Thoughts on College Life
The University world takes some getting used to, especially for the hesitant college student. I can't lie and say that the transition was a breeze and the classes were easy. On the contrary, I felt like I slaved away the fall and can't imagine having taken more than the thirteen credits I took last term. But college is worth almost every second of the work that it takes to learn.
I started the term dragging my feet out to the car, I remember thinking that it was a beautiful day and would be spent in a much more profitable manner if I were to stay home and garden, but no such luck my nine o'clock music class called.
The second day of classes I had philosophy (which I had predetermined to dislike) the first thing the professor told me was that I look "just like your sister" she was positive I would do well. An hour or so later I nervously entered Dr. B's office for my first college piano lesson. Dr. B asked how I liked school so far, I can't remember my reply, I'm sure it was a nervous answer. Her comment was that "Allison has done so well, I'm sure you will be just like her." I remember distinctly feeling a wee bit irritated by the references to my sister. It wasn't that I don't like my sister, or that I'm jealous of her success, merely that I felt threated my their surety of my success when I felt so insecure about my abilities.
The funny thing is, they were right. I did do well at school. The more assignments I turned in, the more excited I was about school. Granted I had to work hard and the work I did was less than perfect. But there is something exciting about seeing a paper marked up with suggestion on how to make it better. It's also exciting to realize how many resources are at your finger tips waiting for you to discover them.
The best part of college is the professors. The benefit of going to a small university is the ability to interact with the faculty outside of the classroom. It was encouraging to talk with professors and realize that they want their students to succeed and care about helping them understand the material that's being covered in class. All my Profs. this term were incredibly talented individuals who have a lot to teach, I'm blessed to have the opportunity to learn from them.
I have to say that the highlight of my term was either 1) going to the opera or 2) playing in the student recital. I've never considered myself the performer type, I don't like to be the center of attention, but I was pretty excited to play in the student recital. I can't remember how I played, I was on stage for about 2 min, but I came away feeling really good about how I did. My performance wasn't spectacular, but it was my first college recital, and I know what to expect for future recitals.
The opera was amazing. Allison managed to get a ticket from a student who canceled at the last minute so we went together. First came the trek to our vehicle at seven thirty in the morning with our opera gear which included two pairs of high heel black shoes, two ballgowns, and two black wraps. One has very few occasions to get all dolled up, we had to do it right, thus a back pack with cosmetics and mirror and hair stuffs was also brought along. Rather than following the prescribed routine for the morning, which had already been tampered with, we drove down Main St. and turned left before the park instead of after the park, that way we were closer to the point of departure later that afternoon.
The opera itself, well I didn't realize how incredible opera was. It is a full drama with an orchestral background and arias/recitative in place of the spoken dialog. My friend says that musicals top opera but there is something novel and quite honestly breath taking in an opera. Even from the third balcony the production was good, though I have to admit that the stage was an awfully long ways away from my seat. It was suggested that next time we bring a telescope, so that we can see the 'stars,' it's alright if you don't laugh at first it took me a while too.
All in all my first term was wonderful. In the middle of writing my research paper on Gregorian chant after several late nights working on said paper I proclaimed "I love school" at the time I meant it rather sarcastically, now I can say it with all sincerity. I'm almost convinced that a career as a full time student wouldn't be so bad. Although I think I'd rather have another job and take a class on the side as I find things that I'm interested in. I have to say that I'm not thrilled with the whole get a degree thing but I like taking classes. To all those hesitant college students out there, it's a lot of work, you do have to work hard, but it's worth all the work because you learn so much and get to interact with so many different people from day to day.
I started the term dragging my feet out to the car, I remember thinking that it was a beautiful day and would be spent in a much more profitable manner if I were to stay home and garden, but no such luck my nine o'clock music class called.
The second day of classes I had philosophy (which I had predetermined to dislike) the first thing the professor told me was that I look "just like your sister" she was positive I would do well. An hour or so later I nervously entered Dr. B's office for my first college piano lesson. Dr. B asked how I liked school so far, I can't remember my reply, I'm sure it was a nervous answer. Her comment was that "Allison has done so well, I'm sure you will be just like her." I remember distinctly feeling a wee bit irritated by the references to my sister. It wasn't that I don't like my sister, or that I'm jealous of her success, merely that I felt threated my their surety of my success when I felt so insecure about my abilities.
The funny thing is, they were right. I did do well at school. The more assignments I turned in, the more excited I was about school. Granted I had to work hard and the work I did was less than perfect. But there is something exciting about seeing a paper marked up with suggestion on how to make it better. It's also exciting to realize how many resources are at your finger tips waiting for you to discover them.
The best part of college is the professors. The benefit of going to a small university is the ability to interact with the faculty outside of the classroom. It was encouraging to talk with professors and realize that they want their students to succeed and care about helping them understand the material that's being covered in class. All my Profs. this term were incredibly talented individuals who have a lot to teach, I'm blessed to have the opportunity to learn from them.
I have to say that the highlight of my term was either 1) going to the opera or 2) playing in the student recital. I've never considered myself the performer type, I don't like to be the center of attention, but I was pretty excited to play in the student recital. I can't remember how I played, I was on stage for about 2 min, but I came away feeling really good about how I did. My performance wasn't spectacular, but it was my first college recital, and I know what to expect for future recitals.
The opera was amazing. Allison managed to get a ticket from a student who canceled at the last minute so we went together. First came the trek to our vehicle at seven thirty in the morning with our opera gear which included two pairs of high heel black shoes, two ballgowns, and two black wraps. One has very few occasions to get all dolled up, we had to do it right, thus a back pack with cosmetics and mirror and hair stuffs was also brought along. Rather than following the prescribed routine for the morning, which had already been tampered with, we drove down Main St. and turned left before the park instead of after the park, that way we were closer to the point of departure later that afternoon.
The opera itself, well I didn't realize how incredible opera was. It is a full drama with an orchestral background and arias/recitative in place of the spoken dialog. My friend says that musicals top opera but there is something novel and quite honestly breath taking in an opera. Even from the third balcony the production was good, though I have to admit that the stage was an awfully long ways away from my seat. It was suggested that next time we bring a telescope, so that we can see the 'stars,' it's alright if you don't laugh at first it took me a while too.
All in all my first term was wonderful. In the middle of writing my research paper on Gregorian chant after several late nights working on said paper I proclaimed "I love school" at the time I meant it rather sarcastically, now I can say it with all sincerity. I'm almost convinced that a career as a full time student wouldn't be so bad. Although I think I'd rather have another job and take a class on the side as I find things that I'm interested in. I have to say that I'm not thrilled with the whole get a degree thing but I like taking classes. To all those hesitant college students out there, it's a lot of work, you do have to work hard, but it's worth all the work because you learn so much and get to interact with so many different people from day to day.
posted by Bethany | 4:20 PM
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