moreau integration 2


New Experiences Encountered at College

Within this semester I have indeed encountered more challenges and successes than I

ever thought I would in college. In high school, I was used to breezing through my academics

without much getting in my way; however, here at Notre Dame, I have been faced with

academic rigor that I never have had before. I also have been challenged to become a more

outgoing individual and meet new people. Additionally, I have faced many struggles regarding

my physical and mental health through this transition into college life. As I navigate through

these challenges, it is also important to highlight the successes that have stemmed from them.

For example, I have been able to be a part of groups that give me a greater sense of community

and be involved in opportunities that I never thought I would have the chance to be a part of.

One of the major challenges that I have faced at college thus far is the fact that I need to

learn how to balance my school life and personal life. I have always been the kind of person that

is driven for perfectionism. This mindset has indeed helped me to accomplish many things in my

life but it also can hinder me too because I do not let myself relax or do anything less than

“perfect” (which is oftentimes unattainable). I have had to tell myself that I do not need to do

every single thing perfectly and instead, trying my best is all I can do. This new mindset I am

trying to live by is illustrated in Julia Hogan’s words, “Look at all of the options out there and pick

the ones that you feel called to” ("Why Letting Go of Expectations is a Freeing Habit” by Julia

Hogan - Moreau FYE Week Nine). This quote also pertains to the fact that I have had to limit

myself to the amount of student groups I choose to belong in. In high school, I felt I needed to

be in every possible group and hold a leadership role in everything I was a part of. In reality, this

just wore me down and made student groups not as enjoyable as they could have been.

Coming to college has been a challenge in the fact that I needed to choose only a couple of

groups that I was really and be an active member in those versus trying to do every group

offered. Being involved in a limited number of groups/activities on campus has helped to allow

myself adequate time for homework and enough sleep.

https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/health-and-wellness/letting-go-of-expectations/?utm_source=fall_2021&utm_medium=class&utm_id=moreau


In addition to the challenges that I face when it comes to academics and extracurriculars

in my life at college, I have also encountered struggles with issues regarding my physical and

mental health. I face the struggle of my eating disorder daily and the thoughts regarding how

much I should eat or exercise each day. Although I have a treatment team here on campus, it

definitely has not been as easy as I thought it would be transitioning to college. I feel that my

mind is “split” into 2 parts-- the logical side and the irrational side. The logical side of my mind

knows that I need to eat an appropriate amount of food in order to fulfill my body’s needs and I

should not exercise too much. However, the irrational side of my mind constantly tells me to eat

less and exercise more. This raging battle in my mind is similar to the quote, “School leaders are

placed squarely in the middle, trying to respond to the demands of both groups and looking for

support from their boards and other stakeholders” ("Should Catholic Schools Teach Critical

Race Theory?" by Christopher J. Devron - Moreau FYE Week 10). Although this quote refers to

the struggle that school leaders face regarding racism, I think that this quote can parallel my

mind and thoughts in the fact that I am torn between two mindsets because of my eating

disorder “telling” me what it thinks I should do instead of what is actually logical to do.

Although I have encountered struggles throughout this semester while transitioning to

college, I have also encountered successes as well. I have had the opportunity to meet new

people from across the country and world, and I would have never experienced this if I had not

come to Notre Dame. Coming to Notre Dame has taught me more about the importance of

developing connections and relationships with my peers. Before college, I only talked to the

same tight group of friends and never was forced to broaden my horizons when it came to

interacting with other people outside of those I was familiar with already. Notre Dame has

helped me to become more comfortable talking to new people and has helped me become more

confident in doing so. I have begun to learn the importance of putting myself out there in order

to create new relationships and friendships. I feel that I am less nervous to try new things

because I know everyone else is probably also trying it for the first time. For example, I decided

https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2021/06/03/critical-race-theory-catholic-high-schools-black-lives-matter-240792
https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2021/06/03/critical-race-theory-catholic-high-schools-black-lives-matter-240792


to be a part of a student group called Transpose Dance Collective. This group is for people who

enjoy dancing and want to be in a dance recital. I have never danced in my life and have always

been interested so I decided to try the club. Although I was super nervous to join, looking back I

am proud of myself for trying something new because I found a new hobby that I enjoy and I

was able to meet new friends I would not have otherwise met. I think that by putting myself into

a vulnerable position also can help others do so too. I think that I can lead by example by doing

this. This concept closely aligns with the fact that, “The authority to lead toward community can

emerge from anyone in an organization” (“Thirteen Ways of Looking at Community” by Parker J.

Palmer - Moreau FYE Week Eleven). I am able to be a leader simply by leading by example and

trying new activities despite the fact that I may be nervous or embarrassed to do so. This can

help encourage others to do so too since they see I am.

I will continue to focus on the positives and successes that I encounter at college as well

as learn from the challenges that I face. I think that my first semester at Notre Dame has

definitely taught me how to better persevere through difficult times, and it has also shown the

great rewards that can arise from these experiences I have encountered.

http://couragerenewal.org/parker/writings/13-ways-of-looking-at-community/