I’m leaving Oberlin soon. What was four years feels like four days now. I mean, it feels absurd that I’m leaving because Oberlin is such an integral part of me, but I also know that life opens up after this. I am moving to Boston a week after graduation for a software engineering job. I am moving in with one of my close friends from Oberlin. I’ll make new friends, I’ll explore a new city, and I’ll leave behind one of my many homes.
In preparation for this, I’ve had a lot of time to think about my life here, the things I’ve learned, the classes I’ve taken. What seems obvious to a fourth year is completely unknown to a first year. I cannot crack all secrets, but if I could leave you with a few words of wisdom, it would be this.
Do things because they are hard.
You’re standing outside the Feve. You want to ask someone for a cigarette, but you’re scared. They look cool. You don’t know if you have the courage. Go up anyways.
It’s Latinx Night at the ‘Sco, and they are playing Bad Bunny. You want to dance, but you don’t really know how to dance. Grab your friends hand and dance.
Your friend invites you to join their student organization. You don’t think you have enough time for it, and besides, everyone knows each other already. You don’t think you’ll fit in, and you’re worried you’ll seem lame. Join the student organization.
We stop ourselves from doing so many enjoyable things because we are scared we aren’t cut out for it. We don’t want to show up late. We don’t want to show up nervous. We don’t want to show up inexperienced, underprepared, foolish, or unfit. But if I can urge you to do anything, it’s to show up anyways. You will be surprised by how much you can accomplish or by how accepting people are.
Take classes outside of your major.
Blah, blah, it’s the oldest advice in the world. But it’s true. My last semester of college, I took Urban Economics by Ron Cheung, and it taught me everything I needed to know about cities, cars, gentrification, income inequality, and how we can improve social welfare. It was totally out of my wheelhouse––I took Introductions to Economics as a first year and failed the first exam.
I found this class and others like it so enriching. Of the classes here, I would highly, highly recommend taking The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Urban Economics, and at least one English/Comparative Literature classes. These classes will open your worldview extensively.
Take Secondary Lessons.
Secondary Lessons are private lessons with a Conservatory student (or professor) where you learn an instrument. They are two credits, and you meet once a week. I auditioned for jazz piano and took lessons with Julian. They were the best part of my week. We’d meet on Friday afternoons, and he’d teach me something new. He asked me my favorite jazz songs––we learned how to play them. He was incredibly patient, kind, and instructive. It’s honestly a hidden resource at Oberlin because so many of these Conservatory students are talented and busy, and you have the opportunity to play with them, to learn from them. I wish I took Secondary Lessons sooner.
(P.S. Don’t be scared off by the audition! Reference advice #1.)
Participate in Big Parade.
Big Parade is an art and community-based parade. This year, there were sculptures on floats as tall as trees, clowns on stilts, samba dancers, and free food at the end.
You must watch the parade every year, but if you can, participate in it. Help build a float. Roller skate in a costume. Throw out candy. It’s so much fun being a part of a bigger whole.
And last of all, don’t take any of it for granted. College is short. Problem sets, exams, and assigned readings feel infinite, but they aren’t. When again will you have the opportunity to live in close proximity to all of your friends, spin in a womb chair in Mudd, or have a tire-flipping contest with President Ambar? Life is short. Enjoy it, and on the bad days, remember that tomorrow is a new day where anything could happen. (:
