Chapter 12
Semester Take 2:
“No More Pep Rallies”
January 2013
When I look back on previous chapters, it’s really hard to
believe what all I have accomplished and what all I was able to get involved
with. It feels like yesterday that I was worried that I wouldn’t make friends
and that getting involved would be impossible at a school of this size. However,
after getting acclimated, I was able to have a great first semester college experience.
I guess I said that because when I was reading the past
chapters it all felt too good to be true, like I didn’t experience anything bad
or upsetting. It was as if I was running on a “UNC” high. I couldn’t get enough
of the opportunities, and since I was getting so involved I never had time to
reflect on my entire life.
The month I had at home gave me time to reflect. Enough time
to realize that, yes I had done everything I wanted to and then some, but I
realized that my family was the reason I was here. As, my parents dropped me
off on January 6th, 2013, it hit me. It wasn’t the same pain that I
felt after Thanksgiving, but it was a feeling that wanted me to quit. I hope
you have realized already, but I don’t quit, I never quit. Well, there was this
one time when I was five that I quit swimming, but that’s beside the point. The
thought of not finishing college had never crossed my mind. When they left me,
it was if all of the confidence had been drained out of me. Now, that I look
back on it, I realize it was my fault. During my first semester I didn’t keep
in contact like I should have. I didn’t text my mom everyday like she had
asked, I felt as if I was a grown-up and I didn’t need to speak to them every
day. I even felt weird talking to my grandparents on the phone my first
semester. I wouldn’t even pick up the phone when my Grandma Sissy called
because I didn’t want to be bothered. Silly me I guess, she was the one that
babysat me until I was five, and the one that she cares for probably too much.
These are just examples of how I messed up first semester; how I set myself up
for the lack of confidence for second semester.
The wanting to quit idea actually was in my head for almost
a week. I couldn’t get the thought out of my head, and I even was seeking
advice from my friends because I didn’t know if what I was experiencing was
normal. I got two pieces of advice that really helped me through the “quitting”
time. My cousin, Heather told me that “Second semester is harder at first, but
it flies by and before you know it you're crying and your parents are dragging
you out of your dorm room. This is the best time of our lives...so don't blink!”
My cousin is great isn’t she? I mean if you ever experience the 2nd semester
blues like I did, it will be the thing that keeps you moving! The other advice
I received was from a friend, and she just told me to not worry, and everything
will be okay once you get back into the swing of things. She also said that I
should stay busy and cheer my head off at the basketball games, and I did just
that!!
The “quitting” blues eventually wore off as the first week
of classes began because of course I was busy and back into the swing of
things. I am probably actually too busy in some people’s eyes, but it keeps me
moving. This semester I am loaded down with classes, and every 101 class that
UNC offers. I am enrolled in BUSI 101 (Accounting), ECON 101 (Economics), ITAL
101 (Italian), PSYC 101 (Psychology), JOMC 475 (Marketing), and another online
class through the community college MAT 151 (Statistics). It is definitely a
huge load, but being almost two weeks into it, the workload hasn’t become too overwhelming.
The first day of class of my second semester went much better than last semester’s.
For one I didn’t sweat nearly as much, and I didn’t have to drop a class.
My FDOC take 2 came kind of early, that dreaded 8am early. I
forgot to mention that the class was at the Business School, which is about a
fifteen minute walk from my dorm room. The time scared me at first, but since I
was able to take my first business class at the Kenan Flagler Business School,
I was excited, so the 7am alarm didn’t faze me. (This is just a pre-requisite
for the business school, I haven’t actually been accepted yet) As I glided down
the brick pathway to class, wearing my new clothes from Christmas, I knew that
there was no better way to start my day. Accounting, the name of the class,
seemed like boring topic, but as the professor began his spill about the
semester I quickly learned that I would look forward to this class. First of
all, he told us we could call him by his first name CJ, and then proceeded to
tell us that every class we get to listen to four songs in which he calls “four-play.”(The
class erupted with laughter) He went on to tell us that we also get to watch a
clip of a movie every day, and the first film was Forrest Gump. This FDOC
experience was already shaping up to overshadow the fiasco from last semester.
Since it was a Wednesday I had three more classes and they all went very
smoothly. However, when I walked into Italian the professor rambled off
something in Italian that startled me. Coming into the class I had no foreign
language experience so I had no clue what he had said. So, I gave him a blank
stare and a slight “what’s up nod.” He chuckled and said, “What’s your name?” “Ohhhhh,”
I said and responded quickly.
As I approach the end of the first full week of classes I
feel as if the Italian class might be my hardest class. I heard that it was
pretty simple, but right now it is very complicated, but don’t worry, I have
faith!
The reason I shared the “blues” I went through is because I
want you to realize that college is not always going to treat you right.
Sometimes you will feel on top of the world, and then sometimes you will feel
like you just want to quit. But, remember Heather’s quote, it really helped me.
I also wanted to reiterate that the second semester will feel harder at first
because the excitement of coming to college is not there, at least for me.
Before I had orientation, and before the FDOC last semester we had convocation.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did a great job of getting me
prepared for my first semester of college; however, I quickly realized that I
have to get myself ready for the next seven. I have to motivate myself, I have
to get through the hard times, and I have to continue to be successful. I came
to college to get an education, but that education is not only in the books,
but in life. When you prepare for college remember that always stay in touch
with your family, and when you start feeling the quitting “blues,” get involved
and stay busy, and if you feel the need, dress up in a banana costume and cheer
on your basketball team!
