Hello, hello to my favorite Coffee Gremlins!
The other day, I had the pleasure of stopping by Coffee Connection, a Providence-based café that has quickly become one of my go-to spots. I ordered my large, iced coffee with whole milk and a caramel twist; simple, sweet, and exactly what I needed. Sometimes I get distracted and don’t finish all of my drinks, but that day I enjoyed every sip with excitement. There’s something about finishing a coffee that feels like a tiny victory, like I took a pause and gave myself permission to enjoy the moment.
For many of us, the fall semester has begun or will begin soon. This can be an exciting time for everyone, but especially for freshmen and transfers, as they begin anew in a new setting. Along with that, however, can be anxieties and fears about meeting new people and being away from home. With this in mind, I put together a list of 5 things to do in your first few weeks of college. Now this isn’t your average list, and I encourage you to approach it with a sense of whimsy and gayfulness.
1.Make Friends With Local Wildlife
I figured we’d start off strong with number one. It seemed that at every college I toured, while a senior in high school had “very unique squirrels”. Either they were a dark brown color, they were especially friendly, or at one of the older universities I toured, they lived in the attics of dorms and made moaning sounds all night. Other animals to consider befriending include deer, especially if your campus is adjacent to a forest, or, in the case of Bard College, the vultures that frequent the athletic fields.
2. Invent a Campus Urban Legend
My college campus was down the street from the city jail, and sometimes I’d receive alerts on my phone that prisoners escaped. Clearly, this jail did not have sufficient security, and it put students at risk. To help lighten the mood, I would joke that there must be tunnels beneath the university that the prisoners use to escape on their way to freedom. Your story can be less dark than mine, perhaps about talking squirrels. That could be quite the conversation piece for campus tours!
3. Pick Your “Cry Spot” Early
Crying in public while in college is a completely normal thing and should not be stigmatized. At least that’s what I tell myself. Whether it be from getting a bad grade on a test you spent all night studying for, or the fact that the professor didn’t buy your excuse that your grandma died for the fourth time, we all find ourselves shedding a few tears. In my case, I let loose a tidal wave into my hands while sitting on the bench outside the library. Other good spots to cry include inside the library’s silent study section, sitting alone at the dining hall while others try to enjoy dinner, and in the middle of class with everyone looking at you with concern.
4. Find Your Pump-Up Song
Everyone needs that one song that, when they hear it, instantly boosts their confidence. It’s the kind of song you play while getting ready in the morning, or walking down the hallway to a class you really despise. My song was Lizzo’s, Good as Hell. I still hear it playing in my head when I’m brushing my teeth in the morning or if there’s silence while I’m driving to my local coffee shop.
5. Take First Week Pictures
Don’t just take the obligatory selfies to keep your Snapchat streaks going; also get pics of your first day of school outfit, outside your academic buildings, inside your dorm room, and with all of your friends. These pictures are great for both Instagram and as a reminder of what’s truly important. When I took pictures in undergrad, I’d print them out and tape them to my dorm room wall so I could look at them and smile.
College life can be incredibly rewarding, but for many people it’s also extremely challenging. I encourage you to try to make it romantic and fantastical. Fall in love with the university but also fall back in love with yourself. Even by channeling just one of these tips, you can reconnect with what makes life fun.
With love,
Sarah Jo
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