First Quarter Reflection

During my first week at here at University of Washington, I wrote a list of goals to accomplish during my first month. This list included making friends, exploring as well as doing well in my classes. These goals were a baseline for the key components that I want to happen here at the University: form meaningful relationships and excel in academics. Likewise, I want to experience Seattle and the opportunities that come with being in a big city and excellent school. For me, experiencing Seattle tied directly into meeting new people. I went to many of my dorm hall events and met many people with whom I see in the hallways. This created a community within my building. Outside of Terry Hall, I went to events with the Honors Program and met even more people; I went to the Seattle Symphony and got to experience something that there isn't in Olympia. I have kept in contact with people from this event and this is something that excites me: meeting people who are passionate about trying new things and going on adventures in Seattle. I also have gone to some Residential Programming Board even; I went to two Sounders game and got to enjoy hanging out with people who enjoy sports like me. The sheer number of events that the University of Washington sponsors and puts on was unexpected. I have absolutely loved the balance that I have gotten between academics and enjoyment. For me, it is really exciting to have this balance where I can truly go out and engage in things that I am interested in. There are so many different opportunities and clubs, I can find many people who are passionate about similar ideas and  have had many conversations with new friends.

I want to experience Seattle and the opportunities that come with being in a big city and excellent school.

One way that I took advantage of the opportunities available for freshmen students was by taking a Collegium Seminar. The class was held at the medical school and only had 17 freshmen students. I was nervous to have a professor who teaches graduate students and concerned with navigating the maze of hallways. Despite getting lost a few times, this class was supported my confidence and encouraged me to talk/learn about different ideas that I am interested about. This class was offered to all incoming freshmen at the University of Washington, yet one third of all of the students in this seminar were from the Honors Program. I think that this instance was when I realized how amazing program the Honors Program is. The people that I have met in this class have encouraged me to get more involved in the Honors community. Honors students are people who genuinely want to learn and take seminars just for fun. I was very nervous about entering the Honors Program and decided not to take an honors class during my first quarter. Yet after I met people in my seminar, dorms, events and others, I am very excited to take my honors course during winter quarter. The honors program has also been great in creating a community here at the University. With several events in Terry Hall and in Seattle, I am seeing and knowing many people as I walk around the campus. Something that I didn't believe possible being on such a large campus. Seeing all the ways in which I can meet new people and get to know others has really been a positive experience in this transition from high school.

Honors students are people who genuinely want to learn and take seminars just for fun. 

Here at the University, I have also grown personally. I am not very outgoing person and can be nervous about trying new things. However, the biggest idea that I learned about myself this year is that I can shift my own mindset. I told myself the importance of change and seeing new things. This has given me many opportunities in the past and it has encouraged me to try different things during this quarter. Instead of staying in my room, I am actively choosing to talk to friends and go make cookies in the lounge. I am meeting new people in all of my classes and trying to form study groups. This mindset has helped me gain new perspectives and have lots of fun during this first quarter. I have achieved my first-week goals of getting involved in the Honors Living Learning Community, clubs, CLUE tutoring center and more. Likewise, in my classes I have been feeling more and more confident. I have been able to prove to myself that I am capable of achieving at the college level and this is something that I was very nervous about at the start of the year. That being said I have learned about other resources that I would like to use. I would really like to try the writing center out as well as the chemistry tutor center as I think that these areas are valuable in ensuring that I understand the material completely. I would also like to get involved in more clubs and be more engaged in the clubs that I am in. However, I have been having an excellent quarter meeting new people, getting great opportunities and experience Seattle as well as the University of Washington.

Here at the University, I have grown personally.

I have the next four years to continue to try new things and gain experience in the things that I am passionate about. I have four years to learn and grow as a person. I would like to continue to take advantage of all the opportunities and fun experiences here in this beautiful city. I would like to become a more aware person and learn about topics that I am interested in. I have four years, but by the end of my first year I would like to have excel in Science, Spanish and Writing courses. I would like to meet new people and engage in meaningful work here at the University. In the next year, I would like to continue to be involved in my communities and go outside my comfort zone. I can't wait for everything to come here at the University of Washington because if it is anything like this first quarter, it will be great.

I have four years to learn and grow as a person.