Freshman Year: Spring Quarter Overview

What to write about:

• Finishing DnD campaign for the first year, being glad that people want to do another year of it.
• New quarter of classes: No Math for the first time in my life, which is good. First quarter of Physics, while the professor isn't that good, the class is mostly review and therefore very easy. Also first class in which I have a good friend in, very helpful, hopefully will find someone for my future biology course. Final quarter of gen-chem is a difficult one, labs are especially challenging, but still manage very well, excited to move on to biological sciences. Chinese is the unique one of the quarter: was planning on doing a full Chinese minor, but as I learned more about Honors and Biology, quickly learned that it wouldn't be possible. Still was nice to revive mandarin skills a bit.
• Kendo continued, began training in armor, had to deal with the challenges of moving and fighting in armor, but slowly became much more proficient. Finally, became closer to the club, went on several excursions and even camping trip
• Pen and Paper club not very interesting, until near the end of quarter. Invited to a meeting for anyone interested in becoming a officer, turns out the club is in desperate need of new officers. No idea if will have time for it, but hopefully will be able to contribute.
• CERT very active, several major events, including a long shift for relay for life. Learn a great deal of EMTs, very interested in getting trained.
• A bit of stress from trying to figure out long term plan, but finished quarter much more confident than when I started.
• Interesting event: got a house with 9 other guys, will greatly change my college life for next year.

Freshman Year, Winter Quarter: Husky CERT

• Received invitation from this first aid group early in quarter, instantly signed up to their mailing list.
• Always wanted to do first aid, never found an opportunity to get trained.
• Unfortunately, didn't hear much from them, apparently they had problems with club organization.
• Only major event was a volunteering opportunity at the Husky Tower Climb in January.
• Hope next quarter get more information.

Freshman Year, Winter Quarter: Kendo

• Interesting note: tried to join Kendo autumn, but missed registration period because of chaos of first weeks. did not make same mistake this time.
• chose Kendo because felt like it was a good source of martial arts training and physical conditioning, wanted to do something physical.
• worried it would be too hard, but fortunately was able to get into it well.
• still very demanding, get callouses every week.
• Community very good, go on Fridays to bubble tea.
• Unfortunately, scheduling made it so that I can only go once a week, still hope to maintain skill
• While don't intend on becoming competitive, would like to become better at it, definitely will continue it.
• one negative point: very expensive

Freshman year, winter quarter: Ballard Medical Center

• Began application process early in quarter, turned out to be much more long-winded than I thought
• took 1 month before I heard back, 1 more month to get trained, only had a handful of weeks I actually worked.
• still 100% worth it, I'm enjoying it greatly.
• Volunteering at the Emergency Department, actually by chance that I was able to find such a perfect position, fitted perfectly Wednesdays from 6 to 9.
• work involves cleaning, general support for the nurses, mostly basic stuff
• Some gross stuff, gastrointestinal bleeding, sad rate of alcoholics coming in
• Very interesting as well, learning a great deal about how hospitals work
• looking forward to it next quarter

Freshman Year, Winter Quarter: Biol 106

• very simple course, but taught a lot on biology at UW
• learned how the future course will work, what to expect from tests
• also learned about biology major a bit, not as much on pre-health as I would have liked, mostly research oriented.
• professor very good, will keep in touch as I begin biology major

Freshman year, winter quarter: Knowledge in Stories, Stories of Knowledge

• Without a doubt favorite class of quarter
• Very relaxed atmosphere, with assignments that I truly wanted to do
• Emphasis on storytelling made for a unique educational experience
• opened my eyes to alternative methods of teaching and learning, will use it to learn better from now on
• Whole class very friendly, learned a great deal from each other, hope to stay in touch with them
• Professor also extremely friendly, she also surprised everyone with her interests in video games and DnD, try to include her into my gaming group

Freshman Year, Winter Quarter: Math 126

• Most difficult course of the quarter,
• Math always a challenge, and now got very difficult, especially since its honors level
• However, since its with the same professor, helps
• Got to learn more about professor, even got a letter of recommendation for internship and scholarship from him
• while struggled with grade at first, with 3.2, final project+test helped bring up grade to 3.5
• Glad to be done with calculus math, will miss the class.

Freshman Year, Winter Quarter: DnD

• Able to continue, although more gaps than I would have liked
• Also moved slower that I hoped, would like to speed things up
• summarize progress of adventure
• Longer term plans, next year campaign
• happy that Sven began to DM, showing more interest

Winter Quarter Overview

Things to write:

• Difficulty of 18 credit quarter
• New opportunities at Ballard Medical Center
• Interesting class with Honors
• Introduction to Biology
• Continuation of DnD
• Start of Kendo
• Husky CERT