Autumn Quarter Reflection
Living Beside Uncertainty
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If I were to write a book about my first quarter at UW, it would be titled “Qualms of a University Freshman.” Throughout this autumn quarter, I have had several moments of doubt due to the multitude of changes that are brought by entering college. Before the quarter started, I was anxious about classes and beginning a new lifestyle. Now, as we approach the end of my first chapter at college, the majority of my worries have subsided and I have found so much joy in being at the University of Washington.
Some themes I have carried throughout this quarter have been resilience and revision. These are spotlighted by how my expectations for myself have drastically morphed over the quarter. Entering college, I was set on the “perfectionist” mindset that I carried throughout high school and I entered with intense goals for my performance in school. As I started to get adjusted to my classes and new lifestyle, my expectations began to shift. I relaxed on my idealist goals in hopes of protecting my mental and physical health. Being able to create this shift allowed me to live a fuller college experience and focus more on enjoying my classes. Being able to make this revision slightly shocked me because I have a tendency to be set in my ways. However, being able to adapt my perspective and goals at college has been an extremely beneficial act.
Something that amazed me about the University of Washington was the sense of community I was able to create. One of my biggest concerns entering UW was the magnitude of the student body and college as a whole. However, my fears quickly diminished once I arrived on campus. I am so grateful I was able to find wonderful friends in and outside of the classroom. Even in my nearly 300-person class, I was able to form a study group and great friendships. Another community I immersed myself in was the UW climbing club. This was the first club I joined in college and I have found great joy in being able to spend time outdoors with amazing people. Through these communities, I was able to cease my concerns about being at a big school and was able to find my sense of belonging at UW.
An additional thing that shocked me about my first quarter at UW was how it has been simultaneously the longest and shortest period of my life. At times, it felt like the quarter was dragging along with each day seemingly without an end. However, on the flip side, the months as a whole flew by and I cannot comprehend how I am already finished with my first chapter at university. Seeing how fast this quarter went, I have started to think about the rest of my college career and journey in the Honors program. Honors 100 has taught me the importance of planning ahead through making my four year plan. Making this plan highlighted how I should shift into viewing college as a whole instead of thinking quarter by quarter. Overall, I learned to organize my goals for my college future as time moves quicker than one might expect.
All in all, I think the main lesson I have learned this quarter can be summarized by a line from my favorite poem, Let July be July, by Morgan Harper Nichols. The line “and let yourself just be even in the uncertainty” is a perfect reminder for me to accept the apprehension I feel about college, but not let it consume me. By living in the present during this first chapter at college, I have been able to meet wonderful people, form amazing communities, and focus on a positive mindset.
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