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.

 This first semester has afforded me personal growth on my ability to manage life’s stresses, which are an integral part of the college experience. In overcoming the challenges of settling into a new academic environment, I focused on reducing the risks that stress posed to my health and grades. To minimize stress, I had to deliberately cope with the unfamiliarity from new responsibilities, studies, and time management. As for this semester though, I will learn from my flaws as I haven’t performed well in terms of managing my schoolwork and use of time. But In future semesters, my experience will enable me to know the best strategies that suit me and how to avoid certain pitfalls. In general, I’ve gained enough ability to resist stress and not let it interrupt my progress going ahead.

• What were your expectations for this year?

My expectations for my first semester of college were initially quite optimistic. I entered with the assumption that it would be a breeze, much like high school. However, the reality swiftly set in, and I realized that college demands a different level of commitment and effort. The transition proved more challenging than I anticipated, with a steeper learning curve and increased workload. Reflecting on this, I understand the need to recalibrate my expectations and approach for the upcoming semester. It’s clear that I must lock in, prioritize my academic responsibilities, and adopt a more proactive mindset. I’ve gained valuable insights from this initial experience, and I am determined to leverage them to enhance my academic performance moving forward. 

• Did this semester’s experiences meet your expectations? Explain

This semester’s experiences deviated significantly from my initial expectations. I entered college with the misconception that it would be a relatively easy transition, same to the high school experience. However, the reality proved to be quite different, as the workload and challenges surpassed my initial assumptions. College demanded a heightened level of dedication and effort, making it clear that the path to academic success is more intricate than I had initially envisioned. The increased workload and the complexity of assignments contributed to a level of stress that I hadn’t anticipated. This divergence from my expectations has been a valuable lesson, prompting me to reassess my approach and recognize the need for a more effective strategy in the coming semesters.

• What is something you wish you knew 14 weeks ago?

One thing I wish I had realized 14 weeks ago is the importance of changing my major and adjusting my classes while the opportunity was still available. Although the health field is undoubtedly fascinating with numerous rewarding prospects, I’ve concluded that it might not be the right fit for me. Originally majoring in nursing, as I delved deeper into the subject matter, I recognized that it wasn’t aligned with my true interests and capabilities. Unfortunately, the realization came after investing time in classes that I didn’t find fulfilling. This realization, coupled with personal struggles, including family issues and mental health challenges, made this semester particularly challenging. In hindsight, I understand that my initial choice was motivated more by financial considerations than genuine interest. It’s a lesson learned, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful decision-making in choosing a major to ensure a more fulfilling and less stressful academic journey.

Study Habits

• How much time do you spend studying for each class now vs. at the beginning of the semester? 

 Compared to how much time I used in the beginning of the semester, I study more now on my classes. At first, I had adopted a laid back mode letting tasks build up. The beginning of the semester was good but the courses became more difficult and rigorous as the semester progressed. This move compelled me to change my gear and use extra hours for autonomous study to make sense of the issues that I had not grasped during the classes. It was not easy to catch up with the other pupils in the school when it advanced, but I persisted knowing what would happen if I did not pay serious attention to my studies. Going forward, I will strive towards breaking down the habit of last minute preparation and dedicating enough time towards comprehensive studies during the next semester.

• How have your study habits changed?

The semester has helped me improve my study habits. In order to remain more focused I have concentrated on the necessary things only. Specifically, there is a noticeable adjustment in collaborative learning as I interact with my peers and see varied opinions and insights. It enhances my understandings as well as creating learning team approach. Moreover, I have gone further by posing my own questions and not taking all from other people and my teacher. Not only, this method has improved my understanding of the subject; it has also instilled in me some independence in learning. In general, these changes have helped me to study better and become more active and independent in my academic work.

• Tell us about a resource that you have used/learned about this semester that will assist you next semester.

