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Reflecting on My High School Experience: Nurturing a Growth Mindset

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Words: 1016 |

Published: Dec 12, 2018

Words: 1016 | Pages: 2 | 6 min read

Works Cited

  • Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House Digital, Inc.
  • Dweck, C. S. (2008). Brainology: Transforming students’ motivation to learn. Intervention in School and Clinic, 43(3), 164-168.
  • Epstein, R. (2013). The sports gene: Inside the science of extraordinary athletic performance. Penguin.
  • Grant, A. M. (2013). Give and take: A revolutionary approach to success. Penguin.
  • Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. (2016). Angela Duckworth. Simon & Schuster.
  • Mangels, J. A., Butterfield, B., Lamb, J., Good, C., & Dweck, C. S. (2006). Why do beliefs about intelligence influence learning success? A social cognitive neuroscience model. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience, 1(2), 75-86.
  • Mercer-Mapstone, L., & Kuchel, L. (2017). Putting grit in its place: a response to Brown et al.(2016). Journal of Further and Higher Education, 41(5), 598-604.
  • Mindset Works. (n.d.). Growth Mindset Definition. https://www.mindsetworks.com/science/
  • Paunesku, D., Walton, G. M., Romero, C., Smith, E. N., Yeager, D. S., & Dweck, C. S. (2015). Mind-set interventions are a scalable treatment for academic underachievement. Psychological science, 26(6), 784-793.
  • Smith, R. W., & Hannon, J. C. (2018). Mindset theory and practice: A catalyst for coaching and sport psychology consultation. International Sport Coaching Journal, 5(3), 312-319.

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first semester reflection essay high school

Examples

High School Reflective Essay

first semester reflection essay high school

Most of the essays seem to be easy at first. As we go along the writing process , it become a little harder than we thought especially if we do not know its basic structure. Try to observe some examples of other academic essays like argumentative essay sample , narrative essay sample , descriptive essay sample , and informative essay sample . They all follow the same structure which contains the introduction, a body that contains at least three paragraphs and a conclusion. Reflective essays have the same thing. It also needs to have coherence to capture audience attention. In this guide, we are going to explore about the details of a reflective essay.

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4. Basic High School Reflective Essay

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What is a Reflective Essay?

A reflective essay is a type of writing that enables you to reflect, to evaluate your life and to tell something about yourself. Now, you already have a topic to discuss. You may consider evaluating your feelings and the memories you have experienced.

Since this is all about yourself, you have to make it interesting just like telling a fictional story . Your readers will always look for something exciting to read, so you have to be focused and find a way not to let your readers be bored. This is a very special type of essay as it allows you to reflect or evaluate, write about it and explain.

Why does it have to involve feelings and memories? It is because those are already a part of you. You have to describe the feeling and the memory you had since these elements bring life into your essay. They let your readers think of an image.

Outline of a Reflective Essay

The reason why it is being called “reflective” is that the writer should examine his or her life experiences. Th main purpose of a reflective essay is to give the writer an opportunity to explore the changes he encountered in his or her life and learning he or she found from it.

The format may vary depending on the type of audience you want. It may be academic or a general piece of writing. When you have already decided to write a reflective essay, you should keep in mind that this type of essay is highly personal. You will be given a chance to take a look back at your experiences and how those experiences influence your present behavior and how your life has been changed by it. Some reflective essays include real-life experiences, imagined experience, an object, a place, a person even something that you have seen, heard or read.

Below is an outline of a reflective essay:

Your outline should establish details for your output – it is always important to prioritize the information that are on point and is relevant to what you aim to talk about.

Your outline will serve as you guide map – always make sure to provide a thought that is easy for your readers to understand. Do not miss any idea so that you won’t be having a hard time going back to fill in what you have missed.

Making an outline could save your time – you will be able to save a lot of time since you are already familiar with a guide that will help you focus on what you have to say. Doing so will make you give more time in editing your paper to ensure quality work.

What is the point of having a hook in your essay’s introduction?

The “hook” will grab your readers’ attention in which it consists of some aspects that makes your story interesting to read.

Why do we have to write in chronological order?

