My College Experience: My First Days Of College

The image of my mom walking away after the farewell ceremony is forever engraved into my mind. Her face red from crying—as was mine— as she was one of the last parents to leave as we both attempted to prolong her departure. I knew I would see her the following weekend, but I had never been away from my mom for more than three nights and I was about to spend a whole week, six nights, apart from her. This is how my college experience began. College has proven to be life changing compared to high school as I am no longer in the comfort of my home and in the presence of my mom; I have also had to adjust to changes in the time I spend in class and studying, and had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with resident assistants whom I can confide …show more content…
A particular change I have found to be positive is spending more time studying than in class. I love having more homework than class time, because I work well at my own pace and appreciate having due dates ahead of time: I love to complete work well before it is due. My first week of college, I was given the block journal assignment and have worked vigorously to complete all of my reading journals before the end of September. I am currently on my last book, Shadow and Light, and read and journal every time I have a spare minute. In high school I attended five classes that were held at the same time every day that would begin at eight in the morning and conclude at three in the afternoon. On Mondays and Fridays, I have class only from noon to two in the afternoon; On Tuesdays and Thursdays I am in class from nine-thirty till around two. I then have the rest of each day to work on homework. I have more coursework in college because of the credit hour system: for a three credit hour class, every hour in class is complemented with about three hours of study. However, last night, I spend four hours alone studying for my first psychology exam. If I study more, I am more likely to succeed, so the amount of credit hours is a rough estimate. I may have more homework due to having less class time; however, I would rather study for hours than spend those hours in …show more content…
The first floor of Shupe has confiding resident assistants, Maddy and Jen, who I have entrusted when I am struggling with being away from home. During my first night in Shupe, I sobbed ceaselessly for hours of lying in bed while attempting to fall asleep. After two hours, I walked to Maddy’s room and asked to speak to her in private while trying to hold back my tears. I told her that I wanted to go home and commute instead of live on campus and she gave me a big, comforting hug while sympathized with me as I cried even more. She said she would pray for me and for what God has planned for me. It is comforting to know that I have resident assistants who will pray for me. While I have continued to live on campus, because of this experience I know I can trust my resident assistants. In addition, they both work hard to include all of Shupe’s first floor in numerous meals and activities. Jen asked me during the second week of school to join a group of girls for dinner one evening and after dinner invited me to her room to study as both of our roommates were elsewhere. I had a wonderful time talking with her and forming a trusting relationship while reading An Exploration of Christian Theology. I am excited to continue to fellowship with loving people, such as Maddy and Jen. While I have journeyed through class and