My preconceived notion about UNIV 101 coming into the semester was that it was basically what the tittle states, university 101. I thought this class was going to teach me all the things I needed to know coming into college for the first time. I figured it would teach me how to manage time, things to do on campus, how to study or classes I should take and the like. However, UNIV 101 was that and much more. In this class, we talked about social justice issues, reflections, how to be involved with our community, and we discussed important topics that united the whole class together. It really talked about how people being different in so many ways, are also similar. It was an atmosphere, which abled us to talk about everything and anything. The biggest thing I took out of this class was that through the reflections, I learned a lot about myself and realized so many things. Even after we discussed topics in class, I continued thinking about them in my head and with my friends. I liked how we were able to talk about intriguing and difficult topics. Also, I learned that it is so very important that we have experiences because so often we jump to judgments and make conclusions. We, only through exposure to our surroundings and having our own experiences, are we able to have our own opinions. Since I have started my freshman year at Loyola University Chicago, I am more open to new experiences. I am more willing to go out to different places, even if it is by myself. Also, I think I’ve been able to form my own opinions and share them with others, something I was hesitant to do before. This also include my parents, before I used to agree with them when I internally disagreed. Now I am to voice my opinion and speak what I truly think. I’ve also become more open-minded. Before I attended, even when I was filling out my applications, Loyola was just a school on a list. After being here for almost a semester, I’ve learned that this is a school which helps you grow as a person, with education, it also provides experiences. Attending Loyola for me has now become a chance to discover myself and help others. I want to create change and have an impact on other people’s lives. In concerns to my views on society, I have become the person that looks at different perspectives and understands them. I think my views have changed because this university has taught me so many different things, including helping students understand the things that go on in our community, state, country, and world. Classes here take time out of the syllabus, to talk about the things students want to talk about. In my Social Work class, we took a whole class period to talk about the elections, our thoughts, and emotions. Even in the times, when there is disagreement, all my classes are able to harbor everyone. My views have changed because I am surrounded my so many different people who are motivated and different than me.