When you spend 17 years in a small town where most of your neighbors’ cars were from before you were born, the opportunity to go into the big, wide world seems like your golden ticket to a new future. In my final year of high school, where I graduated on a lopsided soccer field (since my high school in Cerritos — a small Los Angeles suburb that exists somewhat like an afterthought — wasn’t big enough for a football team), I couldn’t wait to move to a new city — a real, busy, alive city. Even if I was going to be across the country from the rest of my family, something in me knew that I was where I was meant to be.
I wish I could say that my first few weeks — maybe even my first semester — at Hopkins were a cakewalk. I wasn’t expecting it to be one, but getting sick and not being able to come to my first week of college had me feeling lost and stressed out. Being around some of the most creative, intelligent and hard-working people in the nation, figuring out where I belonged and managing my mental health was something I initially struggled with.
A year later, I now feel like I have started to find my place and peace of mind among the sea of eager and passionate people that drew me to this school in the first place. Although some of this came from trial and error, more of it came from what I learned through key experiences and memories — both big and small — some of which I’ve decided to share here.
1. The time I underestimated how long it could possibly take me to read 10 pages
Being new to the style of college classes, I was unsure how long weekly readings would take for a comparative politics class I was taking. There was this one chapter of a really old book (we’re talking like fifth century B.C.) that took me, quite literally, over an hour to get through because of how dated and unfamiliar it was to me. I was searching up what these words meant every two sentences, trying to figure out the archaic grammar and the meaning of it all. From then on, planning readings ahead of time and knowing my work pace was something I stuck to.
With all the things Hopkins has to offer, like the numerous student organizations, courses and extracurricular activities, it’s easy to get lost in a whirlwind pace that can become difficult to sustain. Learning to pace yourself and being aware of the workload you can handle is an important part of maintaining a good balance. Everyone around you is coming from different environments and backstories to contribute to a diverse body of potential, so managing your time and lifestyle in a way that keeps your mind and body healthy keeps you in the game for the long run.
2. Watching The Bachelor for the first time ever
To preface: I had never watched a single episode of The Bachelor or The Bachelorette before this past fall semester. I’m not one for 12-season-long reality TV shows or sitcoms (except The Office). However, two people I met in AMR II had been talking about the latest developments on The Bachelor on our recent Brody coffee run. By the time Friday night rolled around, I found myself exhausted from the school week and without any energy to really go out or go exploring with friends, so on a whim, I spent the weekend catching up on the latest The Bachelor episodes. Once I caught up, the three of us started having weekly TV nights where we would sit in a cramped dorm on the third floor of AMR II, huddled around a laptop, and predict what the next big drama would be on the show — kind of like the judges on America’s Got Talent but for reality shows. Eventually, spending time with them was something I began to look forward to, and we became closer as the months passed.
A lot of people will tell you many things about “what to do and what not to do” in your first year away from home, and one of those things is to always say “yes” to new things. I myself have created cherished memories by agreeing to both cozy movie nights in and late nights out, and meeting new people was one of the highlights of my first semester. However, knowing when you might need a break and giving attention to your own mental energy is just as important as putting yourself out there and making new connections. And who knows, you might just meet some of your closest friends this way.
3. The first team cheer of the season before our first swim meet
It was the first swim meet of the season, and I was beyond excited to race with my team and experience college swimming for the first time in my athletic career. We were huddled together on the pool deck, yelling our cheer with the opposing team on the other side of the pool. I still remember that day as one of my favorite ones from the season, with all of us supporting our teammates and working together. Being part of the women’s varsity swim team has been an indescribable experience, and I look forward to being around the Lady Jays every time we have a practice or team lift.
Physical health is a crucial aspect of regulating your mental health, and spending time exercising or getting involved in intramural sports and activities is a great way to increase mental focus and time management. I learned the values of resilience and consistency by being on the swim team, and they have carried over to my lifestyle and habits as a student. Whether it be dragon boating or indoor volleyball, there’s a team activity for everyone.
4. Seeing my first-ever N-L article get published and printed
Now, this wouldn’t be a News-Letter piece if I didn’t talk about the beauty and masterpiece that is our print edition, would it?
All jokes aside, joining the N-L was one of the best decisions I made in my spring semester. Being able to read the stories of others, being part of a platform that puts those voices out into the world and giving readers a taste of these different perspectives is something that I’m grateful to be a part of. Writing my own pieces has always been something I’ve wanted to pursue as a creative outlet.
Having non-academic interests — and maybe even some that intersect with your educational passions — is one of the biggest things I live by in order to take care of my mental health as a creative person.
For you, whether this is ‘80s music, animals, vintage cars, books, indie films, sports, cooking, surfing, acapella singing, running marathons, rhythm games or some really niche topic, the things that keep your spirit healthy are what keep your mind healthy.
And most importantly…
Be in the present moment. Your first year goes by quicker than you think (coming from someone who heard the same thing and was skeptical of it as well). This plethora of new beginnings, ups and downs and flat-out unexpected moments will be what defines your first year here at Hopkins.
Ayden Min is a sophomore Los Angeles, Calif. majoring in International Studies. She is a Copy Editor for The News-Letter.
