The Wide-Eyed Freshman

From schedules to scavenger hunts; through pictures and interviews, this is a blog dedicated to my time as a freshman Journalism major at the University of Maryland.

The End.

And just like that, the semester came to a screeching halt and our beloved Wide-eyed Freshman was catapulted into his second semester at the University of Maryland. What would become of our hero? What endeavors- what obstacles- would he face in his second season? Would he find love? Would he overcome any hurtles thrown at him? Would he achieve the impossible- the unthinkable- would he receive a 4.0?!?!?!?!?!

If my life had any sort of outrageous- and, most likely, extremely boring- comic book made after it I would imagine the first part would end somewhat along those lines. In all seriousness though, the end of the first semester living away at school is huge for the freshman that made it this far! Think about it: we didn’t flunk out, we’re not completely broke or starving, and we’ve lived through the challenges of living with another angst-filled teenager going through what is entirely their own separate journey as well. Us just being alive is a true testament to each and every one of our individual courage and willingness to push through times of trial, seriously! Every freshman experiences failure first hand in their first semester- whether it’s getting rejected (by a girl OR internship), bombing a test you just weren’t prepared for, or losing in some sort of competition. We got through these moments and excelled; thrived; succeeded.

After completing the work values exercise in our UNIV100 course it occurred to me just how much I desire adventure, being able to travel, and reporting on my passion in my future work. I realized that I’d rather receive a once in a lifetime opportunity to report on the earthquakes in Chile than receive a bonus of a million dollars. I’d rather witness first hand the revolutions of the Arab Spring than having a social work environment in which I can go out to the bars with my coworkers after a long day. I’m not downing the interests of other people at all, I just know that, for me, I want a rapidly changing lifestyle until I finally settle down or am killed in the action. And if that happens, I’ll know that it was worth it. That this was all worth it.

So until next time,

The Wide Eyed Freshman

Meyers-Briggs Report

This just might have been my favorite UNIV100 class to date. We discussed and explored many topics I’ve began to delve into with my intro psychology and sociology courses, such as the differences between extraverts and introverts, thinkers vs. feelers, and judging characteristics compared to perceiving.

In the first exercise, I felt that listing our schedule of a typical friday night as college students was an accurate representation of our personalities in comparison between the two groups (that being, of course, extraverts and introverts). The results were much different, especially in regard to the amounts of people we enjoy being around, and the specific activities we would often do.

Sensing vs. intuitive played with our senses as we saw a large display presented on the screen of bright, vivid colors and a dark figure standing near one of the sides. The “sensors” of the class described almost exactly what the presenter had expected- they described in full detail what the colors were and the lines that were separating them. The “intuits”, however, described what they thought to be a You-Are-Here sign, stating that the dark figure was about to embark on a long and winding journey.

In the thinking vs. feeling exercise I felt that a great difference could be seen in which students were what. The presenter then went on to explain the multiple job differences in this area, where it is often found that people decide what profession they would like to acquire based on their certain related characteristics to this part of the experiment.

Lastly was the judging vs. perceiving exercise, where groups listed how they would prep for a trip somewhere on vacation. You could easily tell who was who in this exercise as well- the judging group immediately listed budgets, expenses, lists of goods and attractions, and how they would like to be in control. Then you saw the perceiving group who wanted to just “go with the flow” (for lack of a better statement). Surely they would have a few spots they’d absolutely want to hit on their trip, but didn’t necessarily plan anything whatsoever and would even like to pack the day before.

I felt that my results were widely correct, and I felt little discrepancy regarding each exercise. I could see that I fit easily into each of the placements I was given. However, I don’t believe I will consider these differences when interacting with friends or relatives. I feel it is best to continue with my life going on exactly as I am as a person. It is just who I am; thinking about it or, even worse, trying to deny it, will just pull a mask over the person I naturally was raised to be.

Lastly, I’d just like to mention that I thought this was really good insight for any freshman in a campus community to see. We’re all different in our own ways, and these are just a few examples of how different character traits intertwine and connect with others. I feel that, for your next year class, this should definitely be a presentation they see.

Till next time,

The Wide Eyed Freshman

Career Day Report

Tons of Opportunity. Tons of food.

This statement above just about sums up my experience with the Philip Merill College of Journalism Internship Fair. I printed about fifteen of my journalism resumes and came back with one left in my under armour backpack. The first thing I did when returning to my dorm was kick off my shoes, change from my beige khakis into sweats and began applying online for internships like SiriusXm. The people working at the booths were kind and excited to see such a turn out. They were all helpful in my opinion, regardless of whether they did or did not accept freshman. In fact, one of my longest conversations was with a television company who did not accept freshman. Knowing this from the get-go, I decided I might as well leave my resume and say a short hello, yet ended up delving into the background of the television company’s production history and ways and received advice on how I could better prepare myself to get an internship with them for the future. I think if I had a choice it would be difficult to pick a spring internship between WTOP Radio and SiriusXM.

