reflective essay on first year of university

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A Reflection on My First Year

Posted in: First year

I can’t believe how fast these 9 months went by – it feels like only yesterday that I was in the car with my stuff in boxes, driving up to campus to move in. This time, however, the car was taking me back home. My first year finished as quickly as it started, but it’s been a year to remember.

In just a couple of months, I went from being a wide-eyed teenager to a young adult with no restraints. But of course, with great power comes great responsibility. It took time to get used to waking up on time for those 9 AM lectures and staying on top of errands, but that’s part of being an adult. As unsettling as it is to grow up, it becomes slightly easier when everyone around you is also in the same boat.

In semester one , things went quite smoothly. The workload for my degree wasn’t too tough and I was enjoying getting to know my flatmates and meeting other people. It was great to be living in a new city, studying a subject I loved, with all the independence in the world. I settled in swiftly and was looking forward to spending the next few years in Bath.

However, in semester two, the workload became much more intense and so did my university life. It was around this time when lockdown measures were starting to be eased, and that meant a multitude of new opportunities for socialisation . My days consisted of lectures, coursework, and research, whilst my nights involved going into town or socialising. Sleeping in the early morning and waking up at 8 AM soon became a natural part of my routine, which in retrospect, did cause some of my burnout during the summer exam season.

Even though there was never an idle moment, I feel that semester two really did shape my first-year experience, and I wouldn’t have changed anything.

Reflecting on my first year, I’ve grown as a person and learned a lot. I’ve broken out of my comfort zone and expanded my skill set. Some of the key things I learned were to do with the workload, the people, the city of Bath, and the freedom.

University is different from sixth form or college in the sense that preparation and organisation become more important than ever. It’s close to impossible to learn an entire module’s worth of material the night before the exam. There will also be several deadlines in one month that need to be met, which is no walk in the park either.

One of the first things many students learn when coming to university is that time management is key to success. If I had to tell my fresher self a single piece of advice, it would be to have a monthly calendar with the dates of all the deadlines and social events written in. I started doing this in semester two and it made my life so much easier.

Another tip I can’t stress enough is to check your student emails every single day! This will prevent you from missing new assignments and deadlines, which is just unnecessary stress.

The thought of moving to a new city where you don’t know anyone is daunting. It’s easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of worries but we often tend to forget that everyone else is also in the deep end. At the end of the day, we’re all looking to meet new people and make friends.

Some you’ll speak to once during Fresher’s, maybe get their Instagram handle, and never see them again. Others you’ll keep in touch with, see them often, and they’ll become your best friends. Everyone is generally accepting at university, and there’s no need to reinvent yourself or have a makeover. It’s a time to be true to yourself and comfortable in your own skin. If people don’t like you for who you are, it’s their loss!

One of the aspects of student life I’ve enjoyed most life has been meeting people from diverse backgrounds. Some of my closest friends are not only from the UK, but from Spain, India, and Hong Kong as well. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! As long as you are on top of your work, never say no to an opportunity for socialising. Some of my best memories have been last minute-plans where I’ve only had 30 minutes to dress!

Bath has so much to offer, and with a great transport system and short walking distances, there’s no reason not to explore it! The Royal Crescent is a gorgeous picnic spot, and the Roman Baths are pretty impressive – students get free entry, which is a bonus! In the summer, Warleigh Weir is a popular place to hang out and take a dip in the water for those that can brave the cold (bring a towel!)

I ate out at least once a week in semester two – it’s a great way to get some fresh air, a satisfying meal, and a catch-up with friends. Thaikhun serves up authentic and fragrant Thai food, while Framptons does a brilliant offer every Tuesday: burger, fries, and a drink (alcoholic options too!) for a tenner. For quick bites, I’d recommend Tealith for unbeatable bubble tea and Ben’s Cookies for those sweet cravings.

Many of Bath’s hidden gems lie in the narrow alleyways and it’s worth having a explore through them all on a sunny day.

There’s a great variety of clothing stores from Urban Outfitters to JD, though many of them do tend to be out of the range of student budgets. Student discounts do come in handy to save up the coins here and there – Unidays or StudentBeans are essential for keeping costs low not just when shopping, but also in certain restaurants and bars as well. Unfortunately, clubs have remained shut throughout the year for obvious reasons, but at least they’re something to look forward to next year!

The Independence

For some, living away from parents is delightful, and for others, it’s a disaster. As impressionable as we are when starting university, it soon becomes evident that it’s not all fun and games. Chores slowly start to creep up on you, and those missed lectures appear at the back of your mind.

However, life doesn’t revolve around school anymore. Once your work is done for the day, you can spend your downtime playing sports or heading into town; the options are limitless. Even your schedules aren’t as rigid – Bath students get Wednesday afternoons off, and it’s up to you how to spend it.

I’m sad to see my first year go, but there’s a lot more to look forward to in the future! There’ll be periods of homesickness and stress, but there’ll also be good times and lots of laughs. It’s natural for there to be ups and downs, and it makes life worth living. And if anything else, there’ll be lots of amusing messes you can look back on in the coming years.

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April 10, 2017, by Siobhan

First Year Reflection: A Transition

The past seven and a half months have passed by quicker than I could ever have imagined. I know I’m not exactly old, but I realise how true it is that time seems to fly by as you get older. There’s no more sitting in classrooms struggling to keep my eyes open on a Friday afternoon, only to then come to the heartbreaking realisation that it is in fact only Tuesday. Instead, I seem to blink and an entire semester is almost over.

I wanted to write something a bit more personal, about my journey from being a frightened fresher in late September, to a happy, confident university student now that teaching is over and we’re on our Easter break. It really has been a transition; when I think back to how I was those many months ago, I barely recognise myself. And it truly is for the better.

When I arrived at the University of Nottingham on Saturday 14th September 2016 at around 2pm, I had all my family with me, my boyfriend too, and I was so excited I resembled a 5 year old who looks down at the end of the bed to see a filled stocking, and they realise Santa has been. I was in a nervous, excited bubble; I couldn’t stop talking (much to the displeasure of my family, I’m sorry) and I felt as though I was in some sort of hyper-reality. Once we had unloaded the car of my eighteen years worth of belongings, it was time to say goodbye. I’ll never forget the feeling I got when I gave my mum a final hug, and they all left. I felt truly alone. It’s hard to describe really, but with my arms round the woman who I’d never spent more than about 3 weeks away from, I realised that for the first time in my life, I was just that. Lonely. All the excitement disappeared, and I knew I had to go inside and start to make friends. It was the most daunting experience! All of us had just been smushed together at random and we were now expected to spend every day for an entire year all together? Most of my friendships at home had curated over a number of years. My girls at home (who are absolutely amazing, might I add) have formed our friendship over about five years, and in reality I had a week to form bonds with all these strangers with weird accents and alternative pastimes. How was I supposed to do that?

