BYU: Expectations .v. Reality (11)

When I was on the plane from Dublin making my way across to America I had so many preconceived ideas about BYU. Most of them came from the stereotypes and I guess a lot was out of my own fear. Having been at school for 2.5 months now, I think now is a good time to reflect on the reality of my situation and also set some goals for how I want to complete this semester

Firstly, my expectations:

1. I thought I'd see proposals left right and centre. I mean it's BYU...that's what happens, right?
2. I thought I'd be homesick every minute of every day. I was scared to death leaving, so of course home sickness should follow.
3. I'd have a lot of time to go hiking and seeing all the sites around Provo and the rest of Utah, classes would be fun and I'd easily tackle the American education system. HA!
4. I'd go to sleep every night at 11pm, being such a responsible adult.
5. There'd be parties every night, my roommates and I would go crazy.
6. I thought I'd fit right in.

The reality:

1. Sure some people are married, but actually most of the girls I know get a date every few weeks if they're lucky. We just chill and eat food usually. I'm really good at eating food. Of course I have seen a heard of a few proposals, but the student population makes a joke of the marriage rate at BYU. Not everyone is marriage hungry...just the RMs ;) If you're an RM reading this, I'm kidding, you're wonderful.
2. I usually am too busy to get home sick, but when I do it's very strong but quick. An hour crying usually sets me straight. Jess gets homesick too so we cry together sometimes, but usually we cry at different times so the other just laughs and waits for it to pass. Our American roommates get homesick too...even Meg who is from Salt Lake City an hour away. It's just part of the college experience I guess.
3. I have no free time. Ever. I am ALWAYS studying or at work or at school. Sometimes I'll go to school at 7:30am and only walk back in my door 12 hours later. The days can be long and tiring and stressful. Every now and then I've been blessed to take a trip somewhere: Salt Lake City, Rexburg, St. George, Payson, Orem...it's been really fun. But I always pay dearly the following weeks due to lack of homework done. Also the way tests are done here are so weird. Multiple choice...seriously?! What is with that. I thought it'd be easy at first, but after doing not-so-hot on my first few tests I realised I had to learn a new study technique.
4. I've gone to sleep 3 times before 11pm since being here. Most nights I can get to sleep before 1am but I've seen 3am and 4am a good few times since being here. Most mornings I get up at 6am too...so sleep is precious to me. My poor roommates know that because I give off to them if they're noisy. I'm so awful, cramping their freshman-in-college style, but I can't function without sleep. I still try to be a responsible adult, but sleep just is one thing I can't manage that well yet.
5. There are often parties, but usually they are off campus and none of us have a car so that's a problem, or the other reason we don't go is because when there is a choice between a party and a nap, a nap always wins. For example, on Halloween night there was a huge dance party on centre street. Jessica and I decided walking was too much of an effort, so we got in our beds with food and drinks and watched three episodes of Grey's Anatomy on Netflix. That was epic. I did not regret our decision.
6. I figured Americans are just like the people I've been around my whole life. I mean how different can we be? We look the same, eat similar foods, watch similar shows...but I was wrong. WE ARE DIFFERENT. That's the biggest lesson I've learned so far. Humour is different, the way we react to things is different, our expectations in school are different, the way we talk and compliment each other is different...just so much is different. It's nice and everything but it can get frustrating sometimes. One problem is having to look nice when you ask a question in class, because as soon as the Americans hear your funky accent they snap their necks around so fast I'm surprised it doesn't detach from their bodies. This attention requires you to look good since the entire class will be staring at you. Another problem is communication in work. I'll ask the manager where I can find receipt paper for the till because I just threw the last one in the bin and he will just stare at me like I've addressed him in Chinese. So I'll try again: "Where can I find receipt paper for the REGISTER because I just threw the last one in the TRASH CAN." Seriously. Every. Time.

I do love being here, it's really amazing. I love how a few weeks ago I was lying out in 30'C weather and this week I'm bundled up against the snow. It's meant to get down to -10'C this week. EW! Oh and that's another thing. Every time I say it's 1 degree everyone looks at me weirdly. I still haven't worked out what that is in fahrenheit so for now I'll just look dumb. At least my fabulous Irish roommate understands me. The people here are lovely (generalisation but true) and the professors are awesome. Work load is rough but weekends are blessings.

I plan on trying to get at least 6 hours sleep a night for the rest of the semester. I also want to do my readings a bit better...I'm pretty awful at that. I'll try write more letters home and eat healthier (I'm pretty sure the Freshman 15 isn't out of reach for me; like I said, I'm really good at eating). And I'll also try not offend any more Americans...humour just isn't the same here. Maybe I was just badly influenced by my good friend Jack Morrow. He corrupted me in high school. At least that's what dad said.

I hope everything is going fantastically where you are right now! I love hearing things from back home and I love getting letters...and Galaxy chocolate ;) SOS Jess and I are running low. God Bless!