Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
September 30, 2023

Magazine



COURTESY OF ESTELLE YEUNG
Yeung explains the importance of getting involved in the Baltimore community and various opportunities to do so.

Getting involved with the Baltimore community

It’s important to recognize that you are a student at an elite institution and that this status carries immense privilege with it. You are likely a transient member of the Baltimore community, hopefully here to learn from residents of the city — not only from your educational institution, but from leaders in Baltimore, who are experts in their fields, as well as community members, who are experts on their own experiences.


ARANTZA GARCIA / DESIGN AND LAYOUT EDITOR
Zhu offers ways new Hopkins students can tend to their mental health needs.

Mental health as a freshman

It’s everything you’ve worked toward. It’s what all your high school years have been leading up to. It’s college.  College is one of the biggest transitions — a stepping stone from the more rigid high school setting to the freedom of adulthood. Here, people get a taste of independence, gain new experiences and meet a world of different people.


COURTESY OF ALIZA LI
Li reveals how she budgets time for her academic and social commitments.

Balancing school and a social life

Everything you do has an opportunity cost. More time studying means less time with friends. Going to office hours might mean missing a club meeting. Rather than feeling overwhelmed with all the options while trying to do it all, think about what matters to you most and prioritize those. 


ARANTZA GARCIA / DESIGN AND LAYOUT EDITOR
Garcia details the serendipitous formation of her college friend group.

The groups that connect us

Upon my arrival at Hopkins, it seemed that everyone around me immediately congregated into friend groups. At first, these social clusters were loose and ever-changing, breaking apart and re-forming like schools of fish. I kept hearing people say, “Join as many clubs as you can” and “Put yourself out there.” The hostess at HomeSlyce Pizza Bar told me, “It took me till junior year to find my people. Don’t worry, you’ll get there.”


COURTESY OF MADELYN KYE
Kye explains strategies that helped her cope with homesickness while studying abroad in Paris. 

Dealing with homesickness

Even as a senior at Hopkins, I haven’t exactly mastered control over my own homesickness. Initially, this lack of proficiency was a product of not experiencing much homesickness early on in my time at Hopkins. More recently, during my semester abroad in Paris, I was overwhelmed by how isolated I felt. It’s likely that no one is completely in control of their homesickness, but over the years, I have found a few effective strategies to mitigate dwelling on it.


ARANTZA GARCIA / DESIGN AND LAYOUT EDITOR
Malik lists some useful websites Hopkins students should have in their back pockets.

Must-have websites for freshman year

College is a fast-paced and information-packed environment where it's easy for students to fall behind if not properly prepared. However, in the age of the internet where information is at our fingertips, there is nothing you can't find, learn or utilize online. Here are eight helpful websites you may find helpful during your time in college. Don't forget to bookmark them!


ARANTZA GARCIA / DESIGN AND LAYOUT EDITOR
Liu reminds students who are overwhelmed with work to look after themselves.

Feeling overwhelmed with coursework

So you’re feeling overwhelmed with coursework... The funny thing about time management is that it is neither about time nor management. During my first semester at Hopkins, I had almost 700 pages of required readings a week. Between that, an on-campus job, application essays and various extracurriculars, I was overwhelmed and fell behind on my responsibilities. Being diligent with a calendar and checking boxes in a planner only goes so far when there are only 24 hours a day and seven days a week.


COURTESY OF SHAYNA FAUL
As a native of the area, McShea discusses Hopkins students’ relationships with the city of Baltimore.

Beyond the Hopkins bubble

There are a few terms and phrases which are endlessly repeated in Hopkins small talk and have varying importance. If you’ve ever heard someone discuss how they “want to become more involved” or how they need to “find their people,” then you’ve already witnessed what I would name the “Hopkins anxiety” or more simply, “Hopkins FOMO.” Basically, everyone is constantly anxious to make new connections and further their career. Just another part of the ambition that Hopkins requires.


STEVEN SIMPSON / PHOTO EDITOR
Felton gives incoming freshmen advice he wishes he had his freshman year.