It turns out, it’s not quite as daunting and horrible as that. Everyone is feeling the same way, a bit lost, sad, excited, anxious. Everyone wants to make friends. The best bit about it is that no one at all knows who you are; no one has an agenda, no one has a clue about your past, that embarrassing thing that happened to you, nothing. You are free to be who you want to be. I’m not saying that university is a time to ‘re-invent’ or ‘find’ yourself, because lets be honest, that is disgustingly cliche. What I’m saying is that its a time to be true to who you are. Throughout sixth form, I would never go into school without perfect makeup, or a beautifully put together outfit. The most important thing to me was the way I was perceived by others. Within a few weeks of being at university, I realised how unimportant it is for people to like me for what I look like, and instead I should prioritise actually liking myself, and who I am. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love doing my makeup and throwing together a nice outfit (if you know me, you’ll know I’m ALWAYS late because I’ve spent about six hours creating the perfect cut crease), but there are other things that I value too. I’m not scared to go out without a full face of makeup, and I’ll happily go to lectures in a pair of leggings and a ‘should have washed about a week ago’ jumper.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that university is terrifying to begin with, at least it was for me. I hated every second. I woke up in the mornings with a feeling of pure dread in my stomach, and I felt as though I was floating in the middle of the ocean with no one to help me, to care for me, completely isolated. I felt like this for a long time, but soon, I made some amazing amazing friends who I soon learnt felt very similar to myself. Top tip: a little self disclosure will work wonders when it comes to settling in. Gradually, I began to love my new life in Nottingham. I had freedom, independence, and I felt truly happy. Something that I hadn’t felt for a very long time. Like I was saying, who I am now, is virtually nothing like I was. I’m confident, comfortable in my own skin, and I’m happy. I’m studying a subject I love, on a beautiful campus with even more beautiful friends who I treasure. I’ve learned that it’s okay to feel sad, to miss home, to get stressed, but also that it’s okay to be happy, to enjoy your own company, to spend a little bit too much money and to get into some delightful messes that you’ll look back on fondly in the years to come.

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A Reflection on Freshman Year

Andriana reflects on her freshman year experience at Carleton!

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Hi everyone!

It is now fifth week at Carleton! Students are working on midterm papers, preparing for exams, and anticipating Midterm Break on sixth Monday! At this halfway point, I have decided to write a reflection post on my first year at Carleton.

I recognize that my freshman experience—and that of the entire class of 2023—was unique due to the circumstances brought on by the pandemic. But here goes, anyway.

First, freshman year was harder than I had expected. I knew that college would be an adjustment, but I don’t think I had fully internalized that fact. My first term was challenging in that it was hard to meet new people, especially at a school where I didn’t know anyone beforehand. Because I knew that the workload and my jobs would demand a lot of time, I held off on joining student organizations . This also made it a bit harder to meet new people.

It’s hard to offer advice on how to get through this. If you are the kind of person who loves to join lots of clubs and be really involved in your school community, then it might be worth signing up for a couple of activities just to meet new people. If you are nervous about the academic and social transition, however, joining a lot of organizations might add unnecessary stress. In that case, don’t feel pressured to overcommit—it’s okay to take time to adapt to your new environment.

Beyond this, know that there might be lonely moments. You might be someone who becomes best friends with their roommate. Or not. You might form strong bonds during New Student Week . Or not. You might gravitate toward people on your floor, in your classes, or in extracurriculars. Or not. If you feel like you are struggling socially during your first term—or even your first year—that is okay . I guarantee that other people are feeling exactly the same way. Take comfort in the fact that you will meet new people as you interact with your classmates and gradually become part of the Carleton community.

In my experience, the first two terms I had a hard time meeting people. Luckily, I made friends with my roommate, Maya, and with a few people in my classes. But as I mentioned earlier, there were lonely moments. By the end of my winter term, I had finally started to feel settled in the Carleton community. Unfortunately, this was exactly when everything happened with the pandemic, and I have yet to return to campus. So…

Along with the social aspect of college, I found the academics to be an adjustment. I have talked a bit about this in previous posts , but I’ll go into more depth here. I noticed my first term that many freshmen were somewhat panicked about the workload. People would leave meals early in order to do homework, they would skip social gatherings, etc. While I prioritize my work, I also feel like college is not a strictly academic experience. It is important to balance schoolwork with socializing (this is partly how you meet new people!) and to recognize when you need to make sacrifices either way.

Just to be clear—I don’t mean, “Forget homework, just party!” I’m suggesting that you give yourself a night or two during the week where you decide, “Yes, I will go watch a movie with my floormates!” Take a break, even if that means that you stay up later or get up earlier to finish your homework. If you’re enjoying dinner with friends, let yourself relax and be present instead of worrying about everything you have to do after. It is  so important (I really cannot stress this enough) to give yourself a breather. Not only will you be more productive when you work, but you will enjoy your college experience so much more.

Additionally, in terms of academics, I was admittedly in for somewhat of a rude awakening. In high school, writing was my strong suit—I have always loved writing, I received positive feedback on my papers, yada yada. When I reached college, I expected that writing, again, would be my strong suit. And it was, BUT… I still had a lot to learn about college writing. My first paper in college was for a political science class, and I worked hard on it. I spent the entire weekend researching, writing, visiting the Writing Center …

Here’s the thing. At Carleton, students don’t make a habit of discussing grades. One of the best things about Carleton is that the culture is very collaborative rather than competitive. But on my first paper, I got *hushed voice* a B. Minus! I was disappointed—I was not used to getting Bs in my favorite subject. Math? Sure. Science? Why not. But writing? And on a paper where I had worked the hardest I had probably ever worked on a single assignment?

