Tufts Blogs

I’ve been at Tufts for three weeks so far, and I had to look at a calendar to figure that out because my internal clock tells me I’ve been here for months. I can’t help but feel comfortable in this environment and with these people, and I can’t quite wrap my head around how right it all feels, being at Tufts this fall. There was so much anticipation for this time in my life, with the years spent thinking of and searching for the best place for me, that now, three weeks in and four years out, I can’t help but marvel at how happy I am to have ended up in the place that I did and excited for all of the experiences ahead.

If you ask me how I’ve come to feel so at home so quickly, I’ll tell you that I don’t know for sure. Participating in FOCUS has been a big part of it, and I feel so fortunate to have connected with people so quickly and found myself amidst friends who I’ve known for a matter of weeks that, honestly, feel like years. If you weren’t already aware, FOCUS is a pre-orientation that’s offered to freshmen and transfer students and gives us a chance to introduce ourselves to this new world on the basis of community service and socialization, while starting our college experiences a week early and lightyears ahead.*

In the five quick, but incredibly full, days of the program, I laughed hysterically while lifting cinderblocks with new friends, talked openly about my fears for the upcoming year, grew accustomed to throwing up limp-peace signs for pictures, and met more interesting people than I can count. By the time orientation and classes rolled around, I felt like I’d gotten to know so many different people and like they’d really gotten to know me, as well, that I was ready to take on this new chapter as a real-life Tufts student. 

But as much as I’m grateful for my experience with FOCUS and the memories it’s allowed me to make, I know that there’s been more to smooth my transition so far than just this pre-o. There’s something intangible here that encourages us to try new things and act on our own terms, and I see it in everything from the people to the places that comprise this campus.

Every single thing at Tufts has more dimensions than you’d expect. My dorm is a place to live as much as a hub for socializing, Dewick serves Sunday Sundaes with Blackout stomp-team performances on top, the Res Quad hosts quidditch practices and activities fairs, and the Tisch roof is a great place for phone calls during the day and singing at the top of your lungs in the middle of the night. Here, a pastime can be anything from dancing Bhangra to apple picking with Hillel to lounging on the Pres Lawn to playing laser tag on the Academic Quad. There are engineers who love to write and athletes who sing karaoke, and nothing really seems to be off limits. I think that’s why I’ve felt welcome from the start: because the only pressure to conform is to be yourself and find a way to make that special for you, whether it’s with your unique sense of humor, eclectic mix of interests, or creative combinations in Carm.  

Maybe I’m still in the honeymoon phase of my relationship with Tufts and the stars in my eyes will dim as challenges inevitably arise in the months to come. But even if I eventually need to renew my vows with this institution and find new aspects of the school to love, I’m confident that the foundation my friends, my surroundings, and I have built in these first few weeks will support me in the future. And for you, wherever you may be, I encourage you to identify something that makes you feel secure and in love with wherever you’re at right now.  

*Disclaimer: Yeah, doing a pre-o helped me feel welcome and comfortable from the start and yeah, I can’t help but feel so so lucky to have formed the relationships I have through my experience, but not doing a pre-o isn’t going to leave you floundering by yourself forever nor ruin any part of your four years if you don’t let it.**

**Disclaimer on the disclaimer: I’m not just saying this for political or personal reasons, I really mean it!! There is no prerequisite for having a great first few weeks :)