Blog Post 4
My experiences compare with those of Sarah’s in the sense that I out myself out there and attended social events which ultimately led to joining clubs. I compare myself similarly with Sarah’s hangouts with friends as she is always with someone close to her. I find myself more inclined to be with my friends than on my own, which aided in the attendance of social events as I made numerous friendships and communicated with others. I also struggled finding out how to register for classes, as described on page 141, which led to difficulty in receiving the classes I truly wanted. I have a hard time with electronics and I believe Sarah was similar to me in this way.
As the holidays near, I find myself excited and sad at the same time. I love being here at Longwood and spending time with my friends that I have made throughout the semester. I am scared of the class changes, I truly love all of my classes this semester and I can’t seem to find myself changing them. On the other hand, I am extremely excited to go back to my hometown and see my friends and family there. I absolutely love my family and being able to spend a good amount of time with them will heal my soul in a way. I miss going out places in my hometown, which I will be able to revisit once the holidays near. I will definitely feel weird returning to college after getting used to my hometown again, but it is not something I haven’t experienced before and so I believe it will be much simpler.
A larger University compared to Longwood would cause me lots of distress. I believe I would not be able to find my way around the campus and get acclimated to my surroundings easily. This small campus really gives me the feeling of home, even if there is not much to do. I understand how Sarah feels as she is always with her friends and I find that the smaller campus life makes me closer to my friends as it does for her. I appreciate the simple and quiet setting, making it better for me school wise.
I really liked reading your post and how you connected your own college experience with Sarah’s. I think a lot of students can relate to what you said about finding comfort in smaller communities and forming close friendships. Like Sarah, you’ve shown that having a support system can make a huge difference when adjusting to college life. In Understanding Rhetoric, Sarah’s story demonstrates how growth often comes from both academic and social experiences. Your reflection on joining clubs and attending events shows that you’re also learning outside the classroom, which is just as valuable as what happens inside it.
You also mentioned struggling with registering for classes, which stood out to me because it’s such a common experience for first-year students. On page 141, Sarah’s frustration mirrors the confusion many of us feel when faced with new systems and responsibilities. It’s interesting how you compared that to your own challenges with technology—something that can feel overwhelming but is part of adapting to college life. It’s encouraging that despite those difficulties, you’ve still found your place at Longwood and built connections that make the campus feel like home.
Your thoughts about the holidays were really honest, too. The mix of excitement and sadness you described shows how meaningful your time at Longwood has become. It’s normal to feel torn between two versions of “home”—your hometown and your college life. That balance between comfort and independence is something Sarah experiences as well when she tries to find her own rhythm in a new environment. I also thought it was insightful how you connected the size of the campus to your sense of belonging. The idea that smaller spaces can foster closer relationships aligns with the rhetorical idea of audience—that we communicate and grow best in communities where we feel seen and understood.
Overall, your reflection captures what the first-year transition is really like: a mix of uncertainty, growth, and connection. You tied your own story to Sarah’s in a way that makes both experiences feel real and relatable.
Dear Abby,
I really connected to your standpoint on adjusting to campus life. Just like you, being around friends does allow me to get out of my shell a little more. It’s always a feeling of ease when you’re with people who make you feel comfortable. Which is definitely one of the best parts of making friends early. I liked the comparison of your experience and Sarah’s, especially the motivation you feel in your relationships. Personally, there is no comparison to the encouragement of family and friends.
I also appreciated your honesty of how hard it could be to register for classes; and the transitions to new classes. I am also still trying to navigate that a little better. Especially hearing from other students here that this is just the process for all of us when it comes to registration. I am also nervous for registration for the Spring semester ; especially, since I’m finally adjusted to the classes and professors. Reminding me that college is a learning experience inside and outside of the classroom. Fortunately, we will all get through it.
I understand your mixed feelings for the holidays. I have enjoyed creating my “village” out here as well, and they will be missed during breaks. However, I am really excited to be with my family as well. Luckily we have technology that allows us to fill in those gaps a little more. This is all still new, so eventually we will get the hang of transitioning back and forth.
As a whole, I did like the realness of your ups and downs at this current point in your life, it’s very universal. I was able to see and feel a lot of myself while reading your post. Allowing time for reflection, but also feeling better about my own situation. We’re all going through this together, and we will all be able to look past the anxiousness soon. Best of luck to you.
Best regards,
Angel