Skip to main content

Freshman Year Wrap-Up

Whew. And just like that my freshman year at the University of Arkansas is coming to a close. I thought I would spend this first post recapping all the craziness that has happened this school year.

So much has changed, but some things have stayed the same. I still wear khaki pants almost everyday (thanks Subiaco), but hey old habits die hard, right? But I will say I have had the courage to branch out from my worn-out brown dress shoes to a nice new pair of vans (I'm a rebel, I know right?).

I have enjoyed so much about this year. Late night trips to Whataburger and Taco Bell have sustained my "healthy eating habits." Mario Kart on the Gamecube kept me familiar with the kid I truly am and has caused more than enough anxiety about blue shells. Wednesday night Adoration at St. Thomas got me through what seemed like weeks that would never end. New York Times crossword puzzles filled our door throughout the year as we completed them. I think we ended the year with about 25 or so. New discoveries in Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino kept the hip hop alive in 626 (Brock and I's room number). Brock and I had plenty of fun referencing our "Roommate Agreement", a metaphysical entity we appealed to in order to justify our crazy antics in 626. "Fancy Toast" at the new Arsaga's let me feel sophisticated on a college student's budget. The "OMG Ashley!", a fine toast with a spread of nutella topped with sliced bananas and salt, was out of this world.

Of course I did study a little bit throughout the year. I did a tally of all the work I did through the year and this is the tally I ended up with: 29 exams, 28 quizzes, 12 papers totaling 100 pages of writing, and 3 presentations. It has been a busy year, but I have been stretched to become a better student. Ultimately, college has let me get closer to knowing who I really am. I entered college majoring in Engineering, but quickly came to the realization that that path was not for me. At semester I switched to a major in Math with a possible double major in Physics. With this change, it probably means I will be in school until the end of time, but at least I'll enjoy it right? This may not be the major I end up with, but it is closer to what is for me. I learned a lot this year: much of it useful, but some of it pointless. But such is life.

To all my friends, new and old, you guys kept me going, gave me enough laughs to get through this year.

I hope to use this blog to share my experiences in Rome this summer. The goal is to post once or twice a week to keep everyone in the US updated. I am beyond excited to experience the Italian life firsthand.

Until next time,
Jacob

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Pope, A Middle Name, A Day to Never Forget

Do you remember in elementary school when teachers would make you draw a picture of your hero? For most everyone, including myself, it was their parents. My artistic drawing included my world renowned stick figures with elaborate lettering saying who the poorly drawn figure was. I can remember this cheesy activity vividly, but the more I thought about it today, I remembered how important it is to have heroes, human heroes we can look up to and admire. In a culture where box office block-busters depict super heroes who make you question what a hero even is, it is comforting to be optimistic in the goodness of a hero. Well, yesterday I met my hero. While Pope Francis became pope long after I was in grade school, it is obvious to most people even remotely close to me that I hold this man in high esteem. Was it the fact that I own a Pope Francis t-shirt that gave it away? Or perhaps how we share a name, my middle name being Francis? Shout out to Mom and Dad for that one. He is not only m
2 comments
Read more

I Cannot Be Afraid Anymore

I never wanted to believe that this day would come, but I am writing to you for the very last time from Rome. I write out of a slight ignorance, as I should probably be studying for my exams tomorrow, but I am inspired and I will write. It seems as if living in Rome has only become a palpable reality in the past few days. For me, this is what has made this trip a true learning experience. I have lived in Rome, not merely vacationing or sightseeing, but living and breathing and relaxing in the same space as the Romans. I can walk with a confidence in the morning to class. I can give directions to lost tourists. I have soaked up the Italian culture and it has rewarded me. Of course, over the five weeks I have been here I have learned many facts about the Italian people, about the expanse of the Roman Empire and the strength of the Renaissance and Baroque movements. But, I would say none of these compare to the real lessons I have learned. My favorite movie of all time is Good Will
1 comment
Read more

Yes, I Am Learning

Rome is relentlessly breathtaking. I am amazed that to the people who live in Rome, Rome is simply home, just as Arkansas is home to me. Life here has slowed down from the first week, and I am enjoying it more. While during the first week we were able to see the main "highlights" of the city, I felt mostly like a tourist. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the Colosseum and Roman Forum, Hadrian's Villa and Villa d'Este, the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Each of these are monuments to a time and place in which by human efforts the human race was able to create beautiful and powerful things. However, by transitioning from tourist to student, I have been able to find the small things about Rome, which contribute to its beauty in an equal amount. First, as the days continue to pass, each new day on my walk to class I feel more at home in this Eternal City. I get unlawfully angry at tourists (of which I suppose I am one as well) who stand in the middle of the road st
1 comment
Read more