My College Experience (Final Sunday Something Post)

I wanted to take a couple of moments to reflect on a concept we discussed during our class Thursday. I want to look into what exactly I’ve learned and will remember from my college experience. I will always remember the first time walking onto campus and being overwhelmed by how big it was. I was unsure of how I’d ever remember where my classes were and how to get places, I guess it was just a bit of a cultural shock coming from a small high school. I will not remember every class lecture I’ve sat through, thank god because some of them were pretty dry, but I will remember my first day going through freshman orientation. I remember meeting in the middle of this soccer field with artificial turf and going through some introduction “games”. I didn’t know it at the time, but I would become friends with quite a few of these people. I still talk to Yekalo, Paige and Logan on a fairly regular basis. We were all going through the same transition, and that helped me knowing that everyone was going through the same thing. So at the time I may have been bummed about having to end summer a WHOLE week early, now that I look back upon it freshman orientation week allowed me to familiarize myself with campus, meet new people and ultimately begin to feel like a part of the Pioneer community. I consider myself to have strong school spirit and am very proud to be a Denver Pioneer. I think being in pep band really aided with this. The pep band is pretty small and you stand out, both in a good and a bad way. I remember the first hockey game in front of a packed crowd, and I hate to admit it but… I was a LITTLE NERVOUS. But now that I think about it I shouldn’t have been as terrified as I was. I was just a member of the support system, in addition to the cheerleaders and the crowd in general, trying to will the hockey team to a victory. It was a lot of fun, and am very grateful to have been a part of it because the adrenaline when you’re about to play will stick with me. It’s crazy how that works, the times you decide to actually live and go outside of your comfort zone are the times you remember the most. I remember one night a lot of members on my freshman dorm floor decided to take the light-rail downtown to a club. I was hesitant because I had a little homework to do but thankfully I said screw it and decided to go. I don’t necessarily remember anyone I went with, they weren’t friends of mine, but I will remember the bright lights and loud music. The packed dance floor and dancing like you’re the only one there. It doesn’t require alcohol to loosen up and have a good time, it just takes the right mindset and I’ll take that life message with me to my grave. Of course, I’ve gone to clubs since then, most noticeably Australia where I was legal, but I remembered that night in downtown Denver and didn’t abuse it… I think I stuck to one drink and had a very nice conversation with an Australian girl. I have learned a whole lot while at DU. I have learned about psychology, sociology, writing, a whole lot about Biology and now I am very well on my way to becoming an accomplished novice at reflecting. Do I remember all of the details? HECK NO! However, I have learned that I can handle a lot (18 credit quarters can get hectic and overwhelming at times but I’ve successfully gotten through them and know I can continue to fight through the late nights). I have juggled being a student manager with the basketball team my freshman year with my double majors in Biology and Music Performance. I’ve learned how far I can push myself and when I need to take a break. I have learned how I study best and think this will be very nice in the future when I am exposed to new material in my profession, and new ways of doing things. It will allow me to adapt and thrive in new life scenarios and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me. I have had several girlfriends and now know what it truly means to be in a relationship. It is a give and take, and you better care about your significant other just as much (if not more) than yourself otherwise things will pull apart… or in my case crash. I have the knowledge of what exactly I’m looking for in a girlfriend. Someone that is outgoing and motivated, someone who loves me exactly for who I am and doesn’t want to change me, someone who lets me know they’re there for me and is always motivating me to be at my best. That’s what I expect, and in return I will give “All of Me” in the words of John Legend. I have learned how to work in teams and work alone, how to be productive and how to multi-task. I have learned that often times landing a job is about who you know as much as what you know, and took advantage of my free-time this summer by not only partaking in a worthy cause (saving endangered sea turtles off the coast of Florida) but I networked with some pretty amazing people within the field of marine Biology. I feel confident using my supervisor as a reference because I came to work every day energized, put my best foot forward, learned quickly and did my best. That’s all I can do, and I feel that is what employers are looking for above all else (passionate workers who are also good people). I have determined that music performance is not something I want to pursue as a profession. I will forever love music, it is a big part of me, and will continue to play trombone but I don’t want to make it my career. I don’t want to spend countless hours alone in a practice room… I’d rather spend those hours alone in the ocean (or even a laboratory) lol. I have been opened up to the beauty of the world, through experience snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, chilling with Kangaroos, hiking throughout Colorado, and want it to remain for future generations to enjoy! In conclusion, I have grown a lot as an intellectual but I have grown even more as an individual throughout my time at DU. Thank you for the ups and the downs, I believe the overall experience has prepared me for the “Real world”. It’s not as scary as it once seemed and the possibilities are endless.

Note: I wanted to do a reflection-in-action and not revise my initial thoughts, because those are often the truest.