abigail-85In the words of my peer, Frankie Herrera, “One week at Dartmouth = one week anywhere else in the world.” True, I have lost track of what day it is during these last couple of days but needless to say, it’s been awesome! My classes are full of stimulating discussions, my professors truly love what they teach, and my peers are all talented, motivated, and determined to succeed. I’ve taken up a job as a Drill Instructor, which means I’ll be helping other students in Spanish 2 further their knowledge of my native language and will hopefully soon join a couple more organizations. Which reminds me…

Do NOT lose your focus; stay grounded! The first week of college may seem a bit intimidating due to your newfound freedom. No longer will you have someone making sure you eat breakfast, checking that you’ve done your homework, or telling you to go to bed early. It’s up to you to decide how and with whom you’ll spend your time.  In high school you may have been able to get things done without ever having to write them down but in college you will discover that a schedule planner will be necessary. You will also realize that you may not be able to be a part of every single club or join all the sports you may have been a part of in the past. In college you will have to decide what you are truly passionate about and stick to it.

Time management is key to success in college but remember to make time for fun!