On another note, the food was unbelievable! Living in the dorms, it’s not every day I get to pick between mozzarella balls or those fancy small meatballs that probably have some sophisticated name. Swedish meatballs? That’s unimportant. What’s important is that I was well fed for my interviews; in fact, I ate so much that I happily opted out of the normal value meal at north campus diner! (which, by the way, was some texmex recooked dish…no thank you.)

Wellness and Campus Life So Far

I was about to start the beginning of this as I would have started any other normal assignment for a class: open a new tab, go to the site, begin working mindlessly. The majority of us do this in an automated style, seemingly unaware of any change or variation in the topic of our work or the environments surrounding us as we proceed. However, something about the title of this assignment actually made me think about my individual thoughts; my ideas; my life up to this point. “Wellness and Campus Life So Far” seems like a fairly simple subject to write about for a homework assignment. If the title had instead been “Reaction to Film X Watched in Class”, say, for my sociology class, I might have mindlessly rambled on and on about an over-exaggerated perspective I viewed ‘film x’ from. I would post the blog, close my laptop, and begin another assignment as if a piece of work had not even been created. However, I read this title and began to think to myself; how actually is my wellness? How actually is my campus life so far?


Ultimately, moving into a college dorm and studying at the University of Maryland has changed my life in an incredible amount of ways in only what is now little over one month. As implied before, I have developed a very normal, a very rigid, routine of work throughout the week which might actually leave alarmingly little time to just take it all in (yet I suppose that’s why this assignment was given to our class). Thinking deeply about it now, I can say that I am exactly where I have wanted to be since I was a young kid in elementary school. See, people normally aspire to be superheros when they’re young; we dream of accomplishing near-impossible feats like becoming a NASA Astronaut, or even living in the White House. Yet, my entire life (or as long as I can remember), I have wanted to be a reporter. Sure, maybe when I was younger I didn’t necessarily understand that I wanted to be in front of a camera in the middle of a war zone; but I have always wanted to learn from common people, living common lives, and being impacted by the worlds that surround them.

Now, I am studying at one of the most prestigious journalism schools in the country, have began to develop a social network of promising individuals who may very well be the creators of the next Google; the next Under Armour; maybe even the next vaccination to a global epidemic. The fact is, nobody knows where we’re all headed; but I’m enjoying this ride every step of the way. The atmosphere here is warm, the work is extremely rewarding, and the weekends are memorial in so many ways. I already have had thousands of opportunities which nobody could receive anywhere else in the world but the people living on the campus of an institution so keen to the various needs of its students.

So, to put it short, I am well. Campus life thus far is phenomenal. Incredible. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Till next time,

The Wide Eyed Freshman

(photo- located right next to the Office of Campus Recreation Services. Side note- Climbed, and reached the top of, that wall right after interviewing Marcus) Spoke to: Marcus, Front Desk According to Marcus, the office of Campus Recreation services provides some fun for the campus community. They have rentals on just about anything someone can imagine, from tents to skis, rock climbing utilities to hiking. The office is the center for where students who are looking to have fun while staying in shape go to before going on just about any adventure. Favorite part of the job: “Seeing people try out a sport or activity through the office, then seeing them every day for the rest of the semester doing their thing.”

(photo- located right next to the Office of Campus Recreation Services. Side note- Climbed, and reached the top of, that wall right after interviewing Marcus)

Spoke to: Marcus, Front Desk

According to Marcus, the office of Campus Recreation services provides some fun for the campus community. They have rentals on just about anything someone can imagine, from tents to skis, rock climbing utilities to hiking. The office is the center for where students who are looking to have fun while staying in shape go to before going on just about any adventure.

Favorite part of the job: “Seeing people try out a sport or activity through the office, then seeing them every day for the rest of the semester doing their thing.”

(photo- at the University Career Center) Spoke To: Julia, receptionist. Julia had a lot to say to a freshman journalism major such as myself regarding the internship office at Maryland, considering it is required for us to acquire an internship. At the career center, there is a variety of ways one may search for an internship- online, through a consultant, or even over the phone. This helps the campus community, and more so any journalism student, by providing easy access to a multitude of internships. Favorite part of the job: “Seeing the cool and interesting internships that are passed on to maryland students.”

(photo- at the University Career Center)

Spoke To: Julia, receptionist. Julia had a lot to say to a freshman journalism major such as myself regarding the internship office at Maryland, considering it is required for us to acquire an internship. At the career center, there is a variety of ways one may search for an internship- online, through a consultant, or even over the phone. This helps the campus community, and more so any journalism student, by providing easy access to a multitude of internships.

