Wish You Were Here

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!

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.”

Me and Kaitlyn, dressed up for Halloween

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.”

Me and Olivia, also during Halloween

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.”

Me in my shiny rain slicker. Totally agree with Bridget's advice!

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.)”

Me and Mike, c. Spring 2010

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 (right) visiting Hopkins in Fall 2010!

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.”

Me and Sydney on a trip to New York.

—

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.

the time of my life

For the last couple of weeks, all of the Hopkins Interactive bloggers have been writing on a common theme:  our thoughts and reflections on the college application process.  We’ve all been exactly where you are now and hope that sharing our experiences will help you through this momentous (but challenging!) time in your life. This post is part 2 of 2 I’ll be writing on the topic. (Read part 1 here.)

I was going to write another entry with advice to all of you who are approaching that intimidating college application deadline – something useful to remember when asking for recommendations, what to look for on college visits, tips to finish up (or start, if you procrastinate like I do) that application essay. But when I sat down to write it…I realized that I had no idea what to say because, somehow, I have become very, very old.

Class of 2007!

It’s been a long time since I’ve been in high school, or since I applied to college, or even since I set foot on the Hopkins campus for my first day of freshman year. I’ve come a long way from the high school senior who got lost trying to show her parents the Rec Center the day after her overnight stay. I’m a college senior now – and I know Hopkins so well that I can walk blindly around campus from class to work to lunch to meetings, so preoccupied with other things that I let my subconscious senses take over. I don’t get lost and I don’t go off-track. It’s just like my body knows where I’m going, after being here for so long.

Fall 2006

During the summer before my first year here, I had a hard time reminding myself I would actually have to go off to college at some point. I was nervous for the work, nervous to be in a city where I knew no one…but for some reason, my imagination always put me sleeping in my familiar bed at home, studying at my familiar dining room table, eating meals at my familiar restaurants around my hometown. It was only the middle of August when I realized these things would be entirely new – entirely replaced – when I came to school. And when I got to campus my freshman year, I really resented the older students who called Hopkins their “home.” They’d talk about how, when they went to their actual homes to visit their families, they felt like they were out of place because of how comfortable they had gotten at Hopkins. They’d talk about how easy it was to settle in and how they actually missed school when they went on break. I couldn’t imagine it – I was already counting down the days til I could go home, calling my parents and telling them I didn’t think I could make it for four whole years. I told myself “Home Sweet Hopkins” would never happen to me: home was home, and that was that. This was just temporary and wouldn’t ever compete.

Dad, me, and Mom on campus freshman year

And then all sorts of crazy things happened to my freshman self. I decorated my dorm with photos and fake flowers, I joined clubs related to my most passionate interests, I started raising my hand in classes and finding the corners of the Hut where I did my best work (and people-watching). I survived my first failing test grade in college and reveled in my first A+. I made friends – real friends, ones I didn’t feel uneasy around and ones that made me feel amazing about being myself and being here. I had my first college relationship, explored all corners of Baltimore, got my first job. And somehow, between that first emotional day on campus and this cold winter afternoon in the library…Hopkins became my home, too.

home sweet home!

So if you’re anxious about leaving home – or even if you’re just having trouble imagining yourself next year at college – remember that time is an amazing thing. How you feel, think, or behave a month from now is a total mystery. So much can happen and you can learn so much in such short amounts of time. Obviously, to settle in anywhere you have to do some work: social work, academic work, domestic work. You have to make an effort to be comfortable somewhere entirely foreign. But even when you think it’s never going to happen…trust time, and know that it will do its job to push you along to where you need to be.

And really, the fact that I did it is so satisfying. I made a home here for myself, complete with a warm apartment and a family of genuine, good-hearted friends. I didn’t think it would ever happen, and it did. It proved to me that I can make it anywhere. I can be on my own and I can make positive things happen. Looking ahead to the post-graduation chapter of my life isn’t nearly as scary when I remember this. I can do it.

Bests: Ashlee, me, and Courtney

applying to hopkins: the interview

For the next couple of weeks, all of the Hopkins Interactive bloggers will be writing on a common theme:  our thoughts and reflections on the college application process.  We’ve all been exactly where you are now and hope that sharing our experiences will help you through this momentous (but challenging!) time in your life. This post is part 1 of 2 I’ll be writing on the topic.

