Breaks

Breaks are good. Breaks are actually amazing. I was wondering about this the other day how the school organizers in the early years of higher education came up with the ideas of breaks or if they even had breaks and if not who lobbied the organizers to create breaks for the students. I know in the past system that students would often live with their professor in the same household so who decided to talk the professor one day and just say "Yeah I think we should take like a week off man" and the professor was like "Yeah, doth be on to something here".

Anyways, my break has been nice. I actually haven't done any homework like I was planning to do to get ahead but I did get some new duds which is awesome. I'm glad to come back home and see my dad and sister who I haven't seen in almost 2 months and I think I've missed my dog more than anything which is just funny to me but I love him. Been working on my paper slowly but surely, 5 pages is more than I originally thought but I'm grinding through it. I'm nervous to see some of the grades from my midterms but I'm excited to come back to school. Anyways, until next week.

Goals

I have a really hard time maintaining goals. I want to blame it on the immediate feedback world we live in where we want instant results instead of working on something for a long time, and that's definitely how I see some of the things in the world. I just want the results now instead of working for them even though I know I'll cherish it even more if I take the hard work and time to get the results.

I see myself doing this when I go to the gym or when I'm studying for a test or practicing guitar or anything that takes a while. I see the other people in the world with the results already and I want that but I forget to realize that they spent time learning to do those things or get to that point in their life rather than getting it immediately like I want it. I see myself also becoming envious because of this inability to take the time, I want a good job and money but I'm envious of those driving these high profile cars and living high profile lives and again I forget to realize the work they did to get there so I'm trying to keep myself in check to achieve those goals.

Adjusting to College

So far I think I'm doing a pretty good job so far at adjusting to this college thing, the only major problem I seem to be having is getting up on time to go to my early class at 8:30. Today I did myself wrong by convincing myself that it was just conversation day of Arabic and I didn't need to go because we weren't learning anything new. However, we always learn something new sure it may not be a new letter or new short vowel marking or any of the other confusing stuff in that language but it's practice and it's hearing the correct pronunciation of words from a native teacher. I got lucky this time around and our teacher canceled on us at 7:20 AM this morning so I got lucky but it made me realize the rationalization I'm coming to in my head that sleep is more important than education, and while I certainly agree that in certain situations it's better to sleep than to study more but this morning is not a situation I condone.

I'm maintaining good grades in all my classes which is something I'm proud of, I'm hoping to achieve a 4.0 GPA this semester to give myself a good foundation for the next 4 years cause I remember being in Highschool and having to pick up and try to get back up from where I put myself initially so I definitely think I'm taking a step in the right direction. Anyways, off to work some more and then bed early so I can actually make my 8:30 class tomorrow.

The Postmortal

First Year Reading Experience was something I initially dreaded. I had been so used to having to read books or other literature over the summer during high school and I dreaded spending that time on something school related during a break. However, I decided it was in my best interest to get used to reading literature for no immediate result. I always enjoyed reading however the hardest thing for me is getting hooked into it so that I'll continue to read the book. However, I decided to suck it up and take the time to read the book and I'm glad that I did.

I actually read The Postmortal all in one sitting, I had a 10 hour drive down to Key West so I decided there isn't a better time to read. I actually thought that book was very well written and definitely gave a highly possible vision of a future where aging no longer occurs. I enjoyed the technology that was talked about in this book and how the author didn't just say, all the sudden we found the cure but that he actually provided background. The part I liked least was I guess what actually happened to the world as a result, initially everything seems howdy doody but shit hit the fan quick and it was kind of sad to think that's probably what would happen.

I think FYRE is a great experience for most college students, because students will have to do a lot of reading over the next 4 years for results they may not see initially but will help in the end, even if it is something as simple as recognition from a professor for actually doing the optional assignment. I recommend the university continue the tradition

Diversity

·         How have you experienced diversity in your life? How is diversity important? Has your relationship with diversity changed or been challenged since coming to USC? If so, in what way?

