Survive college

Just registered for next semester’s classes. I have a very full sched. fifteen credit hours, plus 3 hours work a day. This summer I’m taking basic chemistry to satisfy the general requirements. Science is interesting and all, but I don’t see why I need 6 credits of it plus 4 lab credits to meet my degree requirements… English majors don’t need chemistry. Oh well, just going through the motions.

Since my first year is winding down, I thought I’d think about how I could speed up the college process while enjoying the rest of it as much as possible.
I think taking some more “fun” classes is on the right track, as well as getting pumped up about my major. I need to be more involved in the English department.
I think also that next summer I should live up here and take summer classes. From June to August I could take three or four classes, which is any where from 9-12 credits. That’s almost a full normal semester! It would really help out. And I could get a job on campus too, so I wouldn’t have to sacrifice my money making time. If I do that next year, by the end of next summer I will have about 72 credits. I’d be well into my Jr. standing before Jr. year even started! Actually, if I kept up the work, I could probably graduate a semester early. :-) Summers here are great anyway. It’s always sunny, between 70-90 degrees. I just need a car.

My boyfriend said something to me today that made me realize something that I had not realized before. I was commenting on an A that I got on an exam in philosophy, and he said, “Awesome! Hey, you’re actually doing really well in school, aren’t you.?” It’s true! I think the lowest grade I have in any class is an 85% in my math course; and that’s excusable, because normally a low C is normal for me in math. I’ve got A’s in everything else! I knew I was doing alright, but I guess I was so caught up in everything else that I didn’t realize how well I was doing. It’s nice to know, because in high school I was pretty much a low B average student.

It feels really good to be past that. :-)

So, I’m feeling like I’m not involved enough. I have friends, but none that I would call close friends, (the exception being my boyfriend) and stuff that I like to do, but a lot of it is stuff that I can (and do) just do by myself. I’m trying to make an effort to go to all the things I’m invited to, if I can, and to check out the bulletin boards on campus to look for upcoming concerts and events I might be interested in.
Last night was a step in the right direction. I was invited to a party by some girls that I sort of knew, but not very well. I went and had a really fun time! I’m hoping I’ll see more of those people.

One key thing I’ve realized to surviving college is to get out when you can, even if only for a few hours. Taking a mini road trip if you have a car or a friend with a car to somewhere way off campus is really helpful in relieving collegiate tensions. Same as a day hike or exploring your area with a bike. I’m taking a longer trip for spring break. Me and the bf are going back to my hometown. It’s a 14 hour drive, but it will most assuredly be worth it… I need out of here and a dosage of home!!

Hah. College. I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’m 2 months into my second semester and while it’s most certainly not bad, I’m not sure I’m enjoying it as much as everyone said I would. I’v met some cool people, like my boyfriend whom I am very much in love with (he makes it worthwhile. Sometimes I wonder if he’s really the only thing keeping me here). And college has introduced me to some things that I might not have gotten into elsewhere, like rock climbing, skiing, and a newfound love for literature. (I’ve always loved to read, but now it’s intensified).
But I don’t like being a student. I would MUCH rather work for money than for a grade. I don’t like living in a dorm with a bunch of weirdos. I also really miss my hometown. I keep telling myself that I only have three more years of this, that I’ll appreciate it in the long run, and that it still has the possibility of getting better, but sometimes it’s very hard.