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Hi, my name is Jason Xia and I’m from Chicago, Illinois. I would describe myself as a very simple and easygoing person who is excited to meet new people and have new experiences in college. Some facts about me are that I like to try new foods and I can eat a lot, I played the trumpet In high school, I like all sorts of games, and I enjoy biking.
The first step into exploring the university was figuring out how to get around the campus. The solution to that was getting a bike, so my first adventure was getting a bike and where to get one. This led me to ask around and I was fortunate to ask an upperclassman where they got their bike. They suggested BR Bikes and Repairs, a small operation selling bikes for a very reasonable price a few bus stops away. Here I test rode many bikes and once I settled on one, I was able to start truly exploring university. With my new bike I now had the means to get around and let my curiosity run wild. I found new spots to eat from the numerous restaurants along green street, the selection of dining halls, and some hidden gems beside campus. I discovered the various libraries on campus and where to shop for groceries. But most importantly, I was now able to attend all the school and club activities. Here I tried to get out my comfort zone by going to all the events I could and try my best to talk to new people. I went to dance classes even though I didn’t know how to dance, went to open court volleyball even though I couldn’t spike, introduced myself to new people even though I may never see them. However, at the end of the day I felt like I was not only discovering parts of campus but also discovering a little about myself and what I like and wanted to keep doing here at UIUC.
A couple of weeks have gone by, and I feel like so much has happened in such a short amount of time. I’ve found some of my favorite parts of the university and some of the things I could live without. My favorite class right now is probably my psychology class due to how relaxed it is, and I enjoy the bike ride there. My favorite building on campus has to be the undergraduate library due to how grand it is, but my favorite place to study is the union since I can always find a quiet corner to do work. However, some of the things I don’t like are the long bus waits, the sudden weather changes, and how tired I am at the end of the day. I’ve also joined a couple of campus organizations along the way such as PSA and VSA. Joining these RSOs and attending their events has been one of the highlights of the last few weeks due to the numerous experiences they’ve given me and the lasting impressions of the people I’ve met there. Here I was able to step out of comfort zone and try new things. Through these organizations I’ve been able to attend dance workshops in PSA Modern, learned stunts in Lion Dance, started to play volleyball, and learn how to play the djembe. I was able to meet new people and make new friends that not only share similar interest but have gotten me fascinated in their hobbies as well. I’ve started doing so many new things because of these people and to me that’s why to me this is the most impactful experience so far.
I feel like I have learned a lot, not only in my classes from the various biology lectures, chem labs, psychology quizzes, and math discussions but also a lot about myself. I learned that I like to be a lot more active than I thought and that my curiosity can lead to new opportunities. I also found that it’s not so bad trying new things even if they make me a little uncomfortable at first as long as you have people around you who are there to support and help you without judging you. With that being said for the rest of the semester I plan to continue to be open to trying new things. I plan to play more volleyball, attend more workshops, bike more, and make closer friends. I hope to not only improve at these new found interests, but also continue my old hobbies.
I feel like right now I am someone who has only just begun exploring new interests and hobbies and I hope by the end of the semester I am someone who has not only gained new skills and interests but also a passion to learn and seek new experiences. In order for me to reach that goal by the end of the semester and to make my first year at UIUC impactful and memorable I believe there are three steps I should follow. First, be open to new ideas people, etc. Second, be consistent in the things I want to improve at. Finally, be patient with not only others but also myself especially with the stress and pressure that comes with college.