Year Two: A Review
If my first year at the University of Cincinnati was a year of change and new experiences, my second year was one of settling in and feeling at home. Looking back on my sophomore year, I am so incredibly happy to say that it has been one of the best years of my life, academically, socially, and emotionally. I have surrounded myself with the best possible people, tools, and resources needed to succeed with the remainder of my college career, and I cannot wait to continue to move forward from here.
The most significant event, experience, or challenge I overcame this year was definitely traveling abroad through the university. Late last year, I took a leap of faith and decided to apply for a week long study tour in Nicaragua to take place in the spring of 2015. I was accepted and thrilled to be fulfilling one of my college goals: to work and serve abroad. I also decided to turn this trip into a self-designed honors experience, which definitely heightened my awareness of the Nicaraguan culture and trip as a whole. My week spent in Granada, Nicaragua was one of the most eye-opening of my life and though there were hardships and struggle, I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world.
The most significant relationships I’ve built during this year are the ones I developed with my core group of friends. My freshman year was filled with a lot of moving around between friend groups and focusing on expanding my circle and meeting new people. Through UC’s first year experience learning communities and the continued friendships I have with people I grew up with, I have surrounded myself with the most loving, supportive group of people I could ever ask for. Though feeling settled in a strong group of friends does not at all hinder my ability to make new ones or meet new people, I am strong and confident moving forward knowing there are such great people behind me.
As I prepare for the upcoming year, I want to give myself the advice to keep up on my academic work and stay on top of all my classes. I will be living in an apartment and then in a house off campus during my junior year which will be my first time not living with my parents and commuting during school. I hope that I can adjust well to the change, especially as I take on more challenging courses.
During this year, I was given the chance during an honors group advising session to reflect on who I am, who I was in the past, and who I want to be. During this session, I realized that change is so constant and flowing, and to resist the ebb and flow of change as life progresses is pointless. I did not previously have this mindset before this year, but do intend to keep it as I continue my college career.
The most significant event, experience, or challenge I overcame this year was definitely traveling abroad through the university. Late last year, I took a leap of faith and decided to apply for a week long study tour in Nicaragua to take place in the spring of 2015. I was accepted and thrilled to be fulfilling one of my college goals: to work and serve abroad. I also decided to turn this trip into a self-designed honors experience, which definitely heightened my awareness of the Nicaraguan culture and trip as a whole. My week spent in Granada, Nicaragua was one of the most eye-opening of my life and though there were hardships and struggle, I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world.
The most significant relationships I’ve built during this year are the ones I developed with my core group of friends. My freshman year was filled with a lot of moving around between friend groups and focusing on expanding my circle and meeting new people. Through UC’s first year experience learning communities and the continued friendships I have with people I grew up with, I have surrounded myself with the most loving, supportive group of people I could ever ask for. Though feeling settled in a strong group of friends does not at all hinder my ability to make new ones or meet new people, I am strong and confident moving forward knowing there are such great people behind me.
As I prepare for the upcoming year, I want to give myself the advice to keep up on my academic work and stay on top of all my classes. I will be living in an apartment and then in a house off campus during my junior year which will be my first time not living with my parents and commuting during school. I hope that I can adjust well to the change, especially as I take on more challenging courses.
During this year, I was given the chance during an honors group advising session to reflect on who I am, who I was in the past, and who I want to be. During this session, I realized that change is so constant and flowing, and to resist the ebb and flow of change as life progresses is pointless. I did not previously have this mindset before this year, but do intend to keep it as I continue my college career.