Letter to a future student
Introduce yourself to the student. Don't be shy! Talk about your experience in College 1 and what you've done. Give them examples like the golden lines that your teachers ask you to read. Talk about one of your guest speakers. Talk about something you wrote about in an RRJ, free write, or etc. Talk about your experiences in working in groups. Talk about the resources on campus that you've used so far(2). Talk about what misconceptions you've had about College 1.
Dear Bea,
It’s Paolo. I'm sure you're going to be coming here soon, so I thought I'd bring you up to speed on what to expect. In case you have amnesia, I'm your best friend. We've been friends for 5 years now, and I heard from your mom that you're going to be immigrating here. I had a tough time getting into the swing of things here when I arrived. I know that I'd have appreciated it if I had someone here to explain everything to me.
It might surprise you to know this, but you’re trip here isn’t going to be as easy as you think. Seeing as we have the same way of thinking, i think it would be prudent to warn you of the things that are to come.
Here in PCC I’ve learned much from my interactions. There is a lack of dependence to one’s group compared to how we go about our business in the Philippines. People here in the US feel more at ease with those who are confident and strong, rather than the people who are out to please, it baffled me at first. The status quo regarding a female’s manner is less comforting and weak here. It was confusing at first seeing so many women who are headstrong, but then again, you’re like that.
If you find yourself having a hard time, the book Switch says, "Wouldn’t is be easier to make the house cleaner than making it clean?". Just take it easy, and find smaller steps while trying to adjust. The many unknowns that you will probably come to find will be detrimental to your cause. "Clarity dissolves resistance"(Switch), so find out whatever you can, and it'll be alright.
Oh and before I forget, there are some websites that I find really helpful and interesting, I'm sure you'd like them too.
www.ted.com
This is where I find a lot of interesting videos with a range of subjects. I'd recommend looking into the study on body language. These people are the most influential all over the world, so you will be hard pressed to find a bad video. The subjects on the videos will enlighten you in ideas that may be tackled in your classes.
www.khanacademy.com
I go to this website for any lessons that might be hard for me. There are so many branches of study here that sometimes I don't even need to go to class, but don't do that. (Follow what I say, not what I do.) This website is really useful when trying to review old lessons from high school.
www.coursera.com
Coursera is an online resource that gives you classes for free. I learned a lot about programming here, but seeing as you're into psychology you wouldn't be interested in that. There is a plethora of subjects there for your perusal.
www.globalone.tv/profiles/blogs/7-lessons-from-7-great-minds?xg_source=facebook
Here are a few lessons that great minds had to go through before becoming great. Focus on the section on self acceptance. I wish you'd be more open to your faults.
www.marcandangel.com/2012/07/20/12-tough-truths-that-help-you-grow/
This one is what I use to constantly remind myself that there are parts that I need to work on when I'm bored. I have my faults and that's good; otherwise, life would be boring.
To end it all, I'd like for you to remember that time when we had ice cream down by the forest, and that I'd forgotten that you hated pistachio ice cream. Try new things, and you'll be fine.
Love,
Panda