As an admissions representative, I’ve gotten the chance to do something pretty cool for the past two years: I give on-campus interviews to prospective students who have either applied or are thinking of applying to Hopkins. (AdmissionsMark wrote a great blog entry about the process from an admissions point-of-view, so you should definitely read that!) Personally, I had three interviews when I was applying to colleges (not one from Hopkins though), all given by alumni from those schools in a town next to mine. The interviews were very similar in a lot of ways, the biggest being my intense anxiety before and after each one. Back then, to put it frankly…I was convinced I was going to bomb them all miserably. But now, after being able to experience the interview process with a “behind-the-scenes” perspective, I feel much more secure and better able to actually express myself in an interview setting. I obviously love giving interviews because I love meeting the next generation of off-to-college students and helping them get all their questions answered, but I’m also really grateful for the chance to have a job that has taught me such a useful lesson for the future. (It really is a good skill to have – making a good first impression is key!)

Photos on the wall of the staircase you climb on the way to the interview room!

So, in an effort to save you from a little bit of that stress, I decided to write about a few of the key things I wish prospective students would remember before, during, and after interviews. It’s sort of a combination of what I’ve learned about interviews in general (from my college interview process, copious interviews for internships, and ever-developing social skills) and what I hope to see from a student when I give an interview. There’s no way to score a guaranteed acceptance into a college from a stellar interview alone (read point #5), but remembering these points can help calm your nerves and make you feel like you have prepared as much as possible for the big day.

#1 Don’t. Stress. Out.

Part of my whole “pre-interview spiel” is dedicated to letting the student know an important piece of information: the on-campus interview is meant to be an informative discussion, not a grill session. I’m not going to ask you about your SATs or your most brilliant plan to save the world via research or how many A’s you got last year. I’m going to ask you real questions that help me get to know you and your interests: what do you do in your free time, what’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned in one of your classes this year, etc. So before you come in for an interview, shake the nerves with some deep breaths and RELAX. You can tell when someone is nervous – if their eyes flit around the room instead of watching me, if their voice shakes, if they fidget. We don’t “take off points” for that, but it puts us on edge and it also is distracting for you when you’re trying to formulate your thoughts.

Another important thing to remember is that I, and all interviewers, hope that you feel comfortable to stop me at any point to ask your questions about Hopkins. Of course we want to get a sense of how well you’d “fit” here and how much you would take advantage of the opportunities available here, but the main goal is for you to leave the interview with as much information about Hopkins as possible in order to decide whether your should apply and, in the future if the chance arises, enroll.

#2 Prepare – but not too much.

Before your interview, prepare by brainstorming possible questions you could be asked. Obviously, you’re not going to be able to figure out exactly what I’m going to want to know, but you can consider your classes and extracurriculars; you can think about how people (friends, family) might describe you if they were asked to; you can reflect on your criteria during the college search, what sets Hopkins apart from the rest on your list, etc. Then, think about how you might want to answer these questions in order to say everything efficiently and coherently.

But one of the worst things is when I ask a student a question and it sounds like they are giving me a canned answer that, no doubt, has been written, rehearsed on family members, and rewritten to sound just right. It should be organic, but you should also make sure you feel comfortable talking about yourself (here, practice makes perfect!). Which leads me to my next point…

#3 Talking about yourself does not equal bragging.

If the interviewer asks about your greatest achievement (or something along those lines), don’t downplay it in an effort to seem modest. You don’t want to be obnoxiously boastful, but you have to toot your own horn and let them know what sets you apart from the rest. I know a lot of people who have trouble with this and who will avoid talking about their positive aspects just because they don’t want to seem snooty or cocky. But one of the greatest things about the interview is it’s a candid, one-on-one way to show me why you’d be a good contribution to the school. As long as you don’t talk about them in an annoying way, your accomplishments will make you seem driven, ambitious, and mature – not braggy.

#4 Come with questions.

As we’ve said in the past, these interviews are supposed to be informative. I would love nothing more than to sit with a student for 20 minutes and answer question after question about life at Hopkins! It’s not a bad thing if you don’t have any questions to ask, but it will make you appear interested and curious, both plusses in the interview room. Even if you come with a couple questions of your own to keep the conversation going, that’s plenty! I’ve had students ask me everything, from questions about Fresh Food Café, to parties on the weekends, to sports and research and life off-campus, to even my least favorite thing about Hopkins. It’s all fair game, so think hard about what you really want to know and don’t be afraid to ask it.

#5 It’s about the whole package…no, really, it is!

