Freshman Year: Creating Community
Coming into my freshman year, the biggest thing I was
worried about was creating a community for two reasons: one, I know myself, and
two, I know UC. I am a very driven and
focused person, so I knew that I would do fine academically. But that tendency to work hard sometimes
translated into a lacking focus on meeting people and making new friends (even
though I love people!). And as for UC,
even though it is very student-focused, on a campus of over 40,000 people, I
didn’t want to feel like just a number.
I wanted to feel like a person.
So, I decided that I was going to get involved in as many things as possible and talk to as many people as possible. I wanted to build a community. Starting welcome week, I signed up for as many email lists and possible, and I went to everything I could without risking my academics. I joined and stayed involved in over 8 things first semester, from choir to academic clubs. Through these activities, I was able to develop my gifts and talents, as well as contribute my skills and abilities as well. For example, in choir I was able to brighten people’s day with singing, as a volunteer teacher’s assistant I contributed my math knowledge, and as a tour guide I was able to contribute my enthusiasm and school pride! But building community isn’t only about benefiting yourself, but helping to benefit others. As a result, I volunteered frequently, and I gave over 50 hours of my time to community service in the totality of freshman year. From those activities I met and befriend a numerous amount of people, both students and faculty (namely, my awesome mentor Tamika Jones!). There wasn’t a moment on campus where I felt like I was a number—I felt like a person with ties and connections in a myriad of places. And that community has supported and encouraged me during my freshman year, and continue to support and encourage me.
Throughout freshman year, I have definitely developed and grown. Through various leadership opportunities, I have become more confident and comfortable with public speaking. My involvement has also allowed me to network and connect with people from many different areas. I have more friends than I know what to do with! Next year I look forward to deepening those relationships, and using myself and community to help incoming freshman build their community. Also, I will be focusing on broadening my horizons in sophomore year! In Spring 2016, I will be studying in South Korea, which has been a long term goal of mine. I am excited to develop more cross-cultural connections, and to further understand the importance of cross-cultural communication in a globalizing world.
Freshman year has been a year of many firsts, and I look forward to the future ones I will have.
So, I decided that I was going to get involved in as many things as possible and talk to as many people as possible. I wanted to build a community. Starting welcome week, I signed up for as many email lists and possible, and I went to everything I could without risking my academics. I joined and stayed involved in over 8 things first semester, from choir to academic clubs. Through these activities, I was able to develop my gifts and talents, as well as contribute my skills and abilities as well. For example, in choir I was able to brighten people’s day with singing, as a volunteer teacher’s assistant I contributed my math knowledge, and as a tour guide I was able to contribute my enthusiasm and school pride! But building community isn’t only about benefiting yourself, but helping to benefit others. As a result, I volunteered frequently, and I gave over 50 hours of my time to community service in the totality of freshman year. From those activities I met and befriend a numerous amount of people, both students and faculty (namely, my awesome mentor Tamika Jones!). There wasn’t a moment on campus where I felt like I was a number—I felt like a person with ties and connections in a myriad of places. And that community has supported and encouraged me during my freshman year, and continue to support and encourage me.
Throughout freshman year, I have definitely developed and grown. Through various leadership opportunities, I have become more confident and comfortable with public speaking. My involvement has also allowed me to network and connect with people from many different areas. I have more friends than I know what to do with! Next year I look forward to deepening those relationships, and using myself and community to help incoming freshman build their community. Also, I will be focusing on broadening my horizons in sophomore year! In Spring 2016, I will be studying in South Korea, which has been a long term goal of mine. I am excited to develop more cross-cultural connections, and to further understand the importance of cross-cultural communication in a globalizing world.
Freshman year has been a year of many firsts, and I look forward to the future ones I will have.