A Week in the Life
What does a week at Tufts actually look like? The short answer: different for everyone. So, we asked the members of our Student Communications Group to bare all in the form of their weekly calendars—from film courses on the apocalypse to orchestra rehearsal to weekend outings in Boston.
Josh Cohen '24
If you’re anything like me, by my senior year of high school my schedule felt almost mechanical— a repetitive, rigidly-structured eight hour day. Transitioning to college, prepare to completely reimagine what your schedule looks like. At Tufts, there is no singular path to a degree, and students are encouraged to take a challenging course load that above all else, excites them. Along the same lines, Tufts’ liberal arts core supports students to engage in interdisciplinary learning and as an undergraduate student, you have the ability to choose from hundreds of classes each semester.
Although you may be concerned that much of the traditional college experience has disappeared due to the pandemic, I can assure you that there is still plenty of safe fun to be had! Midnight ice cream runs, movie nights, picnics, and spontaneous adventures remain as integral components of the Tufts experience.
Susannah Murray '24
The fun thing about this weekly schedule? It's two for the price of one! With so many classes taking place at least partially online this year, my roommate and I needed a system to keep track of who's going to be Zoom-ing into class from our dorm and when. Any "S" block is one of my classes and any "C" block is one of hers. We can add individual events every week (spot the COVID tests and assorted club GIM's from this one) as well as general, life-or-death reminders (see: "Mask!" and "Call your mom!"). Even though it looks a little crowded, I've found there's so much time in every day to try out new study spots, eat lunch on the lawn, get lost in Tisch, and (maybe) get some work done.
Marie Kazibwe '24
My typical week is fairly packed, but definitely manageable! My courses tend to shape my day- I have all of my classes on Tuesday, and almost all of my classes on Thursday, so I like to use the time between classes to rest and take care of myself. My schedule is lighter on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so use my free time to complete work, (safely) hang out with friends, and attend office hours. This week marked the unofficial start of club meetings, and I really enjoyed immersing myself in various student orgs!
Siwaar Abouhala '23
Going into my second year at Tufts, I was highly concerned about the notorious “sophomore slump,” the uncertainty of higher education amid a pandemic, and the need to declare a major in the coming months. Luckily, however, my pre-major advisor, pre-health advisor, and research advisor—yes, we have a lot of advisors here at Tufts— helped put me at ease through working closely with me on what courses to register for and how to plan out my schedule. I am immensely grateful for my academic opportunities, which are grounded in coursework yet that stem farther than any classroom, lab, or Zoom call. In biology and physics, for example, I am able to apply the foundational chemistry knowledge I studied last year to different natural science disciplines. My physics course, specifically, emphasizes discussion, small group work, and written explanations more than any formula or calculation. In global health and health care in America, I am able to make sense of the public health internships I have had in the past two years and analyze my experiences through well-established models and comprehensive health history. In Arabic, I continue to make sense of the Arabic I speak at home through studying key grammar rules and formal vocabulary. Finally, in Tisch Scholars, I am given a space to connect with other Scholars and reflect on how our current internship placements connect to real-world issues. Overall, my courses are tied together in a schedule that has kept me engaged and curious throughout the semester. What my schedule does not show, however, is all the support systems that make it possible for me to go to class and to stay on track. Whether you are reading this as a prospective or incoming student, please know that there is no such thing as a “perfect” schedule and that no permutation of classes will ever be more important than the people, communities, and resources you surround yourself with.
Blake Anderson '24
As you can see, I enjoy having a busy week! I do not have any classes on Friday, so I use that day to get any chores done or catch up on homework (or much needed sleep!). One thing I love about Tufts when it comes to scheduling: there is so much room for choice. During the college years, it can be kind of stressful to find out how to manage time, but being at Tufts has helped me become better at planning my whole week. It’s also nice to be able to have the left side of my calendar be just for classes and to have the right side of my calendar be totally free for whatever I choose to do. My three-day weekends are usually spent studying, hanging out with friends, or doing fun things around campus!