First Year Experience

I participated in the "First Year Experience" my first year at South Piedmont Community College (SPCC). First-year Experience (FYE) provided an orientation of SPCC, an overall tour of the campus and information on the Program of studies. My first day of classes, I took the time to learn my way around the campus. I found the library, academic advising, Academic support center and the cafeteria. As the year went on, I was no longer needed help finding a classroom, SPCC became a place of comfort. It helped to be in the FYE program.

 

I was in a cohort of classes, meaning I was in all the same classes with the same people. I completed CIS 110, ENG 111, COM 231, ACA 122, and POL 120 with the same group of my student peers. Being in this cohort was helpful in making me feel comfortable during my first year at SPCC. I was able to have consistent assignments with the students in my classes which led to forming study groups. As a class, we helped build each other up. 

 

I was unable to participate in the social activities through FYE due to being a full-time student and part-time worker. However, I made close friends through FYE and we made an effort to hang out with each other outside of school walls. Whether it was doing schoolwork or getting lunch, we found a way to enjoy each other's company. FYE helped me understand that college is not only about grades and assignments but, about building good relationships with others. 

 

 

Volunteer Work

Throughout my SPCC experience, I participated in volunteer work. I wanted to get some experience in working with special needs children before attending Appalachian State University in Fall of 2017. At Double R Stables, I was an assistant for a young autistic girl participating in therapeutic riding lessons. I walked alongside her to make sure she would not slide out of the saddle while a riding instructor led the horse around the arena. When I first started working with this young girl she was nonverbal. It was difficult sometimes because if she was not having a good day, it was hard to know exactly what she wanted. As the year progressed, this young girl began to repeat words and then began to speak voluntarily. It was amazing watching her grow through the couple of summers I worked with her. 

 

I volunteered at Mephibosheth Farms Angelic Riders as an assistance with special needs as well. There was a riding lesson every half hour. I was responsible for grooming and saddling up the horses before each riding lesson. Once the horses were ready, I would help the children onto the horses and lead them around premises of the farm. We would begin walking around barrels and weave in and around them. Then, we would take the children into the arena and over top of the trot poles on the ground. Lastly, the children would be taken on a trail ride through the acreage of the farm.

 

I volunteered here for a few weekends during winter break to get more experience with special needs children. If it wasn't due to how much I have been working, I would continue to volunteer at this riding center. It was very rewarding to be able to interact with these children and get to know them on a personal level.