Why is it that we associate the season of fall with endings? The answer seems obvious when we place fall in context with the other seasons. It comes after the bright and warm vitality of summer, and it precedes the barren wasteland of winter. Naturally, we call that process of going from life to death “dying”. Thus, we could think of fall as a melancholic season of endings.
Autumn is the season of in-betweens. It is the soothing nook — a gentle space of transition — between Baltimore’s sweltering summers and its icy winters.
Coming from South Florida, I grew up experiencing an endless summer, punctuated by the winter ‘cold fronts’ every few years that would bring temperatures down into the 60s. Every day, the weather was warm, the air was humid and the sun was bright. Fall was no different, distinguished from the rest of the year only as being the second half of hurricane season and the tail end of the wet season.
As a rising sophomore, I remember being nervous to apply to courses as I was freshly entering college last year. I would wonder, “Is my course load too tough?” or “How can I be sure that I will like the class?” After two semesters of grappling with these thoughts, here is a list of my top three favorite courses (not in any particular order):
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
