Beloit College, another small liberal-arts college somewhere in the U.S., released its annual 'Mindset' of the incoming freshmen class today. With all the changes happening around campus, I got to thinking as an old alumna, what is the mindset of Hillsdale's incoming freshman class?
Here goes:
1. The kitchen in Olds has never been a disgusting cesspit.
2. They've never stormed the field when Hillsdale beat GVSU.
3. Hillsdale's sport's complex has always looked like a DI campus's gym.
4. Tons of people have to take the remedial math class.
5. They will never sing drinking songs at the Donnybrook.
6. Complaining about Saga will never be something they bond over.
7. Security has always been run by someone with the last name "Whorley."
8. They'll never understand the phrase 'Weedfeldt.'
9. The downstairs of Broad Street has always been a super cool place for upperclassmen to hang out.
10. The Honors Program could never be run without Dr. Gamble.
11. Neidfeldt has always been a men's dorm.
12. The website has always had pictures of current students on it.
13. Simpson has always been the nicest male dorm.
14. There's always been Mediterranean food at that one gas station.
15. DTD is just another old house on Greek Row that's been there forever.
16. The Old Student Union has always been nice enough that it's not just populated by smokers.
17. The Kirby Center has always existed.
18."Health and Wellness" has always been a required class.
19. They didn't live through the 'Icepocalypse' of 2010... so they will never have a snow day.
20. Honors Students have always had to give defenses.
21. They'll never hear the term 'weighing in' for the tug-of-war during the sororities's Greek Week.
22. They have no idea who Dr. Reist is.
23. The Hillsdale 'Forum' has always been competing with the 'Collegian.'
24. There has always been a women's tennis team.
25. Dr. Arnn has always been and will always be the President of Hillsdale College.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
10 Types of People I Hate on the Subway
So I'm a location romantic. When I found out I was moving to New York, I knew I had to live in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn of my parent's day was crime-infested and sketchy. Now, however, it's been gentrified and is full of beards, organic coffee shops, and Whole Foods. Plus, I had a slight obsession with 'Girls' and the book 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' and I reassured myself that the borough would be exactly like I expected.
For the most part, Brooklyn is every bit as delightful as I imagined. I am so predictable and I feel like it's no longer cool to like Brooklyn. But here I am - obsessed with the outer borough.
But no one tells you that when you move to Brooklyn, the commute to midtown Manhattan IS ABSOLUTE HELL. Brooklyn is the largest borough of New York, housing 2.6 million people - and all of them commute at the same hours that I do.
So after six weeks of this 40 minute commute from hell, I have determined the worst types of people on the subway.
1. Tourists
I've been a tourist on many subway lines and I'm sure I've bugged the crap out of natives. But really. Subway surfing is not a thing. Don't run around in the train. Figure out what stop you are getting off at so you don't need to yell across the train at the rest of your party. And finally, please - your matching neon shirts are so 1994.
2. Asian Tourists
Everything from #1, but add a different language, no body awareness, and a lot more yelling.
3. People Who Put Their Shopping Bag on the Seat Next to Them
Whenever I see this, I fantasize about just pushing their bag off the seat. Just to see their reaction. Muahahha But really? Come on! There are 800 people crammed in here and everyone wants a seat. Your Gap dress will be fine if it sits on your lap.
4. Crying Babies
I love babies. Like loooooveeee babies. But at 8:30 am as the train makes its way over the Manhattan bridge, the last thing I want to do is hear your baby scream. Seriously people: take a cab or stick in a pacifier.
5. People Who Shove You to Get a Better Spot
When you live in New York, you adopt this weird habit. When someone shoves you, it's tantamount to killing your first child. Last summer, I went home to California for two weeks after spending 3 months in the city. A woman bumped me in the grocery store and I shot her my typical, "I want you dead" look that I had picked up in New York. When I realized that this rude behavior had become regular to me, I was horrified.
But it's part of living in the city. On the subway, however, there really is a finite amount of space that people can cram in to. Shoving is not going to help. Generally, I shove right back. I'm sure I am going to get shanked at some point, but it would be totally worth it to show someone who's boss.
6. Extremely Large Men
When everyone crams it, it pays to be 5'5''. I really feel sorry for 7'10'' 500000lb man who try to find space in the train. Sorry man - life on the subway is never going to be easy for you.