Favorite part of the job: “Seeing the cool and interesting internships that are passed on to maryland students.”

(photo- Journalism Advising Office. Side note- Animal crackers are available for students waiting to speak with an adviser. Sarah was kind enough to give me a taste test.) Spoke to: Sarah, receptionist. One of the most interesting things I learned at the journalism advising office is that you don’t even need to be a journalism major to seek advising here. It is entirely free regardless of what L.E.P one is enrolled in, and you don’t need to worry about going hungry- snacks are available upon entrance. What Sarah thought was very beneficial to the campus community is how helpful the office is with getting students on their feet- she mentioned a variety of examples, including help with creating a four year plan as freshman, and even an entire career center where most journalism students will eventually speak with Chris Harvey being that we are one of the few programs required to obtain an internship. Favorite part of the job: “I like all of my coworkers, and I like helping kids out. It’s nice to see kids walk in here nervous about where they’re headed, and then leave completely de-stressed.”

(photo- Journalism Advising Office. Side note- Animal crackers are available for students waiting to speak with an adviser. Sarah was kind enough to give me a taste test.)

Spoke to: Sarah, receptionist.

One of the most interesting things I learned at the journalism advising office is that you don’t even need to be a journalism major to seek advising here. It is entirely free regardless of what L.E.P one is enrolled in, and you don’t need to worry about going hungry- snacks are available upon entrance. What Sarah thought was very beneficial to the campus community is how helpful the office is with getting students on their feet- she mentioned a variety of examples, including help with creating a four year plan as freshman, and even an entire career center where most journalism students will eventually speak with Chris Harvey being that we are one of the few programs required to obtain an internship.

Favorite part of the job: “I like all of my coworkers, and I like helping kids out. It’s nice to see kids walk in here nervous about where they’re headed, and then leave completely de-stressed.”

The First Look Fair (Scavenger Hunt)

At the first look fair, I learned about a multitude of ways I could get involved on campus that I might actually be interested in. I spoke with representatives from WMUC, Fencing, Study Abroad, Terrapin Grilling Club, Club Swimming, Dodge Ball Club, and the Improv club. Here’s what I found out from just two of these awesome programs-

Terrapin Grilling Club- This semester, the grilling club has been allotted $1,400 for the sole purpose of- now take a huge guess here- grilling. Why do I want to join this club? A whole variety of reasons. For example, who doesn’t prefer a juicy burger over fried chicken and fries from the North Campus Diner on any given day? Also, the kids in the club seem so laid back and fun to be around. In all seriousness, I sincerely believe that grilling almost magnetically attracts a very cool atmosphere; good food is being cooked, cold drinks are being served, and everybody is having a good time.

Club Swimming- Club swimming is something I was looking forward to joining ever since I officially became a terp. I had heard from alumni that club swimming has a very open policy, in which it is perfectly fine to schedule your workout around your studies. Any campus sport that puts school before practice comes first in my book! The representatives seemed very nice, and stated that there is a sixty dollar fee for joining. However, this includes the club swimming shirt, a bathing suit, cap, membership, and transportation to each and every meet you wish to attend. Not bad for everything you get out of it! (Plus if you’re like me at all, spending money is a definite motivation to work out.)

(photo- outside of the Diamondback Business and Management office) Spoke to: Maggie, Business Manager Maggie was quite straightforward in her answer regarding the Diamondback benefiting the campus community. A) It is a major outlet for information in the College Park area. B) The Diamondback provides quality campus news to the masses, online and in print. C) The news service helps promote and teach journalism to students who are looking to become involved- “You don’t have to be a journalism major to learn how to report here!” Favorite part of the job: “I like watching students come in as freshman, and walk out as seniors. They grow…well, most of them anyway.”

(photo- outside of the Diamondback Business and Management office)

Spoke to: Maggie, Business Manager

Maggie was quite straightforward in her answer regarding the Diamondback benefiting the campus community. A) It is a major outlet for information in the College Park area. B) The Diamondback provides quality campus news to the masses, online and in print. C) The news service helps promote and teach journalism to students who are looking to become involved- “You don’t have to be a journalism major to learn how to report here!”

Favorite part of the job: “I like watching students come in as freshman, and walk out as seniors. They grow…well, most of them anyway.”

(photos- Shoemaker Building, Counseling Services)

Spoke To: Margaret, office supervisor

Margaret filled me in on everything that the counseling services offers for the student community; from free therapy services, to weekly sessions with psychologists. She felt strongly about the counseling services being one of the most beneficial programs for the University- if there is ever any crisis on campus, “counseling services is there”. If anybody was in need of confidential psychology, “counseling services is there”. Also, she went on to explain that the counseling services is a ‘safe haven’, in that nobody is judged upon walking in the doors of any working psychologist in counseling services.

Favorite thing about the job: “The people- my coworkers, and the students.”