Before I stay fixated on how large of a magnitude 1/8th is, let me recount everything that has been keeping me so busy my first semester and throw in some advice along the way.
August
College officially started at the end of August. After working an office job 40 hours a week over the summer, I was ready to roll right out of Chicago and once again become invigorated with school life. My only advice for people who are moving halfway across the country to go to school is to be organized. I'm telling you, it may not seem as though you have a lot of things, but beware: oftentimes, possessions multiply without you knowing.
In any case, orientation week was filled with meeting new people, and having a great time. Don't underestimate how much time you need to settle in, though. Know where you can do laundry, where you can shop for groceries, where the libraries are, how you could get to the nearest Target or Wall-mart if it isn't in walking distance. Knowing these things while you're not stressed about classes will save you time, sanity, and money. Target is just cheaper.
It's nice to use this time before classes to go exploring too! I went to New York during a long weekend and got to play with buildings:
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| *tilt* |
Classes officially started at the beginning of September. By this time I was sadly realizing that orientation week is one of the best things ever. Get to know everything about your classes, don't wait for people to tell you that you have an exam next week. Look up where and when your exams will be-- most schools have it on a syllabus, but if not, LOOK IT UP, really! It will make you feel happier when you know you have an exam rather than finding out a week before. Get a google calendar and put your schedule on it. READ THE SYLLABI for your classes as soon as you get them! Homework is often on there, and no one will tell you because they want to know if you are paying attention and actually care about the class. One thing I wish I would have done in September was to take the beginning of the year more seriously. Let's be honest, in high school, you spend the first week of classes settling in. In college, you start preparing for the next semester at least a week in advance if you don't want to go crazy later on.
October
The O in October started to stand for "overwhelmed". By this time, I had a part time job, was a mentor, was involved in a Wind Ensemble, was definitely not used to having this much work (even considering that I took a lot of hard classes in high school) and even so, the work itself is far harder. This is pretty much common sense, I won't deny it. But it is a sudden change. Don't get me wrong--it's lovely. Working hard and actually learning amazing, deep things is what I came here for, but if you're not prepared for it, your passion for things might dwindle to say the least.
November
This was the same as October. Except far more used to being overwhelmed. I ended up not going back home for Thanksgiving, eating pasta instead of turkey and mashed potatoes was interesting to say the least.
December
FINALS ARE WORTH A LOT. And if I needed any other distractions, I could always daydream about going back home in less than a month. Calculus, Physics, Biology, Problems of Philosophy, and Solving Complex Problems: done. I went back home and ate food, hugged my sisters mercilessly, and ate more food while mentally cursing my cooking abilities.
Here, January is Independent Activities Period, which means that you can take 2 classes at the most, and breathe a little bit before the craziness of spring semester rolls around. I'm designing and making a small wind turbine during this time in a group. :D
Now that I'm not completely clueless, I can say with enthusiasm:
Bring it, Spring Semester.