7. Anyone Who Plays an Instrument or Dances
In my Hillsdale Econ class we would have called this the benefit of a captive audience. On the B train on my way home from work, I call this annoying as hell. The last thing I want after 9 hours of work is to hear bongo drums and someone yelling at me to pay them for something I didn't want to see in the first place.
8. People with Beats Headphones
On the way to work, I read. It's a 40 minute trip most days, so I've gotten a fair amount of reading done. Sometimes, however, some idiot decides to blast offensive music in their Beats headphones and I go ballistic. Okay, this one really makes me sound like an old person, but I don't care.
9. Large Groups of Youths from Long Island
Look, when I was your age (picture me shaking a finger at some teenagers) going in to New York City would have been the coolest thing ever. But really - have some dignity. I don't want to hear about your crush or drama from the entire other side of the train. And if you don't sit right next to each other, you will survive.
10. People Who Wear Surgical Masks
I recently told my boyfriend that if Ebola breaks out in the city, he is obligated to come get me immediately. So I feel both annoyed and freaked out when I see these people. But they are overreacting. Right...?
For the most part, Brooklyn is every bit as delightful as I imagined. I am so predictable and I feel like it's no longer cool to like Brooklyn. But here I am - obsessed with the outer borough.
But no one tells you that when you move to Brooklyn, the commute to midtown Manhattan IS ABSOLUTE HELL. Brooklyn is the largest borough of New York, housing 2.6 million people - and all of them commute at the same hours that I do.
So after six weeks of this 40 minute commute from hell, I have determined the worst types of people on the subway.
1. Tourists
I've been a tourist on many subway lines and I'm sure I've bugged the crap out of natives. But really. Subway surfing is not a thing. Don't run around in the train. Figure out what stop you are getting off at so you don't need to yell across the train at the rest of your party. And finally, please - your matching neon shirts are so 1994.
2. Asian Tourists
Everything from #1, but add a different language, no body awareness, and a lot more yelling.
3. People Who Put Their Shopping Bag on the Seat Next to Them
Whenever I see this, I fantasize about just pushing their bag off the seat. Just to see their reaction. Muahahha But really? Come on! There are 800 people crammed in here and everyone wants a seat. Your Gap dress will be fine if it sits on your lap.
4. Crying Babies
I love babies. Like loooooveeee babies. But at 8:30 am as the train makes its way over the Manhattan bridge, the last thing I want to do is hear your baby scream. Seriously people: take a cab or stick in a pacifier.
5. People Who Shove You to Get a Better Spot
When you live in New York, you adopt this weird habit. When someone shoves you, it's tantamount to killing your first child. Last summer, I went home to California for two weeks after spending 3 months in the city. A woman bumped me in the grocery store and I shot her my typical, "I want you dead" look that I had picked up in New York. When I realized that this rude behavior had become regular to me, I was horrified.
But it's part of living in the city. On the subway, however, there really is a finite amount of space that people can cram in to. Shoving is not going to help. Generally, I shove right back. I'm sure I am going to get shanked at some point, but it would be totally worth it to show someone who's boss.
6. Extremely Large Men
When everyone crams it, it pays to be 5'5''. I really feel sorry for 7'10'' 500000lb man who try to find space in the train. Sorry man - life on the subway is never going to be easy for you.
7. Anyone Who Plays an Instrument or Dances
In my Hillsdale Econ class we would have called this the benefit of a captive audience. On the B train on my way home from work, I call this annoying as hell. The last thing I want after 9 hours of work is to hear bongo drums and someone yelling at me to pay them for something I didn't want to see in the first place.
8. People with Beats Headphones
On the way to work, I read. It's a 40 minute trip most days, so I've gotten a fair amount of reading done. Sometimes, however, some idiot decides to blast offensive music in their Beats headphones and I go ballistic. Okay, this one really makes me sound like an old person, but I don't care.
9. Large Groups of Youths from Long Island
Look, when I was your age (picture me shaking a finger at some teenagers) going in to New York City would have been the coolest thing ever. But really - have some dignity. I don't want to hear about your crush or drama from the entire other side of the train. And if you don't sit right next to each other, you will survive.
10. People Who Wear Surgical Masks
I recently told my boyfriend that if Ebola breaks out in the city, he is obligated to come get me immediately. So I feel both annoyed and freaked out when I see these people. But they are overreacting. Right...?