This is to avoid confusion to the readers. You have to tell a story that happens in a particular time to ensure a kind of writing that is systemic and coherent.

What could be some of the main points to consider during the writing process?

First, get an inspiration through reading some of the reflective essays found in online publications or library materials. Don’t think so much to the point that you will struggle on how to begin your piece. Support your information by describing how it gives an impact to your life. Do not forget to write using 1st person point of view.

In order to achieve an efficient reflective writing, you must take into consideration that punctuations are also important. You can use a variety of punctuations if you want. Use imagery to awaken your readers’ imagination. Highlight your turning point to make your thoughts and feelings valid. Lastly, don’t forget to put the lessons you have learned from those experiences.

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How to Reflect—and Improve—On Your First Semester of College

First of all, congratulations .

You’ve just wrapped up your first semester of college!

How do you think you did?

Higher education is a place with little to no hand-holding, fast-paced learning, and people with diverse backgrounds and upbringings.

Knowing how to navigate the crazy world of college can be tricky. So let’s take a look back to see what worked… and what didn’t.

Assessing the Positives

  • You’re immersed in a new culture with people who want to achieve the same thing: Earn a college degree. Everywhere you look, whether online or in-person, people are remaining steadfast in their studies, keeping a result in mind. 
  • You’re are one step closer to achieving your own goal. Whether your end goal is to work in a specific field or start your own business, the end is becoming more apparent. This past semester may even have shed some light on the type of career that you would like to pursue, offering more knowledge and firsthand experience rather than information from a pamphlet. 
  • You now know how to navigate your school. Remember your first day when there were all of these buildings that looked the same, or all of the resources that your school had, but you can’t seem to find? Not anymore. You don’t have to look up the college map—or if online, always looking up your major requirements.

Assessing the Negatives 

  • Time management can be a struggle. There is not a lot of time to be hanging out with friends when you first arrive. Like any new experience, it takes a while to adjust to the pace and schedule you have. Most freshman do not get to choose their schedule and most of the classes are prerequisites, so it can be challenging to adjust to the new schedule when there is little motivation. 
  • Getting good grades can also be a struggle. Grades are arguably the most crucial part of the college experience. Depending on your dream occupation, you might need to achieve high grades to go to graduate school or compete for a certain career. Whatever the reason, getting grades that are good and that make you feel proud is essential. If your grades don’t make you proud or you start to beat yourself up, ask, “Where could I have done better?”

Making Changes

  • Identify and learn from your mistakes. Having a newfound sense of freedom can make college a lot harder than most people imagined. Procrastination is terrible, especially when you don’t even realize that you are doing it. One way to stay on top of things is knowing when to say no. Should you say yes to going out with friends on a weeknight? Should you agree to help out with an event for clubs/organizations the night before a test?
  • Forgive yourself, and ask for help. Understand that we are still amid a pandemic, and many people are learning in conditions that make them unable to do their best. Plus, the first semester is a big jump into the deep end—and you’re just supposed to figure it out on your own. This semester, vow to use your university’s resources. The tutoring center breaks down information at a slower pace. Professors’ office hours allow you to speak one-on-one and attending shows your willingness to learn get extra help. Peer mentoring programs involve upperclassmen advising what classes to take, whether to buy books, and even how to make internship connections. If you surround yourself with like-minded individuals, it only motivates you to try harder in the future. 

All in all, assessing yourself—even if it is a little painful—can help make you more successful in the future.

Being in college is hard .

Y ou’re learning self-control, planning and organizing, and you’re becoming your person all at once.

If you are worried about falling behind in the beginning, give yourself a break. It takes time to adjust.

So as you go back to your next semester in the spring, take a breath, do your power pose and know that you will be a pro in no time.

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Author: Dylan Chidick

Hi! My name is Dylan Chidick and I am a senior at The College of New Jersey. I am pursuing a BA in Political Science with a minor in Law, Politics, and Philosophy. I am a first-generation low-income student who has a passion for social justice. Through these articles and sharing my experiences, I hope to be a resource to those looking at colleges.

