Diary 1: First Day of University Embracing New Beginnings and Building Connections

On Monday, September 2, 2024, I experienced one of the most memorable moments of my life: my first day as a university student. Since morning, a mixture of nervousness and excitement filled me. I tried to prepare everything as best as I could for my first online class. After ensuring that my laptop was ready, I immediately opened the UNESA SSO and accessed the Zoom link for my first class. As the minutes ticked down to the start of the lecture, I felt a bit tense, but once the class began, everything went smoothly. The lecturer explained the material clearly, and I was able to follow the entire class without any issues. When the session ended, I felt relieved and satisfied that I had successfully passed the first step.

Before getting ready for my second class, which was held offline, I felt hungry and decided to order breakfast through the GoFood app. While waiting for the food to arrive, I didn't waste any time. I jotted down notes from the lecture that had just been delivered in the binder I had prepared. I felt it was important to take notes immediately so that the material would stay fresh in my memory. Additionally, I checked the class group on my phone to see if there were any important updates from my classmates or lecturers that I might have missed. Not long after, my breakfast arrived. I enjoyed it calmly, while mentally preparing myself for the next class, which would be held in person on campus.

After finishing breakfast, I began preparing for my first offline class. I chose my best outfit from the closet, as I wanted to make a good impression on my first day interacting directly with friends and lecturers on campus. I made sure all essential items, like books, stationery, and my student card, were packed in my bag. Once everything was ready, I ordered an online ride and headed to campus. Throughout the journey, I felt increasingly excited, imagining the atmosphere of my first in-person class.

I arrived at the mathematics department building about 30 minutes before the class started, giving me enough time to introduce myself to new friends. We chatted casually in front of the building while waiting for the class to begin. My nervousness gradually faded after talking to them. We discussed the courses we were taking, the lecturers, and life in the student dorms around campus. When it was time for the class to begin, we headed to the classroom together. This introduction gave me a warm impression, as if we had known each other longer than we actually had.

The offline class went smoothly, and afterward, we decided to have lunch together at the campus canteen. On the way to the canteen, our conversations became more relaxed, as we shared our first-day experiences in college and got to know each other better. When we arrived at the canteen, it was bustling with other students, but we managed to find a comfortable spot to sit. After ordering food, we sat down and enjoyed our meal while continuing to talk about campus life, hobbies, and activities we planned to join. That lunch felt particularly enjoyable because I felt I was growing closer to my new friends. After finishing our meal, we said our goodbyes and promised to keep in touch before heading back to our respective dorms.

Back at the dorm, I felt a bit tired but still tried to maintain my routine. I freshened up first to feel more refreshed. Afterward, I decided to relax for a bit in my room, enjoying the calm atmosphere after a day full of activity. However, my break didn’t last too long, as there were still tasks from Uniom 2024 that I needed to complete. Even though my body was starting to feel tired, I pushed myself to finish most of the tasks to avoid piling them up for the next day.

As sleepiness began to take over, I decided to stop working. I tidied up my desk, put everything back in its place, and prepared for bed. With a sense of satisfaction after a day filled with new and memorable experiences, I rested peacefully, ready to face the challenges of the next day.

(By: Aulia Nurul Farikha)