this is a pic of the vending machine in AMR 2... it had soup and a tv dinner type thing in it ew! random pic but I just wanted to share. Anyways..
So I’m sitting here wondering why in the world my spring break is basically over. And why my to-do has been growing instead of shrinking. Needless to say I’m upset, but I expected it. Time has been flying this semester, and every year, it goes by more and more quickly. I’m coming to terms that in a month and some change, finals will start and my junior year will come to an end, whether I want it to or not. I wish I could make time stop just so I could breathe in and enjoy moments of life, without them being fleeting. But I can’t so all I can do is do my best to cherish what’s here…and with that, here is a list of some of my favorite things about Hopkins!
- Trees. When I walk to my physics class in the morning, I love looking at the trees and greenery. I’m grateful my school doesn’t look like a dump because having a pretty school makes you feel better…it’s true!
- Independence. I’m not gonna lie, this school doesn’t hold your hand and baby you. BUT, it provides everything you need and you have to learn how to be a go getter. I love the independence that this creates. If you need tutoring, there are several different services like the Learning Den (group tutoring) and Study Consultants (one on one time with a student who helps you study and manage time better). But a professor is generally not going to look at a bad test grade and tell you that you need to do something about it. At least for larger lecture courses. Independence also comes about because of the lack of core curriculum–students jump right into what they like. I like the independence the school gives because it really does prepare you for the real world!
- Interesting students. We’re an interesting bunch, I’d say. People stereotype us, I know. You’ve probably done it yourself ;) (don’t worry, I did before I came to Hopkins!) But truth is, you can’t really define us stringently. People come from so many different places and have done so many different things, and those things have shaped them to be individuals. If you look at students by major, you’ll see that many have completely different motivations for studying that subject. And many plan to do completely different things with their majors.
- Eats. Compared to other schools, we don’t have as many eating places right around campus (as in walking distance). There’s Subway, Chipotle, a chinese food place, Coldstone, some other restaurants and cafes like Donna’s, Carma’s, One World Cafe…I mean there are a lot of places around campus but my point is that there is MORE outside of campus, downtown and in Mt.Vernon…places not walkable but easily accessed by shuttle. And I like that. Students complain that there aren’t enough places around school to eat at, but there’s a world of food in Fells Point, Little Italy, Federal Hill, Mt Vernon, and the Harbor. For those students…I think if that academically independent spirit were put to use in a more adventurous manner, food would become cooler. Is that the word I’m looking for? I’m not sure but whatever :P
- Faculty. No matter how big or small the field, faculty here are at the top and are very knowledgeable. Watch a professor’s eyes light up as you express interest in his/her research or area of expertise, rather than expressing interest in arguing with them over a grade. It’s a cool thing…and the professor you thought was pretentious and snobby will seem so much more human and approachable. I mean I am sure there are some jerk professors but hey that’s everywhere and the truth of the matter is, that’s life. I’ve yet to come across one though!
I think I’ll add more to this list in a later entry. Until next time!
-Dominique
