Anderson

THOUGHTS AFTER MY FIRST YEAR

2008-06-10T12:10:00.003-04:00

My first year at the Univeristy of Tennessee,it was up and it was down. I thank GOD every day that I had more ups than downs, I was tested mentally, physically, and even emotionally. College has its way on testing you in more ways than One,so get ready for them. It seem like it was just yesterday that I graduated from my High School and I was talking about going to COllege, well now I am in College and I am heading towards my second year. I have no doubts in choosing UT as the COllege for me to better my education, and I plan on staying here until after Graduates School. I met a lot of new friends, got reacquainted with some old friends, learned a lot in and out of class that I can use in my every day life. SO to the upcoming freshman, get focused, stay focused, stay focused, and did I say STAY FOCUSED.

STAYING FOCUSED

2008-03-28T15:08:00.002-04:00

Staying focused is a lot of college kids problem, there is so much going on around us. Sometimes is very easy to lose focus on what you are doing, and most of the times we would be losing focus to things that we can control. Things like getting on myspace or even facebook too much, which can lead us to delaying on finishing a paper or even a project. Staying focused is something that takes a great skill in doing, and its something that I have been good on and something that I am getting better with as the days go by. Last semester, I would catch myself being on facebook and myspace alot, watching tv and playing the game, and even going to the gym. This semester, the library is my second home, I go to the library as least twice a day. While im there, I dont get on facebook or myspace, I just focus on what I have to do pretaining to my studies. Then, when I get back to my room is when I would do the ohter things that I want to do. My family pounds in my head all the time,STAY FOCUS, STAY FOCUS, STAY FOCUS. Now that's all I can think of is staying focus!

COMMUNICATION

2008-03-28T15:03:00.002-04:00

I have always heard from my parents, church members, and family members to communicate with them alot. Well here in College, communication is very important with your professors. Sometimes, it can be the difference between an A and a B. I weekly choose to either meer with my professors, or email them, this has proven to be a very good technique of mine. With staying in touch with my professors, they all know me by name, and it has even helped out to gain extra credit. By me communicating with my professors, I am letting them know that I am very concerned about my grade in thier class, as well as being a productive student. SO, when you get to College, don't forget to COMMUNICATE!

EVERYTHING COUNTS

2008-03-08T18:02:00.002-05:00

In high school you might have a chance to miss a lot of classes, maybe even fail a couple of exams, but in College everything counts. From your first day of clases til your last, everything you do or dont do, goes eithere for you or against you. It is very important, while in College, that you start off on good terms. Yes it strange, but having homework on the first day of classes was a very big adjustment for me! Normally in High School, there would not be homework until maybe the next week or so, but a lot of Cllege teachers believe in starting off early. You know that in High school you have a lot of class work due, plenty of tests and exams, a lot of chances to recieve extra credit and more. In college, some of your classes you may just have four exams, maybe two or three quizzes, and maybe no homework due. This can help you but also hurt you if you dont take everything seriously. You have less room for error with a lot of your classes. In my Math class, we have four exams, four major Online homework assignments, homework in the book that we dont have to turn in, and a quiz everytime the class meets. It may sound hard, but its not just as long as I do my book homework which is basically just practice for that chapter, and do good on most of my exams and do the online homework. In my Geology class, all we have is four exams that count as 40% of our grade, our Geology lab, that counts as 33% of our grade, service hours that count as 17% of our grade, and 3 quizzes that are 10% of our grade. Thats challenging at times because you you have to be serious with your studying, simply because EVERYTHING COUNTS.

ORANGE vs. BLUE

2008-02-27T09:39:00.002-05:00

This past weekend, University of Memphis played the University of Tennessee. With me being a hometown boy from Memphis, and attending a school that I love so much, that game kind of put me in a bind. I wanted Memphis to win because those are my roots and I love to see my hometown doing good, but I attend UT and I bleed orange so my cheers was going for the University of Tennessee. As I watched the game, I honestly cheered for both sides but wanted UT to win though. It was a very good game that had me proud of my hometown as well as my school, but the best team won so GO VOLS!!!!!

MOTIVATION

2008-02-27T09:30:00.002-05:00

Each and every day that you are here in College, you will have to gather and keep the motivation to go to class, perform at your very best, and maintain throughout the College life. This is a big part of the kind of student you are. Honestly, yes there are days that I wake up and dont want to go to class, or even do work, but I keep the thought in my head that God has blessed me to be here and I owe it to myself and my family to work as hard as I can. Today for example, yesterday was not a good day for me at all, and this morning we had light snow and it was very tempting to not go to class, but I went. Here in College I have had a lot of days like that, and it is so tempting to not go to class, but I think that if I dont go to class then what else am I going to do besides sleep? so with that thought, as well as others in my head, I make sure I get up and go to class. One thing for you to work on before you come to College is getting your motivation and keeping it in your heart.

