Reflection #1- Valdes

I am so very excited to have first been accepted to the University of Florida and to now be attending such a great college. Moreover, I'm happy I was smart enough to start in the summer, while there are not that many students attending classes. One goal for the summer involves getting acquainted with the University. For example, I desperately need to memorize where each building and other locations are to save myself from another unnecessary two mile walk to a destination five minutes away. Thankfully, I have already learned where my current classes are and the dining hall--the most important places for me at the moment. Becoming acquainted with the University also means feeling comfortable with everything I choose to do as well. Already, I am intimidated when I walk into the gym, a new part of time, or even some of my classes. I would like to greatly dissipate this feeling and become confident wherever I am at the University.

Another goal for this summer includes having fun, as any college student would say. I have recently met tons of new people both in my residence hall and just around campus in general. However, I'd love to meet even more people and have the opportunity to make even more friends. I consider myself a naturally social person and place a lot of importance on my friendships, thus it is a very important goal to develop lasting friendships at the place where I'll be spending the next four years at least. Yet, I can already tell this won't be a difficult goal to accomplish because everyone is so personable, friendly, and outgoing. Having fun, in my opinion, also means going out. As a high school student, I spent a lot of my time making sure I wasn't just sitting home. I would like to keep up that schedule as much as I can without it interfering with my success in school, since my primary goal is to do well in every class.

Speaking of class, I have high hopes for my First-Year Florida class. For one, I hope to learn all there is to know about the University of Florida, from class locations to ways students can get involved to all the history of the school. I believe this class will offer me the chance to learn so much and I'm excited to absorb everything I can. Also, I hope I can meet new people in class and make even more friends.

Overall, my hopes for Summer B are reflected in my goals. I wish to meet as many new people as I can and develop lasting friendships. Additionally, it is imperative that I learn my way around campus before the fall--when there's more than 50,000 students here. I realize this will probably be the hardest challenge, but I am determined to overcome it, with or without a map. Finally, I hope I succeed in all my classes and don't struggle too much, although I know this is maybe asking a little much.