Tests, textbooks and tennis

Classes are underway, the homework is starting to pile up and I’m finding things are now slowly starting to settle down. I’m now exactly two weeks into classes, and there’s still so much which is new to me! First off I think it’s fair to say I have noticed a HECK of a lot of differences between the English and American classroom.

I can’t even remember the last time I had to buy my own textbooks, or even folders for any of my classes in England. Unfortunately here it’s unavoidable- textbooks are essential in pretty much every class, and they are crazy expensive. There are also a ridiculous amount of tests. Although I find the content of the subjects quite a bit easier than in the UK, I have tests in my classes almost weekly here, so I have to always be on top of everything. This also unfortunately means my favourite work technique I like to call ‘last minute end of year cramming’ won’t work here, but maybe that’s a good thing. It’s definitely different from what I’m used to- going from one big test a year at home to tests every week-but I’m enjoying the new challenges it brings. Another big shock: Anyone who knows me knows I’m always a little bit late for everything… At home I could get away with being slightly late to most of my lessons and teachers wouldn’t mind TOO much (I think). But here being on time is being late, so I’ve found myself leaving a whole 10 minutes to classes literally only a two minute walk from my dorm. I imagine it will only be a matter of time before I start sprinting to classes with a minute to go again though…

So that’s tests and textbooks out of the way- now onto tennis! Something I really wanted to do while I was here was get involved in sports- especially tennis. (And ‘field’ hockey as they call it here, but I’ve found every time I mention I play hockey everyone assumes I mean ice hockey, so I’ve given up.) There is only one girls tennis team at Evansville and the squad had already been chosen and practised 3+ hours a day, so there was no way I could join in with them. Then, at an SCF (Student Christian Fellowship) meeting I went to a few days later, I mentioned to one of the girls that I was interested in playing tennis, but had not found anyone to play with. Straight away I was introduced to a bubbly, smiley girl named Alexandra, who was also looking for a tennis partner, and by the end of the evening we were partners!

So far we’ve been able to practise together a few times a week. The weather’s been about 30 C+ (amazing right?! As an English girl I am thoroughly enjoying the weather here) so I’m still adjusting to playing tennis in nearly double the temperature I’m used to!! I also didn’t have a racquet for the first week, so I had to settle with a squash racquet the school gym gave me...it was interesting to say the least. (Well it was either a broken racquet, or a squash racquet, so I had to settle with the latter.) So far we’ve had one match, which we won-woohoo! - and we have a few more throughout the semester.

I’ve also tried to join as many other ‘clubs’ and extra activities as I can as my schedule isn’t quite as full as I would like it to be yet. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve joined SCF which has been a great way to meet more people, and as soon as I finish writing this I’m actually off to St Louis for the weekend with a bunch of them for a weekend of exploring St Louis, serving and fun! (Can you tell I’m already turning into an over enthusiastic American?) I’m also involved with the International club, and the university symphony orchestra where I’m in a section of 8 (yes, 8!) violas. It’s pretty awesome.