Category: Arena

By: Vivian Youmans

When starting my first week of Geneseo, I wanted to go home. I felt like I was the odd duckling among the rest of the students around me. I seemed to have convinced myself that I wasn’t going to find a good group of friends even to do the simplest things such as eat dinner with, but now being halfway through, I can see my next four years being here at Geneseo with some of the best people I’ve met. The most solidified thing for me now is a routine of when my classes are and where they are, and what I should be doing in between. I do have to say I am one to procrastinate a bunch, and that can lead to overwhelming stress on myself. Overall, I am more comfortable on campus than when I first started.

As far as my classes go, I believe I am in good standing. Each class of mine has an assignment due on the same day every week, which is beyond helpful in solidifying a routine. As I said before, procrastination has been falling heavily onto me recently. During the first weeks of class, I wanted to ensure I started in good standing, but now it is more of a mentality to have it in before it’s due. Even if that being it is turned in ten minutes before the cut-off time. On the plus side, I am pretty lucky to have no midterms, especially before fall break. I think I speak for myself and other students when I say the single-digit days before fall break drag on drastically. I am happy with what I have accomplished this far into the semester, and I’m excited to see where I am heading. 

One could talk about all of the classes in my schedule and how they have impacted me, but I have chosen to talk briefly about Theatre Therapy for Veterans. In the class, we have covered a wide range of materials, stretching from mental health to the effect PTSD has had over hundreds of years. When in class, we indulged in the readings of Bryan Doerries. He has made connections about love and how far it spans in his life, and I realize that I can make my own connections with love within my life so far at SUNY Geneseo. When I gave my goodbye hugs from my hometown family and friends, I found that making new friendships and finding that love here on campus is a must-do. As the months have gone by, I have noticed that no matter how far I am away from home, the distance won’t break the bond between my family and me. I am also speaking of love having a massive effect on me because I am one of many incoming freshmen with a long-distance relationship. That person can be thousands of miles away from you; luckily for me, it is only about a hundred. Back on track with the overall thoughts on the class so far, I say two words; absolutely fantastic. The readings and blogs have significantly impacted my view of this class and my writing tactics. 

By the end of the semester, I believe I will be in a comfortable position. To be able to see a finish line by mid-December, I have a reason to keep going. Honestly, I can’t say I will have the most fantastic grades. It can be stressful when you are still trying to a new setting and find the ropes. I firmly believe I will still have created halfway through the semester in December, maybe even the bonds I have more! Being more comfortable with my surroundings on campus is also a huge factor that I believe will be different than where I stand now. If someone were to ask me what is one thing I could say to another student to help them, it would be, “Do what makes you happy.” Make the choices that put a smile on your face; make the choices that make you proud to be where you are and do what you are doing.

Since midterms, I would say things have progressed a lot. Through the first two blogs, I explained how different college was from high school and the massive change in environment I was experiencing. However, after coming out of my midterms, I have begun to realize that I am becoming accustomed to the college environment. In most of my classes, I have seen a positive effect on my grade after using more of the resources offered to me. Using these resources has influenced my grades more positively. By now, I feel more comfortable with all my teachers and have no problem scheduling appointments during office hours before any tests. I have begun to utilize more resources that the school offers, such as the math learning center and resources in the library, to help me improve in my classes. My main focus for the second half of this semester is to fine-tune everything so when next semester starts; there will be no surprises or anything new that I need to become accustomed to. There are also areas outside of class and school that I have progressed in too. I have found a group of friends I hang out with who share similar interests. We also created a broomball team which has been some of the most fun I have had. Overall, I have progressed positively since mid-terms ended and even a little before that.

Focusing on this course, I was constantly feeling comfortable in this class and felt I had flexibility with my writing in my journals and blogs. In other classes, you have to follow a specific format or idea, but with the class, you can write about what you truly want, which made it easier for me to progress. This class has been one of the best classes to work in, with a very welcoming environment. I can definitely tell that with this class, I have been learning how to become a better writer and more understanding of PTSD. The primary reading for me that I was able to connect with was American Tet. I thought that the main point of the play was showing the different sides and views of war. Not everyone realizes that more than just the military member may be dealing with PTSD. At first, before reading this play, I knew military members and families fought with PTSD. Still, I never knew that the family could also undergo the same extent or even more significantly. I believe that Nhu is an excellent example of a person who has PTSD that most people would never even consider thinking about. Our country tends only to acknowledge our side of the war and never the enemy’s side. The idea is that people from that country could suffer tremendously more than we think during war.

