One significant challenge that I have faced in my
life of nineteen years that I’ll never forget was the University Access
Program. The five weeks of this summer program at Southern CT was honestly the
hardest achievement that I ever completed. I was stressed out physically and
emotionally with taking on the responsibilities of a “real college student” for
the start of my summer in June (just graduating from my high school a week
before). What was really hard for me to overcome this challenge was adjusting
to living conditions of living on campus with all of the rules the program held.
I took five classes which were reading, English, math, and a college success
class all of the classes were TONS of work. I felt overwhelmed because in order
to go to Southern in the fall I had to pass each of the classes with a c+ or
better. Another reason about the program that I struggled with was I had no
personal escape. Examples of my personal escape would be working out, listening
to music, and being alone when I need to be.
On the positive side of
the program we had peer mentors that helped us throughout the program twenty
four hours with day time mentors and our night time mentors. We were able to talk
to them or ask for help if we didn’t understand an assignment. We also had a
math tutor and an English tutor. Both of these resources from the UAP were much
help to me. This UAP program did teach me in many ways to be persistent in my
studies because I was put into these hard mock classrooms where I wanted to
prove to myself that I am capable of being a successful college student at a
university level. I was tested in all kinds of ways throughout this program. If
we did not choose to do the work, or had behavioral issues, didn’t show up to
class, or any other issue regarding to the contract we all signed we were
kicked out. Even with all of the distractions at times I successfully was able
to pass the program by trying my hardest in all the subjects, using the
resources given, doing all my homework, and lots of studying. Strategies that I
learned were to stay focused even when others were not, time management,
prioritizing. Over all working through this challenge was really difficult for
me and at times I did want to give up. However I knew I could get through it by
trying my hardest and that’s exactly what I did. I am proud to say that I was persistent in my
work effort over the summer and I am using the study habits I learned over the
summer and applying that to my courses now in the fall. This experience of
being in The UAP program gave me the knowledge and the insight to understand
how college can be overall. I was in the program for a reason and I know it’s
because I needed that preparation. I was and still am very glad that I chose to
be in the UAP program now I know more people on campus who are my friends from
the summer program, I feel more prepared for what college will bring me and strategies
that I learned will benefit me now in numerous of ways socially and
academically. I learned that I can do all everything I set my mind to as long
as I’m focused on one outcome which is to have my studies come first and keep
earning my degree in mind.
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