So this weeks blog isnt really about adventure as I didn’t adventure to many places. Just mostly to the mall to get things for the suite and my room. Instead this week is all about how i have had to adjust to the college and study life here on campus. Being back home studying was different, because I had my own transportation, my own timetable and living either with family, or friends or when i was on my own. I just knew what i needed to do and figure out how to prioritise while juggling work and sporting commitments along with the study load.
The biggest thing I have had to adjust to is actually studying 5 units (courses) as a full-time study load here in the United States whereas instead of four units is a full-time load in Australia. The first week was about orientation as Professors and Faculty knew that students were still changing whether they were leaving the class or coming into the class. So last week was actually the first full week of classes and it had completely thrown me. In Australia, the university i go to give the students access to the course content that the course lecturer has uploaded. Sometimes it can be week 1 to week 12 powerpoints and pre-recorded lectures, other times it can be done on a weekly basis but it always gives atleast one or two weeks of content so the student can see what the need to do to prepare for the upcoming term. I use to use this to worrk out my assignments, dates that needed to written and marked down on the calendar or set in my phone so i had notifications for upcoming quizzes or when assessment pieces were due.
It is similar here in the US at Endicott the Professors, Drs., or lecturers hand out the syllabus and identifies key dates. What is different though it isn’t given in advance. Content is taught in class, which part of our grade is participation based. So if we dont turn up to class we can suffer consequences of a lower grade. Which i like to an extent because you have to be in the class for the content and the discussions. It kind of reminded me of when I did my first term of my undergraduate degree via Distance study. I missed out so much on the class interaction, listening to others perspectives and what they think of topics etc. Once I had changed I could totally see the difference in my work and notes and how i could better assessment pieces with having the interaction from peers in the class.
Anyhow, I had been to Rugby Union training which is a club sport here on campus and wanted to join. Didn’t physically train however I attended and I really missed playing footy back home especially knowing that it was footy finals back home. Long story short as this was arround the time of where the study load had me so overwhelmed I didnt know what to do. I stressed a little. I just messaged the coach and informed her that I was very interested however I needed to get on top of the study load before I let it get the better of me as mentally I was telling myself ‘Christi you are over here for study. yes you want to play sports which will be beneficial for you but you need to get this study load under wraps first!!!’….. Goodness me I felt like I just needed to bake to relieve some stress hahaha but I had no ingredients ahahaha… You all know me, baking is one of my many destressors but mostly the best destressor haha…
But I literally knuckled down the next three days, studied and read most of my books, completed my homework, and got on top of everything. So I could watch the ladies play on Sunday for their first match. and ofcourse they came back from being down in the first half to a really good win. It showed a fire in the team amongst the ladies that i admire. They never gave up and just fought really hard for their win.
Over the week and even the weekend, I started to experience a little bit of homesickness. really missing the family and friends. but not that i dont miss everyone, I really starting to miss the nephews and nieces alot. but i guess thats why technology has become more advanced since i was a teenager, that they invented smart phones with social media platforms to keep in touch. We kinda have sorted out the schedules. Well its my night time to their early mornings before school or late nights with weekends to do mid morning calls ahahaha…. but never the less I got to see the kids, just missed out on Daniel’s girls. I will sort that out soon… But the siblings and their partners definitely keep me entertained with out family chat…. hahahaha… .good times… yes the siblings love to hack so much crap on me and Michael (younger brother) about our NRL team the Brisbane Broncos…. Ummm I still support them: Win, Lose or Draw… no matter what….
But I got some new boots, and a mouth guard and have finally gotten all the assessment and paperwork sorted aand complete. I get to play this week. Feeling a little excited. A little undecided how i feel about having to wear a mouth guard though. Never played with one in my life throughout the 8 years of Rugby League I have played… Well I guess there’s a first time for everything. I mean I always said i wouldn’t play rugby union and here i am…. haahah….
But that is all until next week… Where there will be more photos I guarentee 😀 😀
Christi's Adventures 