McGrath 1 Melissa McGrath Ms.

Cruey Honors Freshman Seminar 15 October 2013 Midterm Reflection: The Efficient Use of Time When I graduated from high school, I thought I had a good understanding of what college would be like. Id have a few classes each day, find a few organizations to join, do my homework, have some fun with friends, and eat semi-good food. Now that I am attending college classes and living on campus, I am getting a rich taste of what a college culture is like. There are many opportunities available, both academically and socially. I have received countless emails about job fairs, the career center, the University Center for Academic Excellence, and academic enrichment activities. There are also a plethora of emails regarding football games, Homecoming events, and school-sponsored social gatherings. Early in the semester I realized that if I was going to be productive in my college career, then it would be critical that I learn to perfect my time management skills and devote time to investing in myself now in order to benefit in the future. I am working towards a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I am trying to receive good grades with the attitude that if I give it my all, the good mark will follow. Over the course of the first half of the semester, I learned that managing my time wisely can make all the difference. I have many commitments in addition to my schoolwork, and I had to learn quickly how to perfect these skills, lest I risk falling behind and being unproductive. I still get overwhelmed with the amount of work to get done, and completing it so that I understand what exactly it is that I am completing. However, by planning out my weeks, days, and the time inbetween each class, I am

McGrath 2 better able to set my priorities straight. By organizing myself and taking the time to get my studies in order, I feel that I have succeeded. There are several distractions in certain places on campus that prevent me from effective use of my time. I am around people the majority of the time. Many of us go to class, eat, sleep, hang out, and stress out together. It is rare that one finds someone not doing one of these things. These students make the university run. With much freedom and little parental or instructor supervision, I now have much more responsibility. Not every professor scrutinizes my attendance in class, cares if I complete my assignments on time, or checks up how my life has been in general. Unlike high school where I was guided along a predictable path, I must now seek out my own help, find the answers to my questions, or if I cant do either, at least pinpoint the resource that is capable of assisting me in my academic, social, or spiritual life. During this fall semester, the realization that time is of the essence has affected my thoughts and how I view the immediate and more distant world around me. I have come to determine the advantages to living on campus without a car. I can walk to all my classes and get exercise this way, and I have no concerns about parking or traffic. If I ever have time, I can come back to my dorm to take a brief nap. I also get to be outside more often and breathe fresh air. There are downsides as well. Because every amenity and food store is so accessible, there is no need to go off campus. Campus is school, home, and a microcosm of the real world all in one. Because I have been so busy with schoolwork, I havent gotten the chance to watch television. Back home I would make it a point to turn on the 11oclock news nightly. Id be informed of the latest community, national, and global happenings. More recently I have read up on current issues online versus watching interviews and hearing conflicting perspectives on TV. To survive day to day, it is not necessary that one branches out to the rest of

McGrath 3 the world. However, I have come to realize that in order to be well-rounded, educated, and successful in the long run, it is important to have a good understanding of what is happening around us. I have learned that if I want to stay up-to-date, I must seek out the new sources myself and set aside time to learn about current events. It was second nature in high school to remain connected with the news; I feel out of place and ignorant when I fail to know about the pressing issues in society. On the contrary, if I were to get caught up on every minute detail about Washington these days and be able to recite every instance of gridlock and failure to find the middle ground, one person out there may appreciate it. What is more important is that I focus on the studies in front of me. These days I must give my attention to the material that will affect my understanding of what nurses do in their daily lives. Currently, this means learning chemistry and how our bodies are machines. If I do not take the time now to understand the information, I will face confusion in the future. Therefore, it is essential that I am able to devote my time to my schoolwork and to divert distractions, and many distractions do appear in a college dorm. The investment I have placed in my education sometimes overshadows the need to read up on current events. I bury myself in what I am being taught in class, in my textbooks, and in my notes and find that material to be the most pivotal right now. In the beginning of the semester I thought that by keeping my eyes set on my goal and breaking down each day into manageable to-dos, I will be successful. Now I realize that by focusing on the goal of earning a degree while simultaneously taking each day as it comes and coupling that with knowledge of current events, in a few years I will earn that degree and be competitive in a world that needs education. This past Friday, Malala Yousafzai met with President Obama at the White House. This young girl was shot in the head a year ago for defying Islamist militant groups by voicing her

McGrath 4 belief that all women are entitled to an education. By being vocal about such a significant topic, she showed great determination and how to take control of ones destiny. By investing myself in my schoolwork now, I am working towards something greater for my future. At the same time, I must be mindful of the world around me. It is ironic that Malalas campaign is about education. Education is the key that opens many doors. I would have only heard this story of perseverance if I took an interest in the news. She is an inspiring girl. I will continue to persist in my academic efforts and be aware of what is happening in the more global world of which I am a part. With my education, I can contribute to the well being of society and offer my time and talents to people in need. In this way, I will have made efficient use of my time.