TIME AND DECISIONS

2008-02-21T13:50:00.003-05:00

*In College you will have more time out of class then you will have in class. This surprised me last semester by it was sommething that I was told but honestly did not expect it. All of the time that's on my hand outside of class does go by fast if I dont have a plan on what I am going to do with it. I am loving the College life and the open time that is associated with it. I try and study each and every day for at least three hours or so. Studying each day helps you by whenever you have an Exam or something you would not have cram because lack of knowing that subject. Even with studying so much, there is still time I have on my hand to go to the Gym, go out, and other events that may occur.

*College is based on decisions such as to study or not, go to class, or even if you want to leave your room that day or not. My parents are not here, so there is no one here that can tell me what to do, so everything I choose to do is to my choice. One thing I have learned, is that a bad decision can cause a chain of other bad decisions to come. I learned that the decision to procrastinate is not a good one at all for many reasons. I had a power point presentation for my english class and I waited until the night before it was to be turned in to do it, I was up all night doing that presentation which caused me to be so sleepy the next day for all of my classes in which I was dozing off in my lecture classes. So making good decisions is very important in college.

JUST FOR YOU

2008-01-28T11:33:00.000-05:00

For anyone that has been reading my blogs, I thank you. Thia blog is just to let you know that if there is anythig you would like to know, ASK ME. Trust me, I will tell you the truth from a student perspective. If there is anything you may need help with and if you think I can help, let me know. Until then, I will put more pictures up to show you all this UT envrionment.

THE BEST DECISION

2008-01-28T11:19:00.000-05:00

MY senior year in high school was the toughest year possible. I suffered the death of my grandmother, whom I was born and raised by, I broke my foot three games into my senior basketball season, and others. I knew that all that i was going through would not kill me, but would only make me stronger and better for the rest of my life. I applied to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville by the November 1 deadline. I was not accepted until late february early march, honestly that was very discouraging because I was accepted to six other colleges before getting accepted to my number 1 choice. Even then, when I was accepted I still had the task on getting the money to attend, or just going somewhere else that I wasnt interested in going. So, I prayed and prayed, I did my fasfa on Jan 3, which was way before I was accepted but i kept the faith that I would be a VOL. So now it was the middle of march and I made the decision that I would go to UT no matter the circumstance, and come to find out my fin. aid and outside scholarships paid for everything! So I was so elated towards coming to Knoxville. Ever since August 18, I knew that choosing to come to UT was one of the best decisions I have made in my life thus far. UT is such a great school, we have tutoring and hlep for every subject offered here, we have all sorts of bulidings for any problem you may have or any concern, and of course that southern hospitality in how easy it is to make new friends! I consider this the best decision ever. I love being here at UT, from the FREE games in ever sport, down to the orange and white pride that is shown around here. I consider this THE BEST DECISION EVER.

WHAT IT TAKES

2008-01-02T20:02:00.000-05:00

Now that i have went through my 1st semester of college and I have experienced a alot. I now know what it takes to be a good college student and how to make it. When the semester first started i had a bad sleeping habit by I would go to bed at any time of the night, and I realized that if I continued to do that that would not help me last very long in college. I didn't have a good studying habit like I should, but as the semester went on I realized that i needed to obtain a studying habit and have my time organized. After a full semester at the University i have a decent sleep time that i will start abiding by, and i have learned how to organize the majority of my time and i will use that to the best of my ability for the next three and a half years. I also realized that organizing important due dates, meetings, and other things in my phone also helps. Having everything in my area organized and being aware of a lot of things is what i will need to do to make it from here until i graduate. I know what it takes and i will use it, i know how to manage my money, time, and to be more of an Business Man.

MY PROFESSORS

2007-10-30T05:27:00.000-04:00

Im sure you might always hear horrible stories of a student and thier professors. well this story is not one of them!! I have had the joy of being taught by the most polite and down to earth teachers i have ever had. My Professors demand your respect but at the same time they give you yours and treat us like the Young Adults we are. My professors have given us extensions on paper due dates, and maybe even exams!! Besides that, they are always an office meeting away or even an email away!! Even with my problems in my spanish class, my professor have continued to try and help me whenever possible whether it is study ideas, telling us what our exam or quiz will cover or even just keeping us all in a down to earth mood pretaining to life. In my English class, we have very interesting discussions covering our reading assignments down to our very own personal life. In my math class our professor teaches us the subject from point A-Z, and poitn Z-A until we all understand the topic before us. My first year studies class is one of very high interest and my teacher is a personal friend of mine and can talk to him about anything and he will help any way possible just as my other teachers will. TO sum it all up i am very excited about my professors and thier teaching styles.

