Wish You Were Here

No. 97

“Look, furthermore, my anguish as I call it arises from the fact that people have changed so much, not only in the past five years, for God’s sake, or the past ten years…but in the past thirty years to such an extent that I don’t recognize them as people any more or recognize myself as a real member of something called the human race.” Jack Kerouac, Vanity of Duluoz

As Hopkins students, potential Hopkins students – even just as thinking people – our instinct is always to rationalize. What is going on right now? Where are we going? Why? What will we do when we get there? What will we get out of it?

These past four years have taught me lots of practical, academic things to satisfy all of those cravings. Even this blog has taught me to make sense of and tell stories about my life – good, bad. So yes, as you can imagine from Hopkins’ reputation, I learned a lot. But as I went into my last blog entry ever…I had no idea what to leave you with.

But I think I might not have to try so hard. Because the last four years have taught me, more importantly, to give up this logical nonsense and enjoy our greatest talent as people: being. Not just plain bump-on-a-log being, but whole-hearted, intense, adventurous and sensitive being. Being open to everything: sights, sounds, smells, risks, uncertainties, newness, hard work, learning, love, pain. Forgetting about the anxiety of change or the instinct to classify this experience as this, that person as that. I’ve learned not to be afraid of that uncertainty that Kerouac had to be feeling when he wrote those words up there, of not being able to understand what people are thinking or feeling or doing or wanting around you – and not being able to understand what you are feeling or wanting either. It’s scary to change and to feel everyone/everything changing around you, but it sure is freeing not to have to pin things down all the time.

Digression: I recently saw Midnight in Paris, the new Woody Allen movie in theaters. Without giving anything away, the moral of the story is pulling yourself out of nostalgic visions of the past and living fully, passionately, productively in the present. It’s not about seeing the whole picture and wishing you could be somewhere else more perfect than now: it’s about being in the now and embracing the snapshot you have of it. I know it’s tempting to put yourself in the past because it’s familiar, secure, easy to understand. For some reason, last night it was a simple little tradition that overwhelmed me: standing in Wolman Hall 504′s little kitchenette with my freshman year roommate and some friends, holding marshmallows on the tips of knives and forks and roasting them over the coils of our electric stove. It seemed like the golden age – we were so young, so happy. Everything seemed so good and felt so new.

And when you get out there on your own, you start to ask yourself: what will my traditions be? What will I leave behind? What little things will people remember about me when the plain stuff – hair color, apartment, perfume – falls away? What will my legacy be? Mine is that of a storyteller. I’m the one who always has her camera out, whether we’re doing something remarkable or not. I see life in a movie frame. I’m the hippie. I take risks and I’m probably a little embarrassing. I’m creative. I know too much about pop culture and trashy TV. I love an adventure. I procrastinate intensely and I really love chicken fingers.

But none of that matters now. Now, I’m just a college grad who is twirling her hair because she is sleepy and dreaming of getting the job I interviewed for last week. And who will I be if I get it? The truth is, I don’t know where I’m going. I know bits and pieces of where I’d like to see myself in a month or in five, ten, fifteen years, but who knows what things I’ll do on my way. What will the future hold? The only thing I can guarantee, after all this rambling, is this: with every moment, I am going to be being 100%.

“What could be worse than getting to the end of your life and realizing you hadn’t lived it?” Edward Albee

Throughout high school and college, I’ve been constantly waiting for that time when I could do. When I could take all this education, and all these dreams, and all these ideas, and all this determination, and actually be what I’ve always wanted to be, or do the things I’ve always wanted to do. That time is now – and that waiting around for “life to begin,” as they say, ended when we threw our graduation caps high into the air.

And so we find ourselves, at the end of the road. Thank you, first, to Admissions_Mark, who read my application from New Jersey and admitted me to Hopkins. I don’t know what you were thinking, but I’m really glad you woke up on the right side of the bed that morning and gave me this incredible chance to do something extraordinary.

Next, to Michael Bloomberg. Thank you for being smart, generous, choosing to attend Hopkins as an undergrad, and having a lot of money. Without you and your scholarship, I definitely could not have gone to Hopkins at all. I hope I do many things in the future to make your investment worth it. If I have any say in things, I know I will.

Then, my parents. Thank you, first, for encouraging me to go to school in Baltimore, all alone two hours away from home. Thank you for not letting me come home during my first semester when I was miserably homesick. Thank you for putting up with my constant stubbornness. Thank you for buying me so many Beanie Babies, Pokemon cards, notebooks, NSync posters, and paperweights. Thank you for your hugs, your kisses, and your really tasty dinners. Dad, thank you for your clear skin, thirst for learning, and appreciation for art, history, and antique cars. Mom, thank you for sharing my love of board games and music, your optimism, and your (mostly) non-judgmental ear to listen whenever I need it. Thank you both for somehow making me believe I actually can do anything I set my mind to. And, though this is a little weird, thank you for my being an only child. Because Ashlee, Courtney, and I are all only children, we often wonder what we would’ve been like if we had brothers and sisters. We know we would be different – but sometimes we wondered, were we better or worse off being alone? I tend to think better. The truth is…sometimes I’m selfish. I wouldn’t want to share you with siblings. I want your attention, your pride, your love, your support, your concern, your encouragement. I don’t know what I would be without it and I appreciate it all more than you will ever know.

Thanks Admissions_Daniel, Roxi, Julia, and the rest of Hopkins Interactive 2007′s interview committee for allowing me to jump on board. To have had a hand in leaving Johns Hopkins with intelligent, motivated, excited students was so fun. And to have a virtual record of my four years in college on this blog is such a blessing.

