Photo reblogged from UConn Things with 25 notes
submitted by kelkar22
Represent.
Source: uconnthings
Well…
Another semester comes to a close. It’s been quite a year, just looking at where I was last year, I’ve come quite a long way. If you knew me then, you might have noticed a difference (or not, it’s really whatever), and if you didn’t know me, then it’s probably for the best, and I’m glad you’re getting to know me now.
For the record, I’d probably say that no matter what. Whatevs.
What this year has been for me:
- Learning to study hard… like, really. I’ve realized that I NEVER studied anywhere near this much in high school (or even during freshman year, and you can tell by my grades between last year and this one) and I’m kind of regretting that now. That’s probably why I want to change my major so much, just to have a fresh start and hit the ground running like I should. Granted, there’s a certain amount of learning from my mistakes that I can do on the fly, but I think it’s beyond repair at this point. Also, engineering sucks. My two “engineering” classes this semester are so drastically different in how they’re taught - one I can struggle through and by understanding basic principles do very well on the exams and projects, but if you gave me any of the homework assignments and told me my life depended upon getting the correct answers, I’d be hopelessly frustrated to no end. The same thing is happening in Dynamics… except I’m notdoingsowell in that one. The professor is a jerk for the most part, and as a whole, I’m not learning anything besides the ability to cope with frustration and eventually realize when something is not right for me.
- Pouring my heart and soul into two separate organizations, and now growing closer to a 3rd (welcome, UCRE). I always end up getting bored at the start of the semester and try taking on something new, and then my coursework picks up and bites me in the ass. However, I think this is a pretty good balance for a while, and I certainly won’t run short of things to do, either during the year OR during the summer.
- Understanding that things don’t always go my way. Especially this semester. I’ll have to do more accurate calculations, but I’ve spent about 6 combined weeks this semester with some kind of sickness, whether it’s a cold that just won’t go away, bronchitis, or a sinus infection. I was back to 100% for about 2 weeks and got sick again this past weekend just in time for finals. I don’t know what I had this past weekend, but it was pretty short but intense while it lasted. Needless to say, I need to shift my priorities to caring for myself more, a challenge I’ll gladly take on during the summer. But even through how much I’ve been set back, some really good things have happened: earning leadership positions within the UCMB, Trilambs, and UCRE, and meeting a ton of awesome people through those groups.
Essentially, I’ve spent this year coming into my own and learning to be comfortable with growing into myself. I look around everyday and see so many people who have “got it together” so to speak, and although sometimes I wish that I could be like them, I know that it’s worthwhile to stick it out and be like me. I can really thank my friends, if I’ve spent any sort of time with you, you’ve helped me define who I am without realizing it. So, now that I’ve told you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Part of me is really looking forward to about 2 hours, 39 minutes from now when I can blast “the dog days are over” then take about 100 hours worth of naps to make up for the lost sleep brought on by this semester. I won’t, but the option is there which makes all the difference. The other part, the part I tend to listen to more, is excited for when I get back to school, seeing my friends’ faces as they move in and prepare for preseason, as we all work together to create the best band UConn/the country has ever seen. And if and only if everyone feels the same way, we will. Until then, peace out sophomore year, it’s been real.