With the end of the semester coming to an end, I am unsure what that time of year will look like for me. Typically throughout high school, I’ve learned that finals have always meant two things, stress and studying. However, if there is one thing I have learned so far this year, it is that college and high school are not nearly the same in any way. The biggest difference for me is that my professors are making finals more of a project and something fun and interactive rather than just an extended test of what we learned in class. This is something that I found super interesting because, for me, projects and assignments like that have more of an influence on me rather than a big test. My main hope for the end of the semester is to do well in school. This is most important to me because I know that these grades are what is setting me up for a successful future. So for school, I would like to maintain and achieve high grades for the semester and all of my finals. I would also like to feel 100% comfortable and confident coming back for the second semester. One main problem with the first semester was that I stressed too much about the small things when they ended up working themselves out. I want to come back and have a fun and stress-free experience.

Following my midterms, I thought courses would slow down, but the exact opposite was in store. In a blink of an eye, school work has piled up, and free time has diminished. Once we reached this landmark in the first semester, each course upgraded its homework load and level of difficulty. Post-midterm, I had a bit of a laid-back approach, but continuing to think that some of my classes were a breeze was a big mistake. I ended up performing poorly on multiple assignments, and with this switch, an immediate change had to be made. I had to set my priorities straight again, putting school before social life. One thing I would recommend throughout your school year is never to stop giving the maximum effort in each class. By doing so, you will stay on top of your work and become a better student and person. Sticking with a daily routine helps with the organizational factors of everything school related. Being absent for a couple of classes due to illness allowed me to fall behind in the first couple of weeks after midterms, but since then, I’ve been back on track with the workload. I have enjoyed the readings and lessons we can pull out of them.

In my INTD class, one connection that I made to reading American Tet was when Danny and Angela were talking about Angela’s options with surgery after she returned from the military. In this scene, Angela asks Danny for a loaded gun, implying that Angela wants to commit suicide. Later in the act, Angela shoots herself, allowing Danny to freeze and panic about the problem. Even though I wasn’t put in this situation, I’ve helped by talking with one of my friends from home about the topic. Suicide is too common and tends to be used as an easy way out. When people with addictive personalities receive that thought, they must express their feelings. When I was a junior in high school, one of my close friends was having thoughts about suicide due to their at-home life and relationships. It was a lot thrown on the person at once, but luckily the person was smart enough to ask for help. Experiences like those don’t fade away and pay a mental toll on people because the thought of loss digs deep into the heart.

What do you hope for by the end of the semester, including finals? Almost everyone might answer this question by saying, “good grades,” but I hope to retain and thoroughly understand the information being taught. After the semester, a letter or number on your paper won’t determine your future. Grades are crucial for your future, but leaving the class with knowledge comes first. For my finals, I plan on studying the information on the exam and how I can use this information outside of the classroom. I’m aiming for my grades to be above eighty percent, so I have a “B-” or above. Right now, I’m doing well in most of my courses, but I have to push myself harder to receive better grades. Outside of class, one hope that I wish to achieve is figuring out the perfect schedule to incorporate school and working out. The balance has been challenging with the amount of homework I’ve received, but I hope to find a mix between both. At the end of the day, I realized that if I continue to work hard, good things will come as a result.

This semester was full of highs and lows. I have come so far. I started immediately overwhelmed with how much work I was going to do in all my classes. Most of my classes this year have been very enjoyable and beneficial. I have undergone many changes and have stayed the same this semester.

My Math 141 class this year is just one of the unique classes I have never dealt with before. Initially, I had to adapt to a new way of learning. Not only did I have to learn the material, but also, I had to learn to use that knowledge and think of ways to instruct children. My INTD 105 course was filled with the most changes. From the start, adapting to the unique style of reading and writing we learned in a journal was hard. However, I made a significant change in focusing on organization and instantly became more efficient in writing my journals. Aside from the changes I made during class, I also greatly improved my well-being. When school started, I was super happy and incredibly happy with life. A couple more months in, I became much more frustrated with the work I had to do. This affected my mood. Eventually, I got out of the lousy rut by getting more sleep. While some things changed throughout the semester, some also stayed the same.

There are three major things I kept the same this semester. The first of the 3 (and the most important) is to try and do my homework on time. This is crucial because many professors grade very harshly if you do not turn assignments in on time. The second thing I kept the same was to bring a positive mood to class. Sometimes I would be in a bad mood outside of class, but when the class time arrived, I ensured I was in my best mood so my learning experience could be at its best. Lastly, I made sure I was always on time for classes. Being late can turn into a bad habit and does not look good. I try to ensure I am on time because it shows bad character and insults the teacher.