In the wake of the *B That Must Not Be Named,* I realized that I seriously needed to step up my game. What would have been considered A-level work in high school would not achieve the same results at Carleton. I responded to my disappointment by attending office hours to discuss my professor’s feedback in detail. This was crucial. My professor was able to tell me what needed work in my paper, and also gave me encouragement which really helped my confidence. On my next paper, I got an A.

This experience, getting a B- in college, was surprisingly formative. Once again, I knew going into college that I would probably not be a straight A student, but I hadn’t really internalized this. Oddly, I felt shame about getting a B- (yes, I know how bad that sounds), and had the weird idea in my head that I was the only person who wasn’t getting As.

Ultimately, getting a B- on an assignment that I thought I would do well on was a humbling reminder that college is  not high school. That getting As is not the only metric of success. That you can work  really really  hard on something and still not achieve the desired result. That one B (or B-, as it were), or two Bs, or all of the Bs, or Cs, or anything else… will not be your downfall. I have gotten more Bs since the First B(-), and I have learned to use these Bs as motivation and an opportunity to learn and improve. I am a better student because of it.

Much of what I have written about must be experienced first-hand to really be meaningful. The point of writing this post at all is to let freshmen know that any challenges they might experience are not unique to them. These challenges can feel isolating, unsettling, frustrating. It can be embarrassing to talk about how you are struggling, especially when you haven’t yet formed strong relationships. Give yourself time to find your place here. You will.

Andriana  is a sophomore at Carleton, where she plans to major in  English  and double minor in  Creative Writing  and  Cross-Cultural Studies . Although she will be spending this fall at home in Richmond, VA, Andriana is already excited to return to Carleton and escape the southern heat. When she isn’t busy avoiding Virginia’s never-ending summer, you can find Andriana binge-reading, playing music, or watching a favorite movie or show for the umpteenth time.  Meet the other bloggers!

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A reflection on my first year of university, a quick reflection on how my first year of university went..

Technically I transferred schools as a junior, but I feel much more like a freshman. Navigating a new campus, scheduling my classes, the difficulty of said classes, and trying to find a balance between school, work and being social, took a bit to get used to. In fact, I would say I am still getting used to it. Also, don't even get me started on the bus schedule. I transferred from a community college, where for the most part, I was able to balance all of that easily, so what happened?

One major cause could have been stress. During the winter quarter, I was taking four classes (which equaled to twelve credits) working 30-35 hours a week, barely passing my classes, and having no social life. Compared to now, where I'm taking three classes (fourteen credits), working 22-28 hours a week, doing pretty good in all of my classes, and barely having a social life. The main change in there, is I choose to focus more on myself.

I cut down the number of hours I worked so I could focus on school and so that I made sure I had time for myself. I had it so I would at least have one day where I didn't have to do anything or go anywhere unless I wanted to. I made sure I had time to relax and de-stress during the week. I also took classes that interested me more, like Japanese Literature versus Art History (not that there's anything wrong with Art History, it's just not for me) and having a smaller class size reminded me of being at community college, and I felt like I wasn't one in a sea of two hundred other students. Instead, I was one in twenty.

Next year, I plan to work about the same amount of hours as before and making sure I can still have a day to myself. I'm also taking classes that coincide with my majors (Journalism and Japanese) more, so I'll, hopefully, be more interested in them and strive to do better. As far as getting out there and being more social, I personally feel like if I willingly put myself out there more, I wouldn't have a problem finding friends. Joining activities that are similar to my interests, would go over a lot better than being in a corner in the library.

In conclusion, would I go back and change anything from these past six months? Sure! I would have liked to have done better in all of my classes and I would have liked to have connected with more people, but I can't change that now. I can only move forward. Next year, I'll be living with new people, in a new apartment complex, I won't have to rely on the bus system (thank God) and I know if I applied myself, I could do really well in all of my classes. So that's my goal for next year. Will I actually accomplish any of it? I hope so but who knows, maybe I'll come back next year and reflect one again.

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Navigating the talking stage: 21 essential questions to ask for connection, it's mandatory to have these conversations..

Whether you met your new love interest online , through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

1. What do you do for a living?

What someone does for a living can tell a lot about who they are and what they're interested in! Their career reveals a lot more about them than just where they spend their time to make some money.

2. What's your favorite color?

OK, I get it, this seems like something you would ask a Kindergarten class, but I feel like it's always good to know someone's favorite color . You could always send them that Snapchat featuring you in that cute shirt you have that just so happens to be in their favorite color!

3. Do you have any siblings?

This one is actually super important because it's totally true that people grow up with different roles and responsibilities based on where they fall in the order. You can tell a lot about someone just based on this seemingly simple question.

4. What's your favorite television show?

OK, maybe this isn't a super important question, but you have to know ASAP if you can quote Michael Scott or not. If not, he probably isn't the one. Sorry, girl.

5. When is your birthday?

You can then proceed to do the thing that every girl does without admitting it and see how compatible your zodiacs are.

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

If you're like me, you have big goals that you want to reach someday, and you want a man behind you who also has big goals and understands what it's like to chase after a dream. If his biggest goal is to see how quickly he can binge-watch " Grey's Anatomy " on Netflix , you may want to move on.

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

This is a go-to for an insight into their personality. Based on how they answer, you can tell if they're goofy, serious, or somewhere in between.

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

For some, this may be a hard question if it involves a family member or friend who has since passed away . For others, it may revolve around a tradition that no longer happens. The answers to this question are almost endless!

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

We all have parts of our lives and stories that we wish we could change. It's human nature to make mistakes. This question is a little bit more personal but can really build up the trust level.

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

I mean, duh! If you're a dog person, and he is a cat person, it's not going to work out.

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

Personally, I am a Christian, and as a result, I want to be with someone who shares those same values. I know some people will argue that this question is too much in the talking stage , but why go beyond the talking stage if your personal values will never line up?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Even homebodies have a must visit place on their bucket list !

13. What is your ideal date night?

Hey, if you're going to go for it... go for it!

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

For me, it was hands-down Nick Jonas . This is always a fun question to ask!

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

Let's be real, if you put a label on it, you're not going to see your significant other at their best 24/7.

16. Do you have any tattoos?

This can lead to some really good conversations, especially if they have a tattoo that has a lot of meaning to them!

17. Can you describe yourself in three words?

It's always interesting to see if how the person you're talking to views their personal traits lines ups with the vibes you're getting.