FRIENDS

2007-10-28T20:21:00.000-04:00

One thing that has really helped me make this jump from High School to college has been the great support of my Friends. I honestly don't have a problem with making associates. but i understand and know that everyone that smile in your face is not your friend. I have people who i can truly say are FRIENDS and they are such a delight to have. My friends and I do a lot together, such as go to the football games, go out to eat occasionally. Most importantly we are there for each other in all ways. My Friends really help me with everyday life, and even my School work. For instance, with my problems with spanish my friends Autriel, Liz, Dawn, and Dante try to tutor and talk as much of it around me as they can. We all return the favor to each other because we understand that "We all need somebody to lean on".

FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE

2007-10-28T19:51:00.000-04:00

High School and College are two totally different worlds. There are lots of things you can get away with in High School than in college. I have just taken a quick lesson of that. These two months of being a College freshman has given me a quick tour of it. In High School I had an average studying rate,meaning I halfway studied or didn't do it for too long. I still graduated at the top of my class because i retained most of my lessons. Oh boy am i here to tell you that I am making a big adjustment in College. I know that barely studying is not going to cut it in college by I am having problems in my Spanish so now I have to study harder to get my self out of the hole I have dug myself into. I understand after reviewing some papers and my Spanish grades that i have to devote hours out of each and every day to studying to improve myself. I am really making this adjustment by yesterday i spent FIVE hours in the library studying and reading, and I reviewed my notes for an extra hour before i went to sleep. Oh yea, reading in college is everything and can sometimes really test your patience. I can tell u now to get into habit of reading because once you are in College there is NO WAY AROUND IT. Trust me, you are going to have read 30-40 pages or more sometimes, and they must be read before class thenext day. College is about dedicating yourself, discipline yourself, then dominating your classes.I am dedicating my self full time because I refuse to lose my Schloarships that i have worked sohard for. I have to get a 3.0 to get into the College of Business and it's your Freshman year that is the building block for success. I am making these big adjustments, mainly a lot dealing withtime, and money management. I am basically grown up here in Knoxville, therefore I have to find a way to make it!!

FALL BREAK

2007-10-16T16:51:00.000-04:00

Our Fall break was this past week of Oct. 11 and the 12. Instead of going home, I chose to stay in Knoxville and to organize, study, study, study, study and catch up on some rest. I had plenty of time to do all of htis since all of my Friends, inlcuding my room mate, wen thome. When all my friends left, the first thought that came in my head was, boy I am going to be bored, but honestly O wasn't. Not only was I able to organize my time and assignments, I was able to learn different ways on studying my Spanish. I also worked out, as I always do, as well as I played the game. To sum it all up i made use of my free time during the Fall break. It might not have been an action packed or normal fall break like everyone elses, but mine was a very productive one.

FROM MEMPHIS TO KNOXVILLE

2007-10-08T13:54:00.000-04:00

Hey, my name is Anderson and i am a Freshman at the University of Tennessee. Coming from the city of memphis i experienced a lot, but attending school at the UT-Knox im experiencing even more. While i was in High School and when i first applied to UT, i was deferred and that was in January. Deferred doesn't mean i wasn't accepted it just means that i needed to update my information with the university. Honestly, yes this scared and really shook my mind set up because of my desire to attend the university of Tennessee. With me being as Ambitious as i am, when i visited campus for the jump trip, i made it a mission to be recognized. I talked with everyone i could and made the best impression that i could. By March, my hard work had paid off and i was accepted to UT-Knox on a full ride thanks to my hard work and dedication.

That same ambitous young man i was in January, i am now. Once you get on campus and your parents are gone your will eyes will really be amazed at all the freedom, and how its all on u . As well as all eyes will be directed into your attention, all upper class man and professors can recognize a freshman from a mile away, so it was up to me to distinguish myself from the others. I work hard in all my classes and keep an clean image because i know that all eyes are on me and i refuse to fail because it's not an option.

Being at UT is a great challenge as well as a great campus just by, it will help you with all aspects of your life. SO far i have been loving Knoxvegas, as we call it, with all of the ups and downs it will bring in the near future.

There are many things on and off campus for us as college students to do, and one of my personal favorites are the home football games. Just to walk into Neyland Stadium and see over 102,000 strong chanting and supporting the VOLS is an adrenaline rush. Game days are so family orientated and orange and white dedicated. You just havent seen football until you have seen it the UT way.

But i make sure i stay focused with my school work by EACH AND EVERY DAY I WAKE UP AND GO TO SLEEP WITH THE MENTALITY THAT "GOD WILL NEVER PUT MORE ON ME THAN I CAN BEAR".

Anderson

*THOUGHTS AFTER MY FIRST YEAR*

*STAYING FOCUSED*

*COMMUNICATION*

*EVERYTHING COUNTS*

*ORANGE vs. BLUE*

*MOTIVATION*

*TIME AND DECISIONS*

JUST FOR YOU

*THE BEST DECISION*

*WHAT IT TAKES*

*MY PROFESSORS*

*FRIENDS*

*FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE*

*FALL BREAK*

*FROM MEMPHIS TO KNOXVILLE*