A New Normal

Moving to college is a huge step for most people and it was certainly no exception for me. I participated in numerous great new experiances and am so glad to have been given the opportunity to attend such a prestigious university. However, huge life changes such as moving or going to college eventu-ally stop feeling like life changes and begin to feel normal. This photographic essay will explore the many aspects of my new life here at Purdue University that were once new, but new life here at Purdue University that were once new, but are now common everyday occurances for me.

Walking to ClassHere at Purdue University, one of the biggest changes I had to undergo in terms of transitioning Here at Purdue University, one of the biggest changes I had to undergo in terms of transitioning from high school to college was something many people take for granted. Prior to attending this school, I never had to go outside to go to different classes. On top of that, I viewed classes that were five minutes apart were challenges in which I was set up to fail. However, walking at a rigorous pace has since become a valuable and natural survival tool. I am now completely used to not only walking in all types of weather but also making a fifteen minute walk into a ten minute walk.

Learning in Large LecturesThrough out my years in lower education, I had never been in a classroom that contained more than Through out my years in lower education, I had never been in a classroom that contained more than twenty or so students. However, the first class of my freshman year of college was a class of four hun-dred students. Learning how to pay attention and understand the material with so many people in the room was certainly a challenge in the beginning. Now, I am completely accusomted to large lectures. Walking into a classroom that contains more people than my high school graduating class and even asking questions in front of them has become a daily and normal occurance for me.

Showering in the dormitoriesAt home, I share a shower with only my sister. When she went to college two years before I did, I became acAt home, I share a shower with only my sister. When she went to college two years before I did, I became ac-customed to being able to shower in the comfort of my own bathroom. The first shower I took at Purdue Uni-versity was a rude awakening. The water pressure was unsuitable to me, the temperature was off, and I felt completely exposed despite the curtain the concealed me. I felt like I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and indescribably self conscious. After living int he dormitories for months, I no longer feel like I do not belong. I do what I need to do and it is no longer an issue.

Drinking coffee regularlyBefore attending college, the closest thing to coffee that I liked was coffee-flavored icecream. Needless to say, the two are nothing alike. However since enrolling at Purdue University, I have become quite the coffee drinker. With the constant stress of homework and exams, a little pick-me-up in the morning in the form of coffee is just what I need to keep focused and, to be honest, sane.

Keeping track of my time and my scheduleIn my high school, there was a system of bells that signifyed when class started, ended, and when you were In my high school, there was a system of bells that signifyed when class started, ended, and when you were late. There was also attendence in each class that ensured that no one skipped school. Here at Purdue, none of that exists. No one is here to tell me to get to class at a certain time or to do my school work or to even pay attention if I attend. All of those resposibilities fall on me now. I am required to supply my own motivation and that starts with time management. Prior to coming to college, I was blissfully unaware of any time other than 1:50 pm, which was when my high school dismissed classes. Now, keeping track of time and due dates on my own has become a task that I am routinely able to accomplish.on my own has become a task that I am routinely able to accomplish.

Dealing with the distanceDuring my first semester here at Purdue, I was very homesick. The distance between my family and myself was occationally too far to bare. However, with the help of new friends and of activities on campus, I now do not worry about the miles between home and Purdue. Instead, I have made a home for myself here on campus, thus I rarely experience homesickness anymore.

Choosing healthy mealsWhen I first came to Purdue, it felt as if junk food was staring me in the eye everywhere I looked. My family When I first came to Purdue, it felt as if junk food was staring me in the eye everywhere I looked. My family rarely had unhealthy food around the house when I was living at home, so it was quite a difference to be faced with it everyday. Being a Dietetics major, I felt obligated to eat well and that stressed me out with all of the temptations present at college. Over time, I learned when and when not to treat myself. Excercising regularly also has helped me to avoid junk food because I realized I run better when I fuel my body right. In the beginning, it was difficult to make good choices in terms of food, but now I can make them easily.

A No-Longer-New NormalIn conclusion, I have undergone many lifestylfe changes since enrolling in In conclusion, I have undergone many lifestylfe changes since enrolling in and attending Purdue University. These lifestylfe change have, over time, become rountine aspects of my daily life here at college. I now walk to class, shower in stalls, attend huge lectures, and drink coffee. I now manage my time on my own, deal with homesickness, avoid junk food in the dining courts, and maintain focus even when distractions are present. Since coming to Purdue, I have changed for the better in so many ways and these are just a few.