Freshman College Life

Frankie & me at Camp Abilities CT 2012

If you have been following my blog for awhile now you know that in the fall I invite one of my new college students to write about their experiences. Fortunate for me, I am still in touch with all my students as they go off to college life. In November, I run a college day at a college campus and we work on the high school to college life transition. I'll have tips for that in November!  This year I am happy to have my super fave student, Frankie Ann, write for me. Not only has she been my one of my super favorites, she is talented and off to pursue her big dreams in musical theater. She was also my CIT Supervisor at Camp Abilities CT 2012 this year. Whenever I see her, I just smile! I am super proud of her and just love her to pieces!! I had so much fun going through my pictures of programs with Frankie Ann. I couldn't just pick one! 

She was my race partner at the New England Warrior Dash

My favorite mud picture :)

And lastly, a picture of us from when we saw "Wicked" up close in the
 2nd row at The Bushnell

Hey all! :) My name is Frankie Ann and I am in the middle of my second week of classes at Western Connecticut State University. I am a freshman musical theatre major and couldn't be happier with how my classes have been going for these first two weeks! 

I'm not going to lie, I was extremely nervous to go onto college. I have gone to small catholic schools for all of my previous years of school, where everyone knew me and was familiar with my vision impairment. I was nervous for having to go up to my professors and explain to them personally what my disability is and what accommodations I need. But things could not have gone smoother. Majority of my classes are theatre related (Private Voice, Dance, Acting, Piano, etc.) But I am also taking general education classes such as Economics and Sociology which are going to have a lot more to them. I was afraid that my professors would not be willing to work with me and make the accommodations necessary for me to succeed in their class. But I was dead wrong.

I walked into my first piano class, nervous as I could be because I had never attempted piano before and wasn't sure how it would work for me because I already know that I cannot read notes on sheet music. But I am so lucky to have such an incredible professor who already had the syllabus in large print for me and who helped me to learn the basics of piano in just two classes despite my vision impairment. He told met what he would do anything I need in order to succeed in the class.

As a musical theatre major, I had to audition for the three fall shows. As a freshman, it is not common for you to get cast in any show and if you are its usually the Fall Cabaret and not one of the main stage shows. However, I was so thrilled to get a callback for lead roles in both the straight play, Major Barbara, and the musical Into the Woods. I couldn't have been more excited! I found out yesterday that I got cast in the play as an ensemble member and understudy for one of the leads!!! What was even more shocking was that I got cast over several upperclassmen who were not cast in any show.

To sum it all up- college is everything I thought it would be and more! I am learning so much about what I love most and having the time of my life! :)