I selected CPSG100 as I have heavy values in climate change. I had been very passionate about it when I first learned it back in elementary but I just lost track of the issue as time went by. I saw this Science and Global Change as a chance to relearn what I missed over the years and relearn what I value but don’t know well. I came in expecting to learn just about climate change mainly but the class description did not fit what I had expected. I was a little sad it was not just climate change but also on the “what is science?” which I thought was a basic question. I can’t say the information surprised me much. Lots of it had been taught before or information I stumbled upon in my random curious searches on google while doing projects for my classes prior. I appreciated being able to confirm some information while refreshing myself on others.
Sometimes the material may not be the most exciting to learn, but Dr. Holtz and Dr. Merck adds relevant memes and anecdotes that add to the lecture and make it just a bit more fun. With regards to the assignments, we generally have weekly readings with a discussion question due before class and a quiz due Friday of that week. There is a cumulative portfolio created using HTML where we add our excursion reports and other records of our time in SGC. The structure of the class is similar to other classes as it has lectures and assignments for grades. However, it differs with excursions and service days where we can get hands-on experience in the local community. Personally, I really enjoyed the service day where I got to go to Kenilinworth Aquatic Gardens. We had to work a lot and it was tiring, but I learned a lot about the environment and how much volunteers can bring a positive impact.
In class, I did not expect to learn so much about science as a concept. I can’t say much of it was new, but it was eye-opening to see the various perspectives in society and how people can believe false ideas and pseudoscience when it is so apparent for some people to see through it. We also recently learned about weather which ties to climate change a lot but is something I did not expect to cover in class. I am expecting some more ecology impacts and impacts on humans with regards to solutions and possible steps to take. I think I was expecting a more innovative side to combat climate change.
Outside the classroom, the excursions were slightly different from what I thought it would be. I went to the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center which was like a mini service day or field trip. We walked around the water while the volunteers spoke about the various issues, viewpoints, and research in the area. I learned about mittens, oyster reefs, invasive species, and research being done in the area like on otter scat. The experience was very informative and more engaging than I thought it would be as I believed we would just listen to someone talk in a room.
I live in Cumberland as my roommate is in JLT. College experience differs from what I expected as I thought it would be similar to high school with more fun things to do. I think I underestimated the amount of studying needed as well as how many credits is manageable. I took 17 credits in total while taking on more challenging classes than required. First, there are more things to do, but also more effort needed than in high school so you need to really weigh your choices. In addition, taking 17 credits before getting used to and adjusting to college life might be the one thing I wish I wouldn’t have done. I don’t regret it as I think it allowed me to experience what it is like and learn for myself. Even if I do end up failing a class, I have come to terms that grades are not all I am defined. I don’t say this as an excuse, but as a way of letting myself learn from failures rather than being oppressed by them as I have always been in the past. I want to use college as a learning experience to get knowledge rather than just a stepping block to get a degree printed on paper.
As a scholar, I live in the Cambridge community which we are supposed to live and learn with. As a SGC and a biology major in Cumberland, I am surrounded by people that differ from what I am learning. I think it is interesting and fun to be a part of a different group than those in my cluster, but I have also found that we still have similarities in classes and interests despite our paths.
I want to say to future freshmen: take a positive view and use your experiences to learn from, be okay to step out of your comfort zone, and ask for help when you need it. I think it would be helpful to know these while going through the first semester, but I don’t think many will truly understand until they experience a full semester like I did. Also, understand how you do in new settings and adjust your schedule to that as you do better after you adapt. You don’t need to rush in with building credits, focus on what you can handle then add on. There is always time and everyone is on their own timeline unlike in high school. I also keep my motto of don’t do things you will regret later which helps me see in an optimistic view and take experiences rather than dwell on failures or brag about successes.