When I walked onto the campus of the local community college for the first time there was a since of calm and peacefulness. The grounds were well maintained; the crystal clear windows of the buildings reflected the sun like mirrors. Every aspect of the campus was new and inviting. The students walked to and from their various destinations in a leisurely manor; indeed, it was a far cry from the fast – paced atmospheres of many four year colleges and universities. I stood in place and took in my surroundings. I had no idea of the nightmare that was in store; my academic experience would be sheer turmoil.
As I walked toward the Governor’s Building nothing appeared out of the ordinary. I entered the main lobby doors and headed for the elevator, my destination, classroom 230. I continued down a hallway filled with students; I made a right turn and entered the room. I turned on the lights and took a look around. Classroom 230 was uninviting and in disarray. The tables were lined against the walls and the chairs were scattered about the room. The lighting was dim and the temperature felt like a 30 below winter night. On the whiteboard there appeared to be hieroglyphical scribbling etched in faded black marker. The only window in the entire room was viewless.
I took a seat and other students began to enter the room. We chat among ourselves and wait for the instructor, Mr. Kappa, to arrive. Although we appeared to be a very diverse group, we all had one unified expectation for the course. It was unanimous; we all wanted this experience to go smoothly and be over quickly. In addition, it would help if the instructor had a positive attitude and did not make the class too difficult. Most students dread the instructor that prides him or ...
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...t to answer his questions. Our answers were not quite right and he encouraged us to keep trying. After several attempts, I ask Mr. Kappa to give his own example of a narrowed and focus topic sentence for the paragraph. He replied, “No”. I asked again. Before I completed my sentence Mr. Kappa banged on the podium and yelled, “I will not give you the answers; you want me to give you the answers!” I sat in my chair defeated. I had nothing left to say.
I slouched down in my seat with my arms folded and stared at Mr. Kappa in disbelief. I sat and listened to the class read more paragraphs and the students attempted to answer more questions. My mind started to wonder. I thought perhaps the fast-paced atmosphere of a four year college would not be too bad after all. What could be worse than this? I am frustrated, upset and at a lost for words – someone please wake me!
In Paul Toughmay’s “Who Gets to Graduate,” he follows a young first year college student, Vanessa Brewer, explaining her doubts, fears, and emotions while starting her college journey. As a student, at the University of Texas Brewer feels small and as if she doesn’t belong. Seeking advice from her family she calls her mom but after their conversation Brewer feels even more discouraged. Similar to Brewer I have had extreme emotions, doubts, and fears my freshman year in college.
How imperative is it that one pursues a traditional college experience? Although it might appear that Charles Murray and Liz Addison are in agreement that the traditional college experience is not necessary for everyone, Addison provides a more convincing argument that higher education is necessary in some form. This is seen through Addison’s arguments that college is essential to growing up, that education is proportional to the life one lives, and that community college reinvents the traditional college experience. Not only does Addison have her own opinions about college, but Murray does as well.
...hance the College Experience." Student Life. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 27 July 2011.
Entry to community college allows just that. Addison explains, “just follow any one of the 1,655 road signs, and pop your head inside—yes, independent film, a first independent thought, a first independent study” (212). Many potential college prospects are turned away because this self-discovery found in community college cannot be found in private college; however, Addison insists that community college is the golden ticket to regain these would-be scholars. To begin, acceptance is necessary for admittance to many colleges—not community college. In the words of Addison, “down at X.Y.C.C. it is still possible to enter the college experience as a rookie” (213). Any student desiring education, preparation, and self-discovery does not need to look any further than community college, which, for some students, is the only shot at the college experience. On top of this, community colleges provide opportunities like no college—public or private—could. Community colleges provide introductory courses that could not be found in regular institutions; this allows students to explore and get their feet under them. To find and pursue an interest proves more difficult at a college because intense classes are provided from the beginning, whether students have declared a major or have yet to decide. In sum, Addison claims that an atmosphere designed
For most people, life has a seemingly generic series of events. From birth to death, life is often thought to be a string of standard moments, laden together in a string of monotony. For others, on the other hand, each day can be an adventure. The transition from high school to college is one such occasion where one could easily become lost in the sameness of those around them. Yet for those who can see the beauty in the differences and respect the similarities between the two; high school and college can easily be exceptional learning experiences in their own right.
When I graduated from high school, I spent countless days worrying about what college will be like. I worried about everything, like saying goodbye to my family and friends, making new friends, living with a roommate, getting involved, dealing with a huge work load, and so much more. My transition into college is quite a struggle, but it is not nearly as bad as I expected it would be. After watching “I’m a College Freshman,” I realized that the difficulties I am facing are all normal.
