Sunday, January 11, 2015

Spring Semester at Penn State

Tomorrow is the first day of Spring semester at Penn State and I'm elated and nervous at the same time.  This isn't my first semester back, it's my second, but it will be my first semester blogging throughout it.  I had wanted to blog about my first semester back but at the same time felt terrified to because of self-doubt and nagging thoughts.  What if I fail?  Who would want to read about someone failing?  How is that inspirational?

Looking back, I regret not voicing those fears because it's bloggers that share with that level of intimacy that inspire me and, more importantly, remind me that I'm not alone!  Everyone experiences fears and doubt but I think that, for some reason, we like to pretend that the general populous doesn't.  That we're somehow different, or worse "broken", because we feel doubtful while Joe Whomever seems to always have his stuff together.  Let me tell you, they don't.  No one is 100% perfect and that's OK!  It's expected!

As far as my imperfection goes, I didn't get the C I needed in Chemistry.  In a way, I'm happy that I didn't because dealing with the class taught me a lot about what I need to change in the ways of my study habits and schedule in order to succeed.  I found out about Penn State's online test anxiety resource center, which actually helped raise my exam grades in other classes; I learned that I need to put everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) into my digital calendar instead of using a physical one like I used to; I learned how long before different subjects I needed to study to do the best I could on the exam (Nutrition and Physiology = 2 days prior; Anatomy and Chemistry = 1 week+ prior); I got a harsh reminder that studying in certain classes has to happen everyday (hence the D in chemistry).

I was also reminded that I NEED to exercise at least 5 days a week!  It has to happen.  It's how I release my stress and while I did walk around 5-6 miles a day, it wasn't the intense cardio that T25 gave me.

Now, before the semester even started, I've started my studying since my text books are in (the Chemistry book is an eBook) AND I researched resources others have used to help them with chemistry and I wound up picking up Chemistry for Dummies I and II.
Two texts that I'm going to worship this semester!
I cannot wait for this semester to start!  I cannot wait to meet my professors!  And, most importantly, I can't wait to be one step closer to my dream of becoming a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist (they changed the title last year).

If you're studying this major to please let me know!  We could help each other!  I did get an A in my Nutrition 251 and a B in my physiology class so don't let the chem grade scare you off.  XD