I remember driving to one of my interviews, certain that I was going to say the wrong thing and immediately be denied from that school. But something I’ve learned from working with admissions is that, while the interview is important, it is most likely not going to define your shot at getting in. There are so many other things to consider: grades, teacher recommendations, your personal essay, etc. Interviews are great ways to establish a personal connection between the school and an applicant, but taking a little too long to answer a question does not automatically spell “DENY” to Hopkins. Remember that, and the whole mystical interview process seems instantly less scary.

And speaking of the whole package…that goes for your interview-day presentation too. It’s about your words, but your hair and clothes factor into the way the interviewer will interpret what you say. You don’t need to get dressed up in formal wear, but remember that the college application process is a formal one. You should wear business-casual clothes, which don’t include sweatpants, flip-flops, or dirty tee shirts. It isn’t because we’re all shallow that I mention this: it just really helps when it looks like you respect yourself, take care of yourself, and want to be as polished as possible when trying to make a good impression. It shows you care, which is the most important thing of all.

the final countdown

During the week before finals, almost every college in America is thrown into a tizzy.  Students are frantically flipping through textbooks in the library, staying up late, quizzing themselves with stacks of flashcards, drinking too much caffeine, and overall just letting themselves go.  We normally say that the Hopkins curriculum is what you make of it, that if you can manage your time and work hard, you won’t get too stressed – and normally, we mean it.  But I’ll be honest: during finals, our campus is pretty tense.

And really, it makes sense.  Some finals are worth over 50% of your ENTIRE GRADE.  Some finals are cumulative, meaning you’re expected to spout out all of the information you’ve learned over the entire semester.  It makes my heart beat a little faster even thinking about it.  My biggest final is worth 30% and is not cumulative – so, with a good grade going into the exam, I’m not too worried.

Even so, I’m still searching for that balance between work and play.  I’m not a believer in burning my energy up in order to get a good grade and THEN having fun afterwards as a reward – I need a smooth balance to keep me motivated.  I think this week’s work/play pendulum swung a bit too far to the latter, but I feel so much calmer because of it!  Here are some of the things I did to relax this past week.

Ways To Stay Anxiety-Free
{Even During Final Exams}

The Beach

The best escape from work is some time – whether it’s a whole day {my favorite} or even just a half hour – on the Beach, the grassy lawn in front of the library.  We head out there with towels and iPod speakers to relax, get some sun, and hang out with friends.  Everyone always brings a textbook or notebook in an attempt to study, but don’t be fooled – you will most likely get NO actual work done.  You will, however, end up with a great tan.

On the Beach with Naomi!

A Night Out {with Friends}

At the All-Nighters concert in Bloomberg

Saznin and Jackie!

I’ll be the first to admit that I probably spent too much time out and about this week.  I had a fun-filled weekend going to a capella concerts and after parties with my friends, then on Tuesday we had our Alpha Phi formal, and then most of my friends went to the Sig Ep formal on Thursday as well.  Friday was spent at the Maryland Film Festival seeing my professor’s film Putty Hill and a theater semi-formal afterwards.  It sounds kind of exhausting {and it was}, but I always love a chance to get dressed up so I was really excited for this week to get here.  Plus, hanging out away from campus and, most importantly, away from the library is an incredible opportunity to keep your mind OFF work and stress.  Sometimes I have to force myself to get up, put the books away, and go out at night, but I never regret it.  In the long run, these are the nights that will matter most and make the best memories – not the nights spent overly-anxious about exams.

Family before Alpha Phi formal

My date, Matt

Me and Mike, before Sig Ep's formal

A bunch of Alpha Phis!

A Night In {with Yourself}

Last night, I intended to spend all night in my apartment.  I was going to stay in, get studying done, and go to bed early.  Instead, I spent the entire time watching chick flicks {The Holiday, The Devil Wears Prada, Father of the Bride} and chatting with friends online.  I felt a little guilty when I didn’t get any work done beyond printing out a review sheet that I needed, but it was a great way to unwind and get a good night’s sleep.  I was cozy and comfortable, still socializing, and getting some much needed relaxation at the same time.  I went to bed happy and perfectly-sleepy – it was just what I needed.

Potluck Brunch

Everyone has different study habits and schedules so, sometimes, it’s hard to get a group together to have lunch or dinner during exams.  I’ve found that the best time to share a meal with friends is brunch – that window between 10:00am-noon, before people have made the trek to their favorite study spot, is PERFECT.  We assign foods/supplies to each person, then meet up to have a great meal and swap stories.  It’s a great way to kick off the day – although leaving with a full belly does sometimes make you just want to take a nap.