Changes are a part of life and frequent in a student’s life. The changes I made this semester were positive overall, and I made huge strides in my education. The things I did not change more closely go hand in hand with my character. I try to be the best person I can be. There were highs and lows from this semester; however, the constant changes and the things I have learned keep me anxious for the next chapter.

As a kid, I was absolutely obsessed with Dr. Suess and his books. I found the colorful, vibrant pages with whimsical creatures and fluorescent lands to be a comfortable place to look upon under any occasion; They sparked my imagination. But that’s it—I would only ever look at the pictures. I never found reading the lines exciting, so I would skim through and look at the soft truffula trees and cringe at the green eggs and ham. As a freshman in college, I find that Suess’s words have a deeper connection with me. This quote, in particular, resonates with me. Oh, and disclaimer, I grew up thinking it is his quote, but it has never been proven, although, to me, it is his:

“Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So, love the people who treat you right. Forgive the ones who don’t and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance. Take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it’d be easy. They just promised it would be worth it.” Unknown

I have read that quote quite a lot in the past few months here at Geneseo.

I have noticed that Greek life and partying are the two major activities you can do here as a student, and when you are into neither, it can get lonely. In general, everyone seemed to have found their group of friends to hang out with and go out with on move-in day. Almost everyone was open and welcoming; after about three weeks, that all went away. There is a Main Street as well, but being a college student, a low income makes shopping very different. Being able to balance life at home while living a new life here can sometimes be unbearable. I am lucky (I must say) to have been able to go home quite a few times while here. I have become quite accustomed to the train station in Rochester. Some of my other friends aren’t as fortunate; they wait until the holiday breaks. In truth, I envy them. I envy every person I have spoken to on campus who tells me they live eight hours away and can’t go home until Christmas. I envy the fact that they can stay emotionally stable for weeks. No familiar hugs from a loved one or looking out a car window to see the little village they passed by every day as a kid. I always make myself up to be a person who keeps her calm. I can put a smile on my face just as others can. 

The past few months here have been nothing short of different—different stores, buildings, views, and faces. However, in terms of classes thus far, I have enjoyed them. Recently, I have taken two exams in my geography class. Sitting down for the first time in four years to take a test on paper felt weird. The minute you feel you have gotten everything back to normal after COVID, something makes you remember how it all was before. I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss high school—I dreadfully miss the six o’clock wake-ups, the cold walks to the bus, the eleven classes back to back, and the relieving walk out the doors to the same bus once again. In high school, I dreaded every second I had to sit in those metal chairs and hear the constant chime from the bells in the hall. I regret not pausing for a moment to take it all in before it was gone. I had some unbelievably amazing friendships in senior high, and now I have parted with just about every single one. But that’s growing up.

Within the last few weeks, I have been introduced to many different views on writing and literature. Just recently, in my INTD 105 class, I was introduced to the book Acts of War. As soon as I opened the first reading, I noticed it was all written in play script format. I had to do a double take on the pages—I leaned over to my friend and asked her if she had read something like this before, but she shook her head no. Little did I know in the next few weeks, reading that script as a class would be the most fantastic form of reading I had ever done. Opening up to a way different way of reading wasn’t something I thought was possible. I say that because I had expressed in class that I had never read anything besides the usual chapter-by-chapter books from grades K-Twelve. Being able to read out loud with others around me in the class has made me more connected to the class. This class has been nothing less than genuinely eye-opening. I am absolutely impressed with the setup of the criteria. I have even gotten my roommate to take a class with this fantastic professor in the Spring!

By the end of the semester, all I can hope for is good standing in all parts of my life here at Geneseo. Those parts include but are not limited to my friendships, grades, home life, personal well-being, etc. I have faced moments this semester that have made me need to take a step back to re-evaluate my choices and thoughts, and that’s okay. I can’t say my grades will be perfect in the end, but I am putting forth my best effort, which is what life is all about—putting forth your best. Not the best that others want, the best that you want. I have created amazing friendships and discovered what it is like being a Knight here on campus.

