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Allysia Trindade
Honors Seminar
Robert Arnold
1 Dec 2012
Final Reflective Essay
Throughout the course of a lifetime, we will face many changes both good
and bad. We must learn to adapt, to blossom, and to burst out of our cocoons to face
the challenges that life sends our way. Like a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, I
have made the transition from a small town high school girl into a diligent college
student.
On the first day of class, I was frightened and slightly overwhelmed. Afraid of
getting lost or ending up in the wrong classroom, I clutched my schedule and my
map tightly as I walked through the halls of the unfamiliar buildings. This place was
to be my school, my home one hundred and some miles away from home, and I
knew absolutely nothing about it. Compared to the fear of arriving in the wrong
classroom or having chosen the wrong classes in general, adjusting to sharing my
space with three other people seemed to be the least of my worries. Over time, these
worries faded, and I became comfortable in my new surroundings and began to
forge friendships. I began to adapt to the workload and find my college rhythm. The
assignments did not seem so bad once I learned to time manage and prioritize
effectively. I learned to stick by a strict schedule and to discipline myself into
abiding by it. I conquered my fear of speaking to people that I did not know, and I
now pride myself in the ability to strike up a conversation with anyone who
approaches me. The interview profile paper was one of the first assignments that
really forced me to sit down with someone other than my roommates and have a
long, informational conversation. At first, I was nervous about meeting my partner,
but after a few minutes we began to have an actual conversation instead of strictly
answering the questions for our papers. I began as a caterpillar and then I broke out
of my cocoon to learn things about myself that I never would have guessed. I know
that I have the confidence to meet new people and make new friends, the ability to
do well under stress, and the determination to do the best I can no matter what the
circumstances may be.
I attended the small discussion with Warren St. John, the author of Outcasts
United, and during the talk he mentioned the parallel that one could draw between
the refugees in his book to freshman year of college. This idea intrigued me, and so I
continued to think more about the metamorphosis that the refugees made when
they came to America and how that could possibly be anything like the changes that
I had to overcome when beginning my year at UNC Charlotte. The boys came to the
United States from a dark and depressing past, and many of the came from war torn
countries or without their entire families. They were forced to adapt in an
environment where they were not tolerated or welcomed with open arms. The
entire world of the refugees was changed and the boys were forced to learn to
function in a new society on their own. Some of them chose the wrong paths, while
others strived to educate themselves and to provide for their families. The refugees
made the transition from young boys to young men with the aid of Luma, their
coach, who kept them motivated and on the right track. The boys came to rely on
each other and forged many unexpected friendships. Much like the Honors Program
was there for me, the refugees had a soccer team that brought them all together. The
boys learned to conquer their differences while striving towards a common goal: to
be their best. The University Honors Program contains many talented and intelligent
individuals, every one of them striving to have the brightest future possible.
Together, we learned to coexist in an extremely diverse community and we are all
united in our quest to better ourselves through a higher education.
This first semester of college has been an extremely valuable learning
experience. Not only have I absorbed new knowledge from countless lectures and
readings, but I have also learned plenty about myself in the process. I have
discovered a new level of self-confidence and independence. I have transitioned into
an environment where I am wholly responsible for my actions and I alone must deal
with the consequences. I no longer have my parents around or my friends from high
school for support or help. I am ready to spread my wings as a butterfly and to set
sail for a bright and successful future. I am ready to reach unimaginable heights and
face all of the challenges ahead of me.