Scuba Club

I went to the first scuba club meeting in the Blatt PE Center. I wasn't quite sure what to expect. There were several people, some of whom had been certified or already in the club. They talked about what they mainly do, which is organize scuba trips for fall and spring break. Thats what they spend the money they're given on. I couldn't participate in this years fall break trip, but I'm really interested in the spring break trip. They said that they've organized a trip to the Florida keys before that was very successful, and they'll most likely do it again next semester. I'd love to do that, because I'm an inexperienced diver and I could use the guidance of club members and the clarity of the water in the keys.

I was slightly disappointed that these two trips were all they seemed to offer. Theoretically, I could suggest more trips or activities, but I'm not sure how much I need to do to make that happen. Hopefully, I can keep with the club, become more involved, and possibly go on the spring break trip!

Meeting My Professor

I got a chance to talk to my marine science professor, Claudia Benitez-Nelson, after class. She is so nice! I told her I was a marine science major, so I really want to do well, and I was so nervous about this class. We just had our first exam and many of us didn't do very well. Thankfully she took pity on us and we took it again to get extra points. She said I was doing just fine, my exam came out to be a decent grade, and she also reminded me that she lets us drop and exam at the end of the semester. She is very approachable, encourages visiting her, grades on a curve, and offers extra credit. I think I'm going to meet with her again. I'm so glad I got to talk to her about my exam, and I'm not so nervous anymore.
I would advise people to meet with their professors, most of mine are very friendly and approachable. You just have to actually go and talk to them, email them, set up a meeting. They can tell you things about the class you may not have known. They can help you find ways to do better. Just don't be so nervous that you never get to know them. I'm shy, but I'm so glad that I've gotten a chance to talk to my marine science professor.

Hand Middle School Visit

I loved Hand Middle! It was so pretty, I loved all of the artwork everywhere, covering the walls. I would have loved for my school to look that way. I'm very excited to be mentoring a sixth grader who is interested in at least some art form. I hope that I'm matched up with someone who is interested in the things I participated in at my high school: drama and chorus.
It was also very strange seeing middle schoolers again. I forgot what it was like to be a middle schooler. Some of them look like babies, and some look my age! I'm really excited though! I think it'll be fun, they have a great campus, and we can walk around while we get to know each other.
I hope I can be a help and build a good relationship with my student. I know if I can impact them in a positive way, I'll fell very accomplished and good about myself. Yay!

Hand Middle School

I'm really excited about tutoring, but I'm really nervous too. I suppose I expect things to be a little awkward at first. I'll be trying to get to know my student, and they might be a little shy or indifferent. I also hope I know what to say. Sometimes I know exactly what to say to stangers, and sometimes we sit in silence. I hope I can relate to my student well enough too. I've probably been through everything they're feeling about going into middle school, and I can give them advice that they probably can't get from their parents (who haven't been in middle school in a while) or from their friends (who can't possibly know much about it either).
This can be a very positive thing for both of us, and that's my goal. I want to make their transition a little easier, and know that I've helped someone. It might be awkward at first, but I hope I can be a friend to them. I just really hope they like me and will open up to me so I can help them out as much as possible.

LASSI

That LASSI test was weird! I was asked the same questions again and again. I guess to see if I would answer the same way each time. I really didn't like some of the questions. They created a situation that seemed improbable for me, and didn't give me an option to choose that I liked. Some of them I just had to guess on.
I wasn't terribly surprised with my results. My lowest score was on time managment. I can be pretty bad at that. Thats why I'm so excited about my new weekly planner! Now I just need to make sure I write everything down. I'm still getting used to my schedule and planning my assignments accordingly. College is hard! I really liked Laura Dixon's suggestion to dress up everyday, or just on test days. I tried it on Friday, and it didn't work out like I had planned, but I think for most of the day it made me feel a little bit better about myself.
My highest score was in self testing, whatever that means. I suppose it's when you study by going over the things you know in your head and deciding what you need to study in notes or flashcards. I made some flashcards for a test on wednesday, and I think they really helped. I just wrote down some things in my notes on index cards, which organized the information better, and looked through them. We'll see how it turns out!

Service Learning

I'm both nervous and excited for mentoring a 6th grade student. I hope I can help them and have a positive influence on them, but I worry about connecting with them. I want them to like me and respect me. I also want to know that I'm giving the best advice I can.
I haven't been a part of many service projects. I volunteered at my local humane society because I have a weakness for animals, and I've done things over the years for Beta Club. I participated in operation christmas child, helped out at nearby elementary schools, made blankets for a pediatric hospital, and donated a few things.
This weekend, a little boy I used to babysit came to my door. He was selling popcorn with cub scouts, and we bought some. His parents were there and we started talking about their daughter. She's going into the sixth grade this year, and they talked about how different it will be. Lockers, gym class, no recess, etc. I was really excited to tell them, hey I'm going to mentor a 6th grader this year! It felt like I was going to be doing something really helpful. Yay!

Organization

Organization is not my forte. I am only good at organizing when the inspiration hits me. These first couple of weeks have been kind of crazy and unorganized. My new schedule has been a little overwhelming, and I don't quite have a routine down. Going off to college is an extreme change in a person's life, depending on their situation. It definitely has to be handled carefully.
I just got a weekly planner today. I've always had a calendar for my wall and my backpack/purse, which worked great in high school. But now that i have different classes on different days at different times, its a lot harder to keep up with assignments. I definitely need a weekly schedule where i can write out everything i need to do on a certain day.
I'm kind of nervous about managing my time properly. I know I can do it, but I know it might be really difficult. For one thing, I know I wont be out late before a test, I have to prioritize, and I have to keep up with my reading. If I make it through the first semester, that is the most important thing. I will have gotten myself accustom to this lifestyle and into a routine that works for me.

Involvement

I was so excited about the student organization fair! There were so many booths and people that I didn’t even get to see everything. However, I was there in between classes and I was full handed with heavy books, so I didn’t stay long. Dropping my books on the ground once was enough for me.
I couldn’t believe that I didn’t see the scuba club! I’ve been looking for them online, and all of their stuff is outdated. I looked, dropped my books, and looked, but I couldn’t find their table anywhere. I would have loved to join the scuba club. I have joined SEAS (Students Engaged in Aquatic Sciences) and signed up to get more information about the female acapella group “Cocktails” and Broadway Our Way.
I love the ocean, swimming, scuba diving, singing, acting, wakeboarding, traveling, cooking, eating, and just hanging out. I can’t wait to try skydiving too!

Carolinian

I have always been obsessed with water. Growing up in south Florida, I started learning to swim at 6 months old. I loved going to the beach, swimming in the local pool, and taking snorkeling trips. Now that I'm here at USC, I'm so excited to be studying marine science.
I expected USC to be very athletics oriented, but also have good arts programs. I'm glad that I can participate in the school spirit that comes with a football game, and audition for a theatre production as well. I loved be part of the musicals at my high school.
Things have been a bit overwhelming, but I feel like I'm doing well. I've made friends and kept in touch with my friends from high school. I miss them, my boyfriend, and my parents a lot. But I'm glad that I am only less than 2 hours away from all of them.
I feel like the Carolina Creed makes a lot of sense for me. I agree with what it says and what it asks of students here at USC. It reminds us to be decent, honest, hardworking people.