To reiterate part of what Suess said, “If it changes your life, let it.” Being here on campus has changed my life. Taking these classes and seeing different viewpoints has changed my life as well. College life is changing itself. At the same time, society deems college to be all shiny, pristine, amazing, and guess what? It’s not always that way. There is also an emotional aspect to it that many pushes under the rug. Let me say this—you are not alone. Some students out there share their thoughts and feelings about being first-year college students. I believe that the world has come to say that the only reasonable option in your life is to be perfect and follow the stereotypes engraved into society. Nobody is perfect. As long as you try and do what you love, that will carve you to be the best version of yourself.

It’s crazy to say I’m halfway through my first semester of college. It feels as if I was unpacking my bags just yesterday to set up my dorm. I can finally say I’ve become in tune with college life. It no longer feels weird to wake up in a dorm or walk 3 miles to get my mail. If anything, I’ve learned to enjoy it. I have met new people and feel as though I have made a good group of friends. Having everyone so close takes me back to being a kid and waking up to play with the neighborhood kids. When I first arrived at Geneseo, it felt so liberating to be alone. Although I still love my life here, I have become more homesick as time goes on. Beyond everything, Geneseo has become a home to me.

Classes themselves aren’t terribly different from high school. However, the coursework is different. On top of the work being more complex and a more significant workload, classes have a more efficient feel. By that, I mean having “lectures like classes” is a much easier way for me to learn. In my mind taking notes on information and absorbing it in my own way helps me tremendously. I did poorly in high school in math, not because I wasn’t good at it but because I wouldn’t follow the same formula as the teacher. Now in college, I feel like professors can appreciate and encourage abstract thinking. That being said, classes such as this one make me learn differently. Doing things like group discussions actively puts me into the topic where I have to think outside the box. I can also communicate with my peers and change to refine my ideas. 

This class has been heavy for me. Even though the work isn’t extensive, it still feels like a lot. Per usual, writing and literature not being my strong suit, I tend to take much longer to complete the work. Although it is difficult, I still feel I am doing well in the class. Throughout the books we have read in class, I have made a connection with the Theater of War. The book tells stories of Greek soldiers and their traumatic events. These stories affected our modern day, such as how the story of Heracles has changed how some doctors manage end-of-life care. This book, as a whole, helps not just soldiers with PTSD but also their loved ones better understand their trauma. When I read this, it reminded me of being a kid. Even though it’s nothing like going to war, growing up is difficult. Being in a new generation, I feel every kid thinks their parents don’t understand their feelings, making communication difficult. Going back, these soldiers feel the same way; they are struggling with something in their minds that their loved ones can’t fully grasp. As someone who doesn’t deal with PTSD, I feel reading these stories allowed me to take a few steps in their shoes.

By the end of this year, I hope to be in a place where I have a life plan. Now I’m not saying I have my life and job picked out. I want to learn what areas of study I enjoy and prosper in so I can start to build a path for myself. I also hope to be more open to new things by the end of the semester. In my little time at college, I already feel more open and confident, and I hope to grow from that even more.

I’ve learned a lot about myself through writing these blog entries. One of the most important things I have learned since coming to Geneseo is that we’re all adults now and must start acting like it. However, I’ve learned that being an adult doesn’t always mean being more mature or working on self-improvement. All these years before college, we’re told what is moral and what is not, or right and wrong. However, I’ve learned that Geneseo and college generally aren’t just black and white. The idea of morals and fallible information seems to be more subjective rather than objective. Regarding the school, I’ve seen numerous perspectives on various topics. Unfortunately, I’ve learned that college is very biased in which perspective should be respected and which is looked down upon. Holding viewpoints opposed to Geneseo’s social standards is looked down upon. This causes the ability to connect with people much harder.  

All of my classes, for the most part, are going well. I still don’t enjoy learning at Geneseo much, but my courses are generally acceptable. Geneseo has some rigorous courses; however, since I’m on the premed track, it is only to be expected. On the bright side, at least STEM majors weed out people who don’t actually care about their major or education. Ironically, my classes are the only thing I actually enjoy going to, including this class. Getting out of my dorm and interacting with people is refreshing. Unfortunately, most of my interactions are only academic-related, but interaction is interaction and must be appreciated. My interests align with my courses, and this is the only thing that motivates me at Geneseo. This course has been getting more enjoyable as time goes on. I used to do drama, and I was in a choir for years before coming to Geneseo; I am currently, however, just in the wind ensemble and jazz band.

