Week 15: The End (of the semester)

Y'all!!!! It's the end of the semester, this is literally it!
I am in the process of finishing my exams and projects right before finals week, and just looking back at this journey has been crazy. I don't think I expected myself to grow so much as a person and be so happy being on my own. Of course I miss home, but I have realized that I am okay with being in Austin. I am actually kind of sad, way more than I thought, about the semester ending. It's weird how every semester feels like the end of the year because your whole schedule changes every 5 months, unlike high school. I enjoyed the process of adjusting and actually learning about myself. I realized the type of person I am, who I want to surround myself with, and what my goals are academically. The plan for next semester is to hopefully be able to internally transfer, which is a process, let me tell you, it actually sucks; but, I will get through it. College is literally so hard, but it is also so much fun. I usually take so much longer to be happy with where I am in life, and I usually realize it after it is over, so I am grateful that I was able to figure out this is what I want. I am glad I chose UT to be the school I attend, the opportunities and lifestyle here is so different from any other college, and I wouldn't change it (except for the amount of stuff we constantly have to do). I love being busy, but like your girl needs a break because right now, things are not it. Also, speaking of break, can we talk about how winter break is literally 5-6 weeks long, like WOW! I am so ready:). This semester has been amazing, and I am so happy. Thank you guys so much for being on this adventure with me, I am so glad I got to document my first semester of college because I know I will look back at it and reflect. College changes you but in my case, I think for the better. You get to learn so much, so just be open-minded and enjoy your time because you won't ever get it back. I hope you guys have an amazing adventure in your college years, have fun and be well. Thank you! :)

Week 14: Major and classes

Hey y'all! So I just finished registering for courses, and let me tell you, being a freshman sucks. I literally got like two classes I wanted and trying to create an ideal schedule is so hard because of my previous post on registration. Anyways, I want to talk to you guys about picking the right classes, and how that can be challenging when you do not know what your major is. So currently, I am a corporate communications major at Moody College of Communication at UT Austin, and I chose this major because I wanted to be a lawyer when I first applied. However, things have...changed:)
I now have no idea what I want to do, but I want to transfer to McCombs because I think it is a flexible degree that can help me pursue any career I want in the future. I am so scared about transferring because it is so competitive, and basically reapplying to college despite already being in it. It is so awful, I can't. But, I know that if I don't get in, I can still stick with Moody and minor in Business. There are so many avenues to have what interests you part of your degree, so do not put limits on yourself. Majors are already hard, and majority of college students literally do not know what they are doing until later, so do not stress. Pick something you are comfortable with and interested in and go from there. Now, moving on to classes. So classes are already super annoying and difficult in college for no reason, but picking classes that do not make you fall behind or waste your time is important to pay attention to. A helpful tool that UT has is our Degree Audit, which shows us our pace and track for completing our degree plan. We have many requirements, so I suggest that if you are confused about what you want to do in the beginning, just take those core requirement classes and knock them out of the way because honestly they help you realize what is right for you. I know that I do not enjoy taking classes that do not benefit me in thinking critically, so I do not like taking simple classes. I also learned that I hate unnecessarily difficult classes that are pointless to me, which is why having some GPA booster/easy A classes every semester is also important, just to prevent stress and issues with mental health. College is already hard enough, so having some "fun classes" is a good idea, but do not waste all of them in one semester. Use your electives wisely! Pay attention to your degree audit, your interests, and dislikes when picking classes and your major, and I promise you will be okay!!! :)

Week 13: Networking

Hi!!
So similar to last week, I will be talking about getting to know people this week. Again, being open-minded to anyone and everyone is key because you never know what you can get out of the interaction: a friendship, a job, or just a learning experience. You have no idea if the person next to you will end up being a multi-billionaire CEO of a company in a field that interests you. One thing that I would credit to my FIG is that we have had many lessons on how we can utilize our college experience in order to enhance our future in life. It is recommended to make a LinkedIn, update your resume, and just contact people all through social media. There are many people out there to scout and help you out, you just have to be cognizant and diligent in figuring out how to get in touch with them. If you start early and put in the effort then more people will notice you and know who you are, which could make you a front-runner in highly competitive situations, like recruitment. I recommend you guys take these tups to heart and actually get a head start because college flies by and sometimes people leave without knowing what to do next, so getting ahead and exploring avenues where you can gain opportunities to try new things will really help you. Let me know if you need help because even I am trying to get ahead, but I know it can be tough setting everything up and keeping it up to date so contact me if you need to! Good luck:)