Eating and cooking at Pooja's apartment

Spring 2010: The Tunes

A new playlist is a must!  It’s only the beginning of May and I’ve gone through 4 versions of my “Spring 2010″ playlist – but I keep finding songs that pump me up and make me feel really determined, so I have playlists to suit my mood.  I play them while I’m studying, getting ready in the morning, getting ready to go out at night…whenever I need a little push.  This just a short list, but some of my songs for spring are:

Little Boots

“Can’t Touch This” – Ricki Lee
“How to Hang a Warhol” – Little Joy
“See the World” – The Kooks
“Wild Young Hearts” – Noisettes
“Store Bought Bones” – The Raconteurs
“When They Fight, They Fight” – The Generationals
“Dog Days Are Over” – Florence & the Machine
“Mass Romantic” – The New Pornographers
“Never Had Nobody Like You” – M. Ward
“Don’t Know You At All” – Blood Feathers
“2080″ – Yeasayer
“Back in Time” – V.V. Brown
“New in Town” – Little Boots

Texting

Sometimes you just need a short little break to clear your mind.  A new perspective from a friend is the best way to do this.  Texting to see what a friend at another school is doing, how a classmate’s studying is going, or checking in with mom/dad or a sibling will help you stay connected to the outside world, even when you’re the most wrapped up in work.  It’s a slippery slope though…so I always set a texting limit {i.e. send texts during the next half hour, then shut off my phone} to make sure I don’t get too distracted.

These are just a few of the ways I stay calm during finals.  Warm showers, trips to Coldstone, voyages off-campus to vintage stores, and planning on how to decorate my apartment next year are also solid choices, but either way it’s all about giving yourself a complete break from the mountain of due dates you have in front of you.  It’s tough to separate sometimes, but it’s so worth it – you come back rejuvenated, relaxed, and ready to try your best.

“parting is all we know of heaven and all we need to know of hell.”

When I was getting ready for school this time last year, I was, for lack of a better term, absolutely terrified.  I was excited too, because I got to buy all new things for my room, school supplies, clothes for the year {and what girl doesn’t like that?}.  I started to like imagining doing something new somewhere else.  I love feeling like I’m actually making progress and getting something accomplished — I have dreams like anybody else, and it made me happy to know that I was getting closer to making them actually happen.

But I had never been away from home for longer than a week before.  I loved my family and I had an incredibly great high school experience, so I wasn’t one of those kids who was looking forward to getting away. I loved living near Philadelphia and I loved my little town too.  So how was I supposed to move to a new city {which, granted, I  did already love after a great 6th grade class trip} a couple hundred miles away?  How was I going to live on my own for months when I hadn’t so much as done my own laundry before by myself?  I had never started at a new school knowing absolutely NO ONE: how was I going to meet new people?  How was I going to survive?  And, in the midst of all this struggling to survive, how was I going to have fun and make friends and study and eat well and explore the city and get a job and do homework and watch enough Tyra, all at the same time?  It sounded impossible.

And at school, I do miss home.  This is what worried me last year: I wasn’t just leaving a house, or people, or a place.  I was leaving my home.  I’ve lived in the same house on the same street in the same town since the day I came home from the hospital almost nineteen years ago.  I could call my parents, IM my friends, and see new pictures all I want, but the fact was that home was changing.  When is that never a scary thing to think about?

I don’t think it was me leaving home and being on my own that scared me the most though; it was that home was going to go on without me. And it does.  My cousins’ babies will grow and change this year, and I won’t be there for it.  My friends will have all sorts of new things happen in their lives, and I won’t be there for it.  The businesses in my town will close and new ones will open, and I won’t be there for it.  My high school’s football team will lose and lose and lose some more, and I won’t be there for it.

And I did miss home.  I’m going to be honest — it’s rare for anyone to go to school and forget that home exists.   Every day at school, I miss my dad coming into the room to tell me about something interesting he read in the paper that day or saw on television.  I miss my mom being there to play board games and act silly with me.  I miss the way our telephone rings, the way our eight clocks in the living room and dining room all say it’s a different time, the way the tree leaves rustle outside my bedroom window.  I miss our “home smell.”  I miss the way our staircase creaks when you walk up it, and how it creaks differently when you walk down.  I miss all of these normal things that I had taken for granted for so long.