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
My Cat is Going to Kill Me
I thought that having a cat would make everything right in the world. I enjoy meowing at my friends and looking at cat videos for hours online. My having a cat just made sense.
So when my boyfriend got me a cat for my graduation present, my happiness was overwhelming. The Humane Society Website even put my picture on their Facebook page because I looked so excited.
Even here you can see the evil in my cat, Wendy. It wasn't obvious at first. I was fooled by her purring, snuggling, and overall cuteness. She weighed less than a pound! It was sort of ridiculous for me to be afraid of her. But a demon lurked inside of her... waiting for me to be alone to enact her evil plot.
Wendy is no longer a small bundle of joy. When I get home from work, I creep into my apartment, desperately hoping that I can avoid her sneak attack. Nine times out of ten, she gets me. Whether its gnawing on my leg or knocking my drink off the table, her intelligence and evilness shocks me daily.
Wendy finds the best moment to attack me, when I am blissfully asleep. She puts her paw on my face and then purrs, waking me up, and fooling me once again. I always assume that she wants to snuggle. I am deceived by her cuteness! But no, Wendy starts by being sweet, but quickly shows her true colors. Between biting my face and chewing my face, all hope of falling back asleep is over. I shuffle out of bed and am forced to start my day at 5:00 am.
All this to say, I have clearly crossed some threshold into crazy cat lady territory, as my biggest fear in New York City is being killed by a small cat.
So when my boyfriend got me a cat for my graduation present, my happiness was overwhelming. The Humane Society Website even put my picture on their Facebook page because I looked so excited.
Even here you can see the evil in my cat, Wendy. It wasn't obvious at first. I was fooled by her purring, snuggling, and overall cuteness. She weighed less than a pound! It was sort of ridiculous for me to be afraid of her. But a demon lurked inside of her... waiting for me to be alone to enact her evil plot.
Wendy is no longer a small bundle of joy. When I get home from work, I creep into my apartment, desperately hoping that I can avoid her sneak attack. Nine times out of ten, she gets me. Whether its gnawing on my leg or knocking my drink off the table, her intelligence and evilness shocks me daily.
Wendy finds the best moment to attack me, when I am blissfully asleep. She puts her paw on my face and then purrs, waking me up, and fooling me once again. I always assume that she wants to snuggle. I am deceived by her cuteness! But no, Wendy starts by being sweet, but quickly shows her true colors. Between biting my face and chewing my face, all hope of falling back asleep is over. I shuffle out of bed and am forced to start my day at 5:00 am.
All this to say, I have clearly crossed some threshold into crazy cat lady territory, as my biggest fear in New York City is being killed by a small cat.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Goodbye Hillsdale, Hello New York City! (a cliche I know - get over it)
So yeah, I tried to write a sentimental post to launch my self back into the blogosphere, but failed epicly. I remembered weepy isn't my style. I miss Hillsdale and all, but I'm not sad that I'm gone. As the saying goes, "No more tests, no more books, no more fundi's dirty looks."
New York City, as a 22-year-old ingenue, is fantastic. But in the three weeks I've been here, I've learned a ton. So, for all you recent grads to relate to or you undergrads to aspire to, here are 10 things about the real world that no one tells you.
1. Everyone thinks that a college grad has the maturity of an 8 year old.
My mom told me "you're now a little fish in a big pond." I didn't know she meant a little baby fish. When you are around people who have been out of college for what seems like 100 years, talking about professors and papers makes you sounds like a child.
2. Being poor is super fun.
I know you're thinking that you can't believe I would say something like this... but I've found it to be totally true. There's something satisfying about living on $12 a day.
3. Hell is cooler than an apartment without air conditioning.
This may not apply to you if you live somewhere without humidity. In New York and DC on the other hand, the summers are brutal. Right now I have 5 fans in my room and the window open at all time. Without them, I would be burned alive.
4. Cooking after a day of work is the literal worst.
No one wants to come home after spending 10 hours in an office to a hot apartment and cook some fancy meal. I never thought I was Martha Stewart, but thank God for Trader Joe's prepared meals.
5. In the end, you will not regret acquiring every piece of clothing and technology that you could, while your parents were still paying.
Enough said.
6. Pretending that you are a liberal at bars will make you a lot more friends than saying you campaigned for the Tea Party.
