As I reflect on my first few weeks at Iowa, I can’t help but wonder how move-in was only three weeks ago. So much has happened since then, and I thought I would share some highlights with you!
First Day:
Move-in day came with a lot of excitement and nerves about this big change in my life. Part of me didn’t feel ready, but I knew that going to college is an important step in becoming a better version of myself.
I remember hearing a knock on my door during that first night in the dorms. I opened it to see ten of my floormates standing outside. Upon conversing with them, I immediately felt at ease. I realized that while I was away from my family, I could build one at Iowa.
Making Memories Early-On:
My On Iowa! week commenced with an enriching Honors Primetime session about lead in water. Over the course of three days, I took water samples from various locations around campus, tested their lead levels using a spectrometer, toured the Iowa Advanced Technologies laboratory, and researched the health effects of heavy metals in water. Based on our findings, the best places to fill your water bottle on campus are the Art Building, College of Public Health, and Tippie College of Business!
Throughout the week, I attended several fun events, including the Silent Disco, Bingo, Thursdays at the IMU, and Kickoff at Kinnick, which stood out. Getting to experience the stadium from the turf, being surrounded by my entire class, and taking part in my first Wave are all experiences I will never forget.
The memories made during On Iowa! Week didn’t stop with the events, though. My floormates and I had plenty of fun with each other! We threw a birthday party with balloons and a piñata, courtesy of a trip to CVS. We even managed to turn supposed inconveniences into enjoyable experiences. In fact, we played Just Dance during a power outage! Attempting to recreate the complex poses in the dance routines brought lots of laughter, and we succeeded at a few of them!
Adjusting to Classes:
I have an 8:30 am class that meets three days a week, and I’m enjoying the peaceful morning walk from my dorm to the lecture hall. I’ve found the content in my classes to be fascinating. The professors cover niche topics and dive further into the material. There haven’t been many assignments yet, but there’s quite a bit of textbook reading. However, the textbooks help me think more deeply about and draw connections to what I’m learning in lecture.
I am enjoying the newfound freedom that college brings. Having breaks in between classes has been wonderful; I get to decide when I eat, study, exercise, and hang out with friends. I’m still in the process of figuring out a routine that works for me, but I’m sure it will come with time.
Until we meet again!
Siddhi