Final Post! (with out music) :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXDe6SYMzFo&feature=youtu.be

Final Post!

The first semester of college was a memorable marking point in my life. The tough decision of choosing a school has paid off in my mind because I am very content at SCSU. I think my first semester went well; however, it definitely had its ups and downs. As a college athlete, I found it difficult to manage a full course load and balance a sport because at times I felt like there was not enough time in the day. At times, I felt over whelmed and stressed because I did not have enough time on my own to explore other aspects of the university or even time to sit back and watch some television.

                I struggled at times with my health. This I know is far out of my own control; however it was still frustrating to  miss class, miss gymnastics and try to play catch up in a lot of classes. In the end, I think it was a learning experience to have to miss classes because it taught me how to get involved and talk to my professors about how to get caught up. I think this is a good learning experience because I may need to do this in the future. Hopefully, I do not have to experience this through getting sick again.

                Another problem I encountered through the semester was getting a heel injury in gymnastics. This was a huge struggle for me because not only was I trying to push through an injury, I got extremely worried about holding my position in gymnastics. I did not want to fall behind and either lose my scholarship or be forced to drop. Six weeks passed and I was finally cleared to do all the events again. This time period, though it would seem easier and more relaxed was far from it. during this six weeks, I still had to attend all of my practices which made it hard because I wanted to be participating in my sport. However, the time passed and I got back on track in gymnastics.

                Academically, I was very pleased with my efforts. I believe, I have all A's if not... very close to it. I think even though my schedule was extremely packed, I did the best I could do with time management. I think one way I could improve my time management is by going home less because it would give me more opportunities to get caught up on the weekends, but this was not my choice. I went home mainly for appointments. I think that my high grade average is one of my highest achievements this semester.

                Next semester, I hope to attain the same grade average despite the classes I am taking. I will be taking harder classes next semester which include Calculus, Biology, and Spanish. I know I have chosen a had major, but I hope I will still be able to keep up all of my grades despite the difficulty level. My goal is to graduate in four years. I will be taking courses over the summer to make sure I attain this goal. My advisor reminded me just how many classes I must take to graduate in four years and I hope I can achieve this.

In four years, I hope to be graduating SCSU with a high GPA, a well rounded education and the education I need in my career. I know there will be many bumps and I will try to prepare myself for them; however, I know if I continue down the path I am heading I will do just fine! First semester down; seven more semesters to go! 

Final Video

Final Campus Safari!

          As a final Campus safari, I attended a athletic lecture. It was presented by employees at Enterprise car rental. The focus of the skills enrichment speech was how to write a good resume, and present yourself as a good employee.  Because only athletes could attend, it was focused on why athletes make such good employees.  Being a college student athlete really enhances a resume because it shows the employer that you have good time management, commitment and focus. The speech went over the do's and don'ts at an interview. The do's included dressing to empress, being prepared and being knowledgeable about the company you are applying for.

          I thought the presentation was very helpful and definitely beneficial. I will not be using those skills for a few years because I am only a freshmen but the presentation reminded me that, though sometimes it may be difficult, I am differentiating myself from others by being a student athlete.  Hard work and dedication in gymnastics will help me in more ways that I think of. Being part of the lecture was beneficial to keep me motivated and remind me to stay active in student life, athletics, and community service because they will all be helpful in the long run when I go to get a job. Very few people can say they were a college gymnast. I think being a college athlete will help me with my future job in particular because I want to be an orthopedic PA. I will constantly be working with athletes, and I will have an understanding with what they are going through. 

Learning Communities

          Part of the new Southern learning  program included be part of a learning community. A learning community is group of people who you have two classes with. I had Anthropology and Inq. with my learning community. I liked the idea of a learning community for freshmen because it allowed me to become closer to a group of people I would not normally be affiliated with. I definitely branched out within my learning community because I became more comfortable with the people in my class. I interacted more with my peers and I was able to form study groups with my classmates.

         Learning the concepts of a study group was very beneficial to me in both of my classes. In the study group I was able to ask questions or review material. Sometimes we were all equally confused and when this happened it all of our brains together seemed to make sense out of the impossible.
         We have spent a whole semester together joking around and learning. I think I have made some good friends in that class; friends I hope I will keep as our four years continue. I really enjoyed being part of a learning community. I see friendly faces around the school and I say hi. Without the learning community I would be extremely shy and I know I would not do this as much. I enjoyed my first semester at SCSU. I have a long road ahead of me and I hope it goes as smoothly academically as it did this semester.

Hard Work Will Pay Off

         People dream of the perfect house with the white picket fence and a husband and children. Everyone has an ideal future. Some choose to go to college to achieve their goals and some people launch right into their careers. I choose to come to college in order to complete my ideal future. When I am older, I want to be in the medical field. This will entail a lot of hard work and school. I wish to be involved in sports recovery, probably something dealing with orthopedics. A long career of gymnastics throughout my childhood inspired me and steered me into the direction of the medical field.
         Although a solid career is part of my ideal future. I really want to be happy and enjoy life. I do not always want to be on a demanding schedule because I have such a demanding schedule now; however, I do realize scheduling will be crucial in the future. I would like to enjoy a future with a husband and start a family of my own. Family plays an important role in my life now and I do not ever want to loose that. I do not believe there is such thing as the "ideal life". Each individual is different and wishes to attain a different future. The work we put in now will lead us to our future, which is why I believe it is so crucial to work hard now and look into your future and make goals. 
          It is never too late to redirect your future. I do not think it is to early to start planning. We are beginning a new period in our lives and in three and one half short years we will beginning a new part of our life. It comes faster than we think.
       

Community Service!

         It was something I was originally less than thrilled about. My extremely busy and nonstop day just had something else added to it. Last week my coach told me about a community service project that the SCSU gymnastics was proud to hold. It was mandatory for all freshmen. On Monday, after a full day of classes, then a full work out, we squished ourselves on to the Southern athletic van. We were driven to the YMCA in Hamden. 

          Our goal was to lead the children in some fun exercised that would be sure to get their hearts pumping. The lesson was focused on a gymnastics back ground so all of the warm ups and stretches came from the SCSU gymnastics warm-ups. When we arrived we came face to face with about twenty-five eager and ready to go children. They ranged in age from six to twelve. All of the children were so excited to meet us and get some exercise and gymnastics in. The children really looked up to us, which I thought was really cute. 

         We spent one hour warming up stretching out and then playing some games with them. All of the kids had different personalities. Since being in school, I have not had the opportunity to work with kids. I love working with kids and although my major does not involve working with kids, I would really enjoy some kind of part time work or community service with kids. At the end of our night when we were leaving some of the kids asked for our autograph. This was something that I will remember for a long time because sometimes I forget what a huge roll I play for parts of our community. So many of the kids, who I have never personally met, looked up to us in ways I did not even realize. Next week, I am squeezing time into my day to do this community service again.