Week One of Summer Semester on Campus

I chose to stay in the dorms on campus. I never had this experience in my undergrad and in this fast track program it has pushed us all staying here to get acquainted with each other very quickly. The work load they have given us this week seems insurmountable. In the Culture/History course we have a 30 min power point presentation to give. Some have to give it two days after it is assigned but by luck of the draw I am doing mine nine days after it is assigned.

They boast on how you can get this degree so quickly, but let me assure you, this is no easy task. Prepare yourself for long nights and early mornings. I'm certain that in six weeks I'll look back and wonder how I survived.

The overall organization of the professors seems poor. Nearly everyone I have talked to has expressed some kind of concern for lack of explanations given or just not understanding their teacher due to their accents. Having lived in Asia before, I just fill in the grammar gaps and assume they meant to use the plural form of nouns when they forget.

We had to take a Mandarin placement test today that did not go over well with everyone. The test was nearly all in Chinese. The vast majority of us signed our names at the top and handed the test in. The day seemed to be a large waste of time and very unorganized.

I feel we are all on high alert regarding stress. I'm doing my best not to waste time (consider this entry a great sacrifice in my time) and focus on completing what is asked. I have yet to take a test or turn in any assignments. I have a feeling we are all working too hard on these projects. I wrote ten pages of notes for a five point quiz I have to take tomorrow. I think we all need to make adjustments from producing undergrad quality work. I'm sure they take into account that we barely have time to comlete assignments.

Socially, we are all bonding and growing through everything. I can say that I have become very comfortable around all of these people with similar mindsets. I'll post more later in the week to update how things went as far as grades and standards of work.