Hello Blog,
I feel like I’ve been pretty one-note these past 2 blogs, but some of the food here recently has been providing me a significant amount of joy. I have long been a fan of Stone-Davis dining hall (our vegan/vegetarian & kosher dining hall) despite not fitting into any of these groups. They recently introduced a pre-made panini station into the dining hall, and I had a truly phenomenal caprese panini for lunch today. Even better, Stone D (the typical abbreviation of Stone-Davis dining hall) has been having different beverages for lunch, and today it’s an iced chai latte with vanilla + cardamom and oat milk. So I had the immense pleasure of eating a delightfully melty caprese panini and sipping my ideal chai latte while sitting outside in the Stone D courtyard watching the swans and geese on the lake. If that is not an idyllic college experience I do not know what is. It is officially spring!!!!!
Stone D panini <3
To switch gears, I’ve decided it’s about time I get sentimental on the blog. I have been reflecting more on why I came to Wellesley and how I feel about graduating soon (it helps that I work in Admissions and talk to prospective students and families about this every week). I decided to apply ED to Wellesley because although I thought many colleges could provide the education I was looking for, I felt like I would grow the most as a person at Wellesley. I know that sounds pretty wishy-washy, and at that point I don’t think I could articulate it as anything more than a feeling. As a senior about to graduate, I think part of this growth is that Wellesley has given me a bit of a sense of audacity. That might not sound super positive from the get-go, but allow me to explain. I think that I have become a more optimistic and positive person in the sense that I approach most things with the belief that I will succeed if I dedicate enough time to it, which I cannot say is something I always believed before coming to Wellesley. To be honest, when I was applying to colleges I never thought I would have the opportunities I’ve had during my time at Wellesley or my future would look as exciting as it does now. I think part of this feeling is just the natural confidence you develop from gaining knowledge and experience in your field, but a lot of this definitely came from the Wellesley community. Wellesley has given me an environment in which I can fail, not be ashamed of not knowing everything, and put myself out there. I’ve never felt like my professors or peers would judge me for not knowing something or asking for help, and I’ve asked for help a lot, which has shown me how to advocate for myself. I think I value myself much more now for my capacity to learn and myself as a person rather than the tangible skills I currently possess. Of course, I’m not always going to be in an environment like Wellesley (in fact I will be leaving in less than 2 months), but I’m hoping to bring this sense of audacity into the rest of my life. And of course I know that I will not always succeed and working hard doesn’t and has never guaranteed success, but I think I have found enough people during my time at Wellesley that I have a strong community who will support me when I need it.
Until next time,
Jade <3