Although we are not acting out the characters in The Theatre of War– 9 Circles, hearing other people read reminds me of my high school English classes. This is one of the only courses that reminds me of high school, and the fact that we’re learning about a topic not taught there makes it feel fresh. I’ve been able to make a bit of a  connection between 9 Circles, to other readings. Once again, by reading this book, I’ve connected it to Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl (a book that should be read in high school, in my opinion). In connection to PTSD in general, since it’s a big topic in this class, I find it interesting how different people can cope with it. More recently, within the book, we’ve seen how the character Reeves deals with it; Reeves is a very unhealthy example of coping. 9 Circles is very explicit, but that’s what is needed to express true PTSD. Although Reeves is a bit of a complicated character, we can learn that PTSD can be coped with in either a peaceful manner or a very violent and revolting way.

Although this unfortunate semester in my life has been anything but optimal, I am hoping to settle into Geneseo. I’m hoping I can settle into my dorm as well. I’m not too hopeful about this because finals are coming up, and classes finish soon. There isn’t much time to settle in; in fact, it’d be more worth studying for exams rather than settling in right now. In terms of my classes, I hope that I will be able to keep passing all of them. I want to be able to pass all of my finals. I really want to score extremely high on my finals, but the motivation to study after only studying since being here is waning. Ultimately, I’ve realized that my grades are linked to my thoughts on Geneseo. It’s easier to study when you enjoy being somewhere. In this case, I’ll have to study for my own sake, it won’t be amusing, but as a college student, I’m just like everybody else and must do it to prosper.      

I never thought that the innocent joy of my childhood would remain a mere memory. College compels teenagers to forget about those stormy nights that terrified us, those school trips that went to the bookstore, but the simple fact that you had to go by bus with your friends, caused those jumps of illusion and joy. Those 20-minute breaks in which much of the week’s drama happened during those short minutes. In general, the innocent pleasure of small details. Now, one does not stop to think about those beautiful memories since there is no time for them; the only objective and thought is to reach the goal we only dreamed of as children.

The clock struck eleven in the morning, and I was surrounded by people I had never seen before during my years, and I must admit, it wasn’t very comforting. But as the days passed, I interacted more and more and got used to the routine. The routine of eating acai bowls on Tuesdays and sushi on Thursdays after class. The daily conversations about the reality of life and how there are rules on how to be happy, among other things. I know you’ll be asking why I’m sensitive if it’s only been three months. I titled this blog “Everything must come to an end.” And yes, it is true, that is the unwanted reality, having to follow the path of success, and because of it, the comfort of habit is lost. It is not a desire of anyone but an obligation due to the days going by faster and faster that you do not realize the beauty of the seasons. Seasons are another one of my few examples about the cycle of life and that although life is a cycle of experiences, there is no stop sign. If there is, it is only a temporary stop since many cars behind you will rush you to keep driving.

Well, I’ve talked a lot about the past, so let’s move on to the present. When I heard about the final project, I was terrified since I am not an individual who comes by public speaking naturally but out of obligation. But now it was different since the topic was severe and deserved to be heard and felt. I have to say that I didn’t know what PTSD stood for before I stepped foot in this class, but now that I know, I pay all my respects to the veterans because of the many resources. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), characterized by hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and avoidance behavior, was not diagnosed formally until the 1980s. Effective treatments for this condition did not become widely available until the 1990s. 

Although on the other hand, some individuals mark a contested and unsavory reputation towards the military. Of the texts we’ve read, such as Theater of War, or Acts of War, I have to admit that Nine Circles were one of the most impotent and vexatious theoretical pieces I’ve read. And it is not for the fact of having read it, but knowing that this happens daily to people living in Iraq, without it being shown in the news. That is why, returning to the mention of the final project, not being able to help or imagine what those who serve in the military go through every day and how they are irretrievably frightened. Having the opportunity to carry out this play, I can express my immense reverence and performance for the work of everyone with PTSD. Regarding this class, I feel that it has increased maturity in my outlook on my routine life. I am thankful daily for waking up and having family by my side. 

Although I am faced with the disadvantages of my readings without being dependent on a translator of English, I have been able to assimilate and provide a great understanding of the readings without having to go to the translator and depend on it. Although I have completed six years in this country, it is hard for me, and it will be hard for me to adapt to the assimilation. I will try my best to assimilate because it is clear that English is the dominant language you are expected to speak while in the states. I aspire to have the requirements and the academic hope of passing my classes while being able to enjoy the teaching this institute offers for a successful future. 

Since midterms have finished, things have been peaceful— almost a little too peaceful. Midterms were not too stressful for me as I understood most of my classes’ material, excluding one. The time following midterms has me feeling like I’ve begun to find my way in Geneseo. One major thing slipped my mind due to midterms and panicking about finals— registration for next semester! I believe I have found my major, and I’m making my schedule work around that for next semester without having to wake up super early because I am not a morning person. Besides all that, I am doing rather well in my classes, namely this class. 