Thank you, my readers. I’ve had close friends at Hopkins – juniors, sophomores, freshmen – who sheepishly admit years later they read my blog as prospective students. I’ll tell you a secret: as embarrassing as that is, I am so glad. I could’ve kept my own blog for myself I guess, but I never would have written it in such a clear, candid, introspective way if it wasn’t for an audience of prospective students and families out there. It’s been a pleasure to know you’re there and write for you for all these years. I’ll miss it. (And here, a shoutout to Mrs. Barnett, another loyal reader – though not a prospective student – and most likely my biggest fan who is not immediate family.)

Thanks, finally, to my friends. Thank you for making me feel valued and important. Thank you for making me realize that Hopkins really was my home – I just needed to work a little harder to turn an unfamiliar place into one. Thank you for being there with hugs, movies, and cookies when I needed you most. Thank you for smiling in the thousands of photos I took at college (Total posted on Facebook as of June 15^th: 5,268. I’m so sorry). Thank you, finally, for giving me stories to write about here every week. Some of my blogs were about solo adventures but, mostly, my blog has been about being able to build a family anywhere. I met exceptional people in my four years at Hopkins, and I am so happy to have them in my life forever.

It’s hard to believe four years have come and gone at all. It’s weird to talk about it in the past tense now – “I met exceptional people,” “Hopkins was my home” – but it is just that. Hopkins is done. I will bleed blue jay blue until I die, but it’s not my place anymore. A new set of undergrads will take it over, make it their own, have adventures and make mistakes and study too much and stress over boys/jobs/money/Friday night plans, just like we did. But we’ll always feel like we were there first. Class of 2011 – my family. I salute you. And I’m beyond excited to continue trailblazing with you in our many grownup years ahead.

I usually sign my blogs with “Wish you were here,” but this is one instance when I don’t wish you were here. I wish you will end up there – your own home for four years, Hopkins or not, where you will establish yourself, challenge yourself, and learn more than you could have ever imagined about what it means not to know, but to live. I can only wish you good luck and tell you – coming out of all that and taking on the real world? It feels pretty damn good.

Oh Hey, Look Here

It’s not really a secret, but pssssst….

While you’re waiting for my ultimate Wish You Were Here blog entry, go to the Hopkins Insider and read my Road Map to Hopkins Interactive. We have helpful advice all over the Hopkins Interactive universe, so I tried to put the most key resources together in a helpful site map based on your question topic. Make me happy and use it!

An Ode to the Roommate

In college, everyone has a different living situation – and plenty of different stories to tell about it. And mine has definitely been unique in an interesting way: I’ve had four different roommates, one for each year of school here.

The first thing to talk about is just how you get a roommate in the first place. The housing questionnaire asks you a bunch of questions to filter you in the right dorm situation for you. First, they’ll ask your preference of building and if you would want a single, double, or triple room. (Insider’s tip: perks of a single include privacy; perks of a double include an instant friend to tackle orientation with; perks of a triple include a cheaper room and board fee.) Second, they ask lifestyle questions, like what you normally use your room for (studying, socializing), how you like to listen to music, when you usually go to bed/wake up, if you would prefer substance-free housing, how often you tidy up the place, etc. Except if you’re on a sports team and your coach wants your teammates to live together, these are the details that Hopkins uses to match you with a roommate.

Third, there is a section of the form that asks if you would like to request a roommate. As long as both people choose each other mutually, you’ll get that roommate and will already be set coming into school. At that point, I started to worry a little: did people do that? Am I going to be the only one being matched up with some rando? And after four years working with Hopkins Interactive, I’ve found that this is an extremely common question for a lot of people, not just with me. (Some people even try to recruit roommates via the enrolled students Facebook group because the thought of being randomly assigned stresses them out.) Luckily, it turns out that people rarely request a friend/family member to live with. I got mine just like nearly everyone else did: in a random draw, based on a few key habits. So, just as some preliminary advice: RELAX! The housing office has been matching people for years and, with a few dramatic exceptions, it all works out in the end. I promise.

And that leads me to my first day on campus, when I met my very first roommate.

To my freshman year roommate: You were the first person I have ever had to share a room with…and, if I’m being honest with myself, it probably showed. I know when I came to college I was a little uptight, a little moody, and definitely homesick. And by the end of the year, your ringtone, your morning crunchy apple snacks, your texting away on your cell  phone (click click click click click) got on my very last nerve. But it was the natural response to being cooped up in a ~180 square-foot room with another person I barely knew and now, three years later, I can’t help but realize that my first random roommate experience was actually really positive. I remember the good stuff, like going out to the Den and ending up at Uni Mini together, studying late into the night for our ridiculous Fluid Earth final, and roasting marshmallows on our electric stovetop. I took things too seriously at the beginning of freshman year, and I thank you for helping to loosen me up. Thank you for asking me to go out even when I didn’t feel like it. Thank you for teaching me patience, tact, and respect. And thanks for being a reminder of a year in which I grew more than I ever thought was possible: freshman year was a turning point in so many ways and you, freshman year roomie, were a big part of that.

To my sophomore year roommate: Jessica, Jessica, Jessica. How lucky I was that we were both looking for a roommate at the same time freshman spring. How lucky, again, that both of our previous housing plans had fallen through and that we could come together to go through the housing lottery together. How lucky I was, still, that we got a lottery number in the 70′s and had the pick of virtually any room/building we wanted! Our suite was epic and I thank you for that – the fantastic top-floor view of the Inner Harbor, doing homework at our dining room table, and cooking side-by-side at our kitchenette were all made better because I had an excellent roommate to share them with. It’s hard to believe we lived together two whole years ago – I have no idea where the time has gone! But it has been a pleasure to see the adventures you’ve gone through in the meantime, from working and studying abroad, to becoming leader of the Public Health Student Forum, to earning an impressive post-graduation job in Vietnam. We throw this compliment around between each other a lot, but I sincerely wouldn’t mind being you when I grow up. You’ve got it all: drive, passion, intelligence, tolerance. Now I’m just glad, if I’m not still your roommate, that you remain an amazing and loyal friend.

