Day in the Life of a Student-Athlete Working On-Campus Over The Summer
Summer in Medford/Somerville is truly gorgeous. The Academic Quad and President's Lawn are lush, green, and beautifully maintained. The trees are full and provide blissful shade on a hot afternoon. The footsteps of tour groups and students on their way to work create a percussive rhythm that blends entrancingly with the songs of the various birds roosting up above.
It’s no wonder that numerous students choose to spend their summers living on campus. There are plenty of places to relax and spend time with friends. The athletic facilities are open and active. Research and university operations continue to progress throughout the summer. Additionally, there are numerous easily accessible activities in Boston and its surrounding suburbs that students can explore in their free time.
As a student balancing a job in admissions, research in a neuroscience lab, and summer training for track & field, my days are packed. But being at Tufts – surrounded by great people – makes me excited to do it all over again each day.
A Typical Day in My Life:
7:30 ~ Wake up and get ready for the day
8:15 ~ Walk from off-campus apartment to Bendetson Hall
8:30-12:00 ~ Work as a Summer Admissions Intern
As an admissions intern, a typical work day will include a rotating schedule of various tasks and projects. Sometimes I might start at the front desk, checking in prospective & admitted students and their families for campus visits and tours. Other days, I’ll be downstairs, answering the phones and assisting applicants and parents with any questions or concerns they may have. Later, I might give a tour around campus or stay back in Bendetson to work on a blog post (like the one you’re reading now) or another project requested by the admissions team. Sharing my love for Tufts with the hundreds of curious students and families who visit each day is always a joy – and I’m always a little sad to leave at the end of the morning.
12:00 ~ Lunch with friends and coworkers on President’s Lawn
12:45 ~ Walk to the Tufts University Science & Technology Center (Sci-Tech for short)
1:00-4:00 ~ Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Kaplan Neuroscience Lab
Afternoons start with a quick meeting with my PhD mentor. Some days, we spend the afternoon going over various lab procedures and analysis techniques that I will need to conduct in the future to help her collect data for her research. Other days, I work independently in the silk room, processing cocoons to produce silk sponge scaffolds for our 3D brain models. Our current research explores whether our 3D models can replicate HSV-1 inflammation-induced Alzheimer's disease. While working in a lab demands a lot of waiting and tedious processing, working with potentially groundbreaking scientific advancements keeps it engaging and exciting.
4:00 ~ Walk to Ellis Outdoor Track for sprint training
While it is different for each sport, if you choose to be a part of a varsity team during your time at Tufts, you will likely be sent a summer training schedule. For a fall sport, the training is fairly intensive as the season starts before the conclusion of the summer. For a winter or spring sport (like mine), the training will likely be a bit more relaxed, as competition does not resume for at least a few months into the school year. For track, after a rest period in early summer following the end of our outdoor season, we received our summer block, which consisted of track, plyometric, and hill workouts. Being on campus with full access to facilities – and fellow athletes to train with – makes it both easier and more fun.
5:00 ~ Head to Steve Tisch Sports & Fitness Center
5:15 ~ Strength Training in the Ames & Lunder Varsity Weight Room
Aside from workouts and technical training, most (if not all) athletes are sent a sport-specific summer lift program. Even with slightly reduced hours, the varsity weight room has everything we need. It provides ample space, quality equipment, and a motivating environment, not only through the rap music that plays from the speaker system, but also because of its inhabitants. Training alongside a diverse group of student-athletes fosters a strong sense of unity and support across Tufts Athletics, contributing to the lasting dominance of Tufts athletics teams across the board.
6:15 ~ Walk back to off-campus apartment
6:30 ~ Prep dinner and debrief with housemates
7:30 ~ Grab ice cream with friends in Davis Square
In Davis Square alone, there are plenty of cute restaurants and shops, a movie theater, a bowling alley, a red-line MBTA stop, a walking/bike trail, and a very popular new addition, an H-mart. Being only ½ mile from the base of campus, Davis is easily within walking distance, making it a frequent stop for Tufts students.
Some student favorites: Waikiki – Poke, sushi, boba; Dave’s Fresh Pasta – Sandwiches and fresh pasta market; Dakzen – Thai street food; Tenóch Mexican – Mexican.