Broward Community College - Silver Sands Yearbook (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

Page 21 text:

T ,z :S 3 z' q' l ll ll 1 lll'1x l 9 The first year of college is definitely a time of important decisions, although it is seldom that the Freshman realizes this at the time. ested in fields totally different from those of his high school career. He may be exhibiting leader- ship qualities that he did not know existed, and his enthusiasm for activities on campus is great. Many times the shy, reserved student comes out of his shell in college, finding himself for the first time unhampered by the group of classmates that he has known since elementary school. New to the Freshman are many facts and cir- cumstances that he finds very difficult to accept. His difficulty in accepting them may lead to disconcert- ment and feelings of resentment, but it is part of that maturation process known as college. No mat- ter how much the Freshman has heard, nothing quite prepares him for that feeling of utter frustration which comes when he finds that two of his neces- sary classes meet at the same time, and his schedule is now unbelievably confused. The fact that he can- not slip by in a class without studying a great deal is discouraging, as are so many other facts of col- lege life. Pride and a feeling of accomplishment become the guideposts of a job well done. A grade is no longer merely a letter that signifies passing or fail- ing, but a symbol representing hours of study, re- search, and money. The college grades or professors' approvals are not easily earned and the Freshman finds that perhaps he is not as accomplished or ex- perienced as he had thought. It is at this time that he realizes that he truly is a novice, esp., a student during his first year, as in a college, as Webster's Dictionary defines the term Freshmanf' It is only gradually that the new student over- comes the feeling of being a novice on the college campus. The simplest procedure becomes a task when faced by the Freshman. At first, even the com- putation of a term grade average is difficult. Hours, credits, and points must all be considered and un- derstood to compile a grade average or to under- stand the fulfillment of academic requirements. Some students remain in the Freshman stage, in this re- spect, until the time of graduation, when they are informed of missing credits. Books are no longer distributed in the class- room with neatly lined cards but, instead, must be purchased carefully according to term, course, and number. The cost of books is expensive and the new f 5 ' l Fr., 4 - ' J H .L Alix QW uf The choices he makes concerning classes, friends, and every aspect of campus life will affect him in the future. 13

Page 20 text:

Jfi 'E . 'ne , 5 r ,S I 3 vm A l ii -a f ,-- is zvetwri 1 . affect the Freshman in various ways. Sometimes he revels in a new-found independence while at other times he finds the adjustment difficult and has trouble allocating time between studies, dates, and a possible job. Learning that with freedom comes responsibility is often one of the hardest lessons for the college Freshman. Although he may have come in contact with facts about college life be- fore, it is still a jolt. pleasant or otherwise, to find that no one comes to the student to direct him in every move, every choice, and every hour of his day. Bulletin boards, faculty advisors, and guidance mate- rial are made available to the student, however, it is up to him to keep himself well informed. Nothing is quite the same as the desolate feeling that spreads over the Freshman as he stands at the door of a room for an interview. advisement appointment, or testing, only to find that the deadline was the day before and he has lost valuable time, contacts, or money. Certainly he feels thwarted but, more than that, he comes to the realization that only he is the Hcaptain of his fate and master of his soul. The understanding that the success or failure of his college career is entirely up to him is one of the factors that matures a Freshman during his first year of collegiate environment. The choices he makes concerning classes, friends, and every aspect of campus life will affect him in the future. The first year of college is definitely a time of impor- tant decisions, although it is seldom that the Fresh- man realizes this at the time. Studies are much more difficult in college and no longer are academics a game in which a student tries to see how little he can do during a term for 12 Class schedules all diiier ' and it is not unusual for a stu- dent to attend classes only on 5 certain days of the school - week. Ng 'trio V a passing grade. The Freshman encounters well educated adults who are prepared for their profes- sion. All have attained a master's degree and many have received their doctorates. The instructors po- litely address students correctly by their last name, impressing them with the formality and privilege of education. The desire to be recognized motivates many students during their first year in college. In the higher institutions of today, where one is recorded as a number and referred to as such for years fol- lowing, the need to be noticed and accepted is great. Often the Freshman finds that he is becoming inter- 4 i.. Q. .. ,, 4 Q Q-if f -1, f 1..1,.-ff 4,41 lf, bf vxslx L- I. I' ' - XIII! . ' ':lll - xllll- 'E ,,..- ' , xglsli . I , ' xx, 1 ' . 1 A - -A 'Le li: 1 F-. ., , x .- . . , . 'ul In the higher institutions of today, where one is re- corded as a number and referred to as such for years Iol- lowing, the need to be noticed and accepted is great.