I went to school in the Greater Atlanta Area, more specifically the Gwinnett county area, and all of the schools I went to Caucasian people were the minority as far as demographics went. I've never had a problem with this and I never will, I feel as if having this has truly shaped my personality of open-mindedness and enthusiasm and general interest in so many cultures. I feel there is so much to learn in the world that why should a person constrict themselves to a small portion just because of someone's culture or color.

This semester I'm taking Arabic not because I got stuck in it but because I'm generally interested to learn the language and to travel to some of the Arabic speaking countries and speak the native language with the folks there. People are always more comfortable with someone who speaks their native tongue and fluently too. I want to be able to hear people speak not through translation but naturally so nothing is lost or gained, it's simply them.

The high school I went to was home to a large Asian-American population, more specifically Indian folk, and I've never met a greater collection of people. I've learned dances and music from them, I've learned about food and religion and holidays. I've worn traditional clothing because I've found it so interesting and usually I'm the only white person at the events hosted by Indian people and I've never had a problem with that fact.

Diversity is so important because it provides richness to everyone's quality of life. Everyone can benefit from learning, people make new friends, new ideas are shared, and compassion can be spread. Coming to USC has been quite a change from my high school. I've met a few indian people and they're some fantastic people and I'm getting involved in some dance groups for various cultures to learn more. Sometimes it can be challenging but I enjoy all the people I meet and I'm glad to learn what they know and teach what I know.

My Classes

This semester I am taking CHEM 111, BIOL 102, BIOL 102 Lab, ARAB 121, and UNIV 101. The class I'm most excited for is Arabic 121 because it is something completely new that'd I've never even considered studying until this year so I'm nervous for the examinations because it won't be simply review like a large portion of my classes are but I'm sure I'll be more focused for it.

The class I'm least excited for is BIOL 102 Lab because there is just so much work to do for this class it is unfathomable. I also despise ,with a passion, writing papers for classes which is why I decided to go into Medicine Practice mostly because I hated the idea of writing papers on miscellaneous work.

I actually got out of most of the first semester classes in my major because of AP tests I had taken in high school which felt really great knowing that I may be able to graduate a little earlier than some of the other people in my class and maybe shave a year off the long 12 year track to becoming a doctor.

Some of the classes are harder than I expected because I'm having to learn some study habits I never acquired in high school which is hard to be crash coursed into doing because habits take a while to develop but luckily they take even longer to get rid of. BIOL 102 lecture is the class I'm most worried about at the moment because the teacher doesn't assign homework and we only have 5 grades for the entire year. That's something I'm not entirely used to doing in highschool so it's brand new to me and it's difficult to adjust to but I'm succeeding so far. Anyways, off to class. Until next time.

Me

Of course my iTunes is playing New Kid in Town by the Eagles while I'm writing my first blog post and it seems only fitting. It's been 16 years since I've lived in South Carolina and the last time I was here I wasn't old enough to know where I was. It feels kind of sweet and nostalgic coming back to my hometown, my parents never skip a moment to show me the hospital I was born in and the exact room (from the street however) and the house I lived in for 2 short years before moving to Georgia, but I relish those moments.

I'm a BioChemistry major at the University of South Carolina, the alma mater for both of my parents, and I'm starting to feel good about the choice I've made. Back in Georgia I could never find any South Carolina apparel but coming to USC its a sea of Garnet and Black and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm becoming accustomed to the workload and having to study. I came from the #3 Public HighSchool in the nation and I took 10 AP Courses in my career there. Most of the classes were setup like college courses and definitely had the rigor as well. I had to write a 14 page research paper my senior year on something related to the internship I was currently at. I've had 3 internships already because of the highschool I went to and I'm glad I took that opportunity.

I'm just hoping this semester is easy so I become accustom to the college life well rather than being in a crash course like many people are. Anyways, I'm leaving to workout at Strom and pick up my books from the bookstore on the way back. Until next time Blog.