Second Semester Myths, Better or Worse than the First?
The second semester at a new place can be both better and worse than the first semester. To begin with, the second semester is supposed to be the Spring semester, but for the first 9 weeks, we endured months of bad weather in Iowa City, the first University snow day in over a decade and wind strong enough to blow my umbrella inside out. I returned from Christmas vacation with my amazing aunt and uncle in sunny California to the worst weather I have ever lived through. (Although, coming from Malaysia, that is not saying much, haha).
In addition to the almost-apocalyptic weather, it had been more than 6 months since I had seen my family back in Malaysia. In fact, as I am writing this post, it’s been more than 8 months! Homesickness comes more easily, especially when my friends have their families coming to watch their dance performances or go home at weekends. But I still have Skype.
And on the bright (maybe literally bright!) side of the second semester…
1. I made friends from the get-go this semester and plenty of them to hang out with on weekends, during dance rehearsals, during Spring Break…. It’s not as lonely as the first semester because I am adding on to my friend group as opposed to making new ones entirely.
2. The weather is lightening up. Although it depressingly started snowing again just last night, in mid-March, earlier in the week, it was warm enough for me to just wear a hoodie out over my T-shirt. Soon, we can finally wear T-shirts, shorts and dresses again! I can’t wait….
3. More General Education classes have been completed and we get to take major-specific ones. Although this does not really apply to me, seeing as I didn’t take many gen eds last semester (I fulfilled many through International Baccalaureate transfer credits and will fulfill more as Dance Major requirements in future semesters) I am finally able to take Creative Writing and English courses this semester. Last semester, they were all full because, as an international student, I had one of the last registration times. I am so happy to be able to take even more classes that I love!
4. There are more performances to watch and audition for than in the fall! Back in the fall, there were only four performances staged by the Dance Department, now in the spring semester, I have already attended three, the Faculty/Graduate Concert, Dancers in Company and an MFA Thesis Concert, and performed in one, the Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz Concert, in conjunction with the School of Music and two external professional artists. In the upcoming months, there will be at least two more MFA Thesis Concerts, the BFA Concert and the Undergraduate Event, not counting the two that I am performing in: Crash Dance Production and the MFA Concert. Opportunities to both watch and participate are through the roof and I don’t feel like such a rookie anymore! It’s fabulous!
- I’ve learned more about the clubs and organizations at the university and am able to participate in more and move up the ranks in others. Last semester, I had a short story published in the Ink Lit Mag, one of the University of Iowa’s publications; this semester, in addition to getting another short story published, I am one of the drama editors! (There was no bias involved seeing as all submissions are anonymous, I was on the drama team and my submission was for the fiction category).
As someone who has experiences at the University of Iowa, they have just been getting better and better, I am excited to see what the future has in store. I’m not just saying that because this is a blog post going on the official university website! I’m saying that because it’s true. The friendships I’ve made, the experiences I’ve had, the courses I’m taking have been so much fun that I wouldn’t change anything that I’ve experienced since coming to the University of Iowa (except perhaps the weather)…. I’m extremely excited to see what the future has in store. Here’s to more great semesters…hopefully with warmer weather!!!
Hoping for the sun and the warmth,
Emily