Page 22 text:

student usually learns fafter costly experiencesj to buy second-hand books and to trade with other stu- dents. All these things, which at some time will be- come habits, are now new and confusing. Parking lot regulations, class-cutl' system, and the registra- tion procedure in time become second nature to the once baffled Freshman. From the choice of classes to the choice of a career, the Freshman year is a time of learning and reaching toward a goal. The sighting of this goal and the means to attain it lie with the Freshman. He must evaluate, compare, and choose: not only must he do this with courses and friends, but with values and principles. He encounters a wide variety of personalities and philosophies during his first year of college, and it is his responsibility to formulate a philosophy or set of standards of his own-which he does unconsciously whether he realizes it or not. With the widening of the Freshman's outlook on life, it is essential that he keep an open mind. His opinions and choices should be solid but flex- ible enough that if, after evaluation, he finds that he was mistaken about a career choice or the opin- ion of a person, he will be able to admit that his judgment was wrong. It is only in this way that he will benefit from his mistakes. The Freshman listens, ponders, and wonders. He argues, reconsiders, and angers. Speculating on everything from sex to politics, he finds, as ulti- mately all students do. that he is one of a group and, yet, alone. As his scope widens he thinks more universally. Studying takes on a greater meaning and lesser things are pushed into the background. The relief one feels for passing a Zoology test is not welcomed because of some vague threat from the teacher or parents, but because to the student, pass- ing Zoology represents coming one step closer to attaining a career or a degree. Membership in a po: litical or pre-professional organization on campus means not just the acquisition of friends or status. but the obtainment of valuable information or expe- rience which may help to determine or secure a final career. Frustration and disappointment are unavoidably encountered during the first year of college. No one can dream or work toward a goal without sometimes facing failure or realizing that one has misplaced one's trust. Often, without even realizing it, the Freshman desperately seeks to find a model, an idol, someone he respects and admires. Perhaps nothing brings such sadness than to learn that faith and admiration have been placed in someone who is not at all worthy. Although the experience is dis- illusioning, it teaches the new Collegian to put his faith in ideals and his trust in someone or some- thing grander and more universal than any one human being. After some disappointing experiences, it is not difficult for the new student to feel completely alone and depressed on the crowded college campus. The Freshman soon finds that there is no time for self pity because life continues around him with or with- out his volition. It is at this time that desire and an inexhaustible supply of hope carry him through. He learns that one mistake or failure does not mean total disaster. Attaining his goal may take more time and effort than originally planned, but he knows that in the end, it will be worth the effort if the goal is all that worthy. The Freshman is indeed a person who is find- ing himself. Although all his problems will not by any means be completely solved and some things will undoubtedly continue to confuse him, he will. have attained a great deal of knowledge and expe- rience when he gains the title Sophomore. Mistakes will be a part of his education, but they will serve to mature rather than permanently injure him. He will be more sure of his beliefs and ideals because he has had a chance to prove or disprove them and, although he is perhaps not certain, he has a better idea of to what he wants to devote his life. He is someone who will know triumph and disappointment on a varied scale, and he will live a year of hard work and excitement. He is someone to be little envied and greatly understood, he is a Freshman. Hope becomes an integral part of the Freshman, and everything he attemps is touched by it. 14