18. What makes you the most nervous in life?

This question can go multiple different directions, and it could also be a launching pad for other conversations.

19. What's the best gift you have ever received? 

Admittedly, I have asked this question to friends as well, but it's neat to see what people value.

20. What do you do to relax/have fun?

Work hard, play hard, right?

21. What are your priorities at this phase of your life?

This is always interesting because no matter how compatible your personalities may be, if one of you wants to be serious and the other is looking for something casual, it's just not going to work.

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Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in challah bread or easter bread.

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

A few weeks ago, I was given a loaf of bread called Challah (pronounced like holla), and upon my first bite, I realized it tasted just like Easter Bread. It was so delicious that I just had to make some of my own, which I did.

The recipe is as follows:

Ingredients

2 tsp active dry or instant yeast 1 cup lukewarm water 4 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup white granulated sugar 2 tsp salt 2 large eggs 1 large egg yolk (reserve the white for the egg wash) 1/4 cup neutral-flavored vegetable oil

Instructions

• Combine yeast and a pinch of sugar in small bowl with the water and stir until you see a frothy layer across the top.
• Whisk together 4 cups of the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
• Make a well in the center of the flour and add in eggs, egg yolk, and oil. Whisk these together to form a slurry, pulling in a little flour from the sides of the bowl.
• Pour the yeast mixture over the egg slurry and mix until difficult to move.
• Turn out the dough onto a floured work surface and knead by hand for about 10 minutes. If the dough seems very sticky, add flour a teaspoon at a time until it feels tacky, but no longer like bubblegum. The dough has finished kneading when it is soft, smooth, and holds a ball-shape.
• Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and place somewhere warm. Let the dough rise 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Separate the dough into four pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a long rope roughly 1-inch thick and 16 inches long.
• Gather the ropes and squeeze them together at the very top. Braid the pieces in the pattern of over, under, and over again. Pinch the pieces together again at the bottom.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment and lift the loaf on top. Sprinkle the loaf with a little flour and drape it with a clean dishcloth. Place the pan somewhere warm and away from drafts and let it rise until puffed and pillowy, about an hour.
• Heat the oven to 350°F. Whisk the reserved egg white with a tablespoon of water and brush it all over the challah. Be sure to get in the cracks and down the sides of the loaf.
• Slide the challah on its baking sheet into the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking. The challah is done when it is deeply browned.

I kept wondering how these two breads could be so similar in taste. So I decided to look up a recipe for Easter Bread to make a comparison. The two are almost exactly the same! These recipes are similar because they come from religious backgrounds. The Jewish Challah bread is based on kosher dietary laws. The Christian Easter Bread comes from the Jewish tradition but was modified over time because they did not follow kosher dietary laws.

A recipe for Easter bread is as follows:

2 tsp active dry or instant yeast 2/3 cup milk 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup white granulated sugar 2 tbs butter 2 large eggs 2 tbs melted butter 1 tsp salt

• In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, salt, and yeast; stir well. Combine milk and butter in a small saucepan; heat until milk is warm and butter is softened but not melted.
• Gradually add the milk and butter to the flour mixture; stirring constantly. Add two eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.
• Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal size rounds; cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each round into a long roll about 36 inches long and 1 1/2 inches thick. Using the two long pieces of dough, form a loosely braided ring, leaving spaces for the five colored eggs. Seal the ends of the ring together and use your fingers to slide the eggs between the braids of dough.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place loaf on a buttered baking sheet and cover loosely with a damp towel. Place loaf in a warm place and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes. Brush risen loaf with melted butter.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Both of these recipes are really easy to make. While you might need to have a day set aside for this activity, you can do things while the dough is rising or in the oven. After only a few hours, you have a delicious loaf of bread that you made from scratch, so the time and effort is really worth it!

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer..

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake , have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart , no matter how dirty the water may look.

Every year when summer rolls back around, you can't wait to fire up the boat and get back out there. Here is a list of things you can probably identify with as a fellow lake-goer.

A bad day at the lake is still better than a good day not at the lake.

It's your place of escape, where you can leave everything else behind and just enjoy the beautiful summer day. No matter what kind of week you had, being able to come and relax without having to worry about anything else is the best therapy there is. After all, there's nothing better than a day of hanging out in the hot sun, telling old funny stories and listening to your favorite music.

You know the best beaches and coves to go to.

Whether you want to just hang out and float or go walk around on a beach, you know the best spots. These often have to be based on the people you're with, given that some "party coves" can get a little too crazy for little kids on board. I still have vivid memories from when I was six that scared me when I saw the things drunk girls would do for beads.

You have no patience for the guy who can't back his trailer into the water right.

When there's a long line of trucks waiting to dump their boats in the water, there's always that one clueless guy who can't get it right, and takes 5 attempts and holds up the line. No one likes that guy. One time my dad got so fed up with a guy who was taking too long that he actually got out of the car and asked this guy if he could just do it for him. So he got into the guy's car, threw it in reverse, and got it backed in on the first try. True story.

Doing the friendly wave to every boat you pass.

Similar to the "jeep wave," almost everyone waves to other boats passing by. It's just what you do, and is seen as a normal thing by everyone.

The cooler is always packed, mostly with beer.

Alcohol seems to be a big part of the lake experience, but other drinks are squeezed into the room remaining in the cooler for the kids, not to mention the wide assortment of chips and other foods in the snack bag.

Giving the idiot who goes 30 in a "No Wake Zone" a piece of your mind.

There's nothing worse than floating in the water, all settled in and minding your business, when some idiot barrels through. Now your anchor is loose, and you're left jostled by the waves when it was nice and perfectly still before. This annoyance is typically answered by someone yelling some choice words to them that are probably accompanied by a middle finger in the air.

You have no problem with peeing in the water.

It's the lake, and some social expectations are a little different here, if not lowered quite a bit. When you have to go, you just go, and it's no big deal to anyone because they do it too.

You know the frustration of getting your anchor stuck.

The number of anchors you go through as a boat owner is likely a number that can be counted on two hands. Every once in a while, it gets stuck on something on the bottom of the lake, and the only way to fix the problem is to cut the rope, and you have to replace it.

Watching in awe at the bigger, better boats that pass by.

If you're the typical lake-goer, you likely might have an average-sized boat that you're perfectly happy with. However, that doesn't mean you don't stop and stare at the fast boats that loudly speed by, or at the obnoxiously huge yachts that pass.

