Author: Olivia

During my first semester I ended up taking one online class. If this class was in person it would be an easy class to pass but since it is online, on a zoom it definitely makes it harder. Some things that help me understand the class more are listening and taking notes as the teacher is talking, listening to the questions that the other students ask, and going back and listening to the zoom calls because she records and posts every single one of them. I would avoid taking zoom classes because it is very hard to concentrate and listen to the teacher, especially when the internet has difficulties and cuts in and out. If I were to take another online class I would like to do a self-paced class. I already have previous experience with doing an online self-paced class and I ended up really enjoying it. Some frustrations I have is not being able to focus. This tends to be hard because this class is all about focusing and listening to make sure that you get all of the information. I am normally able to listen in in-person classes but since this one is online it makes it hard to. During online classes we go into breakout rooms where we get to talk to other students and answer questions that the teacher gives us. This is hard to do because not everybody is willing to talk and if they are uncomfortable they will just sit there and not say anything. It also makes it awkward when you tried to pay attention in class but just didn’t quite understand what the teacher was talking about and then you get called on in the breakout room. 

Next semester I am going to avoid taking online classes. I learn a lot better when I am in person and I also am able to focus a lot better too. Being on zoom calls reminds me a lot of Covid-19 back in highschool when that’s how all of our classes were. Some positive things about taking online classes is that you can do them anywhere. You can do them from your room or even from your house. This has been very helpful since on some days I don’t have a morning class and my first class of the day is my online class. I enjoy not having to leave my room and just doing the zoom call from there. It also gives me time to go and decompress before I have another class after. I also think that if you enjoy taking online classes then this class is for you but if you struggle to focus like me then I would recommend taking all in person classes. Just remember to make sure that you are giving yourself enough time to take a break so you don’t get too overwhelmed.

https://www.tigertimesonline.com/feature/2020/05/school-from-home/#

 

Moving to a bigger city has really made a big impact on my life, but my dorm life has been quite interesting. I think that living in the dorms is cool but I’m not totally sure if I like it.  I enjoy having my space and sometimes not talking to people but when living in a dorm that makes it hard. I also really enjoy having the room how I want it but because I have a roommate, it can’t always be like that. My roommate and I don’t always get along and due to that it creates a bad atmosphere in the room. I try to make friends with my roommate but sometimes I feel as if she doesn’t even want me around. This has made living in the dorms hard because my room is supposed to be my safe space and when she is there it feels like a rain cloud over my head.

Even though my roommate situation hasn’t been too good, living in the dorms also brings out some positives. Everyday I get to see my best friends who I have made here on campus. This means a lot to me because when I lived at home I wouldn’t always get to see my friends due to schedule conflicts. Living here has also brought out a side of me that I didn’t know that I had. I have learned how to be way more comfortable with people and I have also learned how to be myself around my friends. I really enjoy living on my own. I know I live with a roommate but now that I am here I don’t have anyone to rely on. I am finally able to live how I want to live and be mature in my own ways. I have my own space to be myself and do the things that I want to do.

source:https://www.shutterstock.com/search/bad-time

The Rainbow After The Storm

During my first couple of weeks here, I have really come to love and enjoy this college. At first I was very nervous about leaving home and coming to live somewhere else, but now that I have got to experience it, I am just loving almost every second. At first living with my roommate was wonderful, but now it just seems like we are two totally different people than we were when we first came here. We used to do everything together, but now we do most things separately. I have made some pretty good friends while being here, and I am very excited to make lots of memories with them. My first couple weeks of classes have been going great. I am enjoying all of my classes and understanding all of my work.

There have been so many more positives. Now that I am here I tend to not procrastinate as much. I finally realized that doing my work on time and getting it out of the way before the assignments were due was definitely the right move to make. I do my work right away so I have more free time. In addition I have a solid group of friends who I do everything with and I am very happy that I was able to meet them. Also I enjoy walking around campus because of how beautiful it is and I also enjoy the activities that they put on here on campus. During my first week here I did the service project and that was very fun. I ended up signing up on the list for more things to do. There is this very cool opportunity to go to the zoo and feed the giraffes. I am so glad I came to school here at UWGB. I loved all of my experiences here so far.

https://stillstandingmag.com/2017/08/18/the-rainbow-after-a-storm-and-how-sometimes-there-isnt-one/