Glenn Altschuler addresses the difficulties and conundrums associated with entering college in his article “Adapting to College Life in an Era of Heightened Stress” He presents the experience of Kate Wilkinson and her feeling of unpreparedness for college. Glenn brings together statistical evidence to show how students are more stressed today than any time in the past. Glenn presents many solutions to decrease stress and uses Henry David Thoreau’s short story “Walden” as a basis of how stressed students should come back to a state of relaxation by meditating on what really matters in life.
I look down at my watch and it’s already 8;15 but no other students or the professor was in the classroom. I started to get a little nervous (maybe I was in the wrong the classroom?) If this was the old me (from high school), I would text my mom and be scared out of my mind not having a clue what to do. However, before I had gone up and left the classroom, out of blue my professor walks in and right behind him were the rest of the students. I asked the professor if this was Introduction to Philosophy, with a big smile on his face, he replied with “yes, you are in Introduction to Philosophy!” I sit back in my seat and was ready for the upcoming lecture on Philosophy. Wasn’t sure what to expect (because remember I have never taken a philosophy class in my life). To be completely honest, I couldn’t remember what some of the main topics were. But I do remember always walking in class every Monday and Friday, confused and was unable to make connections to the given topics that we discussed in class. This is hopeless; I think I might drop out of this class. (Spoiler alert, I did not drop the class) But it wasn’t until the weather started to change; I was able to see the green grass and bright sun to help me change my point of view of the
In “Choosing Success in College and Life”, Carol Kanar exposes students to the foundational skills that they will need to develop in order to be successful in the college setting. Effective interpersonal skills and understanding that people are the biggest resource can be two of the biggest factors in how a student assimilates to campus life. Students can be intimidated by all of the offices and professional titles that surround them when entering this new surrounding. It is important that students understand that their desire to succeed is met by college professionals’ mutual desire to see the same. The blueprint for this success should first begin with the students’ inner belief in themselves. Second, the student should familiarize themselves with all that the college has to offer by way of various supportive offices, support groups, and clubs. Finally, the students should begin to set scholastic, life, and financial goals for themselves.
"Tomorrow is the first day of what I will become." I wrote this in my diary the night before my first day of college. I was anxious as I imagined the stereotypical college room: intellectual students, in-depth discussions about neat stuff, and of course, a casual professor sporting the tweed jacket with leather elbows. I was also ill as I foresaw myself drowning in a murky pool of reading assignments and finals, hearing a deep, depressing voice ask "What can you do with your life?" Since then, I've settled comfortably into the college "scene" and have treated myself to the myth that I'll hear my calling someday, and that my future will introduce itself to me with a hardy handshake. I can't completely rid my conscience from reality, however. My university education and college experience has become a sort of fitful, and sleepless night, in which I have wonderful dreams and ideas, but when I awaken to apply these aspirations, reality sounds as a six thirty alarm and my dreams are forgotten.
Frey, Darcy. “The Last Shot.” Reading and Writing the College Experience. Huron Valley Publishing: Ypsilanti, 2003. 171 – 192.
Seven thirty in the morning, confused, and gazing at my first experience of college I had no idea what this semester would have in store for me. Within the second story of Vawter Hall about fifty to a hundred students are crowding the hall awaiting the arrival of their professors. I was no different; unlike these other chatty energetic individuals I was alone, and desperate to get this first day over with. At eight o’clock bells chime through the building and the students have now dwindled down to those who I will later come to know as classmates and those few who had overslept on the first day. Eight fifteen, the little crowd starts to stir; the professor has still yet to arrive. Around eight twenty a woman with short cut hair arrives in a hurried manner, clearly upset to have arrived after her students. However, to her surprise, and those of her students, the door was
When attaining a college degree, many of the obstacles and events people experience help them develop a wider perspective of the world and discover different ways to solve emerging problems. Events such as the experience one has to go through when meeting new people or attempting to cope with the new environment form a sense of diversity and quick
I nervously opened the doors to my future, hoping for the best for myself. At first, I believed departing to class would be simple, but when the bell rang for the first time I had no idea what class room goes where and how busy the halls were going to be. Suddenly, the entire world around me scrambled to class, and on occasions bumping each other along the way; it was a widespread panic for most of the freshmen. Fortunately, I found some wonderful teachers to direct me to my rooms that I will spend the next year
My first experience going to college didn’t go as planned as my dreams of becoming a professional fell from grace when I couldn’t find my car. I have been to campus so many times before. The first time, in fact, was only to ask for information. Then; I had to come to take an English proficiency test since I didn’t go to school in the United States. Another day; I’ve come to show that I knew my numbers, not to mention to prove my residency in order to get in-state tuition. I have lost count how many times I have actually come to campus before classes even began.