To my junior year roommate: In April 2009, with Jessica going abroad and planning to graduate a semester early, I was desperate for an apartment. I had no idea who I would live with, what building would be home, or even what area of campus to look in for these things. And then I got an email from a friend who was moving to her own little apartment and needed someone to take her bedroom at her old abode. That was when I met you – you, a strong and silly ROTC almost-senior who I had never met before, showed me around the place and humored me as I fell in love with my massive, my gorgeous current apartment. And although we weren’t “friends” going into August, you were there for everything – to help me through a rocky start to junior year, to help plan my birthday party, to chat and have dinner and have fun and everything in between. It was an effortless friendship and roommateship, which continues to make me optimistic about possibly having to live with a stranger next year. Even when I got busier spring semester, I feel like we didn’t lose touch. It was a comfort to know I had a safe, happy place (and roommate) to come home to every day. For that, I thank you.

To my senior year roommate: To the only person who has ever written me a love letter (that nonsense is still up on my memo board), to the person who always took out the trash, to the person who taught me how to use dishwasher detergent, to the person who took showers insanely early (and motivated me to get up), to the person whose loud giggles I can hear all the way across the apartment…I can’t say much more than thank you for making my senior year easy, fun, and full of laughter. I can leave you with some obvious advice too, if you want it: you only have one year of college left, so you better make it count. You’re beautiful, smart, and I know you will do something outstanding in life with all that charisma and knowledge (I know, I’ve taught you everything I know). I’m going to miss your insults and the presents you left in my room, like that Easter basket that got me through some rough nights of paper-writing. I’ll miss Degrassi and That 70′s Show always being on television when you’re in the living room (or Sex and the City, in the rare event that neither of the former are on). I’ll miss complaining with you about our grouchy downstairs neighbor, and about our building’s office manager, and about the bazillion campus organizations you’re involved in. I’ll miss it all – this year was a great year, and that was due in no small part to having a kick-ass roommate to share the experience with.

Now, after four years and four roommates, I look forward to graduating and moving off somewhere new to (probably) my first non-Baltimore roommate. I don’t know what they’ll be like, if we’ll get along, or how our apartment will look, but I do know that I am much better equipped to handle it than I ever have been before. I’ve learned a lot of things in college, but one of the most useful was learning how to live with people: how to be tolerant of their quirks, deal with problems diplomatically, and still keep my own sense of self along the way. In fact, I’ve also learned that I personally live better with people, which is a remarkable discovery to make as an only child.

A roommate’s hug, when you’re having a rough day (or week or month), is priceless. Living with a roommate, I find myself thriving off their energy and being motivated by their choices in a way I could never have been if I lived alone. I feel a connection with the world too – a roommate, who is involved in different things, has different interests, and most of all has different friends, can broaden your horizons in so many different ways. I credit each of these four ladies for teaching me this and so much more about life and about myself. I wish them all the best in whatever they do – and I’m grateful that, for one year each, I could have had a small part in lives that are going to take this world by storm.

Maryland Film Festival

One of my favorite things about going to school in Baltimore is the interesting, quirky, creative arts scene that surrounds me here. As a humanities student (really, as a humanities person), it makes me feel even more creative myself when I hear of films being produced, exhibits opening, and shows playing all over town to showcase the talents of young, independent artists. As one of these artists said during a panel discussion at our own Hopkins Film Fest, Baltimore is a perfect transitional city for growing artists. It might not be where you hit it big, but the rent is cheap, the people are cool, and you have the chance to really push your creative boundaries in all directions.

This past weekend, I got to participate in one of my favorite annual arts events in the city: Maryland Film Festival. You’ve heard of film festivals before (Sundance, Cannes, Berlinale, Tribeca, SXSW) and Maryland fits that same structure. They get tons of submissions from independent filmmakers around the world and choose a bunch of feature-length films, shorts, and documentaries to fill up a weekend schedule. The screenings are centered around Station North/Mt. Vernon, mid-Baltimore neighborhoods that are home to the major screening spaces: Charles Theater, the MICA Brown Center, and The Windup Space. There’s a kick-off party and a closing night party, which this year included special guest Harry Belafonte. There is also a whole “tent village” set up across the street from the Charles Theater the entire time where they have the Filmmakers’ Lounge, panel discussions going almost continuously, food donated by restaurants around Baltimore (Golden West and Zeke’s Coffee were the best this year), merchandise for sale, and of course ticket sales.

My job as a volunteer this year was to be a tech checker, which in essence means I met the filmmaker, helped do run-throughs of each film before the screening to make sure there weren’t any problems, and monitored sound/picture quality throughout the screening to make sure there were no issues. I also helped during Q&A sessions at certain venues, which was a lot of fun. As a result of being a volunteer, I saw a lot of the films during the festival, including Terri, The Dish and the Spoon, Convento, Hilvarenbeek (co-produced by Hopkins faculty member Jimmy Joe Roche), Bad Fever, The Learning, a recording of Danny Boyle’s stage version of Frankenstein, and a couple series of themed shorts. I was disappointed to miss The Color Wheel, Weekend, A Useful Life, and We Were Here, but there are only so many screenings you can make it to in one weekend! As a volunteer, I also got vouchers for each shift I worked, which could be redeemed for free screening tickets or $5 worth of merchandise.

