My kittens herd dust bunnies into corners (Peech)
It’s first week over and I already have to do a major assignment. Why, oh why?! I knew I was setting myself up for a tough year, but the number of things I’ve had to learn/do this week make me feel like I’ve been tossed into the deep end of an ocean. For example, I have to memorize the chemical structures of twenty amino acids, how to use a scalpel (hilariously difficult for an uncoordinated butterfingers like me), the names of all the bones in a dog’s body and then the names of all the ‘dents, lumps and bumps’ of the aforementioned parts. In a way, I’m pumped up because my course is providing a terrific challenge! But, on the other hand, I’m scared of failing and falling behind.
Luckily, I have a study group of equally motivated friends to work with! I didn’t really make the effort to talk to other students at Monash, which is a disaster when your course is as scattered as Science/Arts. You don’t see the same people in each lecture and if you aren’t adept at creating a wide active network of friends, you find yourself spending many lunch breaks huddling over a book in a corner. (cue: ‘aww!’)
But having attended orientation and the smaller course size are really helping me to find my feet at uni, and I’m determined to do things properly this time around. It’s difficult, making the effort to join in, initiate conversations and remember 120 different names (although, many of them appear to be variations of ‘Steph’), but it’s been immensely rewarding for me so far. As our Dean keeps on saying, ‘These will be your friends and colleagues for the rest of your life!’ Heaven forbid they forever remember me as ‘the creepy quiet one who likes to read Harry Potter in corners.’*
*note: this is just an example! reading Harry Potter does NOT mean you are an antisocial freak (wearing robes around campus and whispering ‘alohamora’ in a vain attempt to open locks is a different matter altogether)
What? As if you get scalpels, we’re not allowed them until second year.
I agree with you on the whole name-remembering thing.. Its the hardest to do!
Maybe you could consider relinquishing a fiscally- and emotionally-rewarding career as a vet and switch to Arts. Sample quote from a psych. lecture:
“Your first assignment is um, pretty much…creative writing”
(and it’s still a month away.)
Yes.
I find that starting an assignment the day you get it really helps. You don’t have to touch it for ages, but starting is always the toughest part, so do it as quickly as you can. Then it won’t be so scary.
I have academic robes for College and a gnarled piece of wood – I’m seriously going to consider the Harry Potter thing… it would be hilarious!
I’m surprised there isn’t a Harry Potter fan club.
Or maybe there is, and we just haven’t found it yet.
Anyone think that the archways near the Old Quad are somewhat Harry Potter-esque ?
@Jenn: I did arts for three years, but I was terrible at it. I think it was when I got 56% for a writing assignment and was told something on the lines of ‘it just didn’t work for me’ as feedback that I decided to be a vet. It was… soul-crushing. I prefer not to think about it. ='(
@spash: I love the ivy-covered buildings around Union House. I think they’re particularly fantastical and British. You probably have to go to the Room of Requirement to find the Harry Potter fan club. 😉 Hey, how awesome would it be if there was a secret agreement amongst, say, 100 people to arrive at uni in wizard robes? I would totally do it! *hinthint*
the archways near the Old Quad xD
well… i think i’d be okay to pass up on the introduction of moving staircases to the campus… at least until i’ve managed to remember all the places i have to go to and how to get to them.
hmm let’s start looking for robes =P