Knowing any swimsuit that you own with white in it is best left for the pool or the ocean.

You've learned this the hard way, coming back from a day in the water and seeing the flowers on your bathing suit that were once white, are now a nice brownish hue.

The momentary fear for your life as you get launched from the tube.

If the driver knows how to give you a good ride, or just wants to specifically throw you off, you know you're done when you're speeding up and heading straight for a big wave. Suddenly you're airborne, knowing you're about to completely wipe out, and you eat pure wake. Then you get back on and do it all again.

You're able to go to the restaurants by the water wearing minimal clothing.

One of the many nice things about the life at the lake is that everybody cares about everything a little less. Rolling up to the place wearing only your swimsuit, a cover-up, and flip flops, you fit right in. After a long day when you're sunburned, a little buzzed, and hungry, you're served without any hesitation.

Having unexpected problems with your boat.

Every once in a while you're hit with technical difficulties, no matter what type of watercraft you have. This is one of the most annoying setbacks when you're looking forward to just having a carefree day on the water, but it's bound to happen. This is just one of the joys that come along with being a boat owner.

Having a name for your boat unique to you and your life.

One of the many interesting things that make up the lake culture is the fact that many people name their boats. They can range from basic to funny, but they are unique to each and every owner, and often have interesting and clever meanings behind them.

There's no better place you'd rather be in the summer.

Summer is your all-time favorite season, mostly because it's spent at the lake. Whether you're floating in the cool water under the sun, or taking a boat ride as the sun sets, you don't have a care in the world at that moment . The people that don't understand have probably never experienced it, but it's what keeps you coming back every year.

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why i chose a small school over a big university..

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin ." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

1. My school is incredibly unique.

There are so many different kinds of people that each bring something really special to contribute to the school which makes it so unique.

2. I am not just a number at my school.

I am a student that my professors know about and I like knowing that my professors can watch my progress.

3. I feel like I am contributing something to the community.

I like feeling like I can make a difference on my campus.

4. I really do feel like it is my home away from home.

It isn't just my school. It is absolutely my home away from home. I feel so comfortable there and it was as hard of an adjustment as I had thought it would be.

5. My professors know me and I feel that I can easily communicate with them.

I feel like they will do anything to help students succeed. I can always go to my professors. I like knowing that I have someone looking out for me.

6. The incredible people I've met

The people I have met at my school, even after my first year, have made such a huge impact on me. I know that these are people that I will stay friends with long after college is done.

7. Opportunities

My school offers so many different opportunities to get involved in things around campus. Even writing for the Odyssey was an opportunity offered to me by my school and I decided to challenge myself by writing an article. Turns out, I really enjoy writing. I might not have had this opportunity at a bigger school.

8. Students want to learn

I feel as though I am not just learning inside the classroom at my school. I am learning outside the classroom to from my fellow classmates who want to engage about the things we have learned.

9. Ability to join a sorority and have a house full of people I know I can talk to anytime I need to

I wasn't sure if being in a sorority was something I was interested in but when I met the amazing people in the sorority and how inclusive it was, I knew that it was going to be a good thing for me. The people I've met in my sorority have been so amazing.

10. I have figured out how I learn best because my school offers so many different ways of learning.

Because of the smaller class sizes, there is more flexibility in the way the class is taught. This was helpful because I was able to try out different ways of learning and figure out which way I learn best.

70 Of The Most Referenced Movies Ever

The basics of movies and pop culture pieces..

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

So lock down this list and impress your friends and family with your impressive film knowledge that fills the space of all that schoolwork that you just forgot. Because after all, "How could I handle school on a day like this?"

1. Jurassic Park

2. princess bride, 3. office space, 4. sixteen candles, 5. ferris bueller's day off, 6. bill and ted's excellent adventure, 7. ​absolutely anything (robin william's last movie)​, 8. mrs. doubtfire, 9. to kill a mockingbird, 10. a few good men, 11. good will hunting, 12. dead poet’s society, 13. wizard of oz, 14. the shining, 15. silence of the lambs, 17. casablanca, 18. singin’ in the rain, 19. e.t. extra terrestrial, 20. zootopia (basically all things disney, except frozen), 22. gone with the wind, 23. harry potter (all of them), 24. star wars (all but rogue one), 25. indiana jones and the raiders of the lost arc, 26. die hard, 27. titanic, 28. it’s a wonderful life, 29. lord of the rings (all three), 30. airplane, 31. ghostbusters, 32. groundhog day, 33. a clockwork orange, 34. the terminator, 35. saving private ryan, 36. carrie (1976), 37. pulp fiction, 38. sixth sense, 39. the matrix, 40. west side story, 41. fight club, 42. shaun of the dead, 43. hot fuzz, 44. forrest gump, 45. monty python and the holy grail, 46. back to the future, 47. the breakfast club, 48. mean girls, 49. the sandlot, 50. wayne’s world, 51. a christmas story, 53. napoleon dynamite, 54. the big lebowski, 55. spaceballs, 57. beetlejuice, 58. the hangover, 59. the rocky horror picture show, 60. anatasia, 61. young frankenstein, 62. zoolander, 63. field of dreams, 64. american pie, 65. gremlins, 66. big v for vendetta, 67. the birds, 68. how to train your dragon, 69. the labyrinth, 70. marvel movies (all of them, even the bad ones).

There are plenty of other movies that are fantastic and worth watching, but this is where you should start. Try knocking a few out during those rainy days this summer !

Happy Watching!!!

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• Health & wellbeing

Reflecting on my first semester as an undergraduate

Finding my way around uni these past few months has really taught me a lot. It’s opened my eyes to just how difficult, but rewarding independence can be. I’ve gained new friendships, connections, and most importantly, it’s revealed a strong, confident personality in me that I never knew I had.

Workload and stress

To say I haven’t enjoyed the semester would be a complete lie – I absolutely adored it. Yes, there were times where I had work piling up, on top of three novels that I had to have read. Plus all of the usual student stresses like lack of money and food. Despite this struggle, I think I’ve handled the first semester really well. I’m getting grades that I’m proud of and I’ve found amazing friends. (Plus I’ve finally managed to get a sense of order in the madness that is my desk!)

