Study Habits

What classes are you doing well in, and why? 

I am doing well in my Hlth 101, Soc 201S, and Chem 106N. I am doing well in my Hlth classes because there is only one assignment per week and I find that to be very manageable. My sociology class has also been relatively mild in assignments so I find it easy to keep up with the work and make sure that they are done with my absolute effort. In my Chemistry lab I excel because I can follow instructions very well and most of the work is relatively easy since most is done with a partner. 

What classes did you identify as needing assistance in? 

I need assistance in my statistics class simply because I struggle with test taking with math. I understand the concepts and receive 100% in almost all my homework but  once I get to the test my mind goes blank and I struggle to recall everything. 

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

I have started to spend more time at the library with a friend group I’ve made so that I can be more productive. This strategy has helped me gain a support system of friends in the same or similar classes so that I can ask for help. The study sessions also allow me to be at my peak productivity since we keep each other accountable and on top of our work. In total I’ve spent at least 5 hours a day in the library. 

Transition to College

What expectations did you have coming to college? 

I expected college to be a lot more challenging than high school since that is what all my teachers advertised. However, during my high school years I took almost all AP and DE classes. I expected to not be able to have a social life at all since I struggled with balance during highschool. 

Have those expectations come to fruition, or not? 

My expectations have partially come to fruition since I am feeling the pressure and stress of getting perfect grades. However, I also have a lot more free time which allows me to socialize with friends and family. 

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

Our college schedule definitely depends on you as a person. In high school I was used to having set classes and set schedules that I followed. However, in college your schedule is dependent on your needs and wants. 

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

I was surprised by how quickly I developed a friend group. I usually am a social person but I have never made friends as quickly as I have this semester. 

If you commute to class: What is the toughest challenge with commuting to campus? Easiest challenge to overcome?

The toughest challenge would definitely be finding parking on campus after 11AM. I usually park in the Elkhorn Garage, but that is almost impossible after 11AM. I once came around 10:45 to park and go to my 11AM chemistry class, but I couldn’t find parking. I had to park all the way to the constant center and then run to my class. The easiest challenge that I have overcome would be learning the traffic patterns. I live about 8 minutes away from campus. However, sometimes in the morning, the roads are packed with traffic. This makes my commute almost 20 minutes long. But the next day I leave 20 minutes earlier and suddenly there is no traffic at all. To be safe I have simply taken to leaving 20-25 minutes before the start of my morning class since I do not want to wake up earlier but also be a few minutes earlier. 

Major

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

For my major I did not know that a grade of 80 and below is considered a failing grade. 

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

My thoughts have not changed, but I do have concerns. I am worried about meeting my own standards. I have always put a lot of pressure on myself to try better. However, when I don’t meet those sets of standards it really shatters my self-confidence. I’m just worried that if I don’t succeed in the program then I might not recover. 

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

I am interested in maybe getting a minor in communications or in public health since I have a lot of credit hours to fill. 

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 challenge I faced this semester was managing my class work since I struggled finding which ones were my priority. If I needed help with this I would go to the Student Success Center to talk to an academic coach to help handle my classwork. 

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? 

My main friend group has helped me a lot with my school work since we all have the same classes. This allows us to share our thoughts and support each other when needed. Personally they help me complete assignments and help with studying for class exams. 

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

I have not attended a meeting for a club but I was offered to join the pool club. I, however, decided to not get involved since the club hours would limit my studying time. For me studying time takes priority. 

Themester: Sustainability (Environment)

What new sustainable practices have you learned about so far this semester (think back to our guest speakers Dr. Hawkins and Dr. Hoglund!)?

I have learned that to live sustainably people need access to education about sustainability. People are not born understanding their impact on the environment. 

What sustainable practices would you like to begin participating in?

I would like to begin making my own reusable daily items to limit the amount of plastic used in my daily life. 

Is there anything more you would like to learn about sustainability for the rest of the semester?

I would like to learn more about sustainable appliances that I could use in my life, especially since a lot of appliances nowadays are harmful to the environment.