What I wish I knew freshman year

Freshman year of college is a thrilling experience. As you begin this new chapter of life, you’ll be bombarded with opinions, expectations and responsibilities. Looking back, there are several crucial lessons and insights that many students wish they had known before stepping foot on campus.


COURTESY OF ZACHARY BAHAR
Bahar advises new students on creating and managing friendships at Hopkins.

Finding your place at Hopkins

“Welcome to Hopkins! We’re glad you’re here!” Over the next few weeks, you will hear variations of these words more times than you can count. You will be inundated with invitations to the new world in which you find yourself. Maybe Hopkins feels wholly foreign to you or maybe it feels natural. In either case, you will need time to explore it and find your place. I urge you to savor this time.


COURTESY OF CATHARINA AUSFAHL
John provides an array of study spots to choose from across the Hopkins campuses.

Places to study on campus

Welcome to Hopkins! As a student, a lot of your time is unfortunately taken up by studying for your upcoming midterm or finishing up a problem set. Fortunately, our campus is filled with a plethora of places to study, and, depending on your mood, you can always find a new place to get some work done. 


ARANTZA GARCIA / DESIGN AND LAYOUT EDITOR
Lacey explains the transportation options available to Hopkins students looking to get around Baltimore. 

Guide to getting around Baltimore

There are abundant options for getting around Baltimore without a car while living on or near the Homewood Campus. From local buses to Hopkins-specific transportation options, exploring Baltimore at a low cost is easy.


ARANTZA GARCIA / DESIGN AND LAYOUT EDITOR
Gifford gives recommendations on cooking in college to incoming freshmen.

Trial by fire: A guide to dorm cooking

Eating good food on a daily basis can be important for staying sane and feeling healthy in college, especially when you’re leaving home for the first time. While the buffet-style meals and unlimited desserts of the dining halls may seem like luxury on your first week, by the start of classes you’ll probably be craving something that reminds you of home.


COURTESY OF AIMEE CHO
Cho provides a neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to the best bites in Baltimore.

The (un)official guide for Baltimore foodies

Once you try most of the restaurants on St. Paul Street (which, unfortunately, doesn’t take too long), you might want to explore places outside Charles Village. If you find it difficult to choose where to visit first, don’t worry! Here are some recommendations for good food in Baltimore.


ARANTZA GARCIA / DESIGN AND LAYOUT EDITOR
Zhu gives incoming students a rundown of Hopkins vocabulary.

A guide to Hopkins lingo

Once you join the Hopkins community, you will soon learn to speak the Blue Jay language. Below is a list of words whose meanings are unique at Hopkins and whose presence are woven into Hopkins students’ daily life. 


COURTESY OF SHAYNA FAUL
Faul reflects on the things that helped her adapt to amicably living with roommates.

Living with strangers: My happy experience

All incoming freshmen and sophomores at Hopkins are required to live on campus with their peers. This can be one of the biggest, but often overlooked, adjustments for most students coming out of high school. I know it was for me, so I’d like to offer some insight into my experience with my roommate and suitemates in my freshman year.


COURTESY OF MINGYUAN SONG
Song introduces new Hopkins students to a handful of Baltimore neighborhoods.

Making Charm City your home

Welcome to Charm City! As your Leisure Editor, I see it as my obligation to introduce you to my favorite spots around Baltimore. Of course, I can’t possibly cover all the eateries, museums and wonderful neighborhoods in just 800 words, so I am choosing a few that students frequent the most: Hampden, Mount Vernon, Inner Harbor, Federal Hill, Fells Point and Towson. 


ARANTZA GARCIA / DESIGN AND LAYOUT EDITOR
Boppana gives incoming freshmen tips on how to combat loneliness.

Feeling lonely in your freshman year

After a summer of anticipation, attending every New Student Zoom available and obsessively soaking up every bit of information about Hopkins, my freshman year arrived. I imagined myself being very social, going out on weekends with friends and quickly forming deep friendships.