TCE at UNC!

I really enjoyed being together with everyone in TCE and just having fun. When we aren’t all together as a group we have problems with each other, but yesterday we were just one happy group. It was great to have a break from work and studying to just have fun. I really hope that my groups service meeting will go great as well!!

Monday at our TCE meeting we discussed racial stereotypes and how they affect our daily lives. This really coincides with my current section in my FYS; Art and the Body. We have been talking about the Racial Body and how it was portrayed in art. I think that stereotypes of this kind can be really hurtful and are unnecessary; we are all individuals and shouldn’t be defined by how we look. I really like the ice breaker that we did before our discussion as well. It was fun playing off of others actions. I’m looking forward to our committee group meetings next week! But for now i have to take a chem quiz:)

So college is a little rougher than I had first expected. There’s not as much tedious work as there was in high school, but rather few very large assignments which are worth a lot of your grade. This meant that every exam it took me to realize I needed to study more and to figure out how I should study cost me. I’ll admit, I’m not good with self discipline or time management and that has really been a problem thus far. I know what my problem is but it’s really hard to fix it because I’ve been studying and passing the same way for the past 12 years. Before, even when I didn’t do so great, I was still at the top of my class. But now, here, I feel kinda slow… I don’t like admitting I need help or that I’m struggling but I’ve been able to get over that some as the semester has progressed. I have seen growth in myself and it reflects in my grades but not enough to make up for my first exams in Chemistry and Art History. I’m not sure what my parents will say but I know they will be disappointed to see my grades in those two classes. At least I’m doing great in my others though.

The other thing, well kinda big thing, that bothers me is that I’m struggling in the class I need the most. I really want to go to Pharmacy school but Chemistry is killing me. If I dislike something this much, am I really going to enjoy doing it the rest of my life? Or at least the next 8 years, for that matter. But if I don’t do pharmacy, my next choice would be dentistry. And dental school requires just as much chemistry as pharm school does. I guess I’m just really confused…

To try and help clear some things up for me, I plan on getting a job as a Pharmacy Technician over the summer to see if I actually enjoy doing the work and to get hands on experience. I feel like this would be a really good idea. I mean, if I don’t like it, then why try for it? I’m also setting a goal for myself over the summer to buy a car and be able to pay for insurance so that I can get my license.

Speaking of goals, I have already achieved a few that I had before. Big one: go to UNC. I’m really proud of myself for that. My older brother and sister both went to A&T, but only for the first semester. I won’t follow in their footsteps. Another goal I have achieved since I have been here is getting a job. I’ve never had a job before so it’s a big deal for me. I’m also pretty happy with my resume and I even know how to write a cover letter now thanks to my Eng 105 class. Now I just need to work on interviews! Since I have been here I have also allowed myself to open up and not care about being judged as much; I’m comfortable just being me. TCE has really helped me with that as well. Being around a group of people who are experiencing some of the same things that I am is nice. I can always connect with someone.

A major goal that i am setting myself for next semester is to get at least a B in Chem 102L and a C+ in Chem 102. …setting a C as a goal seems kinda low but I know that for me it is a reasonable goal that I will have to work to achieve. I’m going to work on my study habits as well and strive to stay focused and productive.

I’ve learned a lot about myself since August, and I’ve also gotten really confused with what I want to do with my life. I feel like I’m headed in the right direction though. I just need to take my time and do my best at everything along the way.

Since we got back from Thanksgiving break I have been bombarded by essay upon essay and now all of my free time is going to studying for finals. It’s pretty stressful. I’ve found that taking periodic breaks every now and then to just chill and hang out or even to watch a youtube video with your roommate and friend about swaddling baby sloths is really helpful. It’s been a super hectic week but taking time from studying is actually a great idea. Like right now… I’m taking a study break from Chemistry!

I’m so excited for next semester to start! Well I guess I’m more excited for winter break haha I love Christmas! Anyway… today in TCE we discussed planning for events. I have to pub for events in HOSA so we won’t have any problem getting the word out on any events that we plan in the service committee! We have already thought of a couple events to raise money for Dance Marathon and Relay for Life! I’ll be glad to finally have time to do other things and volunteer too. I’m just excited for break and to go home again:) 13 days!