Reflect on the following: 

Study Habits

What classes are you doing well in, and why? 

I am doing well in Elementary Statistics. This is because I find math easier and can apply what I learn in class to my everyday life, homework, and exams. I am also doing well in my European History class because since history rarely ever changes, it is easy to study and remember what is happening. 

What classes did you identify as needing assistance in? 

I am definitely struggling in sociology, I just do not like the way the teacher particularly teaches and with all of the different concepts it is harder to remember which is which and how everything applies. I am also struggling with chemistry, chemistry has never made a lot of sense to me and doing the work and remembering what rules go with what is difficult and stress me out. 

What changes have you made (i.e. amount of time, location, campus resources, study strategies, etc…)?

I have made changes in how hard I try on the homework and how many practice problems I try. I find that when I really apply myself on the homework I can get that extra practice in and really learn and understand the content. Also, when I do the extra practice problems, I get even more of an understanding and retain the information better. 

Transition to College

What expectations did you have coming to college? 

I did not really hold many expectations coming into college, however, I did expect to have more free time. A lot of my older friends said they had a bunch of free time while they were in college. I feel as if I do not have this free time at all, I am constantly doing homework or studying. 

Coming into college, I did not think 

Coming into college, I did not think that I would have to study this hard. 

Have those expectations come to fruition, or not? 

These expectations did not come true. 

How?

I am constantly having to study because if I do not understand the material I will fail the tests. This is new to me because I am so used to never having to study and just getting good grades. 

In what way is your college experience different from what you expected?

My college experience is different from what I expected because I thought the school work would just come naturally to me and it really is not. I have to work for my grades. 

What has surprised you about your experiences so far this semester?

One thing that has surprised me is I thought me and my roommate were going to be best friends. We are good friends, but definitely not best friends. I was not expecting this because we do have a lot in common, I just think that since our schedules are so different it is hard for us to find time for each other.

If you live on campus: What has been your toughest challenge with moving away to college? Easiest challenge to overcome?

The toughest challenge I have faced since moving away from home was not being able to see my sister and brother-in-law everyday. They are easily some of my favorite people ever, leaving them has been hard because I am extremely close with them and would see them every single day. The easiest challenge to overcome has been making friends. At first I thought it was going to be difficult, however, after the first week or two, I really started connecting with a few people and made really good friends. 

Major

Name something you have learned about your intended major that you did not know at the beginning of the semester.

Something that I did not know about the dental hygiene major is that they were getting a new facility. This is exciting because I am so passionate about the dental field and I am excited to hopefully learn in the brand new facility. 

Have your feelings changed about your intended major? List some thoughts you are having.

My feelings have not changed towards dental hygiene. I am having some second thoughts about applying and getting in. With the limited spaces in the program, it is hard to not worry about getting in. But I know that if I apply myself and really work towards my goal, I will get into the program. 

Is there another subject (major or minor) that you are interested in learning more about? 

A minor I was really interested in was Spanish, but I will not have enough time to finish it before the dental hygiene program starts. That was a little upsetting to me because I think Spanish is so good to know in the real world and work setting. I have to pick up a new minor, but have not put much thought into what I will pick.

Connecting to Campus

Name one problem or challenge you have encountered this semester, and which resource(s) at ODU you have/can utilize to assist with this situation. 

One problem I have encountered this semester is making time for all my schoolwork and doing well on all of it, especially papers. At ODU I can utilize the writing center in the library to help make my papers stronger. 

Is there a friend, roommate, professor, advisor, or group in the ODU community who has helped you so far this semester? If so, how did they help you? 

Yes, my friend Alisa is a nursing major in the learning community. We always study together and make time to make sure we both understand all the individual classes. This is great because it pushes me to do well in my classes and really strive for my grades. 

Have you attended an interest meeting for a club? Why did you decide to get involved or not get involved?

I have not attended an interest meeting for a club, but I did go through fall recruitment and joined a sorority. I joined Pi Beta Phi and I am so excited to help out with the philanthropy events and make close, everlasting friendship.