I transferred schools in between freshmen and sophomore year. Yea, I was one of those kids. I originally went to Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. It was a nice school. I went to a small private high school so being at a smaller size university was nice. The campus was only a mere 58 acres. I could walk across campus to class in under 5 minutes and that was very nice during the cold winter months.
SHU was a big communications school. It featured the usual broadcasting, radio, and journalism tracks as major focuses. The business school is also very impressive. But it just was not my style. I was looking to be immersed in an environment where students wanted to tell stories visually and creatively challenge themselves every day.
That is where I found SMU in Dallas, Texas. Southern Methodist University is a crazy university to put it bluntly. All the students come from very affluent families and I am not trying to brag when I say that. In fact, being surrounded by very well off kids is a super motivating. It is the challenge I was looking for.
My classes are incredibly hard and I found myself in the sophomore slump mid way through October until mid November. That was a very tough time. I am not really sure if I just overthought it or if was genuinely challenging but I realize now it was for the better. I feel so much more focused on what is important to me and I retained the information my professors taught me throughout the semester.
I am excited for the 2nd semester, because typically it features more unique courses and the weather gets very pleasant as summer approaches. Relationships with friends are also more solidified after the Christmas break. It is just overall a great time and I am quite curious to see how my 2nd semester at SMU unfolds.
If I were to have done one thing differently this semester, it would have been to spend more time with friends. I was very driven to perform well in my classes and constantly refresh my Youtube channel with new content. Friends and my social life were my third priority and although I spent tons of time with them, I wish I did even more so.
Overall, I loved my first semester and the remaining 5 I have left I will make even better.
My blog can be a useful tool for anyone interested in exploring their passions and I encourage you to stick around to see my other updates and news that I plan to share.
Also, make sure to follow me on Snapchat @zlombardi97 for LIVE updates of my college experience. You will not be disappointed.
ZACHARY LOMBARDI 