FRESHMAN JOURNAL
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'Home Away From Home'

By Symone Howard, Bowdoin (Maine) College

I did it! I survived my first semester at Bowdoin College! I am excited to begin my second semester at Bowdoin, and I am more prepared for what I am getting myself into. I will not make the same mistakes I made the first semester, like asking for help at the last minute, being unorganized and procrastinating. This semester will be way better than the last one.

This break was well-deserved. After stressing over finals, it is exactly what I needed. I had never been so stressed out and sick in my life. With three back-to-back finals, it felt like they would never end. I was not too stressed over my sociology final, but it was the complete opposite for my environmental studies final. Thinking about taking the final for that class had the ability to make me sick. The day before the final and the morning of it, I cried my eyes out. I was actually scared to take a test. I could hardly eat breakfast that morning. When the professors passed out the exams, I began to mildly shake. I thought that I would have a panic attack.  I finally got the courage to take a peek at my exam. I realized that I knew majority of the information and felt a bit better. After finishing the final, I walked with a huge smile on my face and tears fell from my face. I was crying tears of joy because I was finally finished! I felt a huge weight removed from my shoulders.

The next day, I arrived home. I have enjoyed every day. As my time in Chicago drew to a close, I wasn't sad. I was excited to go back to school because it is a part of who I am. Bowdoin is a home to me. It is my home away from home. I know that I can find the same comfort and support there as I would back in Chicago. I can honestly say that I am now adjusted to life as Bowdoin College student.

Previous Entries

December 2011: A Balancing Act

As the first semester comes to a close, I am realizing that finding a balance in your schedule and being organized are more important now than during high school. Balance and organization are the keys to a successful learning experience for every college student. My semester started off in an orderly fashion. As I started becoming more involved on campus, I lost that balance and organization.

My first semester started off well. I did the assigned readings, and woke up on time for my classes. I kept track of everything with my planner. Also, I had time to take naps and go to gym. Then, I picked up three jobs because I felt that I had too much time on my hands. All was well, and I still had time to do my work and relax. Soon after, I became interested in extra-curricular activities on campus, such as belly dancing, New Girls Network, the Slam Poet's Society and recently cheerleading. Add in my social life, and I have a pretty busy schedule.

Since my last post, I began to notice how I was struggling to find time to do my work, be involved on campus and have time to myself. I acknowledge the fact that my college life lost its balance. I stopped using my planner and began pulling almost all-nighters to complete assignments the night before they were due. Through these actions, my work was not its best and neither was my immune system, as I have been sick for the past three weeks. This is an obvious issue that I am working to solve. I started using my planner again, and I can already see balance being restored to my life. I am finding more time to complete everything in a timely and efficient manner. To put my best effort into my assignments, I start on papers at least a week before and set a goal to write a certain amount of pages each day.
 
As a first-year college student, I'm glad I realized the problem early on. With finals approaching, I'm glad my first semester has not involved in major roadblocks. With an organized and balanced college life, I hope my second semester goes just as well.

November 2011: College Exercises Mind, Body

I originally thought that it would be difficult to find time to exercise. Between classes, studying, working, and having fun, who would have the chance to work out? Who would even want to exercise? Originally, it wasn't me. Even though the fitness center is right across the parking lot from my residence hall, it took me a few weeks to finally make my way there. After my first workout, I felt amazing, and realized that now is the perfect opportunity to make changes to my lifestyle.

As a high school student, I was on the track team, but never really worked out when track was not in season. I was the type of athlete that goes to their favorite fast food restaurant as soon as their season ended and didn't work out again until it was back in season. Over the summer, I kept telling myself that I would be healthier and college. I'm proud to say that I am getting there and having fun in the process.

In addition to going to gym, I am taking a belly dancing class. Seeing Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie" music video sparked my interest in it. I have been obsessed ever since. I was so excited when I attended the activities fair and discovered that there is a belly dancing club on campus. It saw it as the perfect opportunity to try something new.

Wednesday is now my favorite day because of belly-dancing. I am so glad that I am involved with it. Not only is it a nice study break, but it is extremely fun. I meet new people, gain dancing skills, and work out at the same time! Also, I noticed that because of the class that I am more confident in what I do, whether it is belly dancing, lifting weights at the gym or voicing my opinion.

