Starting college

Starting college in America is a no easy task, everyone says. There are courses and books prepared just to help student successfully adapted to the new way of life in college. Many people believe that college in just another place to study and get a degree. There is no significant difference from high school and college life. I always wondered if it was true, and I did not get the answer until I have the chance to study at USI that I know starting college is tiring and stressful. However, it is a rewarding experience ever that has a big impact on my academic and personal life. I know I will never be the same person eight week ago again.

At the start of the semester, I was an unconfident and stressful person. Given to my worrywart nature, I was always complaining about the demands and challenges in each and every class. With my friends, I was a talkative person, but I was a totally different person in class. I would sit at the farthest row from the professor, afraid that s/he might notice and ask me questions. This is probably due to the linguistic and cultural barriers I am confronting in American classroom. Nevertheless, thing started to go on smoothly by the start of the third week. I got high grade in almost every test and assignment. My confidence has built up. I am, at least, less afraid in speaking in class. My command of English is gradually improving. I can now understand the difference between American and Cambodian college system, making it easier for me to adjust to college life here.

Furthermore, my attitude toward writing has also changed. First, I viewed writing as a haunting task. I did not like writing at all. In my high school classroom, we were rarely given written assignment. Thus, it was a huge change when I am assigned with at least 2 writing tasks a week. The experience was especially unpleasant with my ENG 490 class. I had to read and analyze tutoring theories practiced in the writing center. They were all the pain in the neck. Gradually, I started to appreciate those written assignment. I noticed that I was able to write faster, but with more accuracy. Moreover, I could effectively blend my reading and experience in real life into my writing, or at least that what my professor told me. Recently, I got a full 100% for my paper which made me extremely delighted. The achievement I have had in that class motivates me to write. Now I’m beginning to like writing. I view it as another way to express my opinion in addition to talking.

Still, there is a long way to go for this semester. I firmly believe that by the end of Fall semester, I would be a different student, a student who believes in the positive transformation college made in students, a person who appreciates the joy of acquiring new experience in college.