I wanted to switch things up for the end of the semester by including some different voices in my blog. For this post, I interviewed some of my friends on their first year college experience.
Let’s meet the interviewees…
- Mia Kauffman, freshman at Grinnell College
- Elizabeth Mueller, freshman at Rhodes College
- Bianca Escamilla, freshman at the University of Chicago
- Laramie Acquart, freshman at the University of the Incarnate Word
Authentic documentation of me forcing Mia into answering my questionnaire.
What was your favorite class this semester?
- M: Analytical and Organic Chemistry because I really liked my professor
- E: Intermediate Painting
- B: Language and the Human
- L: English Composition II because it was the easiest college class I’ve taken so far
What is one piece of advice you would give to your past freshman self?
- M: Be open for change, even if it seems scary.
- E: Keep in touch with your friends from home.
- B: Go to the library to study sooner, it’s more efficient than working in your dorm.
- L: Do not buy all the food everyday.
What has been your favorite part about college?
- M: Partying and making friends in a different state
- E: Having the freedom to explore a new city (Memphis)
- B: Being able to meet people from different parts of the country/world and forming close relationships with them
- L: Not having school on Fridays because I can pick my own schedule
Tell me about the time you have been most stressed in college.
- M: I had a track meet all day and I couldn’t do my homework. I should have planned my time out better.
- E: I was most stressed during my second semester midterms-I was completely overwhelmed.
- B: Every Calculus midterm and final, but especially my CALC152 final when I thought I would fail and was reassured I’d pass with the bare minimum after crying in front of my professor.
- L: When I procrastinated on an essay and spent hours working on it the day it was due
Why did you pick your major/Have you changed your major?
- M: I’m majoring in Chemistry because I like it and solving problems comes easy to me.
- E: I’ve stuck with my double major of Art/Political Science because those are the two most important topics in my heart.
- B: I am majorless; I am still figuring it out. I’m dipping my toes in different subjects to find which intrigue me the most.
- L: I like Sports Management because it interests me and I can do a lot with it.
Opinion on morning classes?
- M: I like them, but I’m a morning person.
- E: I cannot function before 9 A.M.
- B: I’d pick them over later ones. I had an 8:30 A.M. and that was horrible. I could do it again, but only if there were no other option.
- L: I don’t mind early morning classes, we had them in high school so I don’t see it as an issue.
Opinion on evening classes?
- M: I would never take a night class. I like getting everything done during the day.
- E: I would rather not take them-I study at night.
- B: I avoid them. Chicago is dangerous at night.
- L: Late night classes suck.
Finally, what are you most looking forward to when we return to campus?
- M: Moving away from my parents and being independent again
- E: Reuniting with my friends and the equestrian team
- B: Getting to see my friends again and hopefully picking out my major
- L: Interacting with people other than my family and taking more classes geared towards my major
I hope these questions interested whoever is reading them. I remember I was immensely stressed my first semester because of adjusting to a college schedule, changing my major to completely different subjects and having to make new friends. If I had known my friends were also doubting their majors, it would have comforted me. It’s also relieving to know my friends have had their ups and downs in college. Everyone I interviewed was in the top 10% of our graduating class (a group I was most definitely not a part of) and I always held them on a pedestal and thought of them as academically indestructible. So while I do not like that they have experienced rough times in college, it is comforting to know that we are all on the same journey, despite attending schools across the country.
Lastly, I’m including a link to an article I found that I think could be beneficial to high school seniors and current college students.
P.S.- I hope everyone is staying safe and staying indoors during this time. Remember we are not only remaining in quarantine for our safety, but also for the safety of others.
The Bliss in Independence 