to 4 hours

How do you plan to balance all of these commitments?

Complete ALL ASSIGNMENTS/HOMEWORK FIRST then do activities after because the way I am, I will have so much fun that I will want to hang out after the activities and forget all about the assignments that I have due.

In high school, what clubs, organizations, or activities did you participate in, if any?

In high school, I was a part of the NSHSS- the national society of high school scholars and on the volleyball team

Is there a club or organization you plan to join this semester and what do you expect to gain from this experience?  If not, why not?

I am trying to join the national honor society here as well and I plan to gain the honor and integrity that it teaches.

Major/Career

What is your intended major and why did you choose this major?

My major is nursing, and I have chosen this major since I was 10 years old. I have always wanted to help others and nurses are the ones who are there for the patients through thick and thin, the good and the bad. I realized the impact that nurses make on people’s lives and the care and love that I have for people, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.

What skills or abilities do you possess that make this major/career a good choice for you?

Compassionate, caring, patient, dedicated, passionate, empathic

What experience, if any, do you have that relates to your chosen major/career?

I worked in very fasted paced organizations, and I worked in very accurate organizations which are all related to nursing because the Emergency Room is going to be fast-paced and extremely accurate. Working at the bank, I had to be very precise and accurate with money and counting. Working at Wawa, I had to move extremely fast bouncing all around the store, while maintaining professionalism and working with an array of personalities and dealing with multiple personalities and calming down situations while dealing with natural disasters and still putting my customers’ needs and safety first. All of this, without me even realizing it, was preparing me for my career path.

What are your career goals (in 5 years/in 10 years)?  

To be Charge Nurse of Sentara Norfolk General Emergency Room

Study habits

What do you expect to be the biggest difference between high school and college?

The amount of studying and homework and how much work you help you have in college.

Is there a difference between “studying” and “homework”?

Yes very much. Studying is exercising the brain to remember the material you were given/taught. Doing homework is just doing the assignment to get a grade that you can get the answers from anywhere without retaining any information therefore not learning anything.

List each class, and tell us how much time you expect to study per week for each class.

Chemistry lecture and lab : 3 hours each

Sociology: 2 hours

History: 3 hours MINIMUM- lots of reading needed for this course

Health professions-1/2 hours ( more hands-on assignments for this course)

Theatre Experience-2/3 hours

Where do you plan to study?

In my room, the study, or the library

What potential distractions can you anticipate?  

My roommate and her activities. And my surrounding, I get distracted easily lol

How do you plan to avoid these distractions?

The only way I can focus is if I listen to my music extremely loudly or if I study with multiple people, it makes no sense!

What time of day is your best time to study, and why?

Anytime works for me because when I tell myself to get up and do the work, it usually works.

What specific study techniques do you think work best for you?

Teaching someone else, rewriting, reteaching myself, or quizzing myself