Hi Yorktown!
I’ve been at SUNY Oswego for almost two weeks now, and I absolutely love it. College is completely different than high school. It’s like night and day. The move in experience is interesting – sweaty, tiring and full of lifting heavy boxes and trying to find spots for everything you own. Saying goodbye to friends and family is not a fun time at all, but communication via Skype, Facebook and the phone makes that transition easier.
The first few days are interesting; trying to meet new people and get to know them, learning the ins and outs of your dorm and dining halls, finding your classes, “meeting” your professors… the list goes on and on.
I am currently taking five classes; Introduction to Mass Media, Foundations of Communication, Astronomy, Public Speaking and American Studies. I love learning more about communication skills and advancing my skills in that field. The lecture hall classes have anywhere between 200 to 300 kids… kind of intimidating considering our YHS 2012 graduating class was just over 300. It takes more determination to keep your focus where it should be with all the distractions, but it’s a necessary thing.
Living with a ton of other teenagers is also something that takes getting used to – which seems to be the theme of this period in my life. Having a fire drill at 7:30 a.m.the other morning before class was not something I think I can get used to however…
Being on my own is a new experience as well. To succeed in college, I believe one need to be their own advocate; speak up when you need help, ask questions, get and take advice and stay true to yourself. You can’t be afraid to speak up.
I live in an all freshmen dorm which is a huge benefit; everyone is encouraged to leave our doors open so that people can come in and out to talk and introduce themselves. We have RA’s and RM’s. Our Resident Mentors are upperclassmen who have been trained to help us with anything, mostly just to talk to us whenever we may need someone. We need 10 hours of community service per semester to live in this hall, as well as pass our College Success Class.
Oswego was once named the second best sunset in the world, I do not actually know if this is true, but it is beautiful. Being that I love photography, the sunsets are a gift. I love going down to the lake with my camera and taking some shots (see above). It’s so peaceful and spectacular, and it’s quite literally my backyard.
I find myself learning new things and having new experiences every day, which I believe college is truly about. I’m finding my place in my new environment and surrounding myself with people who share similar values. Being that I have event planning experience, I joined the school’s Student Association Planning Board, specifically the Concert Committee. I enjoy going to our weekly meeting and am very excited about our Fall Concert, which is taking place next Saturday, the 15th. A electronic DJ (think Skrillex) named 3LAU (pronounced Blau) is performing and the campus is buzzing with excitement. It will be a long day full of work to help make the event go smoothly, but I’m really excited.
So, as the seasons are slowly changing, I will soon have to begin bundling up here at Oswego… some nights are already getting down into the high 40’s… kind of scary even think about the winter at this point.
I will try to blog as much as I can about my experiences!