Even though I worked a lot of hours each of the three days and also had obligations on campus to come home to, it was hard to feel tired with the perks and the experience I gained during the weekend. As part of my job, I got to meet some amazing Baltimore residents, which was probably the best perk of all. I met a young couple who actually live right here in Charles Village (and who, during our entire shift, were trying to help me network by dropping loud hints that I needed a job…in FILM…you’re graduating soon, aren’t you Lauren?). Part of my job was to work with the filmmakers, so I felt privileged to converse with them and their casts about everything under the sun. After the screening of The Learning, which is about Filipino teachers being recruited to become teachers in American cities (this one, Baltimore) in order to achieve better lives for their families, I even had the pleasure to meet a lot of the inspiring people on whom the film was based. And I worked with a lot of older cinephiles, which I definitely would never have had the chance to do otherwise. I had conversations about my favorite actors and films with the randomest of people and even saw some familiar faces (including a few friends and some of my professors at Hopkins) along the way.

All in all, it was a creative and stimulating and thrilling weekend. I woke up each day so excited to take the shuttle down to the festival and get to work. And it never sucks to be on the other side of things: by volunteering, you’re in charge of something, you can answer questions for people, and you feel like you’re really part of a greater effort. Maryland Film Festival was another reason why I know I’m in the right field: there’s never a dull moment, the people are buzzing with creativity and artistic drive…and I can’t help but want to be along for the ride.

The End of the Line

Greetings from my last day of college classes ever! I’ve been preparing for this moment all semester (and preparing you for this moment all semester with my blog entries about it) but, now that it is finally here, I’m surprised to be noticing some strange things.

1) My melancholy. Ok, I expected this one. The last day of college classes comes with the same relief as every other year – you’re done, you’ve made it, and you did it all without growing (too many) grey hairs over the course of the semester. But this particular year comes also with the realization that all of those things you would normally start to look forward to around the middle of June – coming back in August to your friends, learning in a classroom setting, reading under the trees on the Lower Quad, this gorgeous campus on a late summer day – won’t be part of your life anymore. Come September, I’ll be somewhere new, doing something different, daydreaming about my friends who still get more time here. With any luck, I’ll be doing something so exciting with my life that I won’t even notice…that much, anyway.

2) WHEN DOES LEVERING FOOD COURT CLOSE FOR THE YEAR AND HOW MANY MORE DAYS DO I HAVE TO ENJOY THEIR GLORIOUS CHICKEN FINGERS? (My Levering lunch crew knows I nearly literally get those chicken fingers every single day. I’m not entirely sure what I’ll do without them.)

3) I always thought my biggest pet peeve was people running to class. (If you’re almost late, congrats – you’re not late yet, so just walk faster. If you’re already late, what’s another minute? Slow down, crazy.) But my actual pet peeve? People running to class on the last day of classes. Everyone (besides you) is a big, fuzzy ball of love on the last day of classes. Professors who are normally harsh will come in bearing food, candy, or at the very least a smile. I promise you your professor will not mind if you’re a half minute late today.

4) This sounds nuts, but I’m actually a little underwhelmed that my last class of my college career will be A) a philosophy section (a.k.a. a class out of neither of my majors), and B) only 50 minutes long. If I had the choice, I’d go for a whopper of a film theory class to finish out with. Although it seems to follow suit: my first class at Hopkins was a 50-minute Occidental Civilization history lecture on the Medieval World. This also belongs to neither of my majors and, honestly, I remember about 4% of the things I learned while in it. But alas, tis the way thy cookie doth crumble.

5) It’s a beautiful, beautiful day. Thanks, Mother Nature, for getting the last day of classes memo and helping a girl out.

—

I’m thinking about a lot of other things too, but they’re mostly just mushy nostalgic tidbits that I will try to push out of my mind until I actually have to deal with them after graduation. (Denial is the first step in any big life change, no?) But until then, I am going to enjoy my last day of school with my friends and my floral dress, with my zealous classmates and my chicken fingers. And it’s going to be great.

With a Little Help from My Friends

Surfing the internet, reading college guidebooks, and asking older friends/relatives are some of the best ways to learn details about the college experience. You can’t ever know what to expect, but I was in your shoes once too: even Google image searching “Johns Hopkins” can give you a clearer picture of what life might be like once you get here.

But after four years of being in college, I’ve naturally realized that there is so much more to going to a university than just “getting involved” or “making sure you buy an XL Twin sheet set.” And there is certainly more to Hopkins specifically than just our student-to-faculty ratio or our ranking as a top research institution. There are real people here, real buildings, real classes, and real fun times.

So, in an effort to provide you with priceless and personal advice, I went straight to the best source I could think of: my friends. Each one of the following tips is from the mouth of a friend and current student at Hopkins with you in mind. So take them seriously (well, as best you can) and enjoy the break from textbook college advice. These will be serious, they’ll be funny…but either way, they definitely won’t be conventional.

—

Paul H., ’12: “If the course title is more than 2 or 3 words, you know it’s a trap. And it’s proportional – the longer the title, the more it’s a trap. My two least favorite classes of my three years at Hopkins so far: six words each.”

Kaitlyn D., ’11: “Don’t let yourself get lost in the academic madness at Hopkins! While it’s important to get good grades, Hopkins has much more to offer then just a good degree at a great school. Go play soccer in the rain, or go downtown for dinner, or randomly bake a cake or watch a movie on a tuesday night instead of staying up late in the library. Hopkins and Baltimore have so much to offer, so when you’re here, take advantage of it and make once in a lifetime experiences with the best friends you’ll ever have.”

Nana A., ’11: “Everyone changes, even you. It’s not always a good thing or a bad thing but its something different. Never forget who you were and never who you’ll become. Live in the moment cause college doesn’t last forever.”

Zoe S., ’14: “Invest in a Netflix account; you won’t regret it. Also, take advantage of Intersession… it’ll probably end up being three of the best weeks of your freshmen year and it’s the last hoorah before the beauty that is covered grades expires.”

