My First Semester at IU Indianapolis

When I applied to IU Indianapolis, I did not originally plan on attending. It was more of a backup option and another school to apply to. However, I eventually realized I did not want to leave home and decided IU Indianapolis would be the right place for me. I had been near campus before but had never taken an official visit, so I came in not knowing exactly what to expect. Orientation was my first official experience on campus, and I remember feeling very excited. The location felt ideal for me since I am from a rural area and enjoy being in a city environment. Fast forward to now, I am very happy with my decision to attend IU Indianapolis. I have made several friends and had many positive experiences.

One meaningful experience was the global virtual exchange project in my nutrition course, where I was able to connect and have discussions with students from the United Kingdom. Another important experience was Bridge Week, which helped me become familiar with campus, meet new people, and adjust to college life before the semester fully started. Over my first semester, I learned that I am strong at staying ahead with my schoolwork. Being organized and completing assignments early made the semester much easier and helped reduce stress around deadlines. It also allowed me to separate school from my personal life more effectively, since I could finish work on campus and not worry about it during work or family time.

A challenge I identified was my study skills. For my first Intro to Exercise Science exam, I felt unprepared for how to study when all the exact test material was not directly provided. I did not perform as well as I wanted to, but I improved on the next exam after adjusting my study habits and learning what methods worked better for me. Another major adjustment was learning how to manage independence and coursework at a college level. In high school, I did not have as much work outside of class, but in college I quickly realized that success requires consistent effort outside of class as well. I also had to adjust to being more independent. As a commuter student, I do not have a roommate or someone with the same daily schedule, so I spend a lot of time on my own. While this was an adjustment, it has also helped me become more focused and productive with my time.

Overall, this semester taught me how to better manage my time, improve my study skills, and adapt to a more independent environment. These are skills I know will continue to be important as I move forward in college and into my future career. My advice for next semester is to continue staying organized and keep doing what has been working well for me so far.