Week 12: Friendships and Meeting People

Hi!! I wanted to talk about how important making friendships are in college this week with you guys. So a lot of people talk about networking and connecting with people to help them in the future, which is extremely important, but more so than that, I think it is necessary to build bonds with people because they end up being your support system in your home away from home. I came in with many friends already here at UT, but honestly I have drifted away from some of them, and that is completely okay. People go through many friend groups during their college years, but they usually end up with a few extremely close friends and in touch with many good people. It is normal for people to grow and have their paths diverge in different directions, but that does not mean you cut people off or be rude. Staying kind to everyone is very important because you never know when you will need them, and being there for them is gratifying because you are helping someone through whatever they are going through. Furthermore, I encourage going out and meeting many people as much as you can. The semester can get really hectic and annoying to the point where you literally just want to stay in your room and work all day, but even if you talk to someone new every day in your classes can lead to lifelong or even short term friendships. Getting to know people helps broaden your perspective on life, new views, and just a good time. Never try to be someone you are not for someone else, but if you vibe with someone then make sure you make the effort to stay in touch with them. College is hard, I have said this time and time again, and I think that one of the main ways I destress or cope with my anxiety is by surrounding myself with good people and just hanging out with them whenever I can. So, I encourage you to meet new people and be open-minded because you never know when you'll encounter that new best friend or even someone that you enjoy talking to! :)

Week 11: Registration

Hey guys!! This week I want to talk about one of the most stressful and competitive parts of college: registering for classes. So not many people know, but the more completed your degree plan is, the earlier you get to register because you get priority - so again, get ahead! My registration is next Wednesday, and even after planning my whole schedule out I am so scared. My schedule isn't ideal because I have Friday classes and back to back classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so they will be really hectic, running around campus all day. A lot of people have different preferences on how they plan their schedule. It's great how we can create it any way we want because we have the freedom to, but there's a lot to take into account. There is a lot of cost benefit analysis that goes on with registering. Some people focus on specific professors, others focus on timings of classes. I have a balance of both. I am not a morning person at all, like I literally cannot wake up and get out of my bed, which is why my earliest class next semester is probably going to be at 10 so that I can wake up at like 9:15. Even though that is still early for me, the class I want to take at 10 is taught by a really good professor. Doing research on who to get for specific classes, especially if they have a reputation of being really hard at UT, is important because after all, your GPA is key. Pro tip: downloading UT Registration Plus can help with grade distributions based on professors, reviews, past syllabi to see if the class is appealing, and other resources that can help you make your decisions. Do not take morning classes because it gets harder to wake up for them as the semester goes on because literally no one has motivation or energy. Everyone is so drained. Registration is very stressful, but don't worry, as you get older it gets easier. The worst is freshman orientation registration, but once that is out of the way everyone kind of does their own thing and figures out their path so it is less competitive. Good luck registering and do your research so you don't have to drop the class later.

Week 10: Exams

Hi guys! So this week I wanted to quickly talk to you guys about exams because this is the busiest part of the semester, and the stress level is REALLY high. Basically, exams suck. The amount of studying in advance I have to do is so annoying because I have so many other assignments and things to worry about. This past week, I was so mentally exhausted and drained; it was probably the worst week I have had since I started college. I was sick, tired, and stressed. After this week, I basically have a test every week and even though that doesn't seem like a lot because in high school I had tests every day, college exams are so extensive and difficult. I know some of my friends who have had five exams in one week, and it's honestly awful. Exams really mess with my brain and I need some sort of rejuvenating therapy to recover. I encourage you guys to start studying early, read your syllabi to know when your exams are, and plan ahead. The semester gets busy and everything just piles up, so if you already have an idea about when your stressful weeks occur in the beginning of the semester, you can mentally prepare for them. I stress a lot so I need to get on top of my game because the semester is no ideal right now, and I am honestly so scared. Take care of yourselves, but also prioritize schoolwork because that is why you are in college: to learn and succeed:)