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A Reflection on My First Semester

Before coming to Penn State I was very nervous about how I was going to manage all my work and social life. Obviously your first semester as a college student is going to be difficult. You are goin to have a hard time adjusting the lifestyle from being home to doing everything on your own and having many different things to worry about throughout the week. I fell like I have come close enough to the end of my first semester that I can reflect about what I could do better for my next semesters at college and what I will continue to do. I would like to look back on this blog at the end of next semester and see growth on what I wanted to improve on for next semester. One thing I really would like to start doing is getting up at 7:30-8:00 every morning next semester. Obviously that is not always going to happen depending on how much homework I have the night before but I would like to make it an ongoing habit. It has been very difficult for me to wake up early because in high school I would finish my homework by 8 and be in bed by 10. In college, I notice that I have a lot bigger work load than high school which makes it very difficult to finish my homework by 8, and that does not even include studying. When people said that in college you have a more rigorous course load, now I definitely know what they mean by that. One aspect that I will continue to do all throughout college is not skip my classes if I don’t have to. Yes, sometimes you have to due to illness or other important things. But, there has been many times where I feel so unmotivated to go to class. Though, I push through it and know I will feel very productive after walking out of the class I really didn’t want to go to. It is so easy to get into the habit of skipping class, especially when you don’t have someone like your parents telling you that you HAVE to go and you have no other choice. This is one of the few things that I am very proud of. I have not given into any of the pressures of skipping class, even though many people do do it often.

I created this blog to try to make you reflect on your first semester of college. This is a great way to try and find the things you struggle with and the strengths that you have. I plan to make a list of my strengths and weaknesses after every semester or year of college. I think it will be a great way to grow through your years of college and become more motivated and confident for the years to come.

3 thoughts on “A Reflection on My First Semester”

I really enjoyed this blog. Being able to reflect on this semester and what you wish to accomplish in the next is really important. I definitely will be doing the same thing and seeing how I grow semester to semester.

I not only really enjoyed this blog but related to it a lot. We have a few of the same goals for next semester like waking up earlier and not skipping classes. I hope that we can both be successful in. these goals and continue to do well in the coming semesters.

I think this was a great idea for a passion blog! It made me want to reflect on my own semester and try to set some goals for myself moving forward.

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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.

Andriana's first day

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!

The MoCo Student

News for Montgomery County youths

High school freshmen reflect on first semester

first semester reflection essay high school

Transitioning between eighth and ninth grade, from middle to high school, is one of the biggest transformations in a student’s life. No matter how prepared a student is, high school always comes as a bit of a shock, whether it be from the sheer amount of people or the unexpected freedoms. This is a hard transition, and it comes with its ups and downs. As the first semester comes to a close, freshmen reflect on the past semester and how it compares to their three prior years in middle school.

The move comes with a few necessary adjustments. Many freshmen, especially those newly moving into magnet programs, are often surprised by the intense workload that they never experienced in middle school. It is hard to go by even a day without tests or quizzes, which increases each night’s workload.

“The biggest adjustment I had going into high school was the amount of assessments I had. In middle school, I wasn’t tested on a lot of material I learned, but now, I have to study all my material,” Richard Montgomery freshman Paris Ye said. 

In addition, the change of classmates can be jarring if students do not expect it. It is important for kids to find a supportive friend group that can motivate them. Of course, this may be easier said than done, but joining extracurriculars is a great way to meet new people with similar interests. “The biggest adjustment I had to make was probably the peer group, since I went from having friends to zero,” Poolesville freshman Lindsay Chu said.

The amount of extracurricular options also increases from middle to high school. From the beginning of the year, the school bombards freshmen with new and exciting clubs, encouraging them to sign up. While this may put a burden on students to bite off more than they can chew, extracurriculars are a great way to become part of the school community.

Despite the drawbacks, high school comes with a lot of perks. Students have more options and decisions to make, with schedules, lunch and in class itself. 

“I love the freedom they give us in high school,” Northwest freshman Srihitha Akula said. High school also has improved resources that middle schools simply did not offer. 

“I love…the resources they provide us, like office hours,” Akula said.

Middle schools do not always offer the right advice for the transition to high school, so it can become overwhelming very quickly and easily for freshmen. 

“Stay on top of your work, and be nice to people,” Poolesville freshman Lindsay Chu said.

