Alex's Personal Challenge

Because growth is a continuous process, I have decided to undertake a personal challenge this semester as well. It is important to reflect on self-improvement periodically, and it can be difficult to stop and be honest with oneself about all the areas of one’s life where there is room for improvement! I know that this is certainly the case for me.

My personal challenge this semester is to achieve a better work/life balance. Recently, my job has gotten all types of crazy due to some new responsibilities I’ve taken on in my office. While I’m grateful for the opportunities these new job duties have provided me with, it has at times been a bit overwhelming to juggle running three programs, and teaching two U101 classes with my personal life.

In order to insure that I focus intentionally on my personal, as well as my professional life, I will aim to achieve the following goals this semester.

•           I will make it a point to exercise at least 5 days a week, to have time to improve my physical fitness while giving me some time to myself as well
•           I will journal once a week. This is a goal because I struggle with being personally reflective when everything is super busy. I want to make this a priority so I can live intentionally without letting life pass me by.
•           I will call at least one close friend a week. Now that my friends from college, childhood and graduate school are scattered throughout the country keeping in touch can be a real challenge. I will intentionally reach out to these friends in order to keep these relationships going.

I will let you know later this semester if I’m able to accomplish these goals! My hope is that by making my personal life a priority I will achieve better balance. I look forward to reading about your personal challenge goals as a class this semester!

Alex

Looking Back: Fall 2004

I began my college career at Elon University in the Fall of 2004. It was the first time I had ever moved out-of state, (from New Jersey to North Carolina) and I was very nervous about making such a big move. While I was excited about the opportunities Elon had to offer me as a student, I was upset to be leaving my high school boyfriend and best friends. We would all be attending college in different parts of the country, and I knew that being able to see each other regularly would be almost impossible.

Elon had some very nice residence halls at the time, but somehow I wound up in the Jordan Center. The Jordan Center (or “JC” as it was fondly called by its residents) had been built as temporary housing on campus for students in the 1980s. It then proceeded to continue housing students for the next 25 years. It was set up like summer camp, with porches on the front of each suite leading to the outside, and the rooms were incredibly tiny. I remember being a bit in shock and thinking, “uh-oh, this is where I’m living!?”

Luckily, my roommate (Krista, a student who had come to Elon to play golf from Canada) and I had a good bit in common. We were both from far away, and both concerned about doing well on our schoolwork. While we were not best friends, and didn’t live together for the rest of college I was glad we were able to do alright with one another for most of that year.

At the start of college I was incredibly homesick. It also took me awhile to make good friends. Krista and I got to know several girls who lived in the suite next to us, at the beginning of the semester, but it wasn’t until about December until I really felt like I knew them well. Making friends initially was certainly challenging, I just hadn’t realized how long it would take to find people who I truly clicked with.  I was also more introverted when I began college and far less confident than I was by the time I graduated. By challenging myself to meet new people, and get involved in meaningful activities I cared about over the course of my four years (Greek life, service activities, tour guides, etc.) I grew tremendously as a person.

My advice for you as first-year students is that forming meaningful friendships takes time and a series of shared experiences, so don’t be concerned if this takes awhile to happen. Also, be sure to push yourself outside your comfort level, and be intentional about who you would like to be on graduation day over the course of your time in college. Who is it you want to be when you walk across that stage in 2015? I challenge you to be inspired by the image of your potential on graduation day, and use that image to motivate you to reach your full potential in all areas of college life.

Alex

Looking back: Fall 2005

It seems like just yesterday, which makes it hard to believe that I started college six years ago this fall. In August 2005 I moved into Graham Hall 422 at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. While I jumped for joy to celebrate my freedom as my parents pulled away, I had small twinges of homesickness realizing I was six hours away from home at a brand new place where I barely knew just a few people from my summer orientation. Despite this, I was eager for new experiences and threw myself into my surroundings.

After a few weeks I did begin to become very homesick. I didn't particularly get along well with my roommate, though I was thankful to have suitemates that were becoming close friends of mine. I drove home for Labor Day weekend and didn't want to leave at the end to go back to school. As much as I was trying to be brave and independent, it was so nice to be in the comfort of my family and hometown. I made my way back to school and challenged myself to get involved on campus to make some meaningful connections.

Being silly with my suitemates at the end of freshman year, Spring 2006

Once I was back at school I went through sorority recruitment and joined Sigma Sigma Sigma which became my home away from home. While I was unsure for a while about joining my sorority, after my new member process I realized I had found a group of women so similar to me. Looking back on college my most memorable moments almost always include my sorority sisters and I'm thankful for challenging myself to go through that experience.

With both of my "little sisters" Fall 2006

Through my sorority I became more involved on campus, and made connections with staff members who became personal mentors and advisors for me. Becoming involved really provided me with a sense of belonging, and even more, a sense of purpose on campus. I definitely made mistakes along the way but they were events that made me learn. From trial and error I found out how to balance my time, keep up with classwork and properly prepare for exams.

While I had never been the shy or quiet one in high school, college was a time where I really came out of my shell. In whatever I was involved in I wholeheartedly threw myself into it seeking out leadership positions and responsibilities. From the many attempts I had made to find the right way to do things I fostered a need to help others. I constantly was providing advice and wisdom to the younger members of organizations that I belonged in and really enjoyed teaching others.

I began to find my strengths and talents which was really important to me. With siblings that were straight "A" students who excelled in math and science it was hard in high school to struggle in those courses. Although I was an above average student I never felt like I was at the same level as my brother and sister and it was a chance for me to really let my own talents shine.

Walking across the stage on May 9, 2009, I shook Chancellor DePalo's hand and turned to face a sea of my peers. Their eyes were bright with the knowledge and wisdom gained the past four (or five, or six...) years, and faces were glowing with excitement and promise for the "real world" after college.

I reflected on the past four years and couldn't believe the incredible difference of seventeen year old Anna who moved into Graham Hall, and the now twenty one year old Anna in her graduation gown who had secured a full time job and was about to embark on a brand new chapter of life. I was confident, aware of myself and others, eager to continue learning, and most of all--I was proud. Proud of the person that I became despite the ups and downs of college. Proud of continually putting myself outside of my comfort zone to experience new things. Proud that I had navigated life on my own for four whole years.

Now I find it hard to believe that I graduated from college over two years ago. While I still go back to revisit good memories it seems that college happened a lifetime ago. What's remarkable is how much I call upon what I learned in those four years, both in and outside of the classroom. This is what has gotten me to where I am today and what I know is the foundation for what is to hopefully be a successful future.

I challenge you all to think about the person you want to be when you walk across the stage at your own graduation. What do you want to achieve? What do you want your peers to remember about you? I encourage you to use college as a time to break out of your comfort zone and experience new things. Focus on your academics, but be spontaneous and enjoy the times that you have with friends. You're beginning four of the most important years in your life!

My best friend Brian and me after our departmental commencement on graduation day

Hope you enjoyed learning about my journey through college!

Anna