Reflection on Academics
This semester here has been full of new experiences, challenges, and rewards. When I arrived, I didn’t expect there to be so many new things to learn and adapt to. The education system here is quite different from what I was used to, and I really like it.
In my first semester, I took four subjects: Math, Physics, Computer Science, and Data Science. Each course had a common structure, divided into lectures, tutorials, and laboratories. Lectures are large, with all the students attending, but the great thing is there’s no attendance requirement, and they are recorded. This means I can watch them later and save time if needed. Tutorials are smaller, with around 20 students, where we work on problems with a tutor. Attendance is required, but it’s flexible—you only need to attend about eight weeks out of the semester. Laboratories are well-organized, with tools and tutors ensuring a good student-to-tutor ratio, which I really appreciated.
One of the highlights of my academic experience has been meeting new people. I’ve made many “hi and bye” friends in my classes, and it’s always interesting to interact with students from different backgrounds. The system here makes learning more interactive and practical, which is something I think could be beneficial if implemented in Uzbekistan.
While I enjoyed the classes and the way they are structured, I found the assignments particularly challenging. The concepts themselves weren’t too difficult to understand, but the assignments were tough and time-consuming. They often took at least a week to complete, even though they were only worth a small percentage of the final grade. That was frustrating at times.
Another aspect I found challenging was the grading system. A large portion—60%—of the final grade comes from the final exam. I’m not a fan of this because it puts a lot of pressure on one test. I haven’t received my final results yet, but I’m curious to see how I did.
I’ve developed new habits that I’m proud of. I now spend a lot of time studying in the library, something I didn’t do before coming here. This change has helped me stay focused and manage my workload better.
Overall, my first semester has been a mix of learning, adapting, and growing. University life is completely different from high school, and while it’s not always easy, it’s been a rewarding experience.
@BunyodsLens
