Dec. 24, 2004

LOGAN, Utah - Dear Aggie fans,

Coming into college as a freshman fall semester was like opening a new book. You dread getting started on it, but as soon as you get through the first chapter there is a rush of curiosity and excitement. At the same time, you just want to get to the end so that all the madness will just go away. Now as you approach the end, you are not quite sure how it went so fast and all you want to do now is enjoy it while it lasts.

This fall I took all general education classes because my major is still undeclared. Three out of the five classes I took consisted of class sizes with about two hundred students. This was a pretty big change for me coming from a small private Catholic school in Minnesota. We were told in Sam's class to introduce ourselves to the teacher and sit in the first five rows of the classroom. I was not eager to do either of those. After a while though, I realized how important it is for the teacher to know your name, even if he cannot match it with your face. One thing that I learned this semester was how much more independent you have to be in college when it comes to studying and homework. Little did I know, and will probably figure out more next semester, is how much study hall helps in sitting down and making myself study and learn the material. Also, another thing that I wish I would have taken advantage of earlier, was the tutor's that are available during study hall hours and the SI (Supplemental Instruction) sessions for some classes. By the end of the semester I was using both and started seeing a positive change in my test scores! I am looking forward to next semester when I get to take psychology and philosophy!

Between running to morning classes, squeezing in lunch before gym, practice, lifting and study hall, you do not really have much free time first semester. It was really hard for the freshman to get used to this run-around schedule. It was difficult meeting new people, getting used to our roommates and sleeping. There were days when you just wanted to be left alone. When I look back at it, I am not quite sure how I got through it without tearing myself apart. One thing that did help me was my teammates. From the beginning the freshman seemed to be really close. We get along and seem to have a lot more in common than we thought we did. There were no rivals or jealousy, just six friends who look to each other for love and support. It is easier this way when the weekends roll around and we would go to hockey games, football games or just hang out together. Another thing that helps is how the upperclassmen support us and try to show us the ropes of college, without spoiling it beforehand. There were those things we all looked forward to like sitting together at sporting events or going to the upperclassmen's house and just hanging out. All of it is something to remember and most of the freshman could not help but think 'this is how we are going to treat the freshman when we are upperclassmen.'

The thing I like most about college gymnastics is how it really is a team sport. It helps to have a team that is built on top of love, support, and enthusiasm. Sometimes in the gym it is hard not to stop, look around, and enjoy watching all the hard work and cheers as someone does another skill. As the months pass you really start to see how everything is coming together and notice the changes everyone has made in perfecting their routines. One big thing I have noticed that our team contains is the support that is desired from the captains. I believe that is what makes our team stronger and with that it is hard not to get excited for the season to start. I can honestly say that I am proud to be part of this Aggie team and cannot wait for everyone to see us in action!

Sincerely,

Megan Tschida