It’s weird to think about – I’ve been here at Hopkins for nearly three weeks already. I’ve been here, at my dream school, in my dream program, essentially living the dream – for three whole weeks already. That’s crazy! That’s insane! Three weeks of freshman year have already passed by.
These three weeks have been some of the most interesting of my life. I can’t even wrap my head around them, really, but I’m going to try. If you’re a freshman, I hope you can identify with some of what I’m saying. If you’re an upperclassmen, you remember these feelings, right?! I hope so, because they’re vivid to me. Without further ado, here are my five reflections on my first three weeks as a Johns Hopkins freshman:
1. Everyone here has a strong voice and a strong personality. Everyone confronts. No one backs down. Having a voice is something I’ve always admired in myself and others, and always thought was absolutely necessary – that’s what makes being here such an eye-opening experience.
2. Everyone here was a star in high school in some capacity. My intro to comparative literature class, especially, pits me against kids who were also perceived as all-knowing in their high school English classes. Kids who also got looks of awe and questions like “how did you even think of that?” and teacher remarks like “that was unbelievable.” Everyone here is exactly like me – that’s beyond terrifying. In whatever class or area was our speciality, we were the standouts in high school, and now we’re all here together, and we’re competing. Damn. It feels weird and silly and overconfident to say something like this, but it’s… it’s just true. And it’s humbling. I’ve never felt less sure of myself in such a good way. That’s what being in a place like Hopkins does to you.
3. Being with people who are exactly like you in some very important ways produces this vital need to succeed. This drive to stay in the library until two. This drive to also let completely loose on the weekends. This drive to balance everything more succinctly and with less stress than in high school. Everything – classes, a few clubs you’re really really really passionate about, a job, a group of friends, some time to cultivate your own interests, some time to make sure you stay connected to family and friends from home.
4. College is freeing.
5. Hopkins is more vibrant and more tumultuous and more exhilarating and more beautiful than I ever thought college could be. And it’s gonna be hard – working out emotional and academic kinks, trying to make Dean’s List, figuring out how to nonchalantly walk home with that hot guy from class. But there is always beauty in what is hard. Rock on, Hopkins.