Reflect on the following: 

Study Habits

• What classes are you doing well in, and why? 

I am performing well in Sociology, Music in History, and Interpreting the American Past. This is because I am actively engaged in taking notes and completing my homework regularly. The teachers frequently assess our progress, which provides me with plenty of opportunities to improve my grades. I have excelled in Interpreting the American Past because my teacher allows us to make corrections which helps me better understand the lessons.

• What classes did you identify as needing assistance in? 

I need an assistance in intro to chemistry. I have been doing the homework, watching my teacher’s lectures after classes, taking notes in class and on my own, but I’m still not seeing the results I want. Could really use some assistance in that class. 

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

Since the first few weeks of classes, I have changed many of my studying habits. I used to create flashcards and memorize them, but I don’t have the time anymore. Instead, I have been visiting the library on the second floor and studying independently in the corner by watching the lecture. However, I still enjoy studying in my personal study room with my mentor on the first floor of my dorm. 

I have been relying on my mentor a lot lately, as she has provided me with a lot of useful tips on how to manage my time more efficiently and study smarter. Additionally, I have been attending chemistry tutoring sessions right after my lab class. While I find the tutor to be helpful at times, other times I think it might be better to stay in my dorm and study with my friends.

Transition to College

• What expectations did you have coming to college? 

When I started college, I was enthusiastic about learning, making new friends, and having unforgettable experiences. I was eager to dive deeper into dental hygiene and determine if it was the right career for me. I was excited to meet my roommate and form a strong bond with her. I also looked forward to meeting new people in my dorm hallway and making new friends. Additionally, I was excited to continue playing soccer for fun. I wanted to play intramural indoor soccer and make unforgettable memories with my teammates.

• Have those expectations come to fruition, or not? 

My expectations have been fulfilled, which is wonderful to see. My Health Profession class has made me extremely excited about my dental career. We get the opportunity to listen to former students and even professionals who come in to speak about their lives and careers and how they achieved success. My roommate and I are close friends and we enjoy doing things together. I have also made many friends in the hallway. We often go to dinner and then come back to study or hang out in each other’s rooms. My intramural soccer team is very inclusive, and we usually hang out outside of our sport. Sometimes, we watch movies, cook, and study together. 

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

During my first semester at college, I expected to have complete control over my class schedule and preferred timings. I quickly realized that my options were limited because I was a freshman and lacked credits. This was disappointing, but it helped me understand the system better. For the upcoming semester, I will avoid scheduling classes at 8 a.m. since I realized I don’t enjoy waking up early.

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

It’s surprising how well I’m adjusting to college. I’ve been able to balance my schoolwork and social life, and surprisingly, I do not miss home as much as I thought I would. Perhaps that’s because college is starting to feel like home. 

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

Moving away to college has been quite challenging, especially when it comes to doing laundry efficiently. Unlike at home where I had the washing machines all to myself, at college, I have to share two laundry machines with other students. This means that I have to rely on others to be responsible for their laundry and make sure that they change their laundry on time. Despite this, I am learning to adjust and manage my time better, so that I can get my laundry done without any unnecessary delays. As of now, I have found that doing my laundry at midnight on weekdays is the best way to avoid the crowds and complete my laundry quickly.

Major

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

I have learned that my major is quite expensive to start with. There are various equipment and textbooks that need to be purchased, but it’s good to know that I won’t have to buy them again once I have them.

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

I am still very interested in pursuing my intended major in dental hygiene. However, I’ve realized that achieving success in this major and obtaining acceptance into the program requires planning. I need to learn how to manage my study time efficiently so that I am better prepared for the challenging courses that are a requirement for my major. My mentor has emphasized that the dental hygiene major requires a lot of hard work and that I should start improving my study habits in preparation for this.

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

In terms of choosing another major or minor, I haven’t given it much thought yet. However, I did take a class called Teacher Cadet back in high school to learn more about becoming a teacher. I really enjoyed the class and felt like it could be a potential path for me, so I’m considering pursuing something in early childhood education.

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. 

During the semester, I faced an issue with my chemistry course. I did not perform well in the subject, so I attended the office hours held by my teacher, which helped me to some extent. Additionally, I have been using the services of a chemistry tutor, which has also proven to be beneficial.

• 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? 

Throughout college, I have been fortunate to receive tremendous support from various individuals who have assisted me with my academic and personal growth. Among these individuals, my mentor in the health profession has been the most influential. In addition, my Resident Advisor (RA) has played a significant role in my experience on campus. He has taught me how to use my student card and has guided me on how to navigate around the campus. 

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

I attended an interesting meeting for the chess club, but I felt a little intimidated, so I did not pursue it further. Instead, I joined intramural soccer and dodgeball, and I’m having so much fun that I don’t regret my decision. However, I might consider doing chess next semester.