my feelings about college

As I sit in my dorm on this very stressful and crappy Monday, I can't help to think about finally returning home this weekend. Even though I love Virginia Tech, I really miss my family, my pets, my friends, and the feeling you get when you finally walk into your house after being gone for a long time. In my opinion, the first month at college has been life changing and extremely challenging. I honestly feel like I have learned more in this last month than I ever have in the last 18 years of living. With that being said, college is a very enjoyable and it's also a very stressful atmosphere. Its really hard adjusting from easy AP high school classes and maintaining a 4.0 all four years to not making the grades I thought I would be making. Looking back at high school, I believe that the only thing that I really do miss is the all of the free time that I had during after school hours and on the weekends. Nowadays my life consists of waking up at nine am, doing homework, studying for classes, going to classes, doing more homework, and then sleep. This routine is never ending and goes on repeat every single day of the week, but the one thing that I try to keep in the back of my mind is that one day this will all pay off!

While being here, I've also started to change my mind about being a science major. I've recently been leaning towards a degree in education or maybe even hnfe. I honestly think it would be amazing to one day become a kindergarten teacher, which is right now why I'm leaning towards a major in education. Another thing that I have realized about college is that I am NOT meant to take Chemistry. For anyone that has yet to take it and is about to next semester, let me warn you right now and tell you that its the worst class ever. Don't be surprised if you wanna cry because of how hard it is because it truly sucks!

As for my favorite class it would have to be either First Year Writing or Math at the Empo, both classes are enjoyable and they are easy to understand. Whenever I have homework or have to take a quiz, I don't feel overly stressed and I feel like I actually know what I need to know for the quiz. I think the reason as to why I'm not enjoying my chem, or bio classes is mainly the size of the class room. Its tough going from high school class rooms with 20 people, to class sizes that contain 400 students. 

As the year goes on, I really hope I will start becoming more comfortable and familiar with my science classes, if not the good thing about being at college is getting the chance to try new majors and new classes! I am really scared, nervous, and excited to see what the next few months have in store for me!

summertime memories

As I sit here in my room, I can't help to think that summertime is basically over. As summer fades, so do my jean shorts, tank tops, bikinis and mostly my amazing tan. Instead of having all of those wonderful things that summer brings, we get to sit back and try to enjoy cold days, layers of clothes, colds and being white as a ghost. In my opinion, the best thing about summer is the sense of freedom and fun you get to experience. You get to have days that last forever, swimming parties, hang with friends, and so much more. When I think of summer, I think of a big party. Summer brings happiness, joy and fun to everyone, regardless of their age. People get excited to know that they can go vacation and just get the chance to take a breather and a break from work and daily routines. So with this blog, I decided, I would tell you about my two favorite events that I had the chance to experience this summer.

Looking back at this summer, I would have to say that my first favorite experience was going to my very first major league baseball game. As my last going away gift, my awesome boyfriend surprised me with tickets to Camden Yards. It was a blast being able to watch the Orioles play! Also it was fun being able to finally experience the fun that everyone always talks about at live games. Another great thing about this day was being able to watch Chris Davis and Manny Machado play (favorite players)!  You honestly never know how much fun major league baseball is until you actually get the chance to go and watch your favorite team play! The great thing about Camden Yards is how beautiful the view is and how amazing the field is! Just look at this picture and you can see yourself.


My second favorite thing that I did was attend a concert this summer. Now I bet a lot of you are thinking wow this girl has never been to a concert before this summer? Yes its crazy, because after experiencing how much fun the first one was I can't wait to go see more amazing singers. The concert I went and saw was Tyler Farr opening for Easton Corbin. Both Tyler Farr and Easton Corbin are amazing country singers, but if I had to pick my favorite out of the night it would be Easton Corbin. I advise everyone to at go see him, because he'll definitely show you a wonderful night and he also has an amazing voice!

Even though it's sad that summertime is over, it's honestly very exciting to look back and be able to know that I had a truly amazing time! I got to experience so many wonderful things and I can't wait to see what is in store for me next summer!

College

I thought my second blog would be a good time to talk about what really frustrates me here at Virginia Tech. I've been at Virginia Tech for a total of three weeks, which has given me enough time to understand and adapt to new people and ideas, however there are still a few things that really bother me. The first thing that absolutely drives me crazy is Chemistry! I truly believe that it has to be the worst class in the entire world, along with it sucking, I just feel totally overwhelmed with it. I really hope it gets easier or even better, or this could be a long year with Chem 1035! The second that I've grown to hate are bikes.. Bikers are so intense and crazy here. They will like run you over and just keep on going (kinda crazy). Along with being crazily fast, they dot even look where they are going, and I'm always that awkward person to get in their way.. oops. The third and final thing that really bothers me is eight am class on Mondays. Who really wants to get up at eight am on a Monday and learn? I know I would prefer to be sleeping in my somewhat comfy bed under my fluffy blankets. Even though these three things really bother me, there are some things that I really do love about college and about being here at Virginia Tech.

The first thing that I really love about Virginia Tech is the feeling I get whenever I walk on campus, I feel at home and I feel like I have so many opportunities to do whatever I want. This college is one of the best in the nation and I'm so thankful to have the chance to be a student. The second thing that I love is college classes. I absolutely love having one class on Tuesday/Thursday, free time between them, and being done by 2 most days besides Monday and Wednesday! Also another great thing about the classes is that almost all of them are only another hour or a little big longer. Compared to high school that is awesome! The third thing I really love would be Lane Stadium! Last Saturday was a ton of fun and I really enjoy watching our football team kick butt! Lane Stadium was perfect and it was great to see all 50,000 of my closest friends supporting Virginia Tech. Even though I just listed three of my favorite thing that doesn't mean that I don't have more, because trust me I could add on to this list for hours.

I really believe that as the year goes on I will learn to hate and love new things. Who knows maybe even some of my hates will become loves. However, as of right now I'm just going to sit back, study, enjoy life and thank God for this amazing experience that only certain people get to have in their lifetime.

First blog: Sports

Hey everyone, I decided that for my first blog I would just introduce myself and tell you about some of the sports that I have played. My name is Ariel Asher and I'm a freshman at Virginia Tech (just like the rest of you). I'm from a small town called Strasburg, Virginia, it's thirty minutes from Winchester and only forty-five minutes away from James Madison University and Harrisonburg.

All throughout high school I was really big into running cross country, track, and playing softball. My cross country team was one of the best teams in the state. We even got third at the double A state race my sophomore year, along with that we were a very solid team, that always came together. The picture below is my team and I at states. During my four years of running for the Wildcats, I was all varsity all four years, and also captain of the team my junior and senior year.

 

 Along with being apart of a solid running team, I was also apart of a very good softball team. I've been playing softball ever since I was 6 years old. My position was center field, and I was a left handed slapper (which means I run out of the box while the pitcher is pitching). Even though some of you reading this are probably thinking is that possible or how can someone do that? It is possible, and a lot of fun, the only hard part is having to get your timing in sync with the pitchers release(in the picture you can see just how easy it is to slap).

Another sport that I did in high school was varsity track. I ran the 4x100. 4x800, and the 400 meter run. During the spring time I dual sported which means I played both varsity softball and ran for my varsity track team. I thought track was a lot of fun, and even though I didn't get to attend practice a lot, I still loved being apart of two teams in one season. All throughout my life sports have been a huge part, so its really crazy to think that I'll never be playing softball or running competitively again.
But even though its all over, I'll never forget all of the wonderful memories that I made.