Hey everyone! Hope you had a joyful long weekend. I know I was over the moon to get an extra day off. I know I promised to talk about social life and work, but I have to talk about this other tiny thing first: the weather. I have been living in Massachusetts for almost seven years now, so I know the weather well. I do not say I understand the weather, because the weather around here is well known for being unpredictable: 60°F one second, -20°F the next. I talk about this now because last week was one of those weeks. It was pretty warm from Monday through Wednesday, then it began to get cold on Thursday. We hit the -20°F low early on Sunday morning, and it has since been going up.
I loved the cold when I was younger, but that was probably because it was never truly cold where I grew up in Mexico. After so many years in New England, I am starting to think I might like to get a break from this weather. However, the cold stops bothering me when I see the views at and near Wellesley, landscapes covered in snow, and skies full of beautiful colors as the sun sets. Then there’s the incredible winter fashion: layers, wool coats, etc. As long as you wear the right clothing, you should be okay. I walked to work on Sunday morning, for instance, and I only felt slightly cold. I only wish I had not stubbornly refused to buy thermals for the last 7 years.
Harvard Square last Wednesday morning
Some people stay in when it gets this cold. They do their laundry, get homework done, and order delicious take-out (or if they are lucky to live in residence halls with dining halls that don’t close on weekends, that is also an option). Some people go out and brave the cold. If you are one of the second, all the more power to you! Just remember to check the weather and weather warnings: buy a thick scarf to cover your nose and ears (frostbite is a thing!), thick gloves, and a good coat. You might even want to think about when you are inside: I doubt a thick blanket would go unused.
Anyway, let’s talk a little about social life. I have said this before, but I will say it again. Social life at Wellesley (and perhaps almost anywhere else) is what you make it. You could not go out at all, or you could go out more than twice a week. It all depends on the people you know. All societies and even some orgs often have mixers with fraternities and organizations from other schools. Mostly, people from Wellesley end up going to parties thrown at other colleges: MIT, Harvard, Olin, Babson, and so on. You definitely want to at least make an effort to meet people from outside of Wellesley, and I am not even speaking only about parties right now. The aura at Wellesley College can get pretty intense and monotonous. I personally love getting out of campus at least once a week, and Boston is so close you really have no excuse to get to know the city.
Regarding balancing work, studies, and having an active social life, I won’t lie and tell you it is easy. You need to have your priorities straight and learn how to handle procrastination. It depends, of course, on how many hours you work, weather you work at a place where you can do your work if it is not busy, and such, but working is an extra commitment which requires a lot from you. I love my job, but sometimes I wish I had those extra hours to finish homework and go to bed earlier, or to hang out with my friends. However, working allows me to be able to go out with friends or buy my necessities without having to worry about how to pay for them. I don’t regret working for a second, you just have to find the right place and the right amount of hours/week. Definitely don’t overexert yourself and make your health your top priority, but also don’t just not work. It can be quite rewarding.