But this summer, something incredible happened: I went home .. and I missed school.

I miss my friends.  I miss my boyfriend.  I miss building a home in my own little bedroom, and slowly making it feel more and more comfortable as the year goes on.  I miss making new meals for dinners with my friends .. and sometimes setting off the fire alarm in the process.  I miss bouncing around in the shuttle on the way to the mall.  I miss raspberry italian sodas from Cafe Q, and those heavenly chicken sandwiches from Peppercorn Grill.  I miss every single beautiful brick on campus.  I miss the memories I make with my friends when we’re all feeling silly and we know there isn’t a camera around to capture it.  I miss my bench on the right path in front of Gilman Hall.  I miss the president’s lawn, and the BMA sculpture garden, and bubble tea from Orient Express.  I miss Uni Mini something fierce.  I miss learning.  I actually, honestly, really miss my classes.

But you’ll always miss things.  You’ll miss being little, staying out late to catch lightning bugs, running and running for hours playing tag but never getting tired, making the swing set squeak because you’re swinging too high, trying so hard not to giggle when you’re under the bed during hide and seek that your belly hurts.  And then, later, you’ll miss friends that move away, friends that change, friends that you finally see for what they really are.  You’ll miss the way the sun sets on that one particular great day, or the first time a certain something really wonderful happens.  You’ll miss your favorite vacation spot when you leave for home.  You’ll miss people when they pass away.  You’ll wish you could get some great things back.  When things are bad, you’ll wish you had more of the things you love right there with you where you are to make you feel better.  But one thing that college has taught me is that missing things — people, places, sounds, things like that — is normal.  I guess the ultimate in life would be having all of the things that are important to you in one place at one time, so that missing isn’t necessary.  But when is that practical?

And really, the best part of missing something is when you get it back again.  Life would be so much less fun if that part wasn’t so sweet.

what lies ahead

CONGRATULATIONS to all those lucky students who got letters welcoming them into the Class of 2012!  I’m sure you know this already, but this time in your lives right now will prove to be so exciting.  You’ll wish with anticipation for time to go faster, and at the same time you wish you could enjoy those last few months of high school forever.  You’ll be here before you know it though — it’s hard to believe I already only have about a month left of my freshman year.

It feels like just yesterday that I was sitting in front of the family computer, over-eagerly refreshing my GMail inbox and waiting for my yes or no email.  I say “over-eagerly” because GMail actually refreshes your inbox for you . I was just so impatient after months of the decision being out of my hands that I think I wanted to feel like I had some control over making my decision arrive faster.  {I’m in a nostalgic mood since we’re talking about high school .. those pictures are of the history/language hallway in Haddon Township High School, while we were decorating it for Spirit Week in our junior year.}

To be completely honest, when I applied to schools, I hadn’t been banking on Johns Hopkins.  I obviously understood it was a beyond amazing school and that I would be honored to be accepted.  I put a lot of time and effort into my application for that reason and really tried hard to make sure I showed off my talents, strengths, interests, and what I would bring to the university in the clearest way possible for the person in Admissions who would eventually read it.  But I don’t know that I ever really expected to actually come here .. until that moment when, after refreshing my GMail inbox for the 100000th time, I saw those words: “Congratulations from Johns Hopkins University!”

I still have the email, and every single time I look at it I remember that strange, unexplainable feeling that I felt when it popped up onto the webpage.  It felt like all the blood rushed to my head and to my fingertips — everything got tingly, probably because I was so surprised! — and it felt like my heart started to beat faster and faster and faster and would never slow down, and I’m sure my foot was wiggling up and down because that’s what I do when I’m nervous and excited, and I had the urge to snap my fingers and be 6 months into the future at Johns Hopkins, RIGHT NOW, because I’ve been accepted and why would I want to wait any longer to get there?

