Author: Josh Garelle

Hello…again. I am now mid-way through my first semester of college at SUNY Geneseo. That being said, I am delighted with my decision to come here. From a social life perspective, I’ve made many friends and acquaintances who always seem to put a smile on my face. Having that freedom to hang out with them anytime I’m free is very amusing. It’s amusing because I can basically do whatever I want with my free time. I’ve gone for bike rides, played soccer, watched movies and hung out with new friends. Hanging out with kids my age brings me joy. The basketball season started two weeks ago. I am adjusting well to the new coaches and teammates I have been presented with. Bonding with my teammates has become extremely easy because we all have similar interests. Spending a lot of time with them has made it easier to play with them. Although many view the juggling of an athlete and a student to be rigorous, I’ve rarely had any problems with it. Staying on top of work in college is extremely important. I always stick to my mother’s saying, “Once the work is done, go have fun.” I’ve kinda stuck by that motto and it has allowed me to successfully have fun while still maintaining high academic grades. The first half of the first semester has treated me well and I will continue to look forward to the rest of the semester for a place I can truly call home.

I entered the beginning of the semester as undecided. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. The first semester has allowed me to give it some good thought. My major will be going into early childhood education. That has drawn the most interest to me. The courses I am taking right now have been a good starting point for my future college education. I am taking all general education classes this semester. They have been going smoothly. I also feel like my High School academic experience set me up well for the expectations of a college course. The workload has not been too much and I have much more free time on my hands.

This course has been helping my writing abilities. Being able to closely analyze texts in class and look for deeper meanings in these texts allows for a better student to blossom. For example, while studying Greek tragedies, we looked at them from a certain perspective of not “just a story.” We opened our minds to correlations between those tragedies and ex-military veterans who struggle to live with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I personally was not able to connect with the tragedies from a sense of being in the military, but just the overall aspect of failure and loss in life leads to learning. It teaches us life lessons. Having the ability to connect to a text is important for understanding the overall aspect.

By the end of the semester, I see myself as a better reader and writer while also being a better communicator. Enhancing my reading skills by the end of the semester will be something that will elevate me in all of my courses. Becoming a better writer comes with time and practice- it doesn’t just happen overnight. So, I think this course is allowing me to broaden my writing skills. Although it was at the beginning of the semester, the They Say, I Say book helped me become a better communicator.

I am truly looking forward to the rest of the semester. My courses are going smoothly and it’s only a couple more days until basketball season is in full swing, which will take up a good amount of my time. I look to continue my success in my academics and athletics as the semester continues. Having welcoming professors along with welcoming teammates makes it easy to enjoy my time here. Geneseo is home for now and I’m enjoying it.

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Josh Garelle. I am a first-year student here at SUNY Geneseo. I am from Long Island, New York- specifically the Village of Rockville Centre. This small traditional neighborhood on Long Island is what shaped me into who I am today. It’s about a six and half hour drive to and from Geneseo. I play basketball for the school team and I find a lot of interest in music. Going to the beach and hanging out with friends and family are major parts of my life too.

What’s SUNY Geneseo?… This small town in Western Upstate New York is what I will call “Home” for the next four years of my life. The true beauty of Geneseo and what it has to offer, I have no doubt that I will enjoy all of my time here. I am writing this about three weeks into my first semester of college. Woah… college. Even just the thought of me typing that is awfully strange. College felt like such an eternity away that now that it’s here, there’s a certain empty feeling that often overcomes me. Growing up, I viewed college as this huge obstacle in life. Now that I’m here, it’s all but that. These first three weeks of college have matured me, allowed me to express myself in ways I’ve never had before and given me opportunities to make new friends that I’m sure will last a while.

Deciding to come here was an academic and athletic decision that I thought was best for me and my family. Athletically, being able to play basketball at the next level has been a dream of mine since I was little. Being able to fulfill that is very special. Most importantly, this school is academically rigorous but also fair. Even though it’s only been three weeks, I am excited for what the future holds at SUNY Geneseo…. Although these past few weeks have been a blast, I’ve left behind a part of me that makes me who I am. Family, Friends and a community who supports me. In leaving that close, bonded community, I was opened to the opportunity of reinventing myself and who I am while also keeping my values.

My first semester classes have started very smoothly. When I viewed Theatre: A Therapy for Veterans on my schedule, I was extremely intrigued. I wasn’t sure what to think of the class. After being in this environment for a couple of classes, it’s safe to say I’m excited for the semester; the open discussion, along with the writing prompts we do, will not only make me a better writer but a better listener and speaker. I also think becoming a better writer can intertwine with becoming a better student in general. Writing is a huge aspect of academics. Specifically, learning and writing about topics like PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder allow me (and other students) to bounce ideas off of each other and open up discussion for what we agree or disagree on. This is the first writing-based course I am taking in my academic career. The books we are reading are so far helpful. For example, the They Say, I Say book by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein has allowed me to connect with my intellectual self and realize that I truly do not process what someone is saying to me in a conversation without having something to say myself. This book has already taught me to listen when someone is talking to me and analyze what they are saying.

Although it’s only been three weeks into the semester, my expectations are very high. I’m excited to explore more opportunities not only in class but in all of my classes. I am taking all general education classes because I am undecided. When the second semester approaches, I hope to have my major figured out. Outside of academics, I look forward to joining clubs and meeting with people that come from different cultures and bond with them. Basketball is what I’m looking forward to the most. I am already friends with the whole team. Having a prebuilt “family” before I even arrived on campus was a breath of fresh air for me. Practices and workouts have begun and I am intrigued on how difficult managing school work with athletics is going to be. It will be difficult but I am up for the challenge. I am again excited for this semester, this class, and just generally the next four years at SUNY Geneseo. Looking back on my first blog is going to be interesting as I continue to write about my experience here.