It was only 47 days ago that the new school year began.
We are already halfway through the semester, but also, only halfway through the semester. My freshman year has already been filled with some great times and some not-so-great times, but I am happy to be where I am right now.
The honors college has been an incredibly special experience already. From my sequence to my Live Learn Lead I have been pushed more than I thought, but I have also grown way more than I ever could have imagined. I remember reading the syllabus for my sequence, Design Thinking for Social Product Innovation, and thinking ‘what on earth have I gotten myself into.’ I knew it was going to be a lot of work, I mean it is an honors class after all, but I didn’t really understand just how much it actually was.
But coming into the semester, I knew I could do it, and I wasn’t too worried. I had numerous AP credits and a college credit from Notre Dame so I figured I was prepared for my college transition. Very quickly, though, I realized I was not as prepared as I thought. It wasn’t so much that the material was too difficult and I was under-prepared, it was the workload. the seemingly impossible task of managing my time wisely. And in addition to transitioning onto a new campus, new classes and new friends, I was also trying to understand time management and finding balance in my life.
By the middle of September, I had my first feelings of doubt. I had a panic attack and felt like school was just impossible for me. I know college isn’t for everyone, and I was starting to think that maybe I was one of those people. All of a sudden the combination of my sequence and my calculus course got to be too much and the stress overcame me, I was ready to drop them both right then.
However, thankfully, I went to walk-in advising before making any rash decisions. Meg and Kelly helped me organize the rest of my classes to a more do-able workload, while encouraging me to stick it out a little bit longer in my sequence.
I’ve made it through week seven in my sequence and I would be lying if I said I never thought about dropping ever again, but I haven’t seriously considered it. I know how lucky I am to learn from people like Dr. Lane and Professor Lafferty. Their way of teaching is unlike any other and they bring such unique experience to the class. I also can feel myself changing thanks to the class. It also offers me a whole new perspective on world and learning opportunities unlike any other.
Sure, I may not be getting all A’s like I was so used to in high school but I am learning to be okay with that. Grades were always the priority but if I have learned anything in my less than two months of college it’s that the grades aren’t what matters. What matters is your actual learning, which does not mean an A. It means understanding.
These past 47 days have been filled of highs and lows but those highs definitely make it all worth it. This is just the beginning and I cannot wait to see where I go from here.
Grace Kulin is a freshman in the Frederik Meijer Honors college who is currently undecided. She loves watching HGTV, SpongeBob, working out and wearing Lululemon. She also loves working with people and is hoping to work in the medical field.
GVSU Honors College 