Written by: Lauren Suchy
My freshman year at the University of Arkansas has been a whirlwind, to say the least. I have grown and learned so much over the past year.
I started my year by rushing a sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. I have been so grateful for this organization throughout my freshman year. I have made lifelong friends, grown as a person, and been able to participate in exciting activities, intramural sports, and philanthropic volunteer work. Kappa Kappa Gamma has been a large part of my freshman year, and has helped me so much in getting involved and feeling at home on campus.
I am majoring in Vocal Music Education, therefore, singing in a choir has been another significant part of my collegiate career thus far. I am a part of Schola Cantorum, the university’s flagship ensemble. It has truly been an honor to be a part of such an amazing group, and I can honestly say that I have enjoyed each and every day in this class. I have the class every day, which is perfect for a music lover such as myself. This group is unlike any choir I have been in before—the expectations are higher, the music is harder, and the students are more committed to learning the music and performing it to the best of their abilities. These characteristics provide an experience that is amazing for me, and that has done nothing but make me love music more and more.
My classes over this year have been challenging, as expected. I have learned now that when my high school teachers told me that the college workload was much heavier, they were telling the truth. The quantity of work that must be done is something that I have had to adjust to, but this did not pose a large problem for me. I especially don’t mind simply because the material that I study here is material that I am interested in completely. Classes such as Music Theory, Aural Perceptions, and Music Literature are all fascinating for me, which makes it easy to do my work, do it well, and make grades that reflect my passion and dedication to my field.
My freshman year has been incredible here at the University of Arkansas. I have learned so much in all of my classes. I am extremely thankful to the Alumni Association for their hand in making my dreams possible, as I continue to work toward my future career. I know that this year is only the beginning of what will continue to be a successful, enjoyable, and educational collegiate career.