People in the real world think that being eco-friendly is way cooler than being free market-friendly.
7. Speaking of bars - do not get drunk unless you 100% remember how to get home.
Speaking from experience... some people in my neighborhood probably think that I belong under the bridge with the crazies after I stumbled home and walked up to quite a few apartment that weren't mine.
8. You actually have to go to bed and wake up early.
I know - this point is super icky. In college, you can stay up all night, go to a one-hour class at 10 am, and then go nap. Not so in the real world. I go to bed at 10:00 pm and then wake up at 6 am like an old person. Last night, I feel asleep with a book in my hands. What have I become?!
9. Craigslist roommates can either be amazing or super sketch.
My current roommate who I found on Craigslist ROCKS. But I had to kiss quite a few frogs to get there. I also had to avoid all the scams. Note: If an ad says they have gone to Alaska or the Philippines and can't show you the amazing apartment they are advertising, run far, far away.
10. Use all those fancy gizmos to stay close to your college friends.
Facebook, G chat, Skype, and Facetime are your keys to not losing your best friends. God knows you will not have the money or vacation time to go visit them, so technology is your only option.
New York City, as a 22-year-old ingenue, is fantastic. But in the three weeks I've been here, I've learned a ton. So, for all you recent grads to relate to or you undergrads to aspire to, here are 10 things about the real world that no one tells you.
1. Everyone thinks that a college grad has the maturity of an 8 year old.
My mom told me "you're now a little fish in a big pond." I didn't know she meant a little baby fish. When you are around people who have been out of college for what seems like 100 years, talking about professors and papers makes you sounds like a child.
2. Being poor is super fun.
I know you're thinking that you can't believe I would say something like this... but I've found it to be totally true. There's something satisfying about living on $12 a day.
3. Hell is cooler than an apartment without air conditioning.
This may not apply to you if you live somewhere without humidity. In New York and DC on the other hand, the summers are brutal. Right now I have 5 fans in my room and the window open at all time. Without them, I would be burned alive.
4. Cooking after a day of work is the literal worst.
No one wants to come home after spending 10 hours in an office to a hot apartment and cook some fancy meal. I never thought I was Martha Stewart, but thank God for Trader Joe's prepared meals.
5. In the end, you will not regret acquiring every piece of clothing and technology that you could, while your parents were still paying.
Enough said.
6. Pretending that you are a liberal at bars will make you a lot more friends than saying you campaigned for the Tea Party.
People in the real world think that being eco-friendly is way cooler than being free market-friendly.
Speaking from experience... some people in my neighborhood probably think that I belong under the bridge with the crazies after I stumbled home and walked up to quite a few apartment that weren't mine.
8. You actually have to go to bed and wake up early.
I know - this point is super icky. In college, you can stay up all night, go to a one-hour class at 10 am, and then go nap. Not so in the real world. I go to bed at 10:00 pm and then wake up at 6 am like an old person. Last night, I feel asleep with a book in my hands. What have I become?!
9. Craigslist roommates can either be amazing or super sketch.
My current roommate who I found on Craigslist ROCKS. But I had to kiss quite a few frogs to get there. I also had to avoid all the scams. Note: If an ad says they have gone to Alaska or the Philippines and can't show you the amazing apartment they are advertising, run far, far away.
10. Use all those fancy gizmos to stay close to your college friends.
Facebook, G chat, Skype, and Facetime are your keys to not losing your best friends. God knows you will not have the money or vacation time to go visit them, so technology is your only option.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Skills I learned from Hillsdale that I won't need after Graduation
As my graduation quickly approaches, I have been evaluating what I will need to take with me upon Graduation. Hillsdale has formed me into the person that I am and I know that many lessons that I have learned here will follow me throughout my life. Other skills, however, will become obsolete in May. Here is my list:
1. Finding a reliable source protein in Saga
My freshman year, I realized that because of Saga I had basically become a vegetarian. Now as a wise senior, I have learned the game. You have to hunt for protein. Finding some sort of meat, yogurt, or bean will fill you up and make sure that you aren't iron deficient. In the real world, I do not foresee this as an issue.
2. Ice skating to my car
Hillsdale maintenance is understaffed. I get that. I don't blame them for the horrible weather we have had this semester. But I will not miss unshoveled sidewalks, parking lots, and walkways. I have fallen down at least 10 times this semester. Hopefully, D.C. takes better care of its streets.
