The following is a what I wrote for one of my classes here about the first day of classes (translated into English of course!)
Today, Monday, August 13, was my first day of class here at the University of Sonora (UNISON). As it´s been 5 years since I graduated from Calvin College and 6 since I actually took a class, I was feeling both excited and a little bit nervous about the reality of studying again. My first class was Mexican Literature III (20th century) from 10:00-11:00. Veronique, my house mate, is also taking this class and so that helped me to not feel so alone in this adventure. However, my feelings changed as the class progressed and I soon was in shock. I didn´t understand hardly anything. I don´t have very much literature background in regards to classes and furthermore I haven´t taken the prerequisites to this class, so both my vocabulary and background knowledge were severly lacking. I though, What am I doing? and Should I even be in this class? The second class was better. It was Composition Workshop I, an hour class for incoming freshmen. As a result, many students arrived late to class and then received a mini-lecture about the importance of arriving on time and their assistance. I was humored by this and quite relieved that I have pasted that stage. Español II was next. The teacher is quite the dramatic, energetic, animated woman. Upon entereing, many students proceded to give her the warm welcome with hugs and kisses. Then in class, she commented that over the break she had missed them.....yesterday. I certainly have a variety of professors! My final class is History of the US/Mexican Relations at 7:00-9:00. I enjoyed the class and I felt better about what I understood (perhaps because I had more back ground history and perhaps because I had better expectations of what I´d understand). Anyway, I enjoyed the class. Thankfully, we got out at 8:00 since it was an introduction. So thus ended my first day of classes. Tomorrow I get to start it all over again.
Follow up: One week later, Monday, August 20, 2007
I know have been to a full week of classes. Overall it went well. However, there was definitely less homework than I´ll have normally. It has had its ups and downs of course. I understand much less than what I´ve expected so that´s the hardest part. It also means that even if I work super hard, I´m not going to get the success I´m used to receiving with more hours of work. I know that part of it results from the adjusting to being in classes (and in Spanish), but there are days, like today, that I doubt that and just think that I´m in over my head. However, professors have been very understanding and helpful and students are welcoming and helfpul as well. The other challenging part is my schedule. I have classes scattered through out the day and so that makes for a long day, but also means I don´t ever get a large block of time. Furthermore, I am still looking for housing so that takes up time as well. Anyway, as you can tell, today, I´m stressed and more anxious, but last week overall did go better than I expected.
Today, Monday, August 13, was my first day of class here at the University of Sonora (UNISON). As it´s been 5 years since I graduated from Calvin College and 6 since I actually took a class, I was feeling both excited and a little bit nervous about the reality of studying again. My first class was Mexican Literature III (20th century) from 10:00-11:00. Veronique, my house mate, is also taking this class and so that helped me to not feel so alone in this adventure. However, my feelings changed as the class progressed and I soon was in shock. I didn´t understand hardly anything. I don´t have very much literature background in regards to classes and furthermore I haven´t taken the prerequisites to this class, so both my vocabulary and background knowledge were severly lacking. I though, What am I doing? and Should I even be in this class? The second class was better. It was Composition Workshop I, an hour class for incoming freshmen. As a result, many students arrived late to class and then received a mini-lecture about the importance of arriving on time and their assistance. I was humored by this and quite relieved that I have pasted that stage. Español II was next. The teacher is quite the dramatic, energetic, animated woman. Upon entereing, many students proceded to give her the warm welcome with hugs and kisses. Then in class, she commented that over the break she had missed them.....yesterday. I certainly have a variety of professors! My final class is History of the US/Mexican Relations at 7:00-9:00. I enjoyed the class and I felt better about what I understood (perhaps because I had more back ground history and perhaps because I had better expectations of what I´d understand). Anyway, I enjoyed the class. Thankfully, we got out at 8:00 since it was an introduction. So thus ended my first day of classes. Tomorrow I get to start it all over again.
Follow up: One week later, Monday, August 20, 2007
I know have been to a full week of classes. Overall it went well. However, there was definitely less homework than I´ll have normally. It has had its ups and downs of course. I understand much less than what I´ve expected so that´s the hardest part. It also means that even if I work super hard, I´m not going to get the success I´m used to receiving with more hours of work. I know that part of it results from the adjusting to being in classes (and in Spanish), but there are days, like today, that I doubt that and just think that I´m in over my head. However, professors have been very understanding and helpful and students are welcoming and helfpul as well. The other challenging part is my schedule. I have classes scattered through out the day and so that makes for a long day, but also means I don´t ever get a large block of time. Furthermore, I am still looking for housing so that takes up time as well. Anyway, as you can tell, today, I´m stressed and more anxious, but last week overall did go better than I expected.
