Hello readers!
Campus is buzzing. I didn’t think so yesterday, when the Science Center was empty even for a Sunday afternoon, but then I walked into Bates Dining Hall and thought “there they all are!” It’s Spring Open Campus (SOC), and many of you, our prospective students, have arrived en masse! We’re so excited to see you. Not only do you get to experience a bit of Wellesley life, but we get a shot of invigoration by regaling you with the best of our college experiences.
There’s a whole list of activities planned for our prospies, and this is available on the Wellesley SOC website. My favorite part when I came here was picking which classes to attend, and at this point students are already attending their first 8:30s! I’m curious to see who will show up to mine, but I won’t know until tomorrow, which is my heavy class day. Likewise, I’m not able to describe much about the swim and dive team’s prospies at this point, because I’m spending time with our five recruits later today.
Speaking of my life personally, I have finally reached my much-anticipated “arrow” (i.e. insanely busy) week! I paradoxically feel somewhat relieved, because I have been doing so much preparation for these upcoming five days that now all I can do is give everything my best shot. Computer science test, chemistry test, neuroscience lab report, Ruhlman presentation, swim team season meeting, lovely prospective students: given the time I have, I will give all of you the best I have to offer.
Looking back to this past week, last week was an unfortunately eventful one for Boston. There were bombings at the end of the Boston Marathon on Monday, and on Friday almost all colleges around the area (including Wellesley) were closed due to a manhunt for the suspected bombers, who had instigated a shooting at MIT on Thursday night. We are all relieved that the man was caught, and can now go back to life as normal, without being drawn constantly to the news.
I also have some pictures of good times last week. Last Thursday I believe was Element Day, and so the Chemistry Society put on an event where they offered nitrogen ice cream (homemade ice cream made with liquid nitrogen), lab coat tie-dying, and the opportunity to take pictures with good old Chem 120 friends (Chemistry 120 is an advanced introductory chemistry class I took my first semester at Wellesley.)
Element Day: Me, Katherine, and Audrey
Element Day: Frieda, Nathalie, me, and Audrey– pre-actual picture, because I like this one better 🙂
Last week too was our signing day for Cathy, the newest member of the swim and diving team! She is a fourteen year old who missed most of 7th and 8th grade due to cancer treatments for a rare form of leukemia. Team IMPACT, a Boston-based non-profit, pairs students like her with varsity college teams, and the swim and dive team was the first Wellesley team to be paired. We’re so happy to have you on the team, Cathy!
Signing Day for Cathy!
Signing Day for Cathy!
My father was able to visit last week too, and it was wonderful to see him :). Though he’s been in the area before, this is the first time I’ve been able to show him my “places”… and it’s quite special to show your parents where you live, where you work, and give them a location to ground all the crazy stories you’ll tell them about college. More than that, I believe that inviting parents to your college after you’ve established yourself is the best way for parents to visit, because instead of being reminded of past times when you return home, you’re sharing with them your life now, and how you’ve structured it within your first experience as an adult. Adult being a loose term, of course—most of us here are funded and extensively supported from home, so parents are not to worry, or celebrate :).
That’s almost all I have, readers. Loathe as I am to return to studying, ‘tis where all the glory lies! 🙂 Let me toss out a final warm welcome out to our prospies, and wish them a wonderful experience feeling out the Wellesley lifestyle. I’ve posted my advice on visiting two weeks ago, but really, you should be out there enjoying the moment :).
One “Why Wellesley?”, then I’m done :).
Why Wellesley: The women here are extraordinary. You’re part of a community full with the drive to achieve, with members as diverse as they are dedicated, launched with the unrelenting quest for leadership. We’re a women’s community, and are the foundation of the strength of our college.
Best to you all, and hope you have a marvelous morning!
Monica