Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? If you’re as excited for the holidays as I am, then you are! I’ve been watching holiday movies and sipping hot chocolate with peppermint since the first day of November. However, apparently there’s some sort of holiday coming up before December that also deserves recognition. Before we all leave this weekend for homemade meals, sleep, and as much pumpkin pie and turkey as we can eat, let’s take a few moments to realize how lucky we as Kenyon students are and to be thankful for some of the amazing opportunities that we are afforded here.
1. Peircegiving
This will be my first year participating in this hallowed tradition, but I’ve heard nothing but good things from upperclassmen. What dining hall, other than our beloved Peirce, would offer the chance to gain the entire freshman-fifteen in one night through a buffet of Thanksgiving foods? What’s more, it’s just one of so many special Kenyon traditions that will stay with students years after graduation.
2. The KAC
There’s no better way to shed a few of those Peircegiving pounds than by hitting up the KAC. The KAC makes it easy—or at least easier—to give up Netflix in bed for a few hours with the sheer number of active possibilities it offers. There are fitness classes taught by Kenyon students that range from yoga to spin to dance, a world-class swimming pool, and a well-equipped main exercise room. Once you’re done, you can cool off with the amazing showers—so much better than the dorms—or heat up with one of the saunas. And don’t forget the sushi.
3. Professors/Classes
A big reason why a lot of us chose to come here is both the excellent academic reputation and the close interaction that students are able to have with their professors. I almost forget that it’s unusual for all of my professors to even know my name until I talk to my friends who go to other schools where large lectures are the norm instead of smaller, discussion-based classes. It can sometimes be annoying to have the increased accountability that comes along with closer relationships with faculty, but we’re incredibly lucky to have both the talented, dedicated professors that we do and the opportunity to spend large amounts of time with them.
4. Each Other
This is sappy but true: the best thing about Kenyon, at least for me, is everyone who I have met here so far. I’ve met incredible people in my classes, in the servery, in my dorm, and just around campus who I know will stay in my life for years to come. I’m so thankful for these friendships and the happiness they’ve brought to my college years already. The college’s occasional tagline, “Learning Among Friends,” is certainly brought to life.
At Kenyon, we have so much to be thankful for. But right now, I can’t think of anything better than break. Have a great week, everyone!
Image Credit: Peirce’s Facebook, Kenyon on Orgsync, Kenyon.edu,