Anonymous asked: Hi Wendy! I'm going to be a freshman next year at Wellesley, and I'm really excited!!.. but I'm kind of nervous about a few things. could you give me your honest opinion about them? (1) the stress level (2) nearly impossible to get good grades (3) the all-women thing (4) nightlife (or slight lack there of....?)
Congrats sister to be!
Well the first thing that you will learn very quickly is that you are a ‘first-year’ not a ‘freshman’. (see meme posted ages ago)
For the rest
Stress level: plan, plan, plan! The more you organise your time the better you’ll be. Also, only the weak don’t ask for help. Seek understanding at office hours, go to a PLTC writing tutor, go to supplemental instruction if your classes offer it. Also, find a routine. This will help you keep a healthy sleep cycle, perhaps schedule in some exercise, and give you allotted time to do your work. Definitely schedule small breaks for yourself. Whether its going for a walk, talking to friends, going on Facebook (a trap), or watching some hulu (probably a trap too)… you need your YOU time!
Grades: yes, classes are hard and every department is different. I believe the main thing you must realise is that you are going to have to kick ass for an A usually. This is hard for a lot of students to get used to. But for me, it may me more proud of the As I have achieved. I think it also means not biting off more than you can chew. Don’t take 5 classes if you can’t handle it. Don’t take upper level courses if you aren’t ready. Good grades will correlate with how much effort you put in, that effort including seeking help. We have the #1 professors in America and they all love us, so don’t fear seeking their guidance.
Women’s College ‘thing’: I came to Wellesley expecting an amazing academics with getting off campus once a month and never having a boyfriend. Much to my relief, I was wrong. People at Wellesley WANT to go out (who knew?!?!). They want to meet people and make friends, especially first-year. The outgoing are the most successful, so introduce yourself etc! Take full advantage of this, meet a lot of people, exchange numbers, and create connections. Once you have friends off-campus you will realise that going to Wellesley is no big deal on your social life. Guy friends on weekends, girlfriends during the week. Also, word of warning, do not choose your group of Wellesley friends based on if you think they’ll help you meet guys. You’ve graduated from high school. You need friends who you want to be around, not shallow ones to use.
Nightlife: Depending on the dorm you live in this varies. Some, no matter what night it is are extremely quiet and expect you to be so. Others, not so much. We have parties on campus almost every weekend hosted by the college or a student org and they are always open to all Wellesley students, free with ID. Also, we have a pub! Thursday nights are always great there. Mostly though, I find my nightlife at MIT on weekends. I have many close friends there and getting into fraternity parties there are quite easy, especially if you come early (sometimes they have ‘guest lists’— make friends with a brother, add him on Facebook, automatically get invited to every party that fraternity holds). Truly though, Wellesley is what you make it. You can hide away in your room and sulk and say its all Wellesley’s fault or you can get on your feet and find something to do. Have a movie night with friends, go to Mikes Pastries in the North End, etc… When life give you Wellesley, make things swell :-)
Fuckyeah,
Wendy
