First Day of Classes

I'm done with my first day of classes and I've just started to get a little less stressed about everything. The difference between Smith and NYU is that there is no real shopping period for classes, so I can't sign up for a bunch of classes and drop the ones later in the week that I don't like. However, somehow I have ended up doing something similar to shopping for classes and I'm hoping it doesn't do something weird with my schedule.

Last night was a very relaxing night. I went to Staples to get some supplies for school and my room, and then I returned my movie at Blockbuster. After that, I headed back to the apartment and spent the rest of the late afternoon/night preparing for classes and making dinner for myself.

This morning I kept waking up way before my alarm was supposed to go off and finally when I woke up a half hour before my alarm, I decided I should just get up and start getting ready for classes. (I guess I was freaking out a little bit about my first day.) Anyway, I made myself breakfast, put everything in my bag, and headed towards my first class that started at 11am. The class is called Sex and Gender and so far it seems like an amazing class. All of the essays are autobiographical and will really allow me to think more in depth about my own life experiences. The final paper is a 10 page "gender social biography" that will "try to show how your identity and experiences have been shaped in conformity with gender expectations..." blah blah blah. You get the point. I wasn't planning on sticking with that class, but after going to my Holocaust class later in the day, I realized I wanted the Sex and Gender class a lot more.

My Holocaust class was at 2pm, so between 12:15 and 2, I went to the English department and talked to them about the Drama in Performance in NY class that I want to take. The woman at the front desk told me to email the professor and tell her my visiting student situation. As soon as I left the office, I walked to the library and emailed the professor. She understands everything and said I could be a part of the class. I'm so excited! The class is Wednesdays from 3:30-6:10pm and every Thursday we go see a performance/show in NYC. This is going to be a very demanding, but fun, class.

At 2pm, I went to my Holocaust class. I thought it would be really interesting to learn more about the Holocaust but as soon as I learned about the class and the professor started lecturing, I decided it probably wasn't the best class for me. There are only 3 exams that determine your entire grade for the semester. (Even though the Sex and Gender class has more work throughout the semester, it will give me more opportunities to get a better grade in the end.) Also, when the professor started lecturing, it was as if she was reading off a script. Not good when you are sitting there for an hour and fifteen minutes. In the first class, I was already falling asleep in the lecture...bad sign!

After all of my classes, I walked to the NYU Bookstore to buy some notebooks and folders for my classes. I headed back to my apartment when I left the bookstore and I was still stressing out about my classes. So, of course, I talked to my mom to help me make a decision. I just needed to talk out my situation about classes, and I decided it was best for me to take the Sex and Gender class. (Thanks, Mom.) Tomorrow I am going to 2 art history classes to decide which one I am dropping, and then I have my Drama in Performance class later in the day. I will fill you all in on my decision tomorrow. Right now, I'm sitting in my room trying to decide what to do next. I think I might walk to the grocery store, or I might just make dinner from what I have in the fridge. Then, I'll research more dance classes or trapeze classes to take in NY.

Miss you and love you!

Love Always,

Jess