Semester Reflections

Semester 2

Semester 2 has definitely gone smoother than the first. I originally needed time to adjust to college life- the exam format classes, a schedule different from high school, social life, and many more. However, over the course of the semester, I have been able to adjust and make myself comfortable in the new environment. A big factor that I have learned from last semester is time management. I have used this skill to help myself be more prepared and ready for the workload in every class, in addition to managing my social life with my studies. In terms of faulty-student relationships, I have been able to find connections with some of my professors. I have been keeping in great touch with one of my professors from last semester, and it has been a pleasure being able to meet with him a couple of times during the second semester as well. For this semester, I have been able to build a relationship with one particular professor. I have gained a lot of professional communication skills from these connections. But most of all, I have learned that it only takes one conversation or one email to form relationships and that I need to be bold in taking action. I believe that the biggest challenge to developing these connections would be reading out first, however, I think that the hardest is maintaining them. It is difficult to keep in touch with professors, especially over time, since it is unlikely to see the same professor again. I believe that it is important to keep up the flow of emails and communication throughout the years in college in order to get out of college with many more connections, support systems, and skills. I have made deeper connections with the students in Arts Scholars. Through the workshops, I was able to build on connections that started from the first semester, and the activities that we did together through the workshops helped us grow even closer. Creating friendships has been crucial in adjusting to college because I know that there are people there who support me. The greatest obstacle in pursuing these relationships would be reaching out first, similar to the situation with professors. It is important that I put in the effort to keep friendships by initiating conversations and sending in a text. Next year's freshmen can make the best use of their connections with their peers by being more active on campus knowing that there are people who want to get to know them. Arts Scholars has fostered 'community' and 'artistic engagement' by not only consisting of a big group of people but also by hosting activities and events that allow us to connect through artistic mediums. The workshop that I was in, "Appreciate E(arth)", has helped me be more aware of sustainable art activities and acknowledge materials that may be harmful to the Earth. The workshop has helped me to create new relationships and pushed me to think outside the box. Through Arts Scholars, I have been able to understand and appreciate art more. I have learned that art is all around us and that the role of art has been in my life all along since the beginning. Art can not only bring society together but allow people to connect emotionally through different mediums. Through our TA group presentation from the first semester, I realized that the various artistic mediums are all equally significant, and that art communicates words even though there may not be any words spoken. Future Arts Scholars can expand their own definitions of what art means to them by continuing to engage in activities and events that would broaden their perspectives. Doing hands-on crafts during workshops has been the most beneficial in supporting my work in the semester. Being able to learn about the material is one thing, but being able to apply it is different. Incoming Arts Scholars can get the most out of their experience in the program by constantly looking for ways to grow. Additionally, staying open-minded would get one far, because challenging oneself to new thoughts and ideas allows one to be more creative, flexible, and knowledgeable.