First-Year Student Journals : Alma : Journal 11

Post Spring Break

Getting back into the swing of things after a long and exciting spring break was definitely a challenge! I’d read a page or two of my history book and then close it. This routine would be constant for about 20 minutes. Maybe this happened because at the time I wasn’t really interested in the material, or I wasn’t too worried about reading because the assignment was past due already, or more likely that I still wanted to be on spring break. Luckily, I forced myself to accept the fact that I had to be a student again, and now I am anxiously waiting for summer.

While I battle through classes, I find myself more worried and stressed out about other things. For instance, because I was born in Mexico and couldn’t apply for citizenship status until I turned 18, I am just now going through the process. Unfortunately, I have realized the process is long and tedious, especially when I need to fly to other cities for my interview. Initially, I was supposed to interview on Feb. 24 to become naturalized, but I wrote a letter requesting a change in appointment because I had three mid-terms that week. I don’t know what goes on in the offices, but they managed to lose both of the letters I sent them. Then they sent me a letter threatening to close my case if they didn’t hear from me. I freaked out so I flew there, went to their office personally and they said, “Okay, ma’am. We’ll contact you later.” Fortunately, they did contact me but scheduled my appointment on a Wednesday, right in the middle of the week. Now, I have to fly again for my appointment and study for an exam the next day. Geez!

This is not to say my life right now is absolutely terrible. Actually, I met a very nice lady through an old friend of mine who is a Teach for America recruiter. She thought it might be good if we met to talk about a few things and also about a position that might interest me. The position seems to consist of advertising for Teach for America throughout campus, which actually would interest me very much. I am delighted I have encountered outstanding opportunities like this. I will meet her next week, but I’ll let you know how it turns out.

For now, I gotta get back to the usual: readings, applications, papers and more!



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	Post Spring Break Getting back into the swing of things after a long and exciting spring break was definitely a challenge! I’d read a page or two of my history book and then close it. This routine would be constant for about 20 minutes. Maybe this happened because at the time I wasn’t really interested in the material, or I wasn’t too worried about reading because the assignment was past due already, or more likely that I still wanted to be on spring break. Luckily, I forced myself to accept the fact that I had to be a student again, and now I am anxiously waiting for summer. While I battle through classes, I find myself more worried and stressed out about other things. For instance, because I was born in Mexico and couldn’t apply for citizenship status until I turned 18, I am just now going through the process. Unfortunately, I have realized the process is long and tedious, especially when I need to fly to other cities for my interview. Initially, I was supposed to interview on Feb. 24 to become naturalized, but I wrote a letter requesting a change in appointment because I had three mid-terms that week. I don’t know what goes on in the offices, but they managed to lose both of the letters I sent them. Then they sent me a letter threatening to close my case if they didn’t hear from me. I freaked out so I flew there, went to their office personally and they said, “Okay, ma’am. We’ll contact you later.” Fortunately, they did contact me but scheduled my appointment on a Wednesday, right in the middle of the week. Now, I have to fly again for my appointment and study for an exam the next day. Geez! This is not to say my life right now is absolutely terrible. Actually, I met a very nice lady through an old friend of mine who is a Teach for America recruiter. She thought it might be good if we met to talk about a few things and also about a position that might interest me. The position seems to consist of advertising for Teach for America throughout campus, which actually would interest me very much. I am delighted I have encountered outstanding opportunities like this. I will meet her next week, but I’ll let you know how it turns out. For now, I gotta get back to the usual: readings, applications, papers and more!