Ben C., ’12: “Take advantage of your professors’ office hours right away. Remember: the key to success is one part initiative and two parts shameless brownnosing.”

Olivia L., ’12: “Never take a class at 10 am when it is also offered at 9 am. If you are too lazy to get up an hour earlier, the professor will probably be too lazy to teach.”

Miles G., ’11: “Things to remember: Pete’s Grill accepts JCash. Get writing intensive credits out of the way during pass/fail first semester. The special with egg at Uni Mini. Brewer’s Art. Carma’s sirloin panini. Collegetown Shuttle goes to Inner Harbor. Obryckis Crabs. Cheap Orioles tickets. All you can eat Indian/drink Sunday mornings at the Ambassador Hotel.”

Bridget M., ’13: “Rain jacket, rain boots and umbrellas are an essential item for your packing list.”

Ashlee R., ’11: “Live every year like it’s senior year.”

Jennifer L., ’14: “If you ever think JHU students are unattractive, check out A-Level of the library.”

Maxi G., ’12: “Join any and every club that interests you. College is the perfect place to learn from people who are passionate about something without the pressure of having to completely invest yourself in it. For example, I’ve taken acting classes and engineering classes. I joined a sketch comedy group. I became president of a sorority. I’ve taken up marathon running and participated in events put on by other clubs from easter egg hunts to on-campus 5k’s to seeing acapella performances. If I weren’t in a place where so many backgrounds come together, I never would have had the opportunity to try any of these experiences.”

Mike L., ’11: “Make friends with people you would normally not really associate with. (This does not mean make friends with drug addicts, etc.)”

Kayla F., ’11: “Here’s the 411 on how to live here. 1) Take time at least once or twice a week to enjoy yourself. That may be going down to the Inner Harbor to eat, exploring the hidden treasures of Hampden, or going to one of the many museums for fun, not because a professor assigned you to. If you don’t, then the stress and pressures of school will consume your life. You don’t want to miss what Baltimore has to offer. 2) Challenge yourself to try new things. Don’t be scared! I made a promise with my best friend in high school that I wouldn’t join a sorority. Well, I broke that promise and I love being an Alpha Phi. I have so many memories that I will remember that I will tell my grandchildren. Well, some of them. 3) GO TO OFFICE HOURS! If you don’t understand a subject or a paper, professors will be more than happy to meet with you. As an example, I have a paper due on Wednesday and decided to send in a rough draft to my professor. He sent it back to me with corrections, but I didn’t understand them. It was the end of the week and I was afraid that he wouldn’t get back to me in time, so I went to his office to ask if I could have a meeting. Result: we had a conference over my paper! Hopefully this point makes you realize that professors are not mean.”

—

And, to finish things off, I decided to ask a few of my favorite “honorary” Hopkins students (a.k.a. friends who have come to visit all of us here at Homewood) for their own advice based on their time here.

Caitlyn S. (Villanova University): “I think the best thing about Hopkins is that you “work” really hard but then you “party” really hard too. You have great modern academic facilities, especially computer labs, engineering labs, and lecture halls. Students really dedicate themselves to doing well in all aspects of student life, whether it’s class work, service work, or holding actual jobs. I have met students that spend 20 or more hours a week in the library, work at a fire house or work in research labs, but still find time to give to work at soup kitchens or bike ride across the country for cancer. However, when Thursday night comes around students begin to direct their attention to their weekend plans: whether it’s a trip to DC, Fed Hill, or the Harbor, there’s always somewhere to explore. But if you want to stay close to campus there is always something fun to do as well: an a capella group’s performance, LAX game, Wiz Khalifa concert, fraternity party, PJ’s, CVP, or Maxie’s. At Hopkins when the weather is nice you can see students tanning, throwing footballs and frisbees, and playing lacrosse on “the beach,” the grass lawn in front of the library. And once you graduate, you really learn to appreciate the school. I say this because so many alumni stay around for a year or two after for post graduate programs, jobs, or research. Also, so many alumni come back for homecoming, young alumni weekend, and spring fair.”

Quin M. (Durham University): “For me, as both from a different school and country, the things that grabbed me were the fantastic work/play ethic of everyone I met. One moment they would be putting together the most fantastically elaborate party plans, the next they would be off to ace a midterm without skipping a beat. The campus is stunning from pretty much every angle, must recommend the bell tower for concert watching, and relaxing with a group of friends on “the beach” in the sun is something I’ll never forget. Also to be able to walk into such a room, having never met anyone there before, and be welcomed like a team mate was bloody fantastic. Maybe it’s the way the Greek system works, maybe it’s the students, but by creating such a great atmosphere the result is inevitably going to be a wonderful place to spend your time as a student.”

Sydney R. (Rutgers University): “When you are at Hopkins make sure you take the time to really appreciate how beautiful the campus is. It’s perfect to take the time to relax and at the same time you know that you are there to get work done. It is easy to feel like you could belong on this campus. Also, make sure you take advantage of Hopkins’ location. While the campus is great you can’t miss a trip to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. It’s a whole other world and there is just so much to do that you will never get bored.”

—

Hope this advice has helped you picture yourself at Johns Hopkins a little more easily! But the key part about this blog entry, though it seems counter-intuitive, isn’t even the advice given – it is how willing and excited my friends were to give the advice in the first place. This advice has come from all four classes, from several countries (study abroad is an amazing thing), from natural science/engineering/humanities/social science majors, from students with research and internships and leadership positions and everything in between. That is a sign of the type of people at Hopkins. They’re thoughtful and creative; they’re considerate and, though busy, are always willing to help. I feel so comfortable here and it is honestly because of the wonderful people I’ve met, who have gone out of their way to cheer me up, help me study, go on adventures with me, and make memories to last a lifetime. I love my friends – and, with only three weeks left til graduation, I find myself also taking their advice to enjoy every second I have left.