Most importantly, high school requires more self-reflection. Once students get a feel for their studying and learning habits, they can work more efficiently and effectively and enjoy the experience more. 

“I think I really grew as a person and made a lot of close friends that I think truly understand me and who I have a lot of fun with. Make sure to have fun, as you only have 4 years of high school, so make it count!” Ye said.

Article by Victoria Koretsky of Richard Montgomery High School

Graphic by Jillian Wimbush of Richard Montgomery High School

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Articles & Advice > Student Life > Blog

Reflections From a 2020 High School Senior

The end of this school year was certainly different than what anyone could have imagined. Here are one senior's thoughts and advice on dealing with change.

by Josie Finney CollegeXpress Student Writer, Augustana College

Last Updated: Dec 19, 2023

Originally Posted: Jun 15, 2020

The Class of 2020 graduation ceremony was supposed to be a big day to prove to my family, friends, peers, and teachers that I had accomplished great things in the last four years—but COVID-19 had other plans. Graduation day was no longer going to be the magical day to say a final goodbye to my favorite friends that I only saw in school. Instead, it was a day filled with tears. Some tears were happy because we had finally made it to that finish line, and some were sad because not having a normal ending to senior year was unimaginable.

Grief comes in many forms, and I believe I went through several stages of it after hearing the governor of Illinois say that schools would not be reopening for the remainder of the school year. I was grieving the loss of friendships, classes that I loved, and teacher relationships that didn’t get proper closure—and I know many seniors across the country felt the same way.

I delivered a speech earlier last fall entitled “I Believe Change Is a Good Thing.” Never did I think a change this monumental could have occurred so soon after writing and delivering that speech. Dealing with change is a very difficult task to do on your own; maintaining friendships and healthy relationships with those closest to you—as well as keeping your mind occupied to prevent those dreaded intrusive thoughts—is essential for getting through these unprecedented times. So, here are some ideas for the Class of 2020 to help you stay connected to friends and keep busy in the months before our first semester of college—whatever that may look like!

Staying connected

Everyone’s experiencing a lack of human contact, meaningful interactions, and topics to talk about when they communicate right now. The best way to feel connected and stay socially active during these isolated times is to actively seek ways to interact with friends and loved ones even though you may not be able to be with them in person.

Zoom meetings

Throughout this whole experience, I’ve found that my favorite method of staying connected to my friends is through group Zoom meetings. On these video chats, we play games like Ellen’s PSYCH! and Would You Rather? These games are fun because they spark new conversations and help you relax and just have fun with your friends for a couple of hours.

These meetings have started to replace our daily lunch outings, hanging out together on the weekends, and, of course, being together in class. While it’s different and takes some adjusting to get used to, it’s worth learning how to use it—we might be using this technology a lot if in-person classes can’t be held on campus this fall.

Related: 4 Ways to Avoid Isolation as an Online Student

Another way to stay connected is through FaceTime. When using this app, I’ve found the group feature to be just as effective as Zoom, so it really comes down to personal preference. I use FaceTime about as often as Zoom but typically for one-on-one conversations as opposed to group meetings. Try it out if you want to use video chatting as a means of communicating face to face.

Recently, I’ve jumped headfirst into reading for pleasure again, and I’m loving it. It has inspired me to encourage other people to read, and nothing brings people together like a good book! Starting a book club is a great way to spark up new conversations that don’t feel overdone.

One of the biggest issues in quarantine has been struggling to find things to talk about since we all have less going on, but after reading a book recommended to me by a friend then talking to her about it, I finally had something to be excited to talk about again. If you’re interested in starting a book club of your own, try out a mystery novel; they’re always fun to discuss with fellow readers, especially to see what everyone thought would happen in the end.

Related: 5 Great Book Recommendations for Social Distancing

Occupying your mind

In addition to staying connected during this time, it’s important to explore new hobbies that’ll keep your mind not only occupied but engaged in thought, which allows for the stimulation people are so desperate for right now.