I would have never thought that going to the gym would spark so much change. Not only am I working toward being a healthier person, but being a better person in general. As a college student, I have the opportunity to improve myself. I have access to all the resources to do that. It is best make use of them right now. There is no reason not to. Life is about taking chances, trying new things, and improving yourself, and now is the best time to do so.

October 2011: Settling In

My mom stayed with me in Brunswick longer than she planned due to delays from Hurricane Irene, but soon left
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A few days later, I had another visitor. My dad came to spend the weekend with me because he could not make it the week before due to work. We had a lot of fun exploring the Brunswick area and seeing what it had to offer. We also took a trip to Portland and explored the area for hours. 

I had a great time with my dad, but soon after he left, I realized that I am really on my own now.

I have finally settled into a routine at Bowdoin. Along with attending classes and studying, I acquired a few jobs and joined a few clubs. I'm really excited about this new phase in my life. This is the perfect time to try new things, but also to expand my knowledge and experience in things that I was involved with in high school. This week, I am attending a belly dancing class. Dancing, in general, is something I would have never done in high school, but I decided that I'm going to take a shot at something outside of my comfort zone. 

Then, there are things that I am excited to continue with, such as being part of an environmental club. I have always had a passion for the environment, so I absolutely had to join Green Bowdoin. It is the hub for all the environmental clubs on campus. Last week, I joined the dining sub-committee. Our role is to assist in the "greening" of campus dining on the students' part. I am thrilled for our upcoming projects.

My classes are going great. I am learning about things that have never crossed my mind. My Environmental Studies 101 course is amazing! I love how we look at the environment and environmental issues through many perspectives. I find the philosophical approach to these issues so interesting. I also find myself making connections between what I learn in this class and what we discuss in Introduction to Sociology. I love the content of my first year seminar. We learn not only by reading, but watching films too. My drawing class is amazing. I have more artistic ability than I originally thought, but there is lots of room for improvement in art and other things.

What is next for me here?  That's a question I have to answer myself, but I believe that several answers lie here on Bowdoin's fall- kissed campus. As October makes its way in, I am anxious for the opportunities and excitement that will come along with it … and the beautiful colored trees too.

September 2011: Bowdoin College: 'It Fits Me'

I'm finally to college, but the journey was tougher than expected.

When we arrived in Brunswick, Maine, our hotel reservations were cancelled without notice, and we couldn't get another hotel until the next morning.

When I arrived to my dorm hall, I was greeted by several kind faces and … six flights of stairs.

When my mom and I finally walked into my new home for the next year, three important aspects were missing: my roommates, who hadn't returned from their pre-orientation trips.

Soon after getting a feel for the room, we walked to Smith Union to see if my belongings had been delivered, but they were delayed due to Hurricane Irene. What was I supposed to do with nothing besides the clothes on my back and my suitcase? I had no sheets, towels or any other necessities. My mom had the answer: Wal-Mart.

Things were starting to improve.

As we walked up to my room, I heard the voices of three girls. They were here! I finally met my roommates and they all seemed quite awesome. After several days of orientation and learning more about my classmates, I am almost settled and accustomed to my new environment. Everything is quite easy to find since the campus is so small. It can be said that I know my way around and if I don't, there are several kind people on campus that would be willing to help. For example, my resident assistant is extremely nice. She helped me pick my classes for the fall semester, and when my belongings did arrive, she helped me bring all my boxes up six flights of stairs.

I chose Bowdoin because the people are extremely nice, and as a small liberal arts school, it fits me. I can receive an education in an environment where the primary focus is not research and sports, but about the students and them finding themselves. I'm taking a variety of classes. To fulfill my major requirements, I am taking Environmental Studies 101 and Sociology 101. I'm in a drawing class to try something different. I'm also taking a first year seminar, "Sleeping with the Enemy: Representing Violence against Women," to cultivate my writing skills. I hope to take more unique classes in the second semester, and I may work as an undergraduate research assistant on an environmental project.

Exciting things already are occurring.

I'm so anxious to see where this year is going to take me. I'm ready to broaden my interests and discover more about myself by experiencing new things and meeting new people. College is supposed to change you, but in the process you are supposed to keep sight of who you are. In such a caring environment, I do not believe that I will have major problems with that.

Bowdoin definitely is the place for me to be.