My Collegiate Playlist

As we near closer and closer to the dreaded May 26th (that’s graduation day, folks), I can’t help but reminisce with friends – and within my own self – about my four years here at Hopkins. It’s funny, but sometimes all it takes is a few notes of a familiar song to take me right back to the basement of Pike freshman year, sitting in Nolans eating dinner sophomore year, riding the bus junior year or talking to a certain someone senior year. Though it doesn’t feel as if I ever could, I worry I’ll forget all of these memories – some fun, some sad, some scandalous, and some too rich for words. These people, these places…they’re a part of me. Like I said a couple posts back, if I had gone anywhere else, I would be someone else. And the fact that I am 100% comfortable with where I am, who I am, and what I’ve done with my life so far is such a luxury.

So, to try to let you into my memory as much as you possibly can, I’ve put together some playlists. Each one reminds me of a different era of school at Hopkins, from freshman up until this very year. I highly recommend making playlists of your favorite songs each semester – I actually have a “Fall,” “Spring,” and “Summer” playlist for each year since 2007, and it can be such a time machine to let one play. For better or for worse, these songs will always remind me of the people, the places, the emotions…they’re memories in themselves. And with college flying by so fast, you’ll want as many of those as possible.

Freshman Year

 

 

“Mind Trick” – Jamie Cullum	“Shake It” – Metro Station
“Hometown Glory” – Adele	“Don’t Forget to Breathe” – Bitter:Sweet
“Crank Dat Soulja Boy (Superman)” – Soulja Boy	“See You Again” – Miley Cyrus
“Stay Beautiful” – The Last Goodnight	“The Joker” – Steve Miller Band
“Apologize” – Timbaland featuring OneRepublic	“The Heart of the Matter” – India.Arie
“Radar” – Britney Spears	“One Week of Danger” – The Virgins
“Makes Me Wonder” – Maroon 5	“Gonna Make You Love Me” – Ryan Adams
“Our Song” – Taylor Swift	“All Over You” – The Spill Canvas

 

Sophomore Year

 

“Sleepyhead” – Passion Pit	“That’s Not My Name” – The Ting Tings
“Let It Rock” –  Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil Wayne	“Lisztomania” – Phoenix
“Baby I’m Yours” – Arctic Monkeys	“Missing You” – Tyler Hilton
“Two Ways to Say Goodbye” – Pat Monahan	“Sparks” – Coldplay
“Cities in Dust” – Siouxsie and the Banshees	“Little Cream Soda” – The White Stripes
“If It Kills Me” – Jason Mraz	“Tu Compania” – Keith Urban
“Merry Happy” – Kate Nash	“American Girl” – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

 

Junior Year

 

 

“Every Time You Lie” – Demi Lovato	“Run My Mouth” – Ra Ra Riot
“Dream Lover” – Bobby Darin	“Wild Young Hearts” – Noisettes
“Sugarcane” – Honeyhoney	“Dominos” – The Big Pink
“Meet Me Halfway” – Black Eyed Peas	“Mouthwash” – Kate Nash
“Laura” – Girls	“2080″ – Yeasayer
“Right Round” – Flo Rida	“Real Wild Child” – Iggy Pop
“Tik Tok” – Kesha	“Bukowski” – Modest Mouse
“Four Kicks” – Kings of Leon	“Toxic” – Mark Ronson

 

Senior Year

 

“The Perfect Con” – Nathan Johnson & the Cinematic Underground	“Fader” – The Temper Trap
“American Honey” – Lady Antebellum	“Young, Wild and Free” – Wiz Khalifa feat Snoop Dogg
“Teenage Dream” – Katy Perry	“Angel” – Akon
Do You Want It All” – Two Door Cinema Club	“I Wish I Was a Teenage Dirtbag” – Norwegian Recycling
“Don’t Look Now” – Far East Movement feat Keri Hilson	“Dog Days Are Over” – Florence & the Machine
“Tonight” – Enrique Iglesias featuring Ludacris	“F*** You” – Cee Lo Green
“The Party” – Justice	“Secrets” – OneRepublic

And now it’s senior spring. As I went through this entry, I found it harder and harder to choose photos to accurately sum up my fall and spring semesters. So many more things are happening and so many more people are becoming part of my life that I can’t possibly choose one photo to represent all of that. The fact that my college experience is only getting better with time makes me even more sad that it’s ending so soon – but, with these memories in my albums, iTunes, and mind, I can’t help but be excited about what the next four years will bring too.

Spring Fever

Hot off the heels of an amazing weekend, I’ve just realized that I have never ever written in this blog about Spring Fair. I can’t imagine how that could have ever happened: it’s one of my favorite weekends of the entire year, and definitely my favorite Hopkins-sponsored event on campus. To be fair, spring at Hopkins is a whirlwind of fun events, including Homecoming, Maryland Film Festival (where I’m volunteering this year), and Senior Week. It’s exciting because there’s so much to do – schoolwork is definitely put on the back-burner because of all the fun to be had. But there really is none better than Spring Fair.

Spring Fair is a magical three days when the entire Homewood campus loosens up, takes a deep breath, and gets outside to make some truly amazing memories. On Thursday night, there is a big kickoff party at Levering Plaza that includes fireworks, food, a mechanical bull, and a beer garden on the Latrobe Hall patio. There’s music provided by the WJHU radio station DJs and everyone tends to stay for a really long time, celebrating the weekend. Afterwards, it has become a tradition that I go to Sig Ep to hang out with my friends late into the night. It has also become a tradition that, if possible, I skip the class(es) I have on Friday, get a good night’s sleep, and head to the Freshman Quad on Friday morning ready for some good food, good friends, and good fun.

