My first semester of college has been filled with a lot of growth. This not only includes in my grades but myself as a whole as well. I’ve learned how to adapt in a completely foreign environment and how to make the best of it; especially in the middle of a pandemic. One skill I have adopted is time management. It has been fairly hard to keep up with classes and stay motivated during these times when students have limited chances to go out but over time, I have mastered setting goals and sticking to them. Some other skills I’ve acquired include teamwork and communication. These have evolved from interactive classes which included “breakout rooms” on Zoom. Within these groups, I learned how to cooperate, analyze, and perform critical thinking with other students to solve problems. Overall, I’m extremely grateful for having the chance to be able to live on campus and adjust to my first year of being an adult although very little events were in-person.
After completing the second semester of my freshman year, I can say that I have grown significantly in various aspects. Although the majority of my classes were online due to COVID-19, I have still acquired many useful skills. For example, through my chemistry and biology courses, I have gotten a few chances to go to labs and perform experiments which have furthered my interest in my career path. Through my anthropology and sociology courses, I have learned about the different ways in which the world functions and just how much diversity is present. By taking these complex courses, I’ve learned how to challenge myself, manage my time better, and transition from high school to college and adulthood. Moving forward from freshman year, I plan on becoming even more involved on campus. For example, I am hoping to participate in research starting the first semester of sophomore year. Research will help me amplify my critical thinking skills, develop relationships, and prepare for medical school by allowing me to familiarize myself with lab work. Moreover, it’ll give me experience in collaborating with a team as well as working independently. Taking everything into account, I am very happy with who I’ve become after this year as I feel more motivated to reach my goals!