Tufts Blogs

Picture this: it’s a crisp fall afternoon at Tufts, and you’re walking down the Academic Quad. Leaves crunch beneath your feet as you pass twirling roots, fiery red and orange maples, and a handful of ginkgo trees (I think- I’m still not a tree expert) whose fan-shaped leaves give off the prettiest golden glow in the sunlight. You stop to take it all in. It’s peaceful, it’s beautiful, and yes, it’s very Instagram-worthy. But here’s the twist: these trees hold more than just the perfect picture for your monthly photo dump—they quietly reflect the secret to thriving at Tufts. I know it sounds far-fetched, but stick with me. The trees on the Tufts campus embody something special about this university: growth, rootedness, and the ability to adapt. Weird as it may sound, these leaves can teach you a thing or two about college life—and honestly, about life in general.

Tufts’ trees are pros at adapting, just like the students who come here. Whether it’s the fiery glow of fall, the cozy frost of winter, the hopeful buds of spring, or the lush greens of summer, these trees transform with the seasons. There are students here from all over the country and the world that come to school here. Some have never experienced four seasons, and some have never experienced New England’s sub-zero temperatures (like myself). Although the winter temperatures are not as fun, there is no denying that entering college is like entering a new season of your life. 

College life is full of seasons, too. Some weeks are so packed with club meetings, study sessions, and late-night snacks that you wonder how you’re still managing to make it out of bed every morning. Other days are quiet, spent tucked away in a library corner or swinging in a hammock on the quad. And then there are the moments you don’t see coming—the times you stumble, the times you grow, and the times you realize who you’re becoming. My favorite thing about the seasons though, is that just when the monotony seems to have gotten the best of you, the seasons are changing and there’s something new to look forward to. I’ll never forget my first fall semester here. I was nervous about fitting in, unsure if my voice would be heard in a sea of accomplished, driven students. But as the leaves began to turn, I started to find my rhythm. I realized that change isn’t something to fear—it’s something to embrace. Just like the trees, I learned to bend with the wind without breaking, and to keep searching for the light, even when the sun disappears at 4:00pm. 

Much like the trees, Tufts inspired me to branch out—literally and metaphorically. When I first arrived, I wasn’t sure how my passions would intersect. Would my obsession with law and politics make room for my love of culture and community? Would I ever find “my group,” the people who make this big campus feel like home? Turns out, the answer was a resounding yes. Just like the intertwined branches near the Campus Center, my interests began to weave together in ways I never imagined. From organizing BSU events like Break the Stage, to traveling to Europe to learn about human rights, to listening in and giving policy recommendations to the White House, I started to see how every part of me belonged. And just like nature needs sunlight and water, I found mentors who believed in me, friends who celebrated my wins (and lifted me through my losses), and opportunities that made my dreams feel possible. Tufts didn’t just teach me to grow—it gave me the space and nourishment to flourish.