Rest is really necessary because, starting on Friday afternoon, the fair is in full swing. On the Freshman Quad are dozens of food vendors selling ice cream, turkey legs, corn dogs, pad Thai, lemonades and smoothies, cheese fries, fried Oreos, funnel cakes, and all the rest of the essential carnival foods you can think of. The Upper Quad is home to arts and crafts vendors selling jewelry, clothes, candles, paintings, soaps, homemade blown glass, and more. We also packed a lot of children’s events on the Upper Quad, like a moonbounce, a magician’s show, face-painting, and balloon animals. This year, the Lower Quad housed the non-profit section, which is usually full of student groups raising money for their various charities and efforts. Levering Plaza hosted concerts all weekend and, finally, the President’s Lawn was the location of our annual Beer Garden.

I really like that we have shopping, food, and games for adults/kids as well: it’s not just a college student event (though it would certainly be fun enough if it was), but really an event that brings together the Baltimore community as a whole. We even have a petting zoo that comes one day that, funnily enough, interests us just as much as it interests the kids. It’s also a huge alumni draw, since some graduates come back more often for Spring Fair than they even do for Young Alumni Weekend in the fall or Homecoming in the spring. It’s just nice to watch campus buzz with a different kind of energy for a few days. You forget about work, forget about upcoming exams, even forget about graduation coming so soon. Instead, you smile, laugh, squint in the sun, spend too much money on food, take too many pictures, and love every single moment of it all.

And what’s not to love about it: aside from the food, the fireworks, the beer, and the shopping, there are also always concerts and other special events throughout the fair. This year, we welcomed Chiddy Bang and had a “Blackout Party” (think: rave) in the Rec Center on Friday night. Saturday, the Coalition of Hopkins Activists for Israel (including my friend Aliza, who works in Admissions too) organized the Falafel Ball, a charity function with DJs, a capella, food, and dancing. Sunday morning was the Blue Jay 5k run, then a smorgasbord of Baltimore-based bands played in the afternoon including Future Islands, Dope Body, and Weekends.

As great as all of that is, it’s really funny how the highlights of Spring Fair are never those things you originally were the most excited to experience. Even though it rained nearly all day Saturday and the food/beer garden actually shut down by mid-afternoon, I’m going to look back on Spring Fair 2011 – my last as an undergraduate – and remember nothing but an exciting, unpredictable, really satisfying time. Even as a senior with one month left at Hopkins, I met so many new people. I danced. I spent lots of time in the sun, wore pretty maxi dresses, and got a pretty decent tan. I got to dye my roommate Maxi’s hair purple and blue to help raise money for Cuts for Camp. I had a corn dog, cheese fries, pad thai, crepes, lemonade, and (lots of) hard cider. I played Dirty Minds until 4 in the morning with some of my closest friends. Honest to goodness, at some points I laughed until I cried. And it sounds silly, but I hugged a lot this weekend – it’s that energy beating through campus, that makes everyone happier and more appreciative of everything around them. Every once in a while, we all need weekends like that.

And now, with Spring Fair 2011 finished and the vendors all packed up, all I want is to be able to do it all over again. Without fail, Spring Fair makes it even more apparent how much I love my friends and how much I love this school. I had such a blast.

The Fabulous Life of:

Get to Know JHU_Lauren:

During the next few days, all of the Hopkins Interactive bloggers will be posting this survey
of personal info, favorites, and Hopkins-related questions to help you get to know them better.
Mine is below…so here we go!

1. Birthplace and current hometown:
Westmont, NJ. Philly area, represent!

2. Major(s)/Minor(s):
Writing Seminars and Film & Media Studies double major

3. When I grow up I want to…
Win an Oscar

4. Favorite place to eat in Baltimore:
Pete’s Grill or Bertha’s in Fells Point.

5. Favorite spot on the Homewood campus:
The Beach

6. Favorite TV show:
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Skins, Mad Men, The Big Bang Theory, and Anthony Bourdain

7. Favorite color:
Green and purple

8. Favorite sports team:
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!

My Hopkins Experience:

1. When did you know Hopkins was right for you?
I stepped onto campus for a spring open house in 2007 and I just sort of knew. I was nervous to go to college in general but, for some reason, I could breathe easy on the Homewood campus. The brick buildings, the green grass, the sound of cars on the streets outside and the nice weather – it made me smile and it all felt “right.”

2. What is one thing that would surprise your friends/family about Hopkins?
We do a lot of things besides go to school, and I do a lot of things in my classes that don’t involve learning how to be a doctor. {Actually, I would only know how to write about or film a doctor…} My blog up until this point is pretty good evidence of that, I think!

3. If you were the University President, what is the first thing you would do or change?
Waffle fries would immediately be available at the Fresh Food Café. Immediately.

4. If you could go back and choose your college again, would you pick Hopkins?  Why?
Yes I would. {See #8.}

5. What was your perception about Hopkins before enrolling and how has it changed since then?
I fell into the common myth that everyone at Hopkins is pre-med, so I prepared myself to feel like a total minority. But what I didn’t know was that students here really do have diverse interests. As a humanities major, I don’t feel all alone or limited in any way.

6. What is/was your favorite class?
I’ve particularly enjoyed every one of my screenwriting classes, considering that’s my main academic focus. I also got to take a class taught by John Astin, a class about physics at the subparticle level (which I didn’t fail!), and my Intersession wine appreciation course. But saying those makes me realize I left out my film production classes, all of my fiction courses, my Intersession classes, and my film theory studies. The truth is, of all 46 classes I’ve taken at Hopkins, there are only two or three that I didn’t particularly enjoy. That’s pretty good odds, I’d say!

I do regret never taking a Russian history {since that is my favorite subject ever, believe it or not} or a traditional art history class, though.

