Semester Reflections

Semester 1

Coming to the University of Maryland has been an unforgettable experience, though it was a very hard and challenging adjustment at first. As I am one of the few commuter students in my community, it was difficult to wake up early morning, drive from Silver Spring every day, and having late classes, all while trying to manage the overwhelming fast pace of university life. Unlike the others who lived on campus, I had to balance the 35-minute commute with my academic and social life, which made the transition here feel isolating sometimes. During the first few weeks, I struggled with feeling that I didn't belong here, as I looked at everyone with their own group or roommates. But the College Park Arts Scholars program gave me better reassurance, but I still found it hard to connect with others at first. The reality of university life wasn't unexpected, I expected the crowded spaces, people studying in libraries, and the fast-paced lectures of college life. Something that was surprising was how quickly I had to learn to adjust to my classes, whether it was a 20-minute walk from the north campus down to the south campus. The fast-paced coursework was also surprising because I now realize the importance of time management to keep up with the workload. The workload itself was heavy but was not unexpected because I understand that it is a university, but I did find some aspects more challenging, especially the strict grading systems of some professors. This semester taught me a lot about how to manage my responsibilities better. Moving forward, I will improve my time management skills, prioritize my assignments more, and work on maintaining a healthier mindset. Looking back, I didn't know what to expect from the Arts Scholars program. At first, I thought it would just be a creative class for students, but it turned out to be so much more. I got experiences like field trips, Service Day, the artTRYathlon, and the Craft & Chat events that were enjoyable surprises that allowed me to participate in creativity and connect with others. One of the most memorable experiences was attending a Craft & Chat with friends, where we had the chance to relax and unwind by creating art together. It was a great way to bond and also a reminder of how therapeutic creativity can be during a stressful time. The most impactful lesson from my first semester in Arts Scholars was discovering how art can be interpreted in many different ways. I learned that everything, even something like a simple chair from Walmart, can be viewed as art if it evokes emotion. This made me open to new perspectives of art. Talking about perspectives of art, I got the opportunity to learn about the Vogue dance session from Marquis Revlon Clanton, an international Vogue dancer and choreographer. I learned moves that required strength and flexibility. When me or my friends made mistakes, we laughed them off and used each misstep as a learning opportunity. This experience not only taught me how to embrace discomfort and step outside my comfort zone, a lesson I plan to carry with me, especially since I often struggle with anxiety but also helped me focus on freedom of expression and embracing discomfort, and taught me about resilience where I had to push past physical discomfort and judgment.

Some of the biggest challenges I faced this semester are managing the fast pace of university life, coping with the workload, and making connections as mentioned before, especially as someone with social anxiety. University is a lot different from high school, and it took time to adjust. The Arts Scholars community was important in helping me step outside my comfort zone, and I eventually made some friends. I also learned to express myself in ways that felt safe and comfortable. In terms of managing stress, I found that making to-do lists and prioritizing my assignments helped me stay organized and reduce anxiety. I also took time for creative and effective stress relievers, like art and journaling. I also realized that I need to sleep healthier next semester because sleep is important for college students that I've been lacking. Looking ahead, I plan to be more realistic about my expectations. Sometimes, I set unrealistic standards, but I now understand that improvement is a process, and it's important to appreciate my efforts regardless of the outcome. Moving forward, I will focus on setting achievable goals and celebrating my growth, both academically and personally. I am proud of myself for making it through my first semester, and I'm grateful for the friendships I’ve made, especially with Daisy, Catlinh, and Mia from the Arts Scholars program. Most of all, I’m thankful for my TA Belle. She has been a constant support, believing in our team and ensuring that no one feels isolated. Her guidance and help have made a huge difference in my first semester. We tend to forget the journey and how much effort it took to get accepted into UMD, but now I remind myself that I should be proud of all the hard work I put in to get here.