Winter Break Reflections
Hello everyone!
Just over a year ago I applied to attend Clemson University and it's hard to believe my first semester is over and I've learned so much in my first semester in Tiger Town. I would like to use today's post to reflect and update you on my journey at Clemson by discussing the progress of those core goals I talked about in my last blog post during fall break.
1. Academics: One of the things I believe in is transparency and being honest with people so, everything I'm about to say is the honest truth concerning my first semester academically at Clemson.
This has been an interesting first semester academically at Clemson, to say the least. As I said at Fall Break, things are obviously more challenging at Clemson than they were at SMC. As the semester has progressed past Fall Break, I've had to have some difficult conversations with myself and those around me about moving forward in the current major that I'm in right now which is English. I have come to the conclusions that I am unhappy with being an English major because I believe it does not line up with my interests of going into journalism and also due to the fact that I've struggled and I have been frustrated with my classes this semester. With this in mind, I am considering my options to switch my major to Communication. I believe this move is necessary to ensure my success as I move forward at Clemson. Now, part of me wants to believe this is all growing pains with this being my first semester at Clemson, but at the same time, I know this is not the standard of excellence I expect from myself. I just want to be able to take ownership of what I'm doing and be happy with what I'm doing. I want you all to know that I will get this right and I will make the necessary changes and I look forward to a stronger spring semester. I know the good Lord has a plan and I just have to trust in Him.
2. Relationships: I've done a good job of being able to create great relationships with new friends during my first semester at Clemson. I even met a guy who recognized me from all the time that I spend studying in the Watt Family Innovation Center on campus. Again, as I said at Fall Break, it's been tough at times being able to make friends being the new guy on campus, but I know it will take time and I can't wait to make new friends when I return to Clemson in January.
3. Opportunties/Involvement: For those of you that have followed me on social media, you know I have continued to write stories for the Tiger newspaper, and I just sent the editor an email when I got home for Christmas Break the other day to let her know that I will continue to write stories in the spring and I can't wait to produce more content covering the Clemson Tigers. If you've missed any of the articles I've written for the Tiger Newspaper, the links are below:
No Overnight Success: Clemson students leaving football games early: http://www.thetigernews.com/sports/column-no-overnight-success-clemson-students-have-poor-showing-against/article_29c43f60-a6d3-11e7-b731-1bf52336e209.html
Solving the issues with student football tickets at Clemson: http://www.thetigernews.com/outlook/solving-clemson-s-football-ticketing-issues/article_f250cfdc-a15d-11e7-b10f-f3b4acbbfc68.html
Experiencing a night game as a Clemson student: http://www.thetigernews.com/sports/column-first-clemson-night-game-as-a-student/article_1a534da4-9bda-11e7-a50b-5f163af0bde1.html
A few weeks ago, I entered my name into the lottery for an opportunity to win a free ticket to the College Football Playoff Semifinal game between Clemson and Alabama in New Orleans on New Year's Day (8:45pm kickoff on ESPN). If you haven't heard already, I won a ticket and will be in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome when the Tigers and the Tide play for a chance to go to the National Championship and I am so excited for the opportunity to go to New Orleans, a place I've never been before. It should be a fun trip and I will be sure to keep y'all updated throughout the trip to social media when I leave for the Big Easy next Saturday.
Overall, looking back at my first semester at Clemson, it's been a fun learning experience and I've definitely learned a lot and I can't wait to get back to Clemson in the spring and make the upcoming semester even better than the first. Thank you so much for coming along for the ride, and follow me on social media - 1bstockdale (Twitter and Instagram).
Just over a year ago I applied to attend Clemson University and it's hard to believe my first semester is over and I've learned so much in my first semester in Tiger Town. I would like to use today's post to reflect and update you on my journey at Clemson by discussing the progress of those core goals I talked about in my last blog post during fall break.
