In an effort to collect at least some of my musings following the hectic week that was Orientation for the Tufts Class of 2018, I’m returning to list form for my organization and for your understanding of my chaotic mind-vomit.
1. This debilitating heat has been very telling. The New England kids are complaining about the heat, the California kids are complaining about the humidity, and the kids that I’ve met from Southeast Asia are all shrugging and talking about how normal this weather is. Personally, I can’t wait for autumn.
2. The dorms are all nice. I came to Tufts with the myth floating around in my head that all of the dorms are bad. Then, I was apparently given the worst dorm (and I’m not telling which one that is!). But, I urge you: Don’t believe the hype. The dorms are fine, and some of them are even great.
3. The food is excellent. And that goes for both dining halls. Admittedly, I’ve only eaten at Carmichael once (living next to Dewick helps me make that decision), but all of the food is great. Especially the zucchini sticks.
4. The student performances on the opening night were all impressive. As I was watching, I was constantly in awe. I couldn’t do a single thing that each act was doing, from dancing (in many styles) to singing. It was a bummer that the performance was cut short.
5. The orientation leaders are good at their jobs. Or, at least mine were. (Shoutout to Praz Perkasa and Rina Wu!).
6. Music is a big deal here. Actually, scratch that. A cappella is a big deal here (maybe music is, too, but I’ll find out soon enough). And I saw groups performing onstage, in front of my dorm, and at other places around campus.
7. People are nice and receptive. It’s always difficult to meet people when you’re in a new place, and that’s true for Tufts as well as any. But, I’ve yet to have somebody be rude or flat-out mean to me, which is encouraging.
8. The Pre-Orientation people have a really close bond with each other. As somebody who didn’t do a Pre-O, I am admittedly jealous.
9. Jumbo is everywhere. On walls. On t-shirts. On jackets. On pants. On banners. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a place that’s so enthusiastic about their mascot. I also haven’t been to any southern SEC schools. Take that as you will.
10. The proximity to off-campus excitement is perfect. Just a quick walk to Davis Square and then a T-ride from anything. Or just stay in Davis. It isn’t all made up, folks: the location truly is prime.
11. The hill isn’t all that bad. Don’t listen to the complaints, it isn’t all that. Face it, you need the extra exercise anyway.
12. It’s gonna take awhile to get all of the building names down. And until then, I’ll have my nose in a map and I’ll be apologizing to everyone for being such an ignorant freshman.
13. On-campus activities were a blast. I’m specifically referring to the food fair, the Jumbolicious Carnival, and Guess The Straight Person. If you’re wondering what that last one is, think about it for a second. It’s probably exactly what you picture.
14. Some of the showers are better than the others. And I was really mad this morning to find that somebody took my shower.
15. This is going to take some getting used to, but it’ll all work. Orientation, while hectic and frustrating at times, was also fun and promising.
Thanks to all of the staff that made orientation this year as good as it was. I’m looking forward to a great first semester!