3. Abiding by visiting hours
I liked visiting hours freshman year. I honestly did. It was nice just to have girl time and not worry about walking around in your short pjs. As a senior in the Suites, however, visiting hours are the pits. Once and a while, it would be nice if my boyfriend could stay in my suite after midnight to keep me awake while writing a paper. But no, at promptly 11:55 I kick the kid out.
4. Moving every 6 months
I've gotten really good at moving. I know how to use UPS home pick-up. I can easily throw away clothes. I don't get attached to places. I cannot wait to end my four years as a nomad and settle down somewhere. And get a cat. All I want is a cat. Literally, I can finally be happy if I have a cat.
5. Censoring myself
I can't write posts about people making out. I can't say bad words without offending half the population. I have to be super careful about what I admit to online. I am thankful that Hillsdale had made me more sensitive to my word choices, but I cannot wait to have a little more freedom.
6. Driving on one-lane highways back from the airport
I DESPISE THE 127. What idiot thought that making that a one-lane highway was a good idea? Nonetheless, I can now drive the route from the airport in an hour and a half flat. I can also pass like a boss.
7. Online shopping
With the lack of places to fill my shopping habit, I am forced to go online. I am the queen of online coupons, flash sales, and browsing. I am also the queen of blowing all my money on stupid stuff I don't need. I cannot wait to live near a mall.
8. Buying the perfect amount of alcohol to drink at a party because I can't take it home
All you off campus people don't have to deal with this. But living in the Suites, I cannot store alcohol in my room. So I either have to risk leaving it at one of my friend's houses and having it drank or finishing it while I am out.
9. Working on an assignment for a different class in my current class
There is only so much time in the day. Sometimes, multitasking is necessary. For instance, sometimes I look for jobs when I get bored in class. I hope that post-graduation life affords me time to both check the front page of Reddit and to get all my work done.
10. Enduring snow in March
Please, dearest heavenly father, don't let me EVER AGAIN live in a place with as bad of weather as Hillsdale. There is only so much Vitamin D supplements and a happy light can do for this California girl.
1. Finding a reliable source protein in Saga
My freshman year, I realized that because of Saga I had basically become a vegetarian. Now as a wise senior, I have learned the game. You have to hunt for protein. Finding some sort of meat, yogurt, or bean will fill you up and make sure that you aren't iron deficient. In the real world, I do not foresee this as an issue.
 |
| My hunt for protein. |
2. Ice skating to my car
Hillsdale maintenance is understaffed. I get that. I don't blame them for the horrible weather we have had this semester. But I will not miss unshoveled sidewalks, parking lots, and walkways. I have fallen down at least 10 times this semester. Hopefully, D.C. takes better care of its streets.
3. Abiding by visiting hours
I liked visiting hours freshman year. I honestly did. It was nice just to have girl time and not worry about walking around in your short pjs. As a senior in the Suites, however, visiting hours are the pits. Once and a while, it would be nice if my boyfriend could stay in my suite after midnight to keep me awake while writing a paper. But no, at promptly 11:55 I kick the kid out.
4. Moving every 6 months
I've gotten really good at moving. I know how to use UPS home pick-up. I can easily throw away clothes. I don't get attached to places. I cannot wait to end my four years as a nomad and settle down somewhere. And get a cat. All I want is a cat. Literally, I can finally be happy if I have a cat.
5. Censoring myself
I can't write posts about people making out. I can't say bad words without offending half the population. I have to be super careful about what I admit to online. I am thankful that Hillsdale had made me more sensitive to my word choices, but I cannot wait to have a little more freedom.
6. Driving on one-lane highways back from the airport
I DESPISE THE 127. What idiot thought that making that a one-lane highway was a good idea? Nonetheless, I can now drive the route from the airport in an hour and a half flat. I can also pass like a boss.
7. Online shopping
With the lack of places to fill my shopping habit, I am forced to go online. I am the queen of online coupons, flash sales, and browsing. I am also the queen of blowing all my money on stupid stuff I don't need. I cannot wait to live near a mall.
8. Buying the perfect amount of alcohol to drink at a party because I can't take it home
All you off campus people don't have to deal with this. But living in the Suites, I cannot store alcohol in my room. So I either have to risk leaving it at one of my friend's houses and having it drank or finishing it while I am out.
