The Freshman Experience: First Semester Goals Revisited
Yesterday marked my last day of classes for the semester. In the next week I will complete a paper, finish online homework, and take three finals. Then I’m home for the holidays and prepping for the spring! It’s incredible to think that I’ve already been here for four months. I can’t believe how much has changed since moving to Boston!
On September 2nd, I shared with all of you my goals for first semester. That was the day before classes started. I had no idea what would happen in the next sixteen weeks!
As I begin wrapping up The Freshman Experience, I want to revisit those goals and share my experiences – did I achieve them? Or were they more difficult than expected? Read on to find out.
Goal #1: Rush a Sorority
When I went through recruitment, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I didn’t know anything about the chapters on campus, couldn’t tell you what a Rho Gamma was, and had zero clue about rituals and traditions. I don’t think I even knew the Greek alphabet! Me? A sorority?
I’m proud to say that last Saturday I was officially initiated into the Xi Upsilon chapter of Delta Zeta sorority at Northeastern University. I’ll be honest – there was a period of time during my new member period that I considered dropping Greek life. I was out of my comfort zone, stressed about the amount of work we had to do, and I wasn’t sure if I could handle being around that many girls. I met with older sisters and talked to my friends about my decision. Was this for me?
Although they were a rocky few months, I’m glad I stuck with sorority life. During my time with the DZ girls, I’ve made new friendships, discovered my personal values, and created lifetime connections. I have a big sister, a twin, and an entire extended family to support me in all that I do. I’ve also met people outside of DZ – some of my best friends are guys and girls in other sororities and fraternities on campus. I can’t walk to class without seeing somebody I know!
I’m so grateful that I talked to people about my decision. One of the older sisters that I talked to actually became my big. I now look forward to the years ahead of me, wearing my letters and proudly representing Delta Zeta both on campus and off.
Goal number one? Check.
Goal #2: Develop Healthy Habits
This goal didn’t go as well as my first one. One thing I learned this semester: I am a stress eater. And the dining hall has really good pizza. Did the Freshman 15 make an appearance? No. But was I healthy? Absolutely not. If I hadn’t been rowing, this could have gone very badly…
This is a goal that I need to spend more time on accomplishing next semester. My schedule for the spring is more consistent than it has been; that way I’ll be able to develop a regular schedule of eating, sleeping, and heading to the gym.
With my bizarre class schedule this semester I had very little routine in my life. But by sitting down and planning out my week ahead of time, I should be able to continue working on those healthy habits next semester. The first challenge? The holidays….
Goal number two? In process.
Goal #3: Form Better Study Habits
My study habits definitely varied from class to class. I studied for every microeconomics quiz and exam diligently. I always made sure to work on my calculus practice quizzes before the next class. However, I definitely slacked in my Intro to Communication Studies class and spent very little time reading for Intro to Business.
Bad study habits are hard to break. However, during the semester I discovered what worked for me and what didn’t. I realized that study groups are my go-to resource before major tests. Public places (like coffee shops or the talking floors of the library) keep me surprisingly focused. And my ultimate study secret? The Self Control app for Mac. Facebook, Pinterest, and CF are addictions – thankfully my new favorite app eliminates those distractions when I absolutely need to work!
Next semester I’ll have more readings, more papers, and more presentations in each of my classes. As the year progresses, I hope to continue developing my study habits and working hard!
Goal number three? Done.
Goal #4: Stay Organized
I am so proud of this goal! I did it! Even if I did fudge my housing application to make myself sound neater, I actually have become more organized this semester! Victoria (my roommate) and I are known for having a clean, neat, and homey room. I have bins under my bed for shoes and bags, my drawers have folded clothes, and my jewelry is in a jewelry tray. My sweaters are folded, my scarves stacked, and my bed made!
Granted, there were some stressful times during the semester where our little room became very messy. I’m not claiming a perfect record. However, I love walking into my dorm and having a welcoming, uncluttered atmosphere. In fact, Victoria and I have even committed to living together next year; we are so excited for apartment organizing and decorating sophomore year!
Goal number four? Nailed it.
Goal #5: Keep an Open Mind
Boston is different than small town Minnesota. I’ll say it again. The diverse city of Boston, Massachusetts is worlds apart from a little community in the midwest. This semester, I’ve definitely tried to open my mind to new, diverse, and multicultural ways of thinking.
At Northeastern, 17% of this year’s freshman class is international. In one of my classes of 40 people, only 5 were from the United States. When I walk to the bathroom, I typically hear at least two different languages.
When I made my goal in September, I figured that I would be opening my mind to various high school stereotypes. I thought that I would stop judging people by online accounts or pictures. Instead, I began to learn about different cultures and different worlds. It’s been a challenge trying to understand the customs and philosophies of different countries, but it’s been an absolutely amazing, life-changing experience. I’m so grateful to have stepped out of my comfort zone opened my mind to new ideas.
Goal number five? Check.
Your turn!
The past semester has been a crazy whirlwind of a learning experience. Thankfully, I’ve accomplished nearly every one of my goals. It’s been amazing looking back and seeing how I’ve changed over the last four months. Now, as always, I look forward to hearing from you!
High school girls, freshmen girls, upperclassmen, and veterans – how have you changed over the past semester? For those of you that made a list of goals, would you consider them accomplished? How do you feel about your semester as it comes to a close? Make sure to leave your thoughts below!
