Student Blog: Getting Through My First Semester

It is truly hard to believe that I am a freshman who is almost finished with her first semester of college. It felt like I was just graduating high school, moving into my dorm, or trying my best to meet a ton of people during welcome week. Yet, here I am with only about three weeks left of my first semester, and I am in shock at how quickly time flies.

Over this semester, adjusting to college work was a challenge at first, however, it became more manageable as the weeks went on. Since I do not go to a school where I am pursuing a BFA, the majority of my classes are currently not theater-related because Boston College has core requirements in a large variety of subjects. However, with that being said, I was lucky enough to test out of many of the core requirements through AP testing, so I am happy to say that I don’t have to take any STEM classes! Woohoo! Currently, my courses include “Dramatic Structure and Theatrical Process (DSTP)”, “Perspectives on Western Culture”, “Public Speaking”, and “Psychology: Self, Mind, and Society”. I truly have been enjoying all of these classes (especially DSTP!!), and I think that has been a large factor in making me more motivated to complete my assignments. 

In general, managing my coursework with extracurriculars has been fairly manageable. As someone who is all too accustomed to overbooking herself, I am involved in quite a few extracurricular activities, including theater, choir, improv, the newspaper, the student admissions program, and the literary magazine. Having a lot of extracurriculars, more time-consuming ones can make it hard to be able to manage coursework. But, since I am not in any STEM classes (which were very difficult for me in high school) it has been manageable! The majority of my work consists of reading novels and plays, writing papers, preparing speeches, and studying. Because of my class schedule, I’ve found that I have specific times every day that I can devote to being my “lock-in” time, where I head to the library and do my work. I think finding a spot on campus where you feel comfortable and know you will be productive is so important and has truly been helpful for me. I love going to the 4th floor of the O'Neill Library because it’s very quiet and there are huge windows that provide a nice view. Finding your ideal study spot on whatever campus you are on is a must. Also, ensuring that I don’t spend time doing homework in my dorm has been beneficial. When I am in my room, I’m all too tempted to just lay in my bed, read a book, or watch Netflix: I can’t be productive. So, for me, it’s super important that I find nice study spots on campus so that I am motivated to complete my work. 

Another tool that has been SO great is using Google Calendar!! I love to use calendars to organize my life schedule, and Google Calendar has been so helpful in allowing me to see my classes laid out, rehearsals, club meetings, and free time that I can devote to doing homework or setting aside to hang with friends. Making schedules and utilizing calendars has been such a lifesaver for me here at BC because I feel that there is always so much going on and I need to be able to keep track of it all!!

Finally, one last important thing that I try to do is set some time aside for myself. Whether that means I go to the gym, take a walk around the reservoir, or even just read a book for pleasure, I like to make sure I set aside time to focus on myself and take a break from the chaos of college for a little bit. I think this has been a great way for me to clear my head and reset, and ultimately allows me to be more focused and driven when I’m doing my classwork. Doing activities like reading, exercising, journaling, meditating, or even just having a conversation with a friend can be so helpful in giving you a quick reprieve from stress, and is truly something useful here at school.

So, as chaotic as the first semester of my freshman year at college might be, I feel like I’ve started to develop a nice routine that has enabled me to prioritize academics while also having time for theater commitments and other clubs. While it can be stressful at times, finding methods to calm yourself and give your mind a rest can be beneficial and a great way to reset to jump back into that daily college grind.