Prior to August 19th I had the things I was scared about and the things I was excited for. Questions I kept asking myself revolved mainly around: Would I make any friends? and What if the classes were too much? I was fearful of what would happen if the answers to these questions didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to. On top of that, I felt so intimidated coming to a school where everyone would be both super smart and way cooler than me. I had no clue if I’d fit in with anybody – whether it be in some kind of group or just one other person. Before coming here I had waited (as we all did) such a long time for college to come. Almost 2 decades of anticipation for life’s next big chapter, and if all that time had been patiently spent for a crappy time here I would’ve gone insane. Luckily for me, and I’m sure luckily for most of us, that didn’t happen. From the first day on campus I’ve found myself incredibly fortunate to have been given two things: MCL and my friends.
First, to My Commons Life. Being able to have a creative outlet like MCL has been one of my life highlights. Every week I get to scribble down an article on some nonsensical topic, and sometimes people are crazy enough to read it. In a sense, it’s been a kind of mental relief each week from having to meet an essay prompt or a test requirement. Sitting down and having only a blank Google Doc in front of me provides a feeling of great liberty that I had never known before. I’ve loved getting to make the most egregious Top 5s, the most useless quizzes, and eating some of the best food around (sometimes all in one day). Getting to work with people like Jim, Micah, Dallan, and Chloe on a weekly basis has been so fulfilling because of their kindness, intelligence, and wit. Within MCL I was able to find a small, incredibly gifted community where everyone’s unique voice can be amplified and shared. In addition to this, being a part of My Commons Life has been rewarding because of the time management required to make Tuesday’s noon deadline. The fact that I’ve had an opportunity to delve into a previously unexplored passion has been truly priceless.
Second, to my friends.
(Thank you Ryan for the expert 0.5s)
Guys, the Blair grind is real, but we made it through three and a half months together. Why they made every single dining hall so far away is a question that I don’t think we’ll ever have an answer to. Whatever the reason may be though, we endured. As for the people in these pictures, the sheer good vibes that emanate from them astounds me every day. In this first semester we got to struggle, learn, and succeed all at once alongside each other. Riding the Vandy Van back to Commons every single night at atrocious hours has made for some of the joy-filled moments I’ve ever had. I get to see and work with all of them at a high level every day, both musically and academically. Whether it’s sight-reading a newly composed cello sonata for fun at 10 P.M. on a Friday night or pulling a multi-hour study session the night before a final exam, these people have given me cherished memories and a sense of not just belonging, but of sheer happiness as well. From this semester alone, I already have a photo album’s worth of pictures that I’m going to save for a long time. Among violinists, violists, flutists, cellists, trumpeters, composers, fellow pianists, and more, I was able to discover the importance of found family for the first time. Someone I want to particularly thank for their patience and altruism is my segue mentor and fellow piano studio-mate Emma. She has been the epitome of a guide, tutor, and friend since the first day of the semester back in August.
Some final thoughts: Being able to find my people is something that I consider myself incredibly fortunate for. This article wasn’t as much a recap as it was a thank you note to those who helped me get through the first semester. Back in the summer I didn’t know if I would get to say that the wait was worth it, but looking back at these last three and a half months, I’m well confident in saying that it was. I can’t wait to do it all over again next semester.
To the people that we’re lucky enough to see and support every day, to those who make the best of times better and the hardest of times lighter, I write this for you.