Semester Reflections

Semester 2

The second semester of my freshman year was illuminating, to say the least. I declared a history minor and, through my history class, learned so much about the history department and the people within it, who are some of the nicest people I've interacted with. In addition, I discovered a whole new side to the information studies department by attending events and having such brilliant conversations with my peers and professors. My interactions with my professors, specifically, have given me a lot of insight into myself and how I learn and engage with others. The weight with which my words carry is a newfound experience for me, coming from childhood into adulthood. I think it is freeing to be able to talk to a professor as people ranting about their passions, interested in the same subject. My mentality, stuck in rigid social relationships, I think, is what most holds me back, or prevents me from asking for help at every opportunity. I have, additionally, made a litany of friends. I always find someone to go places with, or eat with, and I relish it. The on-campus community is beautiful, and I love being able to wander about and stumble into someone to grab food with. I think such a campus community of diversity, additionally, means finding people like me is so much easier. I love being able to just exist as I am without having to explain my existence or field questions. Something I've also come to relish, I feel, are quests and adventures in and around campus. Second semester, I’ve learned to wander more, find local businesses to source my yarn and art supplies, and find used books and antiques. I’ve come to find the best spots to sit outside, and my favorite places to get dinner. Within Art Scholars, I have met some lifelong friends. I’ve found people to room with in the future, and a whole community of kind people who are passionate about so many things and come from so many backgrounds and majors, everyone bringing their unique sauce to everything they do. We all have a shared experience, and I think that bonds us and means something for what the future holds. That I can mention this program and find people who were once in it is a testament to how tethering this program truly is. In the future, I was to bring my unique sauce to the table and introduce a new pack of scholars to my experiences and give them the freedom to explore and do what they love. Concerning the application of the arts, personally and socially, I think the program has taught me a great deal about how much of an outlet art can be and how valuable it is to society. I think, with the advent of so much that seeks to destroy the craft, it is important to establish why we love artistic mediums in the first place and ask those philosophical questions. Future scholars can learn to embrace and expand their artistic mediums and mindsets. I think I found co-curriculars and workshops most informative, with workshops allowing me to learn and experiment alongside a bunch of people, just talking and discussing everything around us. I learned so much from just listening to sophomores in my workshop talk about their experiences. Co-curriculars, additionally, allowed me to take classes I'm passionate about and love, like writing workshops and literature reviews, to expand my preferred mediums. To get the most out of the program, I'd say, bring yourself to the program. Apply all you learn to what you’re interested in, and bring your interests to the table.