The weekend is here. One week of classes is down. Soo… to recap.
School is great. I’m embracing the fact that I am very average here. That doesn’t deter me from pursuing my fullest potential and doing my best to excel every chance I get, but it does add a little more realism when looking at what I’m up against. Some of the smartest kids in the country are in this class. Well rounded, ambitious, and extremely intelligent. This is a little intimidating. These kids have been bread to succeed for many years… many attending high end boarding schools, private schools, and magnet schools from all over the world. Its an atmosphere of high expectations and much responsibility. I have much to live up to. While its a little overwhelming- which I suppose is expected your first week of a new school- it is encouraging and uplifting to be in their midst. The drive rubs off on me in wonderful ways. Going above and beyond is no longer the exception, it is the rule.
So anyway. This kids know how to party too… last night… I met up with a friend of a friend from my last college who’s in a fraternity, and they took me raging all night. Poor decision when class is at 9:10am. It is a mistake I will not repeat, thats for sure.
I went to the activities fair today… over 300 student clubs on campus. Intense…
A few I signed up for included the debate team, mock trial, and model UN. Some community service oriented clubs included the peer mentor program for students with intellectual disabilities, alternative spring break (you apply for an interview to travel to over 50 locations around the world to perform humanitarian services during your spring break), The Vanderbilt Torch (libertarian/conservative newspaper), and a few others. I also signed up to receive information on the crew club (rowing) and the water polo club. Crew is a little too intense for me… three hour practices, 5 days a week. Water polo is 2-3 times a week for 2 hours in the late evening… not bad… and its an excellent workout.
I figure I’ll pick and choose what fits my schedule best. In terms of goals… Academics is first… so we’ll see what happens. Good grades, build the resume for law school, put some community service hours in, and get in wicked shape.
So…Academics here… hmm. Each class has an insane amount of reading… couple that with the not mandatory but ‘you’d-be-screwed-if-you-didn’t-do-it’ study questions in every class, and I’m looking at roughly 4-6 hours of study work a night. Eh.
Tonight… I party. Farewell!
William Dare 