It’s May 2026, and you’ve finished your first year at Hopkins with a perfect GPA, plus clinical experience and a research internship lined up.
Many incoming Blue Jays might salivate at the thought. One year ago, I did too. To get closer to that goalpost, my mind became fixated solely on being the Hopkins student: excelling in my classes, diving into research and setting myself up for medical school.
By the end of my first semester, I had what I wanted. But instead of intense joy and satisfaction, I felt an ineffable emptiness. When I finally paused to reflect, I realized that chasing academic success alone as a marker for personal fulfillment was unsustainable.
So I decided to change: I let go of my all-work, no-play lifestyle that had left me burned out and instead began filling my days with small joys.
After implementing these changes in the spring, I noticed not only that I was no longer filled with dread when I woke up, but also that it became easier to do well in my courses. Looking back, I wish I’d been given tips on how to succeed both academically and personally, which would have made my transition to Hopkins much smoother.
1. Try anything and everything
I’ve always loved boba and would reward myself every Saturday at the Kung Fu Tea near campus. One day, my neighbor in Wolman saw me and asked to tag along the next time I went. Going out with others can sometimes feel like a chore, but since I hadn’t made many friends in the nest yet, I decided to go with it. Our boba runs turned into studying at Starbucks or grabbing meals at Honeygrow — all things I’d have missed without saying “yes.” That person ended up becoming my best (and only) friend here.
College is not only a time to build the foundation of a long career but also an opportunity to figure out who you are. Exposing yourself to situations that allow the real you to emerge. Whether you find something you love or learn what to avoid, self-discovery brings clarity and growth.
2. Dedicate time to hobbies independent of Hopkins
During Thanksgiving break, I felt lost, unsure how to spend free time after months consumed by assignments.
Then a random TikTok of a screaming match between two cast members from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City popped up on my feed. Before I knew it, I’d purchased a Peacock subscription because something about watching rich, middle-aged women fight made me cackle and feel better about myself.
Back at school, I’d wake up early to watch reality TV. It had nothing to do with becoming a physician, but it gave me a fun escape and something to look forward to each day.
So, no matter how random the venture seems, dedicate a portion of each day purely for joy — it will provide immediate relaxation before long stretches of studying.
3. Spice up your studying
There will be times at Hopkins when you have a lot to do and no motivation. While nurturing your personal life is important, nurturing your academics is also critical.
For me, having a consistent study spot, drink, or music genre helps me overcome the hump of procrastination. For example, I’d often study at Starbucks or Barnes & Noble because bookstores and coffee shops always have a comfortable energy— the rattle of ice inside cup, the soft flip of pages — that make time feel a little slower. I’d also order a fun drink, like a sugar-free matcha with almond milk, to make studying feel less like a chore.
4. Choose a major you’ll love
This one is key for pre-meds. It’s a lot easier to excel — and be happy personally — when you truly enjoy what you’re learning, especially since you’ll spend hours engaging with it daily.
I was totally lost on what to major in during freshman year. In the spring, I randomly took Genetics and fell in love with it. I was always excited for the pre-class videos and readings, which made it easier to succeed when I focused less on achieving an A and more on interacting with the content for my own enjoyment.
So, explore classes in different majors if you’re unsure. But no matter what, choose what you believe will satisfy your inner academic sponge. In my case, that was Molecular and Cellular Biology.
After graduation, you don’t want to look back on your time at Hopkins and remember nothing but misery. It can sometimes feel like we must choose between our happiness and our grades, as if the two are mutually exclusive. But the reality is, we don’t — and shouldn’t — have to choose.
So, once you step onto campus, give one, all or none of my tips a try to see what works for you. But no matter what, find that balance between inner joy and academic success — it will make all the difference.
Godson Nkanginieme is a sophomore majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Canton, Ohio.