My "Why Tufts?" Now
“Why Tufts?” is hands down the easiest and, at the same time, hardest question that I have to write about yet. But if I had to celebrate the multifaceted marvel that is Tufts in three words (for the sake of a digestible blog post, of course), I would use these: collaboration, creativity, and curiosity.
Collaboration. Entering college freshman year, I was a hopeless introvert, afraid to sit in packed lecture halls and unsure how to ask others for help. When Tufts opened itself to me, I found peers turned best friends (as pictured above) who helped me navigate through all the light bulbs and brain farts one encounters in and out of the classroom. I connected with unendingly helpful professors who helped me strengthen my abilities as a learner. My countless positive interactions with people who genuinely cared about my success moved me to break out of my comfort zone and better myself. I now thrive in collaborative environments, whether I am leading study groups for the Academic Resource Center or being a student representative for admissions outreach events. Tufts reminds me of my hometown basketball team (Golden State!) because Tufts unfailingly exemplifies that there is strength in numbers.
Creativity. I am continually astounded by the diverse artistic abilities that Tufts students possess. And our community gives us ample chances to showcase these talents to make our campus a bright and one of a kind. In my cognitive science class, students crafted original sculptures and paintings to demonstrate their understandings of psychological concepts. Outside of class, the Granoff Music Center hosts tutorials in collective music groups that explore familiar instruments like the soprano ukulele and unfamiliar instruments, like the African Mbira thumb piano. There are very few limits to what artistic endeavors we can explore here, and that possibility livens my each and every day.
Curiosity. The liberal arts aspect of Tufts academics is enriching in the way that it forces me to step outside of what is expected of my degree and explore disciplines I otherwise would not have considered. Ethnomusicology is a subject that I would not have known (and grown to love) if it wasn’t for our foundation and distribution requirements. My interest in sociocultural musical practices now extend beyond the classroom, for when I listen to modern songs now, I can unpack and discuss the importance of cultural elements. Tufts allows me to grow as a well-rounded student with worldly views, with more dimensions to my identity than what I choose to major in.
Why Tufts? Here, I learned to step outside of myself through collaborating with others, creating new compositions, and catering to my curiosities. Here, I know that through the ups and downs, I will be like Spidey and always get back up. I am my best thing, and Tufts bring out the best version of me that I can be.