Petrone's Final Video

NYC Singer

Petrone's Final Assessment

I can remember throughout my senior year, the stress that I felt. The overwhelming fear of “will I get into college?” And, here I am, a freshman at Southern Connecticut State University finishing up my first semester. Entering college, I was of course anxious. I thought would I be able to keep up with the workload, and be able to receive good grades in that respect. I feared would not only transitioning to a new environment, but a completely different state be hard? High school is a completely different from college. In college, you are on your own. You have responsibility unlike ever before. You are suddenly responsible for all your actions, whether it be academically, or personally. Everything is now on you, and up to you. Your grades reflect the amount of effort you put in, and what you’ll get out of the given course. Transitioning from high school to college not only enables one to prioritize and manage their time, but also requires one gain a new set of skills, and know-how. For myself personally, I gained varying college skills. One skill was simply doing the wash. Back at home I would dry, fold, and sometimes iron (if needed) all the clothes but, now I had to learn how to wash them and what to detergent(s) to use! Laundry was certainly not the most important skill I gained though. A vital skill I acquired was learning how to better manage my time in regards to my college work. Based upon my schedule, I could plan when to do what; for example, what time to study, do homework, or do something personal for myself. College also allows one to gain a new set of knowledge in the matter how of one thinks. In high school, teachers would ask you a question, and you’d simply answer back. But, in college, professors challenge you, and your mind. They ask for you to go outside your comfort zone, and think outside the box, a skill that can open your mind to many new ideas, insights, and perspectives.

The transition one experiences from high school into college affects each individual differently. It can change a person. I changed into someone who now is more mature, and organized; One who is able to take both sides of a story, and see both perspectives, analyze them, and formulate my own opinion.  I have changed into someone who use to prefer the simple things in life, to someone who not only prefers them, but values them a lot more. These simple little aspects of life can get lost when one enters into college. But, it is important to never lose sight of what you want for yourself, and who you want to be. I entered college wanting learn more about everything, like my major and my new community here at Southern Connecticut. I wanted to accomplish having a 3.5 or better, and have. I have learned and accomplished my goals. I would advise anyone who is transitioning from high school into college to write down their goals, like I did. Stay true to them, and try to never put them on the back burner. I would advise individuals to not be afraid to be themselves, to not be afraid to put themselves out there, and to always stay true to who they are. It is up to you to bring the success you do so seek.

2 Petrone Posts in 1

"Be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them."

     As my first semester of college wraps up, I am extremely proud of myself. I can't help but feel like I worked to my full potential. My goal was to maintain a 3.5 or better, and I have. I have all A's in my classes, and one B. And, that's with counting in that I took a full schedule with the maximum amount of credits allowed. I wanted to not only make myself proud, but as well as my family, and I believe I have. I've been able to achieve what I set out to achieve for myself back from day 1. I feel as if I haven't let myself down at all. I've made friends with a variety of different people, and have truly put myself out there. I've learned much about time management, and know that I have used my time sufficiently and successfully. The only weakness I think I've faced was not sticking up for myself in particular situations. However, with each experience that I have encounter this semester, I've learned and have grown from. I've said it once, and I'll say it again. College is a growing experience, and I believe I've grown a great amount. My family has even told me that they see a huge difference in who I am. They say though I'm still the same person, something's different about me; a positive difference. I think they are just seeing a new more mature   me. I could not be more proud of myself. I'm so happy that I am doing so well in all my classes, and I've proven to myself that though I've taken on a full, heavy load, that I am able to endure and come out prevailing, and accomplishing all that it is I want. I can only hope, and believe in myself, that my next semester, and years to come in college will be just as successful and great as my first one has been.

Next semester: personally, socially, and academically. For next semester, I want academically achieve what I have much like this semester. I still want to maintain a GPA of 3.5 of better (this could also be related personally, too, as one of my goals.) I want to also academically be able to make myself and family proud of my grades. I personally want to maintain the happiness I so do have right now. I have never been more happy in my life. Every person in my life that I hold close to me have been so wonderful and supportive this semester, and I would like to have that same factor for next semester, and semesters to come. I also personally want to make sure I do not gain freshmen 15. Silly, I know, but I am so terrified of gaining the dreaded 15. I've actually lost weight as I've been here. I'm at my thinnest! My family jokes with me and says I'm the only in the family that went away to college, and came back thinner. I responded with a "try eating at Conn Hall." Enough said! Socially for next semester, I want to meet more people. I know that people come in and out of our lives for a reason, and I know there are still many, many more people I am to meet my freshmen year. I socially want to be involved in some sort of music ensemble. Even though I have to for my major, I want to regardless. I miss being able to sing in a choir, and would love to be able to join in on one of the university choirs. I miss performing, too. So I would love to be able to be in an ensemble again. I know that will be another thing to add to my already full schedule, and work load, but I know I'll be able to do it, much because I know how to manage my time. I believe I can personally, socially, and academically achieve all I want for next semester if I keep managing my time successfully as I am now. I can't believe I am finishing my first semester already! Time has flown by!