9. Working on an assignment for a different class in my current class
There is only so much time in the day. Sometimes, multitasking is necessary. For instance, sometimes I look for jobs when I get bored in class. I hope that post-graduation life affords me time to both check the front page of Reddit and to get all my work done.
10. Enduring snow in March
Please, dearest heavenly father, don't let me EVER AGAIN live in a place with as bad of weather as Hillsdale. There is only so much Vitamin D supplements and a happy light can do for this California girl.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
An Open Letter to Freshman
Dearest Freshman-
Don't worry. This isn't some sort of letter that admonishes you for wearing leggings as pants or making out in public places. No no. This is a letter that I wish someone had written for baby Emmaline after her freshman year.
Sophomore year is radically different from freshman year. It seems that the campus divides between freshman and everyone else. It's not that we don't like you. In fact, we love you. We see a lot of ourselves in you and you inspire us with your enthusiasm. The chasm exists because you learn A LOT between freshman and sophomore year. It's not just who Hammurabi was or what "Egyptian Gold" implies. It's really just about life and growing up.
So I have some advice as you move from the comfy life that is freshman year to the harsh reality of sophomore year.
First of all, don't lose that love you have for Hillsdale during freshman year. Weirdly, Hillsdale has a sort of summer campy feel at the beginning. Everything is new, interesting, and exciting. It seems that you have all the time in the world and that happiness is perpetual. If you lose this spirit, Hillsdale becomes a dark, nasty place. You will find a lot of jaded upperclassman at Hillsdale who have lost the love that you have right now. Do they seem like fun? No. Don't be like them.
Next, don't overcommit because you think that you "have this whole Hillsdale thing figured out." Guess what? You don't. The comforting truth is that no one does. You think that writing a paper for one of your core classes is hard? Wait until you get to upper levels. Besides, Hillsdale inspires students to be excellent. If you are involved in too many extracurricular activities, you can never give yourself completely to the ones that matter most to you. And you won't have a social life.
Which leads me to my next point. Have a social life. Don't spend so much time trying to maintain a perfect GPA that your only friend is the bust in the library. Go to Winterfest. Go to an off-campus party once in awhile. Eat in Saga with different people everyday. It makes life a hell of a lot more fun. The nasty reality is that most professions don't really care about your GPA. Thank God for this, because otherwise I might be "funemployed" next year.
Also, don't give up on the friends that lived in your dorm freshman year. Some of my closest friends are the ones that I met in my first few weeks at Hillsdale. Things are going to be hard. You will join different Greek houses, break up, have fights, become competitive, and get bored. Love them anyway. Anything good is pretty difficult to achieve. Take it from a senior. I still regret many of the friendships that I have lost along the way. I thank God everyday, however, for the ones that have lasted all four years.
Now on to relationships. I'm not going to say that I am the relationship queen at Hillsdale, but I sure as hell could have made a lot of better decisions in my interactions with the opposite sex. Hillsdale is a small place. What you do, even freshman year, will follow you until you get your diploma. People talk. My advice: don't do anything at a party that you wouldn't admit to your aunt. And not that cool aunt who tells you about all the bad things she did when she was your age. The aunt that scares you and probably should wax her upper lip more often.
Finally, don't grow up too fast. Relish every moment at Hillsdale. I know - I'm getting a bit weepy and annoying. Cut me some slack! I'm graduating in eight weeks. It's stupid to think that Hillsdale is the only place that you will be surrounded with excellent people. But it's the only place where you will be surrounded by great people, fascinating classes, great mentors, horrible food, overly preppy people, a weird town culture, AND a million eagles. So slow down and enjoy yourself. It's a fun ride.
All my love,
Emmaline
Don't worry. This isn't some sort of letter that admonishes you for wearing leggings as pants or making out in public places. No no. This is a letter that I wish someone had written for baby Emmaline after her freshman year.
 |
| Freshman Emmaline was very angsty. |
Sophomore year is radically different from freshman year. It seems that the campus divides between freshman and everyone else. It's not that we don't like you. In fact, we love you. We see a lot of ourselves in you and you inspire us with your enthusiasm. The chasm exists because you learn A LOT between freshman and sophomore year. It's not just who Hammurabi was or what "Egyptian Gold" implies. It's really just about life and growing up.