Saving money

One thing I really have struggled with is money management; finding a way to stop spending my fortnightly wages within a couple days! My family always told me it would be hard, but I just thought I’d be fine, having a job and a bit of money saved up. Now I know, money goes  so  quickly! But now I’m shopping in cheaper shops and trying to cut back on little things, like the unnecessary Primark trips and stopping at Eskimoo on my way to a lecture…

A big factor in how I dealt with leaving my family and my home was the advice they gave me. I owe a lot to my family, especially my Dad, who always goes out of his way to make sure I’m okay and happy. He’s visited me frequently in this first semester, and it really helped me to feel that I wasn’t just by myself at uni; that I had support and love, no matter how far away I was from them. I’m forever grateful to my family for helping me through my homesickness and initial sadness at becoming ‘independent’. They got me out of my slump, and ultimately gave me the motivation I needed to really get stuck into my work at Uni, and I couldn’t love them more for doing so. They also brought my dog to Lincoln for the day, which in itself is the best thing that anyone could ever do (honestly, it was the best day ever).

A Personal Highlight

A personal highlight of the semester for me was the connections I made over the past few months. I’ve experienced enthusiastic, passionate teaching, which made the seminars and workshops really enjoyable, and on top of that, when it came to independent rehearsals for the end of year performance in our Drama module, I laughed harder than I’ve ever done before. Some of my favourite memories from University so far have been from those two-hour meet-ups in ATB. (Of course, we did actually get some work done, even though our Snapchat stories said otherwise…)

Honestly, if I had the chance to go back and do things differently, I wouldn’t. I’ve had a truly fantastic first semester, even though it had a shaky start, I’ve powered through and I simply can’t wait to see where the next one takes me.

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My First Year at Lancaster: What I’ve Learnt

by Maria Clark

My first year of university is over. A year of name-forgetting, essay-writing and late-night-walking across campus. Though there were certainly unprecedented aspects (coronavirus, I’m looking at you), my first year at Lancaster - no matter how it ended - has taught me a great many things. Here are just a few:

Independence is both a blessing and a curse

When my parents left for the first time, and I sat in my new room, trying desperately not to let the tears spill, I wanted nothing more than to run out after them. I wanted the comfort of my own house, my own town, and cuddles from the dogs - not the faceless corridor of doors that held my new flatmates. In short, I was absolutely terrified of independence. I was encouraged to be independent as I grew up, but somehow, the freedom that came with living on campus was very intimidating, on that first day.

I’m writing this now from my bedroom at home (having returned due to COVID-19). I love being at home, but being back in my family routine - and restrained by governmental restrictions, too - felt like going from one extreme to another. The independence at university (being able to get ice cream at 2am; staying in the kitchen for hours) is something that I grew to love, and now desperately miss. It was extremely annoying, sometimes, to do all the ‘adult’ things (like house viewings, and defrosting the freezers!), but having the chance to experiment and try things my way was incredible.

There’s not one ‘university experience’

If you asked my flatmates, course-mates and friends about their first year, you would get a multitude of different responses. My first year was characterised by the warmth of cookie dough, the taste of rain on the netball courts and the smell of curry in the kitchen. Others will tell you about all the wonderful nights out they had, and all the lectures they attended hungover, but that didn’t even feature in my first year. I was worried, before starting university, that I would be the odd one out, because I don’t like drinking and partying, but it wasn’t an issue at all. I was incredibly lucky to meet others exactly like me, and we spent time doing things that we enjoyed. So, I would encourage all uni students (both future and current) to remember that the experience of another student will never match your own - and, with that wonderful independence I mentioned, if you don’t want to do something, you have the freedom to make up your own mind!

It’s important to stay in touch

Depending on the type of person you are, in the first few weeks, you might find yourself anxiously calling your parents every night, updating them on every new person you’ve met and what you ate for dinner. Gradually, however, as you settle in, the life you led at home may fade into the background, and ringing home may be at the bottom of your priorities. Something I’ve learnt this year is that moving out and starting uni is as big a milestone for your family as it is for you - and they feel it just as keenly. You may not want to call your family all the time, but staying in touch and keeping them updated with your life (no matter how often) is important for everyone’s wellbeing. Sometimes it’s just nice to hear about someone else’s life outside of the Lancaster bubble. Making new friends and relationships is obviously an important part of university - but staying in touch with those from home is just as important, too.

My first year at university will always be a little more unusual than most due to the uncertainty surrounding teaching and learning from February onwards. Yes, things may not have gone completely to plan, but if coronavirus has taught me anything, it’s to make the most of the present moment. If I’d have known that my first year was going to end much sooner than anticipated, I would have embraced more opportunities and spent more time seeing and trying new things. I wish I had spent more time exploring the area, and making memories through events and moments. It’s very easy to say that it’s not important, and that there’s always next year, but the sudden shock of the pandemic has taught me that nothing’s certain. Make the most of every moment, and create memories to last a lifetime.

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year at university, despite the abrupt ending. I’ve done things I never imagined, and met people from all across the globe. Lancaster, thanks for having me - and I’ll see you in second year!

Read more from Maria

What is a placement year?

Maria and her friends decided to spend their third year on a work placement. Here Maria explains what that can involve.

Applying for a placement

Now that you've decided to take a year out to work in industry, how do you find the right position for you?

What to bring to University

Maria tells you what you need to pack for University, and what to leave behind.

Making a home away from home

Maria takes a look at how different students have decorated their campus rooms

UK Christmas traditions I'm missing

This Christmas, I’m on my placement year in the Netherlands, where things are done a little differently.

A week in the life

Maria describes her week as a first-year English Literate and Creative Writing student

Why I moved 223 miles from home

Maria describes why she chose to come to Lancaster

Studying at home

Maria shares her advice for studying at home during the lockdown.

The week before university

Maria journals the week leading up to starting at Lancaster

Welcome Week journal (by an introvert)

Maria journals her first week at Lancaster.

How to get on with your flatmates

Maria shares her advice for getting along with others in your student accommodation

Staying connected

Maria describes how she has stayed connected to Lancaster during the Covid-19 pandemic

Life in lockdown

Maria shares her advice for looking after your mental health during the COVID-19 crisis.

What are lectures and seminars?

Maria describes what lectures and seminars are and how to prepare for them

The sights, sounds and smells of Lancaster

Maria picks up on her favourite sensations of being at Lancaster.