1. Academics: One of the things I believe in is transparency and being honest with people so, everything I'm about to say is the honest truth concerning my first semester academically at Clemson.
This has been an interesting first semester academically at Clemson, to say the least. As I said at Fall Break, things are obviously more challenging at Clemson than they were at SMC. As the semester has progressed past Fall Break, I've had to have some difficult conversations with myself and those around me about moving forward in the current major that I'm in right now which is English. I have come to the conclusions that I am unhappy with being an English major because I believe it does not line up with my interests of going into journalism and also due to the fact that I've struggled and I have been frustrated with my classes this semester. With this in mind, I am considering my options to switch my major to Communication. I believe this move is necessary to ensure my success as I move forward at Clemson. Now, part of me wants to believe this is all growing pains with this being my first semester at Clemson, but at the same time, I know this is not the standard of excellence I expect from myself. I just want to be able to take ownership of what I'm doing and be happy with what I'm doing. I want you all to know that I will get this right and I will make the necessary changes and I look forward to a stronger spring semester. I know the good Lord has a plan and I just have to trust in Him.
2. Relationships: I've done a good job of being able to create great relationships with new friends during my first semester at Clemson. I even met a guy who recognized me from all the time that I spend studying in the Watt Family Innovation Center on campus. Again, as I said at Fall Break, it's been tough at times being able to make friends being the new guy on campus, but I know it will take time and I can't wait to make new friends when I return to Clemson in January.
3. Opportunties/Involvement: For those of you that have followed me on social media, you know I have continued to write stories for the Tiger newspaper, and I just sent the editor an email when I got home for Christmas Break the other day to let her know that I will continue to write stories in the spring and I can't wait to produce more content covering the Clemson Tigers. If you've missed any of the articles I've written for the Tiger Newspaper, the links are below:
Discussing the last home football game of 2017 for Clemson: http://www.thetigernews.com/sports/column-seven-opportunities-clemson-students-should-take-advantage-of-their/article_e703601c-c7e7-11e7-8dbc-4f83ca3181c3.html
Looking ahead to November for Clemson football: http://www.thetigernews.com/column-a-november-to-remember-for-clemson-football/article_9f5720a6-bce7-11e7-93be-4b9c60fa1086.html
How to approach Fall Break: http://www.thetigernews.com/timeout/fall-break-a-time-to-reflect-and-relax/article_eff32288-ac63-11e7-a79c-0b23d175db19.htmlNo Overnight Success: Clemson students leaving football games early: http://www.thetigernews.com/sports/column-no-overnight-success-clemson-students-have-poor-showing-against/article_29c43f60-a6d3-11e7-b731-1bf52336e209.html
Solving the issues with student football tickets at Clemson: http://www.thetigernews.com/outlook/solving-clemson-s-football-ticketing-issues/article_f250cfdc-a15d-11e7-b10f-f3b4acbbfc68.html
Experiencing a night game as a Clemson student: http://www.thetigernews.com/sports/column-first-clemson-night-game-as-a-student/article_1a534da4-9bda-11e7-a50b-5f163af0bde1.html
A few weeks ago, I entered my name into the lottery for an opportunity to win a free ticket to the College Football Playoff Semifinal game between Clemson and Alabama in New Orleans on New Year's Day (8:45pm kickoff on ESPN). If you haven't heard already, I won a ticket and will be in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome when the Tigers and the Tide play for a chance to go to the National Championship and I am so excited for the opportunity to go to New Orleans, a place I've never been before. It should be a fun trip and I will be sure to keep y'all updated throughout the trip to social media when I leave for the Big Easy next Saturday.
Overall, looking back at my first semester at Clemson, it's been a fun learning experience and I've definitely learned a lot and I can't wait to get back to Clemson in the spring and make the upcoming semester even better than the first. Thank you so much for coming along for the ride, and follow me on social media - 1bstockdale (Twitter and Instagram).
From me to you, I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and More Life, More Blessings in 2018!
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