Week One Down!

I've made it to Saturday! First week of sophomore year down.

I am definitely in need of some time to get organized! My bedroom floor is still covered in packed boxes and totes, and I have yet to purchase a chair for my desk.

My friend Lauren (a junior with a whole extra year of experience under her belt) once told me each semester has its own flavor. I'm finding her words to be very true.

This semester is going to be yet another new experience. It's not new in that I have to figure everything out. I just have to adjust to off-campus life. And it's not new in that I know nobody. I am amazed at how many people I've randomly ran into that I actually did know! There's just something about this semester. I'm no longer the baby, rather I'm expected to have the college-thing down and hit the road running, yet I still often feel clueless! Life is a continual learning process.

So, what am I taking this year? It's a rather long list...

J2150: Multimedia- This is my lone J-School class of the semester, but I'm quite alright with that. Lecture was slightly overwhelming, but I think this class will be more fun than the other J-School classes I've experienced thus far. I'm required to start a new blog for that class (on the topic of multimedia, of course) so check that out to discover more of what I'm learning there.

Intro. to Rural Sociology- Sharon recommended this class, and the professor Mary Grigsby, to me. So far it's been really interesting to me. Sociology is the study of how people interact in societies, and rural sociology is an American version of that. They both deal with how people handle change, especially the Industrial Revolution, and Rural Sociology is a bit more hands on in getting into those communities to study and help. The other day we watched a video about a small town in Iowa. It featured a couple who'd lost their farm in the 80's farm crisis. I admit, I teared up a bit just because I know that could've been any number of people I know back home, could've even been us. I wasn't around, but I know my dad always talks about it as a challenging time for everyone. And then I think, are we headed that way again? Only time will tell, but in the mean time these are the stories I want to tell. Of these family's farms. Of the farms who were able to stay. Of all agriculturalists, because we are all connected.

Poetry- Yes, I'm taking a poetry class. Poetry is one of those modes of communication I wish I was better in, so here I go! The first day of class we had to introduce ourselves and tell who our favorite poet is. The only poet I could really think of that I truly liked (Edgar Allen Poe, Emily Dickinson, those all came to my mind, but they remind me too much of high school...) was Baxter Black. I love his poem "A Vegetarian's Nightmare." So, I got a lot of blank stares, but that's totally ok with me.

Fundamentals of Communication- This is a business communication class, so we're touching on business letter writing, memos, email... And of course how to communicate professionally. A lot of it is stuff you kind of innately pick up on (or google to make sure you use the right format), but it should be a very beneficial class. Now if only the book would come in from the bookstore....

Readings in Sci. & Ag J- We're reading and discussing four books in five weeks. Ok, some of them are partial books but still! My experience so far has been out of my comfort zone, but what's college about? Our professor, Bill, says this class is to "stretch our minds." We started with Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan, but now we've already moved on to Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman by Richard Feynman. We also do several creative writing assignments, which is right up my alley. Like I learned at Ag Media Summit, to be a good writer one must also be a good reader. These are great writers, and I love studying their techniques in writing. In the case of Botany of Desire, I may not always agree on the content but I can't deny Pollan's an excellent writer. He does a great job of pushing his point and persuading his reader to see his side of things. I hope someday I'll be writing books like his, only from a different perspective.

General Honors/Process of Ag Policy- Kathryn highly recommended this class to Breanne and I, so we are in it with a bunch of freshmen. It's amazing how a year really makes a difference! The point of class, which I'm very excited about, is for ag leaders of all different sectors to come into the class and speak. We'll be able to ask questions of them, and then we'll write a paper on the experience. I haven't seen the whole lineup of guest speakers yet, but I heard Duane Dailey will be our first visitor. I have never met him personally, but I have heard a lot about him so I'm excited to hear him speak.

Litton Leadership Scholar Program- I was selected, along with 14 other sophomores, to be a part of the inaugural Litton Leadership class. How exciting! There are five Sci. & Ag J students, which is exciting also. We may be a small program, but we definitely represent! Anyway... I took a look at the syllabus and it looks like a great personal and leadership development program. We even get to go to Chillicothe (my neck of the woods!) to meet the people who made this program possible, the Jerry Litton Family Memorial Foundation.

I think that about wraps it up for now. I've got a long weekend full of homework (mostly reading and writing) to do. I'd better get to it!