Campus Conversations

Getting back to business!

January 8, 2012

Even though it makes me sad as I help my friends pack up to go back into their next semester – or quarter – of college, I feel lucky that I have two more weeks of break left. I can remember how happy I was when I walked out from my calculus final as the clock struck 9:30 p.m. I was ready to head back home and celebrate the holidays with my family, which was in deep contrast to the time I would be spending away from the friends that I made. I hope that you guys have been having a great break! Christmas hit at just about the right time and I was more than happy to see almost-forgotten faces and eat some serious food [slow-cooked beef brisket, c’mon…]. Even though I go to school a few blocks away from home, I’ve only been back 3 times throughout the whole semester. It was tempting to want to escape back home whenever I got stressed or wanted to get off campus for a day or two, but I knew that it did not help my transition into college. Side note: I must say that though the food at school is good, there is nothing like a glowing Christmas tree to signify family and home-cooked feasts.

On reflection, I have never had so much fun – or been more stressed but I put that upon myself hehe – than I have during the past couple of months. Though I initially walked into this a bit reluctant because I was not going off to a different location for college like most of my friends – the East Coast – I was wrong. At my high school, there is a small bias about Oxy because it is so nearby, but that proved to not be a problem for me whatsoever. I think that it was important for me to remind myself that I have a support system within close proximity that I could reach easily. I have met others that live in different states, countries, or just a few hundred miles away. They always strike me as more because I admire their strength to keep their head up, even when they get homesick. I may be looking into this too much, and being away from home just may be being away from home, but it takes guts to be disciplined and focused away from your family and friends.

Finals Week Madness!

Regardless, I learned a lot this semester and am looking forward to the next in a couple of weeks. I registered for Spanish, Biology and Chemistry classes along with my CSP; hopefully this semester will be more successful than the last. I took notice of my study habits [i.e. when and where I study best – TIME MANAGEMENT!!] and my health habits that can all help me in the long run:

  1. I paid attention to my body and noticed that I kind of shut down past 2 in the morning, so it’s best to get some sleep before a big test.
  2.  Sleep is important but another thing that helped me was running; it can be a huge stress reliever and a great workout.
  3. If those two things don’t help you – I know current high school seniors are finishing up their apps and some might be coming back to finals week madness at school – remember to take short breaks, eat well [don’t have your three daily meals subsist of just junk food, I know it can be tempting! :)], and relax. Your body can’t work in the mode of total exhaustion all the time.
  4. Looking away from that college application or essay won’t be horrible if it means that you take away some time to make sure you’re able to perform the best you can.

Please enjoy the rest of your break and good luck! Remember that the Oxy application is due on January 10th, so if you’re almost finished, just power through. As for those that were admitted early, congratulations! Photo Credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/beaureve/3369411269/