Welcome back, everyone! For those of us who are returning to campus, the thrill of college life has given way to a comfortable familiarity, as our presence on campus is now a matter of course. As we go through the stress of moving back in and battle the crowds to get the last open slot in that English class, it is not unusual for our minds to drift back to previous years spent here in Oberlin, and the experiences and memories that only continue to grow in number. And there is no end to the opportunities that await those who venture further afield. There are many unique, Oberlin-specific opportunities available to students — even some that you may not have known existed. From those of us here at the Review, we would like to present some ways for you to give back to the place that will give you so much, and enrich your four (or five, or six) years in Oberlin.

The Oberlin community is not limited to the college campus; it also includes the City of Oberlin and its residents. You are now a citizen of this city; you have the choice to draw money from the local ATM without a transaction charge, work at a downtown restaurant or register to vote in Ohio and make your voice heard. So do more than just smile at the little boy on Main Street. Oberlin is your home. You might fill up some free time and collect a bit of cash by putting up flyers downtown offering babysitting or “flute lessons for little fellows.” You have much to offer Oberlin, and in doing so, you will receive just as much.

There are already various outlets for Oberlin College students who wish to be more involved with the community. The Spanish in the Elementary Schools program allows students to offer useful aid to the local elementary schools’ language programs by working as Spanish instructors. You may tutor elementary and middle school students in math or English by participating in either the America Counts or America Reads program. The Bonner Center for Service and Learning can point you toward numerous community service possibilities, or help you create your own project.

Talk to the residents of Kendal — chances are, they know a lot more than you. Many are Oberlin alumni and can tell tales of their own days at Oberlin that will put your wildest story to shame. Use the public library. Not only is it a change of pace from student-saturated Mudd, it offers an abundance of newer books, movies and comics. Consider staying here for a summer, when you would learn to appreciate Oberlin without the stress of classes.

Students and residents have been working to strengthen the bond between city and college for longer than most of us have been here, a venture supported by programs like Oberlin College Educational Alliance Network, where high school students can take college courses for credit. ExCo classes are invaluable in bringing people together because they allow anyone to participate, whether as a teacher or a student. Step even further away from campus and get to know residents by marching alongside them in the Big Parde, or sharing a pancake breakfast at the Oberlin Inn after the midnight bike ride. Attend weekly potlucks at First Church, find your new best friend at the Doggie Doo Pooch Parade, and this Saturday, make sure to rummage through the city-wide garage sale.

Many people come here for the student activism, but we cannot forget that changing the world starts at home. There are many things we can do to support and contribute to this community — our community — and to create an ideal college town where there is a symbiotic relationship between students and residents. Offer your talents to the city and make it an even better place to be.