Lurning Groops

         For my inq, I was placed into learning groups, along with the rest of my class. I like everyone in my class, so I really didn't mind being assigned into groups with selected few. The first group I was put in I had really enjoyed, except for one huge detail; they were all commuter students. Because of this, it was very hard to meet up with each other. Also, our schedules differed greatly from one another, too. I eventually got to work with another group who all lived on campus, and actually lived in my dorm! Working them was great. Anytime one of us needed help with something, we all just had to take a quick down the hall or staircase. It was extremely convenient to be able to go to your group and ask their opinions or help with something. When I did my midterm project, I got show my learning group first and get their feedback first. This allowed for me to be able to get their view on my work and enabled me to see if I needed to edit anything. Sometimes having another set of eyes look at your own work allows for one to discover new things about their piece. Maybe a grammatical error, or a new insight. I had this happen with a post I wrote about love for my boyfriend. Unknowingly I wrote a lot of it from a musician's perspective. I didn't mean to, but being a musician, it came like second nature unbeknownst to me. I'll miss having that luxury of having a learning group to view my work first, but because we all lived in the same hall, maybe I'll be able to still go to them to get their feedback first, and get a fresh set of eyes.

Petrone: Past Present & Future

"I Know Where I've Been, And I Know Where I Want To Go"

What do you want ideally for yourself after college? Money, a job, your own place? Of course, everyone wants these things. I mean, when you're young, everyone wants to be rich, but ideally after college these are the real, true things that you desire. And, though I do want these things, they are not what I ideally want. So what do I want? I want the simple things; the things I know I can truly have, is what I want.  I want happiness among myself, family, and friends. I want the people that I hold close to me to be healthy, and safe. And, I still want to be surrounded by the people who I love, and that love me in return; my family, friends, and boyfriend. These are the people that I know will help my on my journey through college, and life. I never want to be without them, but I know that no matter where I go, and arrive at in life, I will carry their hearts. I carry their hearts in mine, and anywhere I go, they will go. This will bring me life's successes. It's knowing where I've been, and knowing where I want to go. Let the past be a reminder of what once was, the present be able to show you what is, and the future guide you to what will be. This is what I ideally want for myself after college. All the money, and sucesss in the world will never be able to buy or compare to the people that I have in my life, and in my heart. They are my past, present, and future.

Petrone Full!

"Life is uncertain.  Eat dessert first".  

-Ernestine Ulmer

So here I sit on a Saturday night, just got back from my boyfriends' house, and I am full to the brim. I don't think I have consumed this much food in months. Since I've gotten to school, my eating habits have changed drastically; I have become much more aware of what I put in my mouth (in fear of gaining freshmen 15) and have found that I eat a lot less. I believe this in turn has made me become fuller faster, and thus has led me to overstuffed. I feel like since Thanksgiving, I have just been nonstop eating...eating turkey and stuffing and Thanksgiving leftovers, along with goodbye dinners, and homemade breakfasts. How I'm going to miss all this food...but I know I will most definitely miss dessert. God how I love sweets! I adore pie and italian cookies fresh from the bakery, coupled with a nice cup of hot brewed coffee. Life doesn't get much better than that. I think that Thanksgiving and Christmas always produce the best desserts. Pies beyond pies beyond pies during Thanksgiving and thousands of cookies in every shape taste way and form during Christmas. I'm maxed-out on dessert. And, as if those aren't enough, my boyfriend and I thought it'd be a wonderful idea to get Coldstone ice cream, too, in between all these sweets. Most kids will arrive back at school with leftovers that are of the likes of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and what have you, but no me. Me, I'll be arriving back at school with dessert! I'll be having pies and cookies while the others munch on tryptophan. Even though I now eat a lot less than what  I once did prior to coming to school, I know that I'll have my desserts last me, because I'm not plowing it all into my mouth at once. I can't wait to come back home and have Christmas sweets, but for now my pies will do...."Let them eat cake!"

Petrone's Project part. duce

My Project Thus Far

This is only a rough draft, and I realize I have much, much more I still have to do. I am currently in the process of trying to get interviews with my music professors. I am also still working on recording, because my voice is not up to my own standards right now. I have the outline of my project all written and planned out, I mainly just need to assemble it all together. Leave comments of any ideas or thoughts. Thank you! Have a wonderful break!