7. Describe your funniest memory or experience at Hopkins:
Especially this year, I find that I am rarely unhappy – I laugh so much every day and have so many great memories of this place, so this was actually the hardest question on this list. Though this answer will probably make my parents shake their heads, one of my favorite memories was the time we had a beer pong game shut down on M-Level of the library. It was during the senior cocktail party last spring – my friend Naomi brought me as her date and wanted to do something epic and totally “college” before graduation, so we stored up cups and started playing against two of our friends on one of the study tables. It took a good 15 minutes before any security guards said anything…but we got a lot of high-fives and laughs in the meantime.

8. How would your college experience be different if you hadn’t chosen Hopkins?
I would never have been able to be a Writing Seminars and Film & Media Studies major. I would have entirely different friends. I would never have had the relationships I’ve had. I probably wouldn’t have joined Alpha Phi. I’d be in a different city, which undoubtedly would change my views on politics, art, travel, food, and what “home” actually means. My memories of college – including nights spent chatting and giggling on the Beach, smuggling food into the library, sleepovers in my friends’ apartments, sneaking onto the roofs of some buildings, and 4 hour lunches at Levering Food Court – would be filled with other landmarks, restaurants, faces, and jokes. Obviously I wouldn’t know any different but, looking at it now, it would just feel wrong to have gone anywhere else.

9. What has your greatest contribution been during your time at Hopkins, or what do you hope to accomplish before graduation?
I’m proud of a lot of things I’ve done while at Hopkins. Getting each of my jobs and internships was a thrill; learning how to use a dishwasher for the first time changed my life; completing an entire year of managing chapter events for Alpha Phi was extremely rewarding {and exhausting}; getting nearly straight A’s one semester made me feel on top of the world. I feel like my life here has been a series of amazing accomplishments, academic and professional and social. I honestly can’t choose just one. And if that makes me sound like I’m tooting my own horn…just wait til you get here. You’ll see what I mean.

10.  What advice would you give to a high school senior choosing their college?
If you got into Hopkins, chances are you got into other schools and now have a big choice to make. Don’t make a hasty decision, but also remember that this isn’t the end of the world. Choose the school that seems right for you and make an effort, once you get there, to get all of the fun, opportunities, social interaction, and knowledge that is possible. College is what you make of it – and, if you go into it with an open mind and a thirst for all these things, you won’t have any regrets.

So now you know some of my favorite things and just what I think of Hopkins. Long story short, I have reveled in my time here and am so, so sad to leave this place. It took me a long semester to settle in before I realized I could handle college life {being away from home, making new friends, doing everything on my own} – and now I cannot believe how FAST it really went. The real advice here is, no matter what school you choose, make sure you take advantage of all it has to offer. Sign up for clubs, take pictures of everything, and choose fun/friends/new things over anything else {Well, most of the time – don’t forget to study!} Get out there and do it all – we know you’ve got it in you!

To Whom It May Concern

I tend to sign my job application emails with a few simple words: “I look forward to hearing from you soon.” I choose that phrase in particular because it’s simple, polite, and entirely open-ended. In effect, you can pretty much do what you want with it. But, when I say it (following that resume and cover letter I’ve spent tens of hours honing just to impress you), I really mean:

You’ve probably skimmed my cover letter and (hopefully) read my resume, but you’re not replying to my email just yet. That’s ok. I just want to remind you that you should follow up at some point because I’m sitting here with an anxious pang in my chest at the thought of May 27th, the day after I graduate. Personally, on May 27th I think I should have a job at your company. And here’s why.

I pay “attention to detail.” I’m “self reliant” and “take initiative.” I have “prior experience” and “knowledge of the entertainment industry.” I am your job description.

I know my stuff. I know Avid and Final Cut Pro and Photo Shop and HTML and Microsoft Office and fax machines and copiers and telephones and Macs and PCs like the back of my hand, assuming I’m extremely familiar and incredibly proficient with the back of my hand. Managing people and money (in large quantities for each) is a piece o’ cake for me. Juggling multiple tasks and deadlines at once? No sweat. The confidence to speak up when I have an idea, objection, concern, etc.? If there’s one thing you should know about me…that won’t be a problem.

I’m qualified, but I’m still humble. I might have felt invincible every day of high school, racking up A+’s and leadership titles and college recommendations, but the truth is that Hopkins reminded me I’m still a tiny part of a big, big world. Nothing better than to have the world’s best minds studying hard around me to make me realize I still have things to learn. Plenty of things. Most things, actually. But you can teach some of those to me (which should make you feel pretty good).

I like change. I never used to, but somewhere along the way I learned to roll with the punches. But I don’t just endure them – I crave them. Doing something different every single day? Forging across unknown territory? Taking the initiative to come up with my own ideas and solutions to get us through? Even the thought of it thrills me. In fact, not hearing from you right now even makes me a little excited. Twisted, I know. But having entirely zero plans for May 27th means that everything, everywhere is open to me.

I’m cool (or try to be). I’m creative. I work hard, but I’m not work-obsessed. I laugh easy. Most importantly though, to this ideal job: I want you.

This career is it. I’ve tried everything I love – fashion, journalism, magazine, public relations, public service. But you, film production in all your glory, combine every passion of mine into one neat, stimulating, colorful, shiny package. You make me think and problem-solve. You let me splash around in my imagination’s palette – and you let me produce something out of it. You let me work in a team – the idea of a huge group of talented, interesting people working toward a common goal overwhelms me sometimes and really pleases me. You let me push myself and our culture towards something new. You let me multi-task and feel the rush of deadlines, of flying by the seat of your pants, of organized chaos. (You even let me boss people around sometimes.)

And, considering alone that I packed all that into one little sentence…I think you should give me a chance.