What I learned from the returning freshman this week

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12/01/2024 15:19

Subject: What I learned from the returning freshman this week

Anonymous

Based on other posts here, I thought these observations might help others. I overheard a lot of these (yes, eavesdropping on multiple conversations, and some they told me directly. Don't judge.) Please include your own if you also learned anything this week?

Kids are freshmen at various universities, from a non-DMV selective/well-known private HS (small graduating class - approx. 100):

Yale: Its what I expected. Go to NYC more than I thought. I've met a lot of kids from similar private schools across the country. Classes are really interesting. Love my professors.

Harvard: Yes, we do go to MIT to socialize. More striverish than I expected. But Im keeping an open mind. Classes are ok.

Penn: Miserable. Can't get into frat parties. Social dynamics are driven by cliques that formed in New York high schools.

Williams: Social life dominated by bratty NY douchebags. Its kind of ehh. Thought it would be more intellectual tbh.

Duke: Less work than expected; way more fun than expected. Not dreading going back to school. Feels like home.

Northwestern: It's meh; not much of a social life; taking mid-terms every 2 weeks. What I expected though.

UChicago: Econ classes are tough but everything else is really manageable. Very very fun. Very social. Hazing so far involves bottlecaps.

Cornell: Its cold and gray. And a lot of drinking. Worried about rush. And hazing. Social life is exhausting - constantly reaching out to people to make plans. Nothing is organic.

Vanderbilt: Great fall. Love love the football weekends. School is much harder than I thought. Social life can be cliquey and sometimes exhausting.

Michigan: It's amazing. Yes, it's big. But it's amazing. Did I say its big? Oh and the hazing is scaring us.

Emory: Its pretty boring. Thinking about transferring. Everyone is pre-med. And leaves campus A LOT. Not much to do on campus.

Georgetown: Can be socially exhausting as everyone is super extroverted and always "putting themselves out there". A lot of money everywhere. Maybe sharp-elbowed in a passive-aggressive way. Smart social assertive normal kids.

UCLA: love the weather, but its kind of hard to find your people. And sometimes it feels like I go to school at an outdoor mall.

WashU: started out kind of slow and miserable. Much better. Great professors.

Wake: Exceeded expectations. I wasn't excited to go. But its been really really great. No social pressure bc of how the freshmen are grouped together with housing and classes; I cannot relate to all the comments about college being "socially exhausting". Can't wait to get back to my people there.

Wisconsin: weirdly more social pressure than expected; constantly texting folks to make plans for meeting up (dining halls, library, working out) as its not natural because of how spread out everyone is. Its socially exhausting.

Indiana (Kelley): Love my school, love my major, love my people. Found my place.

Tulane: my roommate hasn't gone to class yet this year. There are only 8 people who attend my stats class regularly (in a class of 80). I may transfer.

U-Miami: Have a great tan. Very fun. But its more work than people think.

Bucknell: School isn't hard. Very social. Already have an internship. Go out 3-4 nights a week. Can't wait to get back.

NYU: loving the city. Classes are as expected. But love the city.

Wesleyan: a little too activist, purple-haired protest vibe but its better now. First few weeks were hard. Classes are great though. And schoolwork isn't hard.

I know Im forgetting others.