This semester, I discovered the invaluable resource of online study groups. These virtual study sessions provided a collaborative platform where students from various backgrounds and majors came together to review course materials and share insights. Engaging in these study groups not only exposed me to diverse perspectives but also allowed for a more interactive and dynamic learning experience. It was beneficial to discuss challenging concepts with peers, and I found that explaining topics to others deepened my understanding. This resource not only enhanced my academic comprehension but also provided a sense of community and support. Recognizing its effectiveness, I plan to continue utilizing these online study groups in the upcoming semester as a valuable supplement to my individual study efforts.

• What study habits/techniques will you use going into next semester?

Heading into the next semester, I’m planning to refine my study habits and incorporate effective techniques to enhance my academic performance. Firstly, I intend to establish a consistent study schedule, allocating dedicated time for each subject to ensure a more structured and organized approach.  I’ll engage in collaborative study sessions with peers to gain diverse perspectives and reinforce my understanding of challenging topics. Additionally, I plan to implement active learning techniques, such as summarizing key concepts in my own words and teaching them to someone else, to deepen my comprehension. Setting specific, achievable goals for each study session will help me stay focused and track my progress. I aim to minimize distractions by creating a conducive study environment and taking regular breaks to maintain productivity. By combining these strategies, I hope to have a more effective and sustainable study routine for the upcoming semester.

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.

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• While on the surface, SOC 201S, HLTH 101, CHEM 105N, CHEM 106N, and HIST 104H may seem unrelated, this semester’s curriculum was intentionally designed to establish connections between these diverse courses. The professors demonstrated a deliberate effort to integrate content and subjects, fostering a more interdisciplinary understanding. For instance, the sociological perspectives introduced in SOC 201S had things that applied to analyze historical events discussed in HIST 104H. Meanwhile, concepts from CHEM 105N and CHEM 106N connected to HLTH 101, exploring the intersections between chemistry and health sciences. These intentional linkages aimed to provide students with a more understanding of various subjects and demonstrate the interconnectedness of knowledge across disciplines.

Parallel Plan

1. 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. 
2. Which two other majors would you be most interested in? Why? 

If I were to explore alternative majors, I would be most intrigued by Exercise Science and Medical Laboratory Science. Exercise Science captivates me due to its focus on the intersection of physical activity, health, and performance. I appreciate the approach to well-being and the potential to contribute to individuals’ overall health. On the other hand, Medical Laboratory Science appeals to me because of its emphasis on diagnostics and the essential role it plays in healthcare. However, I’ve come to the realization that the health field, in general, may not be the best fit for me. Nonetheless Exercise Science and Medical Laboratory Science would be my top considerations for their intriguing subject matter and potential for meaningful contributions to health and wellness.

• What benefit is there to having a parallel plan (or two) in place?

It is important to have a parallel plan that comes with many advantages during uncertainties or when things do not go well as planned. The first is that it gives an individual to have some level of fluidity and change in case their main plan gets roadblocks and hindrances. This flexibility is necessary for individuals and organizations to survive changing personal and organizational environments. Secondly, the culture of building contingencies is futuristic, enabling people to look ahead at multiple ways toward achieving success. For one, it is a way of controlling unforeseen events or situations that are unexpected and may derail the initial plan. Ultimately, providing a parallel plan gives the people an empowering feeling, allowing them not only to cope but also to face some uncertainty in a positive way as well as explore prospects for changing life-dreams to match their present desires more closely.

• How could one or both of these two majors benefit your current intended major?

Exercise science and medical laboratory science have their value to nursing as a profession. Exercises Science has information on wholistic health, which involves physical activity and total well-being. Such awareness makes people more aware on the prevention of health diseases and the impact lifestyle has on wellness. Incorporating exercise science into nursing would allow for all encompassing approach to patient care that will entail both health promotion and illness prevention. On the other hand, Medical Laboratory Science focuses on the techniques of diagnosis and the application and interpretation of laboratory tests. The inclusion of this discipline into the curriculum for nursing enhances analytic abilities and widening medical diagnostic skill. Finally, integrating Exercise Science and Medical Laboratory Science with Nursing provides holistic and knowledgeable approach, which includes preemptive healthcare techniques and skilled diagnosis in nursing practice.