Week 8: Going Home

Hey guys! So the semester has definitely picked up and the continuous exam season is on a loop. I basically finished and started my first and second round of exams in the same week. Being so busy can be a good thing for someone who is homesick like me, but it's also annoying because you feel like you can't go home. I feel bad for people out of state who have to wait til November to go home for Thanksgiving. I am so grateful to only be 3 hours away from home because I am able to go home every two weeks, which I am so happy about. I am extremely close to my family, I can't even explain it to you guys, so having the choice of going home in the back of my mind makes it easier to get through the weeks honestly. Coming home is always a weird feeling because it's like you're a guest in your own home and you're on vacation. I still have a lot of work to do when I am at home, but it just feels so relaxing and nice to be comfortable and not overwhelmed with campus life. However, the weekends at home fly by and it can be sad. Sundays are probably the worst day in history as they are so bittersweet. After spending two days with family, doing everything I enjoy at home, like eating out, watching TV, and hanging out with all my loved ones, I have to say goodbye and go back "home." It's such a weird feeling. I thought it would get easier, but honestly every time it gets harder and I hate it. I am currently home, so I am hoping that I don't feel too upset when I go back. I am perfectly fine when I am in Austin, but that transition from leaving Houston to go back makes me so depressed that I wish I could just move UT to Houston for my convenience. But I know I can't have the best of both worlds. I just feel like when I am in Austin I miss out on memories and family experiences, so when I am back I don't want to leave. Coming back to my old room in the comfort of my home is something that I never thought I would have to worry about or miss because I always thought it would be there. Everyone misses me so much, so I really love the special treatment I get when I come back as well. It's good to know that the time I get to spend with everyone when I am back home is not wasted and is sacred in a way, and we are all fortunate to have that because many other people cannot come home until the longer breaks. So just some advice before I sign off, if you do get time and are able to go home, I totally recommend it because you need that balance. Being cooped up in Austin is not always the greatest, especially because campus is dead on the weekends; however, if you can't go home, just please try to stay in touch with everything and everyone back home because it makes the transition process easier.

Week 7: Study Groups

Studying is probably one of the worst, if not the worst, thing in college. Welcome back y'all! I thought I would start with a straight to the point kind of intro as my initial statement in this blog, just to keep you guys interested based on some of the feedback I got. Now, I have always been someone who works extremely hard and studies a lot. Like seriously. I used to spend hours every day in high school, almost 8 a day, just working or studying, it actually sucked. And honestly, college is a whole new ball game. The amount of free time we have here is crazy, especially when you're someone who feels like you need to constantly be working when you're free, like me (I know, it's sad). I'm not saying college is basically all studying, but you have to be smart about the way you want to approach your assignments and exams. Quality over quantity matters when studying in college because you can honestly be "working" til the sun goes down, but retaining information, especially with the amount of distractions and social events, is super difficult. I came to college wanting to learn time management and creating an academic-social balance, so I had to figure out a way to combine the two without failing out my first semester or being miserable. The solution I found was...study groups. I know a lot of people don't think study groups are beneficial and they are a waste of time, and you're right they can be, but you have to make a plan and find the right people for it to be successful. I have found that learning the information on my own, then going over it with people who work as hard as you and all want to do well is the best way to make the most of your studying time because let's face it, after getting the basics down and working for what feels like eternity, the last few days before the exam are the worst. I know a lot of people procrastinate and cram the night before, which doesn't work in college, so study groups are a fun way to actually get some work done. People can confirm or explain topics that are confusing, and it is a great way to destress and meet new people too. I have a study group for my Communication and Leadership class, and it's so fun to just sit and discuss what we are learning. That's my other point, even though they are called "study" groups, they can also just be discussion groups where you talk about what is going on in the class because keeping up with the lectures is studying in itself. The hardest part about studying is the initial motivation of just having to do it, and if having other people around helps, then go for it! Just go to PCL, sit down with a few people, and study. You don't even have to be in the same class, it's just nice to have people around you when you are bored to death, reading a textbook or notes. Again, give new things a chance in college, and if it isn't your cup of tea, at least you can say you tried it and it didn't work. I hope you enjoyed this week's topic, if you have any more ideas or questions you want me to discuss, feel free to let me know in the comments :)