For various reasons, this semester, Theater Therapy for Veterans has been one of my favorite classes. The main two are that I feel comfortable in the environment of the class, and I understand (and enjoy) the work we do. I have connected with a few of the readings so far, mainly bits and pieces of The Theater of War and 9 Circles. I will not get into detail here, but it is nice seeing you are not alone in what you are going through. I really enjoyed reading 9 Circles because it was overall a compelling piece of literature. I appreciate the effort put into the writing and how it was written in a way that forces you to see both sides of a story. The rest of my time working with peers and Professor Arena in Theater Therapy for Veterans has been delightful. For the last few weeks of this course, I hope to put my all into my final sketch— even though I am nervous about performing it in front of my peers, which is funny because we have been reading aloud for weeks now. As for my other classes, I will continue to put all my effort into these remaining weeks. 

I believe that I will do well throughout the end of this semester— as long as I do not overwhelm myself and continue to pace myself with the work that is left. I have been feeling incredibly nervous about finals week, and I hope to give myself enough time to study for everything. All of my classes are going better than expected— I have mostly A’s and B’s. I continue to encourage myself to study and take the time needed for my work, but it is not easy sometimes. There are a few things I am trying to get done by the end of my first semester here at Geneseo. My hopes are I will be able to keep my grades up even by going home for the holidays and getting out of school mode, and giving myself time to relax so I do not overwhelm myself with studying and schoolwork. Maybe I can get into the classes I have planned for next semester. I’ve consistently reminded myself that even though things are stressful, this is worth it. 

My main concerns are the last two, I think. I have been working on my registration plan for a while, so I am crossing my fingers that I get into the classes I planned out. Lastly, I have been hard on myself for not getting straight A’s and only high 90s to100s on my schoolwork. Then I remember the first semester at college will be difficult because it is a significant change, and sometimes it is hard to adapt, but things will get easier. It is all going to be worth it in the end. No matter how challenging this has been, I can’t help but feel it is bittersweet having my first semester at Geneseo almost over. 

Since Mid Terms, my classes have continued to push forward. They are all picking up the pace as we get closer to finals. More information is being presented in class, and I am expected to learn and do more on my own outside of class. The military prepared me well for this increase in workload. While in medic training, I became certified as a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician, or NREMT. Generally, an NREMT course takes at least six months to complete in the civilian world. We did the entire course in 8 weeks, so I am more than accustomed to a fast rate of information presentation. Professors still help as much as they did in the first part of the semester. My classes that are either labs or outside of STEM have turned to final project prep. My Biology Lab final is a group presentation on microbiology, and the Theater Therapy for Veterans final is a skit about PTSD. There is no guide for how the performance needs to connect to PTSD, so there is considerable freedom within the rubric. I have been thrilled with how classes have progressed since Mid Terms this semester.

Overall, Theater Therapy for Veterans has been going very well for me. I have made friends with most of, if not all, my classmates. I enjoy the readings, and Professor Arena makes things as fun as she can, even though we talk about some very intense topics. I can connect with the readings we did in class with many different people because I have heard other soldiers’ stories about their time in Iraq. The readings we have done have mainly dealt with soldiers and them doing things in Iraq voluntarily or something that they had to do because it was their job to do them, and that’s how they were taught to do them. I have heard many service members tell me about things they did overseas. I could tell by looking at their body language and especially their eyes that told me they either regretted doing what they did or wished they could have done it differently. I think I connected more with 9 Circles by Bill Cain. It is a play about a soldier whose actions brought to light a problem with the war. I can almost understand why he did what he did through my dialogues with other service members who deployed to Iraq and the hate they developed for their enemies. This class has enabled me to start understanding my fellow service members’ struggles and how they can help deal with their struggles with PTSD.        

I plan to push through the semester and do well on my final exams and presentations. I only have three finals that I need to worry about, which is a good thing because the less spread out my attention is, the better. That way, I can focus on the classes that I need to. Doing well in my classes is very important to my future because it will allow me to achieve my goals outside of undergrad at Geneseo. I also plan to start working in EMS before next semester. I need a way to be able to support myself. I have lived off my savings for this semester; it is dwindling. I hope that the rest of my first semester goes very well and that I can go into winter break feeling like I did the best I could in my first semester.