Luken Raz, 1

Kate Luken Raz

HONORS 100
24 November 2014
Autumn Quarter Reflection
As I sit here writing my autumn quarter reflection, with Thanksgiving mere days away, I
find it hard to believe that my first quarter at UW is already coming it a close, it still feels it like I
just moved in a few days ago and there is so much for me to learn. Since the beginning of
autumn quarter my expectations for myself have changed as Ive dealt with the pressures of
adjusting to a college schedule and a college workload. Like many others in the Honors Program,
I had a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout high school, it was something I took great pride in and
probably put a little too much emphasis on. In my first days at UW, I promised myself that I
could would maintain a 4.0 in all of my college classes and that if I didnt it clearly meant I
wasnt putting the effort in. Throughout the quarter, as I actually attended classes and got
assignments and tests back I came to the conclusion that that is not a healthy standard to hold
myself to. Rather, I will try to do my best work in all my classes, put a solid amount of time into
them and be satisfied with the grade I receive; though I am still trying to maintain a 3.5 and I will
complete any extra credit opportunities available to me.
Similarly, at the beginning of the quarter, I really wanted to be adventurous and social
whenever I got the chance, especially on the weekends. While I have been social throughout this
quarter and had adventures, such as rolling-blading, glow-in the dark yoga, and going to see UW
improv, I realized sometimes you just have to time to yourself and just read, watch some Netflix
or sleep. My extracurricular goals are somewhat the same, I am still planning on doing study
aboard in Europe during spring quarter sophomore year. I will continue to be involved with UW
Young Democrats, especially the activist side, throughout the rest of the year. For Winter Quarter
I am going to challenge myself to find one arts-themed club to attend regularly and to hit the
IMA at least twice a week, as mental health and physical health go hand in hand.
My first quarter at UW Honors has been a fun and trying time where Ive learning things
about myself and the UW Honors program I never expected too. In high school, I never was a
science person, I took Biology and Chemistry and did okay but I never really enjoyed it. When
I made the decision to take Bio 118 first quarter I was more than a little worried. However, after
a rather rocky first test, I found myself eager to learn and study the new material on the
physiology of the human body. It was partially my enjoyment of this class that persuaded me to
change my intended degree from a B.A. in Psychology to a B.S in Psychology. When I first came
to UW I was concerned with how easy it would be to connect with people and form friendships, I
figured it would be hard due to everybodys diverse backgrounds and interests, and just like high
school I would only form friends with interests similar to mine. However, the time I have spent
in Honors housing this quarter has proved me wrong, everybody is incredible easy to talk to, I
can simply walk into the lounge and have a great conversation with who ever is there. My friends
are studying everything from Design to Computer Science to Economics and through talking to
them it really forces me to challenge my own beliefs and leaves me to have a much more
balanced worldview.
Honors 100 has been an excellent way to learn about different types of Experiential
Learning, from Honors Study Abroad to leadership opportunities through ASUW. I am especially

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interesting in both undergraduate research, since I am heavily considering become a research

psychologist and UW has an excellent research opportunities in the field, and becoming an RA,
since I really enjoy connecting with new people and I am amazing at arts and crafts. During the
next few weeks, I will really take the time to further research these opportunities and see if and
when they are the best for me, especially in regards to becoming an RA since the applications are
due in January.
I have always struggled to set long term goals for myself, what with my often changing
interests and generally indecisiveness, but after some reflection, I feel I can set these goals to
paper. By the end of this year, I hope to find a weekly volunteer opportunity that allows me to
work with children and participate in an Undergraduate research opportunity in the field of
psychology. Lastly, I hope to decide on a minor to go with my Psychology major, whether it be
English, Gender Studies or Drama. By the time I had graduated UW I hope to have studied
abroad at least for one quarter, worked a few internships and have pushed myself to study new
and diverse fields through the Honors Programs.