Posted on on December 10, 2011 / Filed Under: College Life / Tags: college, First Semester, Freshman year, Goals, Life, List, Northeastern University, The Freshman Experience
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Raquel
I wish they had the self control app for windows too! I definitely need it!
Leah
I’m a Delta Zeta, too! Congrats and welcome to the Sisterhood =)
Cortney
I really enjoyed reading about your sorority experiences! My school didn’t/doesn’t have any sorority/fraternities, and honestly I never even considered that I might be missing out on a great experience. Now, I kind of wish I’d gone to a school with sororities…
Anne
Thank you for your tips about your study habits. I have a question though, is the self -control app is safe? It doesn’t contain any virus’s on this app right? I want to download the app but I’m just afraid this app might give my computer a virus.
Chloe
This is really great! Meeting goals is so fulfilling, and setting them is essential to meeting them! I think this is a great read for anyone at any age!
Michaela
I definitely had a bit of mix and match with my goals.
I succeeded a lot in studying dillegently and being healthy. Yeah, once in a while I’d have late night pizza but very rarely. The dining hall sucks so I definitely eat a lot of salads.
However, meeting new people, sororities, and keeping my room clean were a bit of a failure. I’m a bit shy to go out, once I’m out I’m fine, but going out intimidates me. My roommate and I were messy (but we’re making a better chance for second semester). And sororites… well, I got a bid, but got it retracted because they didn’t know I was sixteen. Which is such a bummer. U of I has the biggest Greek life, and I wanted to join so badly.
However, I did join a very prestigious pre-medical fraternity, and was just initiated, so I’m very excited for the people and the activities this will bring to my life.
All in all, it was kind of a crappy first semester. Seven more semesters to go!
Katlyn
Sarah,
I’m a Delta Zeta of the Kappa Tau Chapter at Morehead State University! I joined in fall 2009 and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made! It was also very hard for me to stick with a fitness routine my freshman year. I will admit the Freshman 15 did hit me, but by the next semester it was all gone and then some. Hope you have a happy holiday season!
Zoe
I love this post! The story about your sorority is scarily like mine in Sigma Sigma Sigma! I was having some doubts but I now have an amazing big and twin, love all of my sisters, and really love sorority life!! I gotta work on some of the other goals, but it’s nice to read them as a reminder to keep striving towards excellence!!
Zoe <3
Megan
Glad to hear you love greek life, as a newly initiated member of Delta Gamma, I found some days really difficult but I now have an amazing big, and triplets that I adore, and I consider going greek the best decision ever! But my fitness and eating habbits need to change along with my study habbits.
<3 Megan
Leora
Congrats on Greek life! I joined last year, and it’s the best decision I ever made. I love the Delta Zetas at my school, and I think you’ll love it. Congrats on reaching your goals!
Shay Monet
Aww freshman year was so amazing. In my opinion college never gets better than freshman year…your just so excited and everything SO new! Glad your doing well :)
Stephanie
I am a senior about to head into my final semester of college, and it is neat seeing how my first semester at college compared. I also joined a sorority (we do not have DZ at my school, I joined Alpha Omicron Pi at mine). I also became more organized and was able to handle my studies but it was impossible to eat healthy….my school is not exactly known for its very healthy food options. Nonetheless I actually lost weight because I took advantage of our wellness facilities.
Alex
I WANNA WEAR THAT PINK & GREEN! DELTA Z! <3 Much ?Z love that is ever steadfast from the UIUC Alpha Beta Chapter! (:
Abbye
I’m a DZ too and I was proud to find this great article was written by a sister. As a senior, I can tell you that you are right one. Congrats on you initiation! Keep up the good work. I love College Fashion even more now.
Steph
Hi little!!!! I just wanted to say that while reading this I am so proud of you and so happy to call you a member of my family. You are way cooler than me and I can’t believe I just found out that you are a famous blogger. Switching to a comm major was definitely the right choice.
Love, Big
Ashley
I’ve always wondered about sororities and fraternities…my university has only one sorority that’s official, but virtually nobody knows about it because it’s a secret one (I only know because I know a couple of girls who were invited to join; I’ve never actually met anyone who’s a member, I don’t think). I think I remember someone saying that we used to have them, but that there were some major issues going on that got them banned or something.
What’s the general type of girl like in them? I can only live with certain kinds of people, and have always wondered about whether or not I would do well in one if I were to transfer to a US school for whatever reason. I’ve heard that they’re pretty much all the same type of personality. True/false?
I almost accomplished my goal of getting rid of my acne. Then end-of-term projects and exams happened and it all came back. :’c
Kia
Love college fashion. So happy and proud to see an inspiring post by a fellow Delta Zeta!
Vanessa
I was a Delta Zeta when I was in college too! Have fun!
Sarah - Northeastern University
Anne: I’ve never heard of anybody getting viruses from Self Control. I’ve been using it for years and it has been amazing!
Ashley: False! Every sorority has a completely different personality. It’s easy to think that there is only one kind of “sorority girl” but this is absolutely not true! We have seven Panhellenic sororities on campus and each one has a different culture, reputation, and character.
Michaela: I’m sorry to hear about some of your struggles throughout the semester. I absolutely understand; it’s been a long semester. Lots of learning and lots of mistakes. Good luck in the semesters to come! And congratulations on being initiated into the pre-med fraternity! That sounds like it will be an amazing experience.
Thank you to all of my Delta Zetas! It’s always fun hearing from fellow sisters :)