From Monday, February 5, 2024 to April 28, 2024, the  WCC's Online Resources webpage will be undergoing maintenance. During this time, some web and/or PDF resources may be temporarily unavailable. If you need urgent access to a resource, please email  [email protected] with the title of the specific resource you require, and we will send you a copy. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience while we work on these improvements.

Critical Reflection

A Critical Reflection (also called a reflective essay) is a process of identifying, questioning, and assessing our deeply-held assumptions – about our knowledge, the way we perceive events and issues, our beliefs, feelings, and actions. When you reflect critically, you use course material (lectures, readings, discussions, etc.) to examine our biases, compare theories with current actions, search for causes and triggers, and identify problems at their core.   Critical reflection is   not   a reading assignment, a summary of an activity, or an emotional outlet.   Rather,   the goal is   to change your thinking about a subject, and thus change your behaviour.

Tip: Critical reflections are common in coursework across all disciplines, but they can take very different forms. Your instructor may ask you to develop a formal essay, produce weekly blog entries, or provide short paragraph answers to a set of questions. Read the assignment guidelines before you begin.

How to Critically Reflect

Writing a critical reflection happens in two phases.

• Analyze:   In the first phase, analyze the issue and your role by asking critical questions. Use free writing as a way to develop good ideas. Don’t worry about organized paragraphs or good grammar at this stage.
• Articulate:   In the second phase, use your analysis to develop a clear argument about what you learned. Organize your ideas so they are clear for your reader.

First phase: Analyze

A popular method for analyzing is the three stage model: What? So What? Now what?

In the  What?  stage, describe the issue, including your role, observations, and reactions. The   what?   stage helps you make initial observations about what you feel and think. At this point, there’s no need to look at your course notes or readings.

Use the questions below to guide your writing during this stage.

• What happened?
• What did you do?
• What did you expect?
• What was different?
• What was your reaction?
• What did you learn?

In the second  So What?   stage, try to understand on a deeper level why the issue is significant or relevant. Use information from your first stage, your course materials (readings, lectures, discussions) -- as well as previous experience and knowledge to help you think through the issue from a variety of perspectives.

Tip:  Since you’ll be using more course resources in this step, review your readings and course notes before you begin writing.

Below are three perspectives you can consider:

• Academic perspective: How did the experience enhance your understanding of a concept/theory/skill? Did the experience confirm your understanding or challenge it? Did you identify strengths or gaps in your knowledge?
• Personal perspective:   Why does the experience matter? What are the consequences? Were your previous expectations/assumptions confirmed or refuted? What surprised you and why?
• Systems perspective:   What were the sources of power and who benefited/who was harmed? What changes would you suggest? How does this experience help you understand the organization or system?

In the third   Now what?   stage, explore how the experience will shape your future thinking and behaviour.

Use the following questions to guide your thinking and writing:

• What are you going to do as a result of your experiences?
• What will you do differently?
• How will you apply what you learned?

Second phase: Articulate

After completing the analysis stage, you probably have a lot of writing, but it is not yet organized into a coherent story. You need to build an organized and clear argument about what you learned and how you changed. To do so,   develop a thesis statement , make an   outline ,   write , and   revise.

Develop a thesis statement

Develop a clear argument to help your reader understand what you learned. This argument should pull together different themes from your analysis into a main idea. You can see an example of a thesis statement in the sample reflection essay at the end of this resource.

Tip: For more help on developing thesis statements, see our   Thesis statements  resource

Make an outline

Once you have a clear thesis statement for your essay, build an outline. Below is a straightforward method to organize your essay.

• Background/Context of reflection
• Thesis statement
• Introduce theme A
• Writer's past position/thinking
• Moment of learning/change
• Writer's current/new position
• Introduce theme B
• Introduce theme C
• Summarize learning
• Discuss significance of learning for self and others
• Discuss future actions/behaviour

Write and revise

Time to get writing! Work from your outline and give yourself enough time for a first draft and revisions.

Even though you are writing about your personal experience and learning, your audience may still be an academic one. Consult the assignment guidelines or ask your instructor to find out whether your writing should be formal or informal.

Sample Critical Reflection

Below are sample annotated paragraphs from one student’s critical reflection for a course on society and privilege.

Introduction

Background/context of reflection : I became aware of privileged positions in society only in recent years. I was lucky enough, privileged enough, to be ignorant of such phenomena, but for some, privilege is a daily lesson of how they do not fit into mainstream culture. In the past, I defined oppression as only that which is obvious and intentional. I never realized the part I played. However, during a class field study to investigate privileged positions in everyday environments, I learned otherwise.   Thesis:   Without meaning to, I caused harm by participating in a system where I gained from others’ subtle oppression. In one of these spaces, the local mall, everything from advertisements to food to products, to the locations of doorways, bathrooms and other public necessities, made clear my privilege as a white, heterosexual male.

Body paragraph

Topic sentence : Peggy McIntosh describes privilege as an invisible knapsack of tools and advantages. This description crystalized for me when I shopped for a greeting card at the stationary store. There, as a white, heterosexual male, I felt comfortable and empowered to roam about the store as I pleased. I freely asked the clerk about a mother’s day card.   Writer’s past position:   Previously, I never considered that a store did anything but sell products. However, when I asked the sales clerk for same sex greeting cards, she paused for a few seconds and gave me a look that made me feel instantly uncomfortable. Some customers stopped to look at me. I felt a heat move over my face. I felt, for a moment, wrong for being in that store.  I quickly clarified that I was only doing a report for school, implying that I was not in fact homosexual.   Writer’s current position:   The clerk’s demeanor changed. I was free to check, she said.  It was the only time during the field study that I had felt the need to explain what I was doing to anyone. I could get out of the situation with a simple clarification. But what if I really was a member of the homosexual community? The looks and the silence taught me that I should be feared.  I realized that, along with its products, the store was selling an image of normal. But my “normality” was another person’s “abnormality.”  After I walked out of the store I felt guilty for having denied being homosexual.

Summary of learning:   At the mall I realized how much we indirectly shame nonprivileged groups, even in seemingly welcoming spaces. That shame is supported every time I or any other privileged individual fails to question our advantage. And it leads to a different kind of shame carried by privileged individuals, too.   Value for self and others:   All of this, as Brown (2003) documents, is exacerbated by silence. Thus, the next step for me is to not only question privilege internally, but to publicly question covert bias and oppression. If I do, I may very well be shamed for speaking out. But my actions might just encourage other people to speak up as well.

