This year has been quite the change. I’ve really enjoyed most of my classes. I take away small things here and there like “friends don’t let friends plant bamboo.” I’ll never forget that. I think learning in one of the enr lectures that we are the ones with the power to change things at OSU was pretty impactful. It encouraged me to look into more ways to get involved and make an impact on campus.
With classes, I actually felt like I was less overworked than in highschool. In high school, I put so much pressure on myself to get As on everything, so that it would look good to colleges, but now that I’m in college, it feels like I can give myself a little more leeway. One B isn’t the end of the world and because of this I’m just much less stressed and I think it helps me study more.
I think the biggest change was socially. I’m used to seeing the same people in every class pretty much and knowing almost everyone. I’ve realized I really have to work at maintaining relationships with people by establishing routines with them. It also feels like most classes are not conducive to meeting people, so that pushed me to get more involved in clubs. My favorite is the student growing collaborative because I love the people and I feel like I learn a lot. We watch documentaries on agriculture and how it pertains to the environment. I did a seed saving workshop with them where we actually got to take seeds home and it was really cool to learn about because seed saving is so important to preserving crop diversity and thus food security. They did a compost tea workshop and a host of other fun, social events. Also, every time my friend Bekah and I walk into a meeting, the president greets us with “hey queens” and it’s just very welcoming. I think my favorite memory would have to be one of the first weeks of school, Anthony, Bryan, Anna, and I all went to a silent disco and stayed out late talking and it was just really nice.
It has also been a big adjustment switching to online learning. I feel really overwhelmed and tired all the time. Normally, I would have a speech like once a month, but I’ve had one each week for the last three weeks and I have another this week. I’m kind of just confused why my communications teacher chose this. I also have midterms a week before I have finals and my calendar is honestly scary. I’m also very disappointed because I was so excited to go to Ecuador this summer and work on a forest restoration project in the Amazon and now I can’t go. However, I’ve figured out a fun alternative. I am now going to be working at a chestnut farm in Ashland once school is over. It’s much closer to home and my best friend is doing it with me, so it’s not a total loss. I’ve noticed in college and I think it stems from my high school experience, I feel that if I’m not working at/or towards something, I’m falling behind. I feel a lot better now that I have something to look forward too, but I really miss breakfasts with Bekah and Morril events with Bryan. However, I’ll keep working and striving towards my goals.
Next year, I am looking forward to having more experience under my belt, seeing my friends, and learning what I came to learn about.
Next year, I am looking forward to having more experience under my belt, seeing my friends, and learning what I came to learn about.