On average, I spend  around 30 hours a week studying for my classes. In my opinion, I feel as though I need to spend more time studying for certain classes more than others. I say this because some of my classes (Music, Chemistry, Sociology, etc) require retention on more materials compared to other classes (Lab, HLTH101, etc.). In chemistry, there are alot of prefixes, periodic table trends, and so much more to remember. Then in my music in culture and history class, we are required to know terminology that helps us in listening activities, important dates of different periods, composers, and so much more. This is why I feel as though I need to spend more time on different classes compared to others where the workload is not as extreme. The places I study most frequently is either the Perry library or in my own room. I find studying in the library is more beneficial for me because the library for the most part is quiet and not as distracting as my room/my own home. When I am at home, I find myself distracted by any electronics or even my own family. My family tends to be loud or rowdy and playing the television too loud. So when I am in the library, I make the most out of my time there. The best way for me to remove these distractions is to move to a more quiet location. If I can not move to a more quiet location, I find that listening to music on my Spotify helps me focus.. I feel as though I feel alert and focused around the early afternoon time of day. I say this because if it is too early in the morning (when I first wake up), I will still be half asleep in a way, and obviously when it is too late in the day I will be actually too tired to focus. 

 I think that flashcards and study groups are specific study techniques that work best for me because I find them the most efficient. For me, collaborating with others who have the same struggles  as you help when trying to study/learn materials.For example in chemistry lecture, I tend to utilize the study group technique to help me in any material(s) that I may be struggling with. In my opinion, I think my specific study techniques apply to all my classes because it is a very flexible technique that I can use all the time. I have not tried any new study techniques this semester because I am content with the ones I utilize already. 

College is not what I expected, I have heard from peers older than me how the daily life of a college student goes, but I had to experience it for myself in order to truly understand. It really is a different feeling/ environment being in college because you are truly on your own being somewhat an independent. I have learned that I either have to be on top of things, or else I will be left behind. In highschool, there was still some time to push things back or make things up past the due date. In college, chances like those are now very limited. What has surprised me so far about college is how attendance is taking for a grade. One would think after paying all this money to be in classes that attendance is up to the person who paid for it, and not a grade that makes it appear to be somewhat mandatory. The toughest challenge for me as a commuter is the weather. I don’t like to drive but I live relatively close to ODU where I feel as though it would be a waste of money to live on campus or in a dorm. So when it rains, Norfolk floods very easily so I feel as though it is not safe for me to drive. Then I also wonder is it worth driving in hazardous conditions to listen to a lecture that does not benefit me as well as my notes do? Which ties into attendance being a grade aspect because I want to put myself in potentially hazardous conditions for a grade? On the other hand, an easy thing about commuting is that sense of independence once again. One challenge I have encountered this semester is staying motivated. Sometimes I procrastinate easily or just have 0 motivation to do anything. A resource provided by ODU to assist me with this challenge are the various mentors/advisors provided to me. Talking wih them can help me find the drive I need and potentially provide me with opportunities to help me stay on track. There have been so many friends/ anyone in the ODU community who has helped me so far this semester. Whenever I have any questions someone is always there to answer it and has set me in the right direction in general. I have not attended an interest meeting for a club. I feel as though as a commuter I do not have time to balance school work with a social life on campus. If I lived on campus it would have been a different story but, commuting is already a stress by itself.