But I seem to remember just sitting in my chair with my mom at the table next to me and my dad in the next room, totally calm on the outside, just saying, “I got in!” loud enough so they both could hear.  At that moment, for some reason I’ll never understand, none of the other decisions I was waiting for mattered.  {Those are my parents and me during one of their more recent visits to Hopkins.}

This year was definitely more competitive than any other before {even just from when I applied!}, and I am so excited for all of you new Blue Jays to join the Hopkins community.  This campus, more than any other place I have ever been, inspires me every day.  It sounds silly and probably a little cliche, but you really do walk by students or sit in class with them and wonder which one will cure a major disease, which one will become an extremely influential politician, which one will win a Pulitzer for their novel, and which one might be president of Hopkins or another university {Or the country?!  You never know!} later on down the road.  {That picture has basically no relevance, but since I finally found out who my big and my Alpha Phi family are, I’m excited!!  So there’s a picture of my bigbig, my big, and me.  And they’re pretty awesome, so I can make it less random by saying that they’re some of those inspiring people I was talking about!}

It is such a surreal idea to grasp, to know that you are going to school with the best of the best.  Never in my life have I considered myself “knowledgable” about a whole lot of things and, while I know I’m driven and determined and have huge dreams for myself, I never really let myself believe that I was capable of achieving anything BIG in my life.  But living, learning, and talking with these students has almost made it seem like it’s possible for me and for everyone .. and, because of the friends I’ve made here and the things I’ve learned about the world and about myself, I’m excited to try to make that happen.

So CONGRATULATIONS again .. get excited, and enjoy every single second left of your senior year and your first summer before college.  I am so happy to be here now and to feel like I’m making progress towards a future goal, but time always goes by way too fast.  Slow it down, take one day at a time, and know that there are so many amazing things waiting for you when you get here in the fall.  :)

{And, in the meantime, come visit if you can!}

jersey or bust

Greetings from Hopkins to all you future Blue Jays!  {And to Mom and Dad, who I figured would appreciate a little shout-out. :P}

My name is Lauren.  I’m from New Jersey {as is most of the freshman class, it seems – every other person I meet is from somewhere in Jersey!}, where I live in a small, suburban town just about 15 minutes outside of Philadelphia .. which means, at the moment, I am definitely wearing my PHILLIES RED!!  Who else is shocked that a team who seemed like they lost every single game this season actually won NL East?  It’s nuts!

But back to what you came here for {unless you came here for sports and entertainment commentary; in that case, hold on tight for an entry in the coming weeks about every new television show I watched so far this season – I tease you not, there is definitely one in the works}: I’m a Writing Seminars/English major here at Hopkins and, as of two days ago, I have just wrapped up my first full month as a Hopkins freshman {wooo!}.  How has it been?  I’m not sure if I could describe my experiences in the last month in one word or phrase, but I will try: to take a word from my Subatomic World professor {he uses it daily}, things have been lumpy.

We, as every new freshman does, began with Orientation, and I think that’s a pretty good place to start my entry.  Now, I’m pretty sure it is Hopkins Orientation Staff {“O-Staff”} strategy to pack as many events into one week’s time as possible on purpose, just to make us so tired we can’t think straight.  But even though I was totally beat for most of the events from lack of sleep, and even though I forgot to bring my camera to every single Orientation event, that week was still an experience I will look back on later and remember well.

My first bit of advice ever to any new freshman: GO TO ORIENTATION EVENTS.  {Don’t think I’m yelling at you because of the caps there – it’s just important.  You’ll know when I’m yelling.}.  Most, even if it says so on your Orientation brochure, are not mandatory, and many freshmen use that as an excuse to sleep in, go get food, or play video games.  DON’T DO THAT.  Go to everything unless you are really sure you won’t enjoy yourself there.  {See picture to your right – if you take my advice, you will get to know that building, Shriver Hall, very well.  That picture was taken on an overcast day though so it doesn’t do it justice!  It’s a pretty amazing view.}  That week was so much fun – I was running on pretty much three hours of sleep every night during Orientation {it’s ironic that I get more sleep now that classes have started, isnt it?}, but it made me feel so welcome by Hopkins.  It was a perfect way to jump right into life here, meet people, wind down the summer, and prepare for classes.  It definitely made me feel happy to be here!

Then, on September 6th, the first day of classes arrived.  The first major difference from high school?  Having to actually leave a building to get to your next class.  Most of the time, I have about 10 minutes to go from one side of campus to the other {I’m a master scheduler, what can I say?} and, while I always make it on time, I definitely get my exercise and have to dress weather-conscious in a way that I never have had to before.  I’ve even lost three pounds since I’ve been here from all the extra walking!  I still haven’t learned to wear practical shoes though – flip flops are still my footwear of choice, and I’m getting loads of blisters because of it.  Maybe when the snow comes, I’ll learn my lesson.

