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"College Collage"

September 15, 2006

It’s hard to believe that I’m only in my fourth week of classes. Orientation has already faded to a distant blur (though that could easily be because I spent most of orientation at a high level of sleep deprivation). So much has happened in the month since I came to Rollins, and it seems to me that the only way to do justice to all the myriad facets of college life is to shine a brief light on the major ones in hopes of better illuminating the big picture. With this in mind, I present . . . my college collage.

I’m living in McKean Hall, which is an entirely freshman dorm. Of the 120 or so rooms, there are only eight triples. Guess who got one of them? Yes, despite the ridiculously low probability, I got a triple. My first reaction to this was something along the lines of, “Noooooo!” But it’s actually working out well. Rachel, Aimee, and I are getting along fine; we easily agreed on basic rules for peaceful coexistence, and we bonded while rearranging our furniture the day school closed for Tropical Storm Ernesto. It’s too soon for me to know if I’m really enjoying the situation, but at this point I’m content, and I think the three of us will have a good year together.

The best word I can think of to describe my classes is “intense.” I don’t think I’ve ever had to do so much reading! Yet I don’t mind the reading or the intensity (most of the time). I’m thriving on the constant ingestion of new ideas. My professors are wonderful—passionate, knowledgeable, and always willing to help, or even just talk. And, for the first time in ages, I have classmates who challenge me as much as my professors. When I was looking at colleges, I wanted more than anything to go to a school that would really be intellectually stimulating. Thus far, I’m getting my wish.

There are so many different clubs and organizations here that at first it’s overwhelming. Not a night goes by without at least one holding some kind of meeting or event. This doesn’t even include one-time events like concerts or lectures. So far I’ve attended a meeting for the Dining Services Committee (since food is near and dear to my heart), seen a Mozart operetta called Bastien und Bastienne (sung entirely in German), joined the Community Hearing Council (more on this to come), and hung out with the Rollins College Dancers (because I miss tap dancing)—all without leaving campus!

While it’s undeniably a challenge learning to manage my own laundry, I wouldn’t trade this independence for anything. I can spontaneously take an after-dinner trip down Park Avenue. (There are three chocolate shops within walking distance. I am in heaven.) I can schedule things when I find out about them; I don’t have to check with Mom first. Even simple actions are exhilarating because I did them, I made the choice, I took the initiative. I would be lying if I said I haven’t been homesick; a few times I have been. But feeling in control of my own life completely makes up for any homesickness. I waited for this independence most of my senior year, and now I’m relishing it.

Recently, I’ve told several people that I feel like I’m in a time warp. On one hand, four years seems like an immense amount of time, too long to really get my head around. On the other hand, there are so many things I want to do while I’m in college that four years doesn’t seem anywhere near long enough. So many opportunities exist, both in the classroom and outside it. This first month has involved many, many choices. And in the months and years to come, I’ll see the results of my choices and get to choose even more. I can’t wait.

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