Reflect on the Fall semester and the overall experience of your first semester at college.
Your First Semester
- Tell us how you have grown from the beginning of the semester to now.
At the beginning of the semester I was extremely nervous about how well I was going to adjust to my new environment. Ultimately I was able to challenge myself in ways I haven’t before and step out of my comfort zone. I am better at planning and I have become more independent when completing household tasks and studying.
- What were your expectations for this year? Did this semester’s experiences meet your expectations? Explain.
This year I expected to be uncomfortable because I have never taken a college level class before, so I didn’t know what to expect from professors. I also expected to find things on campus that would bring me joy throughout the semester so I wouldn’t become overwhelmed with only work. For example, I joined club cheerleading, group workout classes at the gym, and going to activity hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- What is something you wish you knew 14 weeks ago?
I wish that I would’ve known that some professors are nowhere as lenient with late work as high school teachers because all assignments matter. As finals are rolling around I wish that I would’ve built stable grades that I was happy with early and maintain them so my finals won’t be a determining factor of the grade I will get.
Study Habits
- How much time do you spend studying for each class now vs. at the beginning of the semester?
At the beginning of the semester I took out about an hour or 2 to dedicate to work, not so much study. Now I dedicate at least 3 hours everyday completing assignments and actually studying for exams.
- How have your study habits changed?
I have been going to different locations to study because I find myself doing other things in my room and more tempted to get off track. Now I use the webb center, the library, and batten to do my work and study because there I can’t just hop in the bed and take a nap.
- Tell us about a resource that you have used/learned about this semester that will assist you next semester.
The student success center in the back of the library was introduced to me this semester and I do plan to use it next semester. I have learned that it’s okay to go ask them for help and it really is in my best interest to go get help with my science courses I may be struggling with.
- What study habits/techniques will you use going into next semester?
I will try to give myself at least 1 week to study for a test or exam so I can be more prepared and comfortable with the content rather than cramming the last few days. Also I will utilize office hours for sure so I can directly ask for help since our lecture classes are so big.
Health Professions Learning Community
- This semester you were enrolled in at least SOC 201S, and HLTH 101. Many of you were also enrolled in CHEM 105N and CHEM 106N, and some of you were enrolled in HIST 104H with Professor White.
- On the surface these classes do not appear to be connected; however this semester each professor was intentional about drawing connections between content, and subjects discussed. Discuss the ways in which these courses are tied together.
Sociology and health professions are tied together because in both courses we learned about holistic medicine. In sociology we got the exact definition of the term but in health 101 we talked about how we have to take a holistic approach when treating patients. We also learned about conflict theory and how lack of resources can cause health problems for families and this results in bad oral health. Also dental care isn’t free so we were able to tap into the economic aspect of health professions and sociology.
Parallel Plan
- This semester we had presentations from different majors in the College of Health Sciences as well as from different majors on campus. This was to give you an idea for possible parallel majors to your current intended major.
- Which two other majors would you be most interested in? Why?
I would be interested in either health administration or criminal justice. I chose health administrations because that is the back up major if I would want to switch out of dental hygiene. I also chose criminal justice more so from my exposure from sociology because I enjoyed the course and he connected it to criminal justice throughout the semester.
- What benefit is there to having a parallel plan (or two) in place?
It is beneficial to have a back up plan/s because circumstances may change and you might learn things about yourself that could change your course. In addition to everything might not go as planned and you might realize that you’re stronger in a different area which could bring new opportunities.
- How could one or both of these two majors benefit your current intended major?
Health administration could benefit dental hygiene by improving patient care when you know how to retrieve and deal with patient records. Also, it gives you the opportunity to work in public health or even run your own dental practice because you understand how to manage paperwork and software’s.