But my classes themselves are fantastic and, although it honestly is a lot of work and doing well requires highly refined time management skills that I definitely do not possess yet, I’m really looking forward to seeing how the semester progresses.  {See picture to your left – that’s Gilman Hall, where a few of my classes are held this semester.  It’s seriously one of my favorite places on campus, and I’m disappointed that none of you will be able to experience it, as it is being renovated starting the end of this semester.}  It’s nerdy to say, I guess .. but it’s actually kind of fun to be learning things I can see myself putting to use in my future from professors who really know their stuff.  But I’ll talk more about my classes another time!

The social life here is really great, too.  No, Hopkins most certainly isn’t the place where “fun comes to die” like everybody says – there are dinners, parties, performing arts events, sporting events, shuttles to the Harbor and the mall .. you can basically find anything you could want to do going on.  I love all of my extracurricular activities so far too: I’m obviously involved with Hopkins Interactive {if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have this blog!!} and, although it will be a big commitment, I’m really excited about it!  I know how much I used the blogs and the message board when I was applying here to get a sense of what life was really like at Hopkins, so I hope I can do the same for you guys!!  And if I’m not doing a good enough job of that .. let me know!  =]

Anyway, I’m also applying for the Blue Key Society, which is the group that gives tours of campus {so cross your fingers for me to get accepted, and maybe I’ll give you a tour one day!}, and I definitely want to host prospective students on overnight visits as well.  On top of continuing with my high school involvement in the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life {See picture on your right – that is from this year’s Relay for Life at my high school, an event that everyone should experience at least once; that’s my mom in the shades walking the Survivor Lap!}, I’m also thinking about writing for the JHU News-Letter and am interested in sororities.  And I’m still looking for more!  That’s one of the many things I love about Hopkins – if you want it, they’ve got it.  And if they don’t have it, you can make it.

Even so, I’m not going to lie: I was extremely sad at times during my first month of college as well.  Even though my home is two hours away, I felt completely isolated from my family, friends, and home and that made me instantly homesick.  I was a wreck more times than not, worried that I would never find friends as understanding as my friends back home or anyone as reliable and supportive as my family.  I even started to think about the math, how I would be here for half the year and in New Jersey for half the year, back and forth for the next four whole years, and that made me really upset.  I actually cried a lot during my first month, and I felt like everyone – and I mean everyone – was adjusting better than I was.  I go back and forth between feeling everything, but mostly I still miss home and my family tons.  It’s hard too, to be in such a smart environment – I walk down the paths of campus and a lot of the students are visibly smart – it just radiates off of them, it’s like a really, really good perfume – and I wonder why I’m even here or if I can do it.

The point is that everyone doesn’t adjust immediately and everyone isn’t always happy, even if they make you think they’re having the best time.  Everyone has a period of having to get used to starting over from scratch in a new place – it’s short for some, longer for others, but either way it is still hard for everyone.  So, if you are worried about being homesick or not making friends easily or anything like that if you go to a school that’s far away, you’re definitely not alone!

I think it’s part of the experience though, and I feel like I’ve grown a bit in the last month.  I’m so much more independent and, more important, I value my family and friends in a way that I never did before.  It’s amazing, but I really don’t feel as sad anymore, even after just four weeks.  I miss my family, my friends, and my home more than words can even describe, but time seems to be moving faster.  I’ve learned to keep countdowns to my next visit home, to Thanksgiving, to winter break.  I’ve learned that it isn’t just a cute little saying: you really ARE just a phone call, an email, a text, or a letter away.  I send pictures back and forth through the Internet to keep tabs on how everyone is doing and the changes that have happened since we last saw each other.  We use Facebook.  A lot.

My mom and I used to play Scrabble with each other all the time; thanks to Scrabulous.com, we don’t have to lose that.  And now, because I’ve gotten crafty and learned these little tricks {and have homework and studying to distract me – believe me, that is a great thing!}, the times that I feel sad come less frequent and don’t last as long.  I still wonder if I’ll ever find friends to even compare to the ones back home and if I will ever be able to call my dorm room “home” {or if I ever want to be able to call it home}, but I’m learning to love it here.  After all, it’s Hopkins … what’s not to love?

Up next, I’m planning entries about, as I said earlier, television {a passion of mine!}, my classes {which I wish I mentioned more in this entry .. oh well, another day!}, my dorm and the changes I’ve made to it to make it more like home, sights on campus, and visiting home for the weekend.  And you can look forward to pictures and video making appearances in the very near future.  But, til next time ..

Wish you were here!  =]