Learn a new language

With all this time on our hands, why not learn a new language or pick up one that started to drift after high school? This is the perfect time to start learning a new language, and with apps such as Duolingo and podcasts on Spotify, it’s never been easier to immerse yourself in a new language. Not only does learning a new language stimulate the brain, but it also breaks down a communication barrier. In times like this, we need to stay connected; what better way to do that than to take the time to learn a language that’ll help you communicate with an entirely new community of people?

Minimize your stuff

If you’re anything like me, you probably have a closet full of random things that haven’t been touched in at least a few months—or maybe years. During quarantine, I’ve made it my mission to declutter and minimize my belongings by getting rid of the random items that I don’t need anymore. Donating items you don’t need is a great way of giving back, and you’ll feel better about your newly organized spaces.

Bring back an old favorite hobby

I used to spend hours every summer making stacks of friendship bracelets that would stay on all summer until they finally fell off my arm. I decided to revisit this hobby during quarantine , and I’ve spent weeks making them for myself and other people. It gives me something to do other than lie in bed and requires a large amount of concentration, keeping my mind focused. So try bringing back that old hobby you dropped long ago—you won’t regret it!

Related: How to Turn Your Hobbies Into Scholarships With Ease

After the emotional struggles I (and many other students) have faced during COVID-19, I feel like I’ve grown a lot because of this experience. I can be nothing but grateful for my health and for those putting their lives on the line to keep everyone safe. Senior year may not have been the culmination of high school life that the Class of 2020 expected it to be, but the point is, there’s a time for grieving and a time for gratitude. With all this time on our hands, it’s important to try to process both, stay connected, and challenge ourselves to be productive and positive—that’s how we’ll get through this.

If you’re struggling with the uncertainty and emotions that came with the coronavirus pandemic, visit our COVID-19 student resources page for more advice.

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About Josie Finney

Josie Finney

Josie Finney is a recent graduate of Rolling Meadows High School and will study at Augustana College in the fall, where she plans to pursue a major in English and Secondary Education. In her free time, Josie loves to spend time with friends, family, and her dog. Some hobbies she enjoys include reading, writing, making bracelets, and watching the latest shows on Netflix.

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first semester reflection essay high school

Voices

First Semester Reflections

So, here we are, at the end of the semester and, in my case, the end of my first semester here at college. I have to admit I’ve had a pretty tough semester, not academically, but emotionally. That’s not to say I had no academic troubles! I had papers and papers to write that I put off because I didn’t know how to go about them or because I was just plain lazy. I had exams…well, I had precisely two exams that worried me like crazy, and those were for Psych of the Black Experience. In the end though, my experiences with good ol’ IB always saved me because they reminded me how to write essays (especially how to write four in a two-and-a-half-hour period–oh, Psych of the Black Experience, how you torture me). Theater, ID1, and Cognitive Psych were challenging enough, but not difficult , so I really only had a tough time with one class, which I think is a fortunate load to have my first semester.

What was really difficult for me was adjusting to, well, everything. Even though I have a single, I never got too lonely because everyone in my sponsor group was just a holler away. But, like every other freshman, I had trouble being away from the friends I knew so well. It also took me some time to adjust to the liberal mindset we have at the school. I was a little taken aback by the gender neutral bathrooms and talk of PGPs, but now it all seems pretty natural to me. When I had my boyfriend and my friend Maya visit, I remembered that I had to explain all of these things to them, because they don’t really exist in Miami! I think Pomona College did what it’s supposed to do to every student though: take them out of their comfort zones and teach them about new ways of life without making them feel like they have to change their existing way of living. So in other words: good job, Pomona!

So now that I’ve spent an entire semester at college, I know that leaving home won’t be as difficult as it was the first time–even though it will be for four months again–because I know what I’m coming back to. I’m sure coming back after the summer will be hard because I won’t have any idea what’s in store for living here during sophomore year, but knowing that I’m coming back to my sponsor group and my great room at Mudd 1 Back will be comforting. Sure, I won’t know what’s in store for me in terms of my classes, but at least I know that if I really don’t like them, I have until February to drop them! Most importantly though, when I come back, I’ll know that it is possible to live away from everything and everyone at home for four months and survive, and that , I think, is the most comforting thing to know.

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Personal Reflection About Senior High School Journey

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