So I have some advice as you move from the comfy life that is freshman year to the harsh reality of sophomore year.
First of all, don't lose that love you have for Hillsdale during freshman year. Weirdly, Hillsdale has a sort of summer campy feel at the beginning. Everything is new, interesting, and exciting. It seems that you have all the time in the world and that happiness is perpetual. If you lose this spirit, Hillsdale becomes a dark, nasty place. You will find a lot of jaded upperclassman at Hillsdale who have lost the love that you have right now. Do they seem like fun? No. Don't be like them.
Next, don't overcommit because you think that you "have this whole Hillsdale thing figured out." Guess what? You don't. The comforting truth is that no one does. You think that writing a paper for one of your core classes is hard? Wait until you get to upper levels. Besides, Hillsdale inspires students to be excellent. If you are involved in too many extracurricular activities, you can never give yourself completely to the ones that matter most to you. And you won't have a social life.
Which leads me to my next point. Have a social life. Don't spend so much time trying to maintain a perfect GPA that your only friend is the bust in the library. Go to Winterfest. Go to an off-campus party once in awhile. Eat in Saga with different people everyday. It makes life a hell of a lot more fun. The nasty reality is that most professions don't really care about your GPA. Thank God for this, because otherwise I might be "funemployed" next year.
Also, don't give up on the friends that lived in your dorm freshman year. Some of my closest friends are the ones that I met in my first few weeks at Hillsdale. Things are going to be hard. You will join different Greek houses, break up, have fights, become competitive, and get bored. Love them anyway. Anything good is pretty difficult to achieve. Take it from a senior. I still regret many of the friendships that I have lost along the way. I thank God everyday, however, for the ones that have lasted all four years.
Now on to relationships. I'm not going to say that I am the relationship queen at Hillsdale, but I sure as hell could have made a lot of better decisions in my interactions with the opposite sex. Hillsdale is a small place. What you do, even freshman year, will follow you until you get your diploma. People talk. My advice: don't do anything at a party that you wouldn't admit to your aunt. And not that cool aunt who tells you about all the bad things she did when she was your age. The aunt that scares you and probably should wax her upper lip more often.
Finally, don't grow up too fast. Relish every moment at Hillsdale. I know - I'm getting a bit weepy and annoying. Cut me some slack! I'm graduating in eight weeks. It's stupid to think that Hillsdale is the only place that you will be surrounded with excellent people. But it's the only place where you will be surrounded by great people, fascinating classes, great mentors, horrible food, overly preppy people, a weird town culture, AND a million eagles. So slow down and enjoy yourself. It's a fun ride.
All my love,
Emmaline
Sunday, March 2, 2014
The Stages of Parents' Weekend
Stage 1:
Realization that THIS weekend is Parents' Weekend
Stage 2:
Frenzied Cleaning
It's time to wash my sheets and do my laundry for the second time this semester. Also I should probably figure out what that smell is in my Suite.
Stage 3:
Fear of Parent-Teacher Conferences
So it's winter. This whole go to class every day thing seems a bit demanding. I hope my professors don't tell my parents the number of classes I've skipped.
Stage 4:
Inventory
What exactly do I need my parents to buy me while they are here? New backpack, thirty thousand things of conditioner, beer, new mascara, contact lens solution, etc., etc., whatever my parents don't notice that I will throw in the cart.
Stage 5:
Arrival of Parents
Time to take my weekly shower and attempt to make myself presentable.
Stage 6:
Parent's Assessment of Student's Mental Stability
Have you been getting enough sleep? What exactly are you eating for meals? Nutrition Solutions doesn't count. When is the last time you left your room? How is the job search going? How is your thesis going? How is your boyfriend? Etc.
Stage 7:
Questioning Why You Ever Left Home
What? I don't have to pay for things? I got Trader Joe's snacks? It's 80 degrees at home? You'll make sure I don't sleep through my alarm? Can life get much better than this? I submit that it cannot.
Stage 8:
Remembering How Much You Love Your Parents
Wow. These people who raised me seriously rock.
Stage 9:
Departure of Parents
Please, please don't leave. I hate college. I love you. Take me home with you!
Stage 10:
Sunday Panic
Sunday Panic
Oh my goodness. I have so much homework. And a thesis. And 1000 meetings this week. Why did I snuggle and not study?
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