Difficulties That I Want to Overcome

I came to America for several years now, and I have adjusted to most of the difficulties and cultures in America now. However, as a non-native speaker, I do have some difficulties in UCSB. During the first quarter of my time in UCSB, I learned that it is harder to make American friends and follow up the fast pace of the study schedules. However, in the second quarter, I am constantly trying to keep up with everything and obtain a better college experience.

In the first quarter, I had a hard time to keep up with the class materials with the lecture given by the professor. Especially for my major class, the hardest class in all of the pre-major classes. Before the school, the advisor in orientation suggested us to take the pre-major class in the second quarter because there are many things in the beginning of the school to distract you from focusing on studying. I didn’t listen to her advice and took the classes because I believed that I can overcome these difficulties. However, because I am not a native speaker, I cannot follow up the lecture as fast as others in the class. I was nervous during in the beginning of the lectures and afraid that I might miss some important note. As a result, my grade was not pleasant. I learned my lesson in a hard way from last quarter and I tell myself to do better in this quarter. To conquer my shortcomings, I made some changes on my study schedule in this quarter. I study the lecture materials beforehand and review my notes after the lecture. This really helped me to memorize and understanding better with the materials. I also recommend others who have the same experience as me that always encourage yourself that you can do better. Start your move from now and don’t procrastinate

Another difficulty I have encountered in UCSB would be my experience of making friends. It might sound unbelievable, but it is true that I don’t have any American friends. Since the start of the school, I have always hung out with my Chinese friend and speaks Chinese. Everyone around me is Chinese and I felt more comfortable making friends with people who share the same culture with me. Nonetheless, this situation is not what I wish to happen in all my 4 years of college. I know that I need to go out of my comfort zone and make more new friends who have different culture, language, and lifestyles than me. This will make me more open to the world. Currently, I am trying to get into more clubs to meet more new people, and I wish everything will change me to a better person.