I Completed My First Full Week in College: Here’s How It Went

I’ve been in college for over a full week now (9 days to be exact) and it’s been something like no other. I’ve already met so many incredible people, witnessed 2 wedding photoshoots, taken multiple naps, spent a large sum of money, and eaten way too much food. I also went face to face for the first time with actual college classes. Let me explain how it all went down:

Adjusting to the College Life & Schedule

College, as I’ve found out, possesses a quite flexible nature. Meaning you can virtually sleep and eat whenever you want—just keeping in mind your schedule of course. Being that I am in the honors program working with a science major, it is quite active and rigorous. I have classes everyday of the week (Monday-Friday), some days less than others. My earliest class is at 8:30 my last ending at 5:50. I space my meals out in between, and so far it’s went quite well.

My classes this past week had started on Tuesday (skipping over my Monday class). Even with that one day off, I've been through both my Chemistry and Biology lectures/labs, my Beatles class, International Relations class, and twice my photography class. Most covered the basics, introducing the syllabus, schedule, grading,etc., followed by some introductory assignments. However, with both my science courses, I already have a quiz coming my way, with hours spent on notes already.

I’ve found that writing my notes ahead of time have worked the best, that way I can have the best chance of writing my neatest, and gives me an opportunity to listen to the teacher explain the concepts instead of only utilizing the slides and outside practice problems. It also gives me the opportunity to add my personality to them, adding somewhat of my own flair to them to make it something that I will better remember. Chemistry especially is one subject of the sciences that has never really clicked with me unlike Biology; no matter how many times the same concept is taught to me, the subject itself still comes back as somewhat foreign (that’s why I am a Biology major, not a Chemistry major ). Luckily, I took AP Chemistry in the past year, so I have some familiarity with what's being taught. But some people haven’t taken a Chemistry course since their sophomore years of high school (similar to me not taken a recent Math course). And no one was kidding when they said professors go at a quick pace. We’ve already covered two chapters, and it hasn't even been an official full week of classes.

My Chemistry Notes

Although they are only introductory and basic fundamentals for chemistry, like significant digits and proper nomenclature of compounds, it's the stuff that I recall spending several weeks on in High School. I definitely anticipate this course in particular to be one of my most difficult classes.

Otherwise, for the rest of my classes, they are not as bad. For my Biology course we briefly started reviewing the first concepts, and I took some notes on the first chapter. Nothing to difficult just yet, and pretty much all things that I am somewhat familiar with. For International Relations, a course I took to fulfill my gen-ed requirements, I was given a basic comparative report on two different countries assigned to us at random. I got Malta and Central African Republic. The professor gave us an outline for what to include, and said we could fill in the blanks or type it up on the computer (the method I will do).

That leaves my two favorite classes, Photography and the Beatles. For Photography, we already learned a portion of early photographic history, some basic elements of how to work my camera, and given our first shooting assignment. The shooting assignment is not too complicated, asking us to take around 50 well-composed photos from 3-6 ft back. This is meant to be a basic assignment, especially to those in the class who aren’t as familiar. Although I have some experience, professional teaching is just what I need to boost my work to the next refined level.

My Beatles class is just what I wanted it to be, too. It explores the Beatles itself (their music, history, relationships,etc.) as well as the context of history as to why the Beatles reached the status they did. Some of the requirements besides mandatory scheduled readings, include listening to 3 full albums of their work, as well as making creative papers/projects around the impact of the Beatles work on our lives. As soon as I walked into the class, the Beatles was pouring out of the speakers, and when I finally sat down to read the syllabus I knew something right away: This class was definitely meant for me. I am really fortunate to have had the opportunity to go the earliest orientation because it gave me the chance to get priority classes, especially to this one in particular.

I also want to make a shout out to all my friends so far, they have truly enhanced my experience and allowed for me to adjust to this new lifestyle much easier. We’ve made multiple runs to Inkwell and Playa, had deep conversations, and shared many laughs. They are people I sincerely hope to grow even closer to, even with the possibility of evolving into lifelong friends. The same goes for my peer mentors as well.

Money,Money, Money

"I work all night, I work all day, to pay the bills I have to pay..." - ABBA

Quoting a lyric to one of my favorite ABBA songs, I am so fortunate to have had had the opportunity to work two jobs over the course of the summer. This allowed me to have somewhat of a cushion for what had occurred to me over this past week. During the summer, I rarely spent my money. I am the type of person to save as much as possible when I can, and make major purchases, such as clothes, every so often. Otherwise, I tried to save as much as possible.

In the past week alone I’ve spent alot of money on textbooks, a lab coat, goggles, and food. Amazon and Chegg are also some of my best friends in this intellectual climate. They have saved me sooo much money on textbooks than that of book store price. Free stuff is also an amazing option too! Everyone likes free stuff. With the help of my mom, we’ve found a desk organizer and TV stand for my suite alone, without having to spend a dime (physical labor not included).

Desk With Desk Organizer

Some Advice (So Far)

Although I have been involved college life for a very short amount of time, I want to provide some hopefully valuable advice that I figured could be useful, stemming from these early experiences.

The key word here is balance.

I’ve noticed how easy it can be, especially after being thrown into a brand new environment, how easy it is get overwhelmed, overworked, or just plain exhausted, especially with my course load. You really have to be on top of everything. Keeping a planner or assignment notebook is what I have found to help me so far. Any tool to keep yourself organized will put a step towards the right direction. Writing things down even as reminders is a good route as well. At least then you’ll have some recollection of what to do.

Put yourself out there (if you're comfortable enough).

At my college, although on the smaller side, is full of new interesting people. Even introducing yourself through small talk is a start. Understandably, we are all strangers in this new lifestyle, and some are less comfortable than others in outreaching to others. Music I’ve found is a great conversation starter, as it truly brings people together. People with similar music tastes might have other things in common with you, and can eventually lead to something.

Get involved/attend events:

My school has had so many different opportunities put out there. Especially being involved in the honors program, there is a huge line of activities to do. We so far had a hypnotist come to the school (he made me laugh beyond control), had BBQ’s and other meet-ups for our major group, movie nights, etc. And I anticipate their is much more to come, especially once I grasp some extracurriculars

I myself am only a small fish in the sea that college life is. The future is brighter than ever and I certainly cannot wait to live within it!

- Julian Rebelo

9/8/19