Sample paragraphs adapted from James C. Olsen's Teaching Portfolio from Georgetown University .

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• Reflection on the First Year of the University

Reflection on the First Year of the University - Essay Example

• Subject: Education
• Type: Essay
• Level: Masters
• Pages: 6 (1500 words)
• Downloads: 6
• Author: cristopherdietr

Extract of sample "Reflection on the First Year of the University"

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Reflections After Your 1st Year

For the last nine months, Davis has been home to students from all over the planet. For many, their year living and studying abroad has turned out to be one of the most enjoyable, but also most challenging, years of their lives.

As if leaving a familiar way of life was not enough, Davis' international students have had to adjust to the unique academic, social and cultural challenges of living and studying in California. Meeting these new challenges has, for many, been the motivation and, subsequently the reward for coming to Davis in the first place.

For Daniel Waagmeester, an economics and political science major from Amsterdam, Holland, the last nine months have proven to be an overwhelmingly positive experience.

"It was fun," he said. "It was different. It was definitely worth it," You're out of your normal life for a year. Here, I go to class, hang out and do fun stuff. You can put off all those 'important' things in life."

Similarly, for Emma Harbour, an Education Abroad Program student from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, living abroad for a year is comparable to taking a "quantum leap" from normality. In taking that leap, Harbour has learned more not just about the U.S., but about herself.

"For a year, you get to see how your life could have been different," Harbour remarked. "Now, I know I can get up and leave, and the people that matter most to me will still be there. And, in return, I appreciate them more for that. I know that, when I go away, they'll still be there for me."

Adding to this, for Harbour, is a rediscovery of an almost childlike, uninhibited will to make the best of new opportunities and adventures. "I've been skiing and rock climbing while I've been here, which I've put off so many times," Harbor said. "It's made me want to travel a lot more. Now, I think I will, rather than just intending to, not just abroad but at home too."

For Masha Somi, an EAP student from Canberra, Australia, the experience has proven to be very important, more so personally than academically.

"This has been the best thing I have done with my life," Somi said. "I really looked at this year as being about finding myself. For me I needed to get away to be able to do that properly. And now, I have more conviction to go out and do what I think I always wanted to do. I think I now have a greater faith in myself, and I have discovered better what it is I can do as an individual."

Meanwhile, John Keane, an electrical and computer engineering student from Dublin, Ireland, found the last nine months in California to be an incredibly positive experience.

"I have gained a lot of self-confidence," Keane noted. "Whatever way you put it, it's a tough thing to do, to go away from your family and all your friends, and still do reasonably well and still have a good time as well."

One of the main challenges facing students like Keane and Waagmeester has been the adjustment to a new academic system, with all the differing expectations and priorities that goes with it. For Keane, the adjustment has been both challenging and rewarding.

"I think the school rewards an overall, continuous effort, and it took me a term to realize this," Keane recalled. "I think the overall level of academic standards weren't as high maybe as I expected. Even so, the material I'm studying is more interesting and specific to what I'm interested in, with much better facilities and resources available."

This has been the best thing I have done with my life. Masha Somi

Similarly, for Waagmeester, academic life in Davis has its ups and downs. "I expected that the classes would be of a little higher level," Waagmeester remarked. "What I really like, though, is that the professors are really here for the students, whereas at home, they are there mainly for their research."

One of the main motivations many students have for spending time studying abroad is to gain a better perspective and understanding of their country of choice. For international students at Davis, this seems especially true. Harbour, for example has had some less than positive stereotypes challenged.

"There is a preconception at home that American sincerity is somewhat fake," Harbour remarked, "but to me it has come across as being really genuine. I think, through Davis, I have gained a more positive image of America, because it has shown me that the U.S. isn't all 'big-city crime and social breakdown' but that it is actually built up from its small towns, like Davis."

This is a realization that is echoed to an extent by Somi, who stresses the value of experiencing the reality firsthand.

"I guess I had some misconceptions before I came here," Somi admitted. "I've found that just living and finding a reality has been a really good experience. It has taught me to be a bit more open-minded, in that there are actually a lot of really positive things about the U.S. which I'd not considered before." Waagmeester agreed with Somi.

"Being here has given me a more nuanced or balanced view, because, what do you really know about a country until you go?," Waagmeester wondered. "You hear a lot of the bad stuff. After being here, I think I now have a more positive view and a better understanding of California and the U.S. in general."

Keane suggested that perhaps Davis is a somewhat distorted taste of American life. Nevertheless, his abiding impression is that the similarities between the U.S. and his home country are what stand out the most.

"My view of the U.S. has maybe been distorted by living in Davis," Keane said. "Davis is very nice and has no real crime problem or any of the social problems that are hard for America as a whole. Even so, the similarities have been more impressive than the differences between here and home."

Nevertheless, Keane went on to illustrate how, despite these similarities, or even perhaps because of them, his own identity and background have become even more important. In many ways, as Keane remarks, focusing on their unique identity has been something many international students have used to their advantage in Davis.

"I think that being from another country means people are genuinely more interested in you," Keane said. "Personally, I think I have clung to this, and being Irish has never been as important to me as it is here."

As their year in Davis draws to close, these international students, one and all, recommend the experience of living and studying abroad. For Waagmeester, there was no question.

"Everyone should do it," Waagmeester noted. "It broadens your view. It's a lot of fun and you're really surprised about how easy it is to adapt. "Somi agreed, but was slightly more cautious.

"It's an opportunity to be who you are without all the constraints of everyday life," Somi stressed. "It's a fresh slate where you can really be who you want to be in life. But I wouldn't say it's for everyone. You have to be sure that it's what you want. It shouldn't be because you want to get away, but because you want to get something out of the place you're going to."

Like Somi, few international students would underestimate the greatness of the challenge of leaving every familiar facet of life behind for something so unknown and inconceivable as a year in a foreign country. Nevertheless, it is the greatness of the challenge that determines the size of the reward in meeting it. As they head home, the international students of 1998-99, would no doubt attest to value of their year in the life of UC Davis.

By Eric Mcfarland, The California Aggie - Univ. of Calif. (U-WIRE)

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