Week 4: Readings

Okay, so this week is really hectic because the first exam season has started, so everything is just crazy. Today's post won't be that long, but I want to talk about reading in college. It is hard. You have to be able to break up your reading, and plan it out because you cannot do it in one go. I literally had to read a 130 page play, an article, and the textbook chapters all in my first week of college. I almost had a breakdown. I got it done, but it took me forever. An important aspect of college that I have heard from many people is that you need to learn how to skim. Skimming does not mean fake reading, but running your eyes over the reading, and noticing important items in the reading is key. A lot of the readings just need you to understand the main idea and concept, but it requires hard-work and skill. In high school I know many people just don't read or look up summaries online, but in college you literally cannot do that. For many classes, reading the textbook is important because professors who teach the course write them (which is terrifying). I just have a few tips for reading and they are:
- Plan it out
- Read a few pages over the course of a few days (sometimes this isn't possible, but when it is use it to your advantage)
- Take notes so you don't have to reread all the time
- Actually read/skim, don't rely on other people
I always did the readings in high school, and now of course in college, but it definitely comes with a learning curve and I have to change the way I work because I am so busy now.

Week 3: Laundry

So this week was pretty hectic and long, even though it was just four days. I stayed home this weekend, it was my first weekend in Austin. Not going to lie, it was pretty boring because most of my friends went back home. Saturday night was pretty fun because I went to the first event for one of the organizations I am in, Muslim Student Association, but I will talk more about that in another post. Sunday was SO boring, I literally stayed in my room with my roommate. Honestly, I was so stressed out with all the work that I had that I was just feeling really blue and lazy. I just went out to eat. I have this annoying urge to always do something productive, and not stay still, so even though I was extremely tired, I decided to do some work. The task that I chose to do was laundry. I know it seems pretty lame that I find doing laundry something worth writing a post about, but for me it was something I had never done on my own before and I had to learn on the job. No, I did not use Google or call my mom for help, I really wanted to do it myself. Doing your own laundry is a part of "adulting," so I knew I had to do it sooner or later. I was running out of clean clothes, so I decided to experience another part of college life and being independent. My roommate and I went to our laundry room, which is downstairs in our residence hall, and we had such a hard time finding an open washing machine because there were so many people in there. Pro tip - don't do laundry Sunday night! After we finally found the machines, the confusion began. I knew that I had to put detergent, but I only had Tide-pods, and of course we weren't allowed to put those in the side-tray. It was so awkward because we were just looking around, and we eventually had to build up the courage to ask someone for detergent. She was so sweet, and told us to use however much we wanted. Another thing about Austin is that everyone is really helpful and nice, probably because we are all in the same boat. Anyways, so after my roommate and I put our load in, we went back to our room until it was time to put our clothes into the dryer. We went back down after 30 minutes, and of course, even more people were in the laundry room. Finding an empty dryer was even more difficult because there was no "window" to see through, so I was carefully opening all the dryers that did not have timers on them, and the amount of random clothes that fell out was quite amusing. Not going to lie, there are some people more confused that I was, so that was comforting because I didn't feel completely incompetent or hopeless. Another tip - make sure you know which machine you are using, so you are not frantically searching for your stuff (yes this actually happens). However, after I got my clothes (they were so warm and cozy, it was incredible), I actually felt a little more organized (I rearranged my drawers) and more accomplished (even though it was a basic task). I feel like something so small made me happy because I actually did it on my own, and felt like an independent person in charge of her own life. Later that night, I called my parents and told them about my experience, and of course they told me there was a simpler way of doing it - I could've just put my Tide-pods in the washing machine with my clothes. I thought that would mess my clothes up but apparently not, but don't worry I will do it next time! College is tough, so the small joys really count :). Oh, another benefit of living in a dorm is that laundry is free - I didn't know that when I came here, so I took coins because that what I've seen on TV (but of course not everything we see is true). Anyways my first experience with doing laundry was pretty good, it wasn't as confusing/problematic as I thought. It was honestly so satisfying therapeutic. I'm not the most organized person, but I felt like I kind of had a small part of my life together afterwards - it was great.