I graduated Oberlin on Monday. In celebrating that last week, I had plenty of opportunities to think about the highlights and lowlights of my time here. Right off the bat, lowlights: crying on the phone to my Mom, homesick; struggling to succeed in my first college math course; moving away for study abroad. On the flip side, highlights: skinny-dipping in the creek as a first year; earning a computer science senior award; watching the sunset over the Arb when I lived in Johnson House.
It’s hard to sum up four years worth of experiences. It is even more difficult to try and tell you the highs and lows that it was. The best thing I can tell you is this: through the lows and highs––the C grades, the late nights, and the tears––I would choose it all again if I had to. I can’t imagine a college experience at any place but Oberlin.
The lowlights
Creative writing → computer science
If you’ve been here since the beginning, you might know that I came here as a creative writing major. This week, I graduated as a computer science major. That transition wasn’t the easiest one. I felt lost as a creative writing major––it wasn’t really what I imagined it to be, and I wasn’t sure that I wanted to continue in college.
I was taking a computer science class at the time, and I felt like I wanted to keep taking classes. I loved coding, and I loved creating applications or programs that could help others. Computer science has infinite applications, and I was really excited at the prospect that I could always keep learning and that I would probably never be the smartest person in the room. I ended up switching with full support from my professors, advisors, and the registrar. It was a pretty nerve-wracking experience because I had no idea if I’d succeed, but it was one of the best risks I’ve taken at Oberlin.
Homesickness
Coming to college––where you have no support system––is terrifying. It’s just the truth. It’s exciting, obviously. You have more freedom. More time. There’s infinite experiences to try. But it’s definitely scary.
I remember those first few months of freshman year. They were mostly a blur of meeting new people, trying new things, and attempting not to get swept away with all of it. Most of the time, it was so much fun. Sometimes, it was hard. I remember one night when I was having friend troubles, and I called my Mom crying, walking around Cedar Street after my student organization. I felt completely lost and alone.
Not every moment in college shines. A lot of them do, but not every moment. The good news is that night was fleeting. My Mom was really helpful in talking me through how I was feeling, and homesickness goes away. You learn how to make a new home, and if you’re lucky, you can stop back at your hometown over breaks. You learn to cherish the time you spend at college. In part, I remember that night because the feeling was so fleeting. Surely, it was scary to be alone, but most of the time, I was so happy to be at college.
The highlights
Joining student organizations
Some of the most meaningful clubs I joined at Oberlin, I joined by chance. I stopped by OCircus Open Hours as a first year. My friend and I tried to learn how to juggle, and of course we couldn’t learn in thirty minutes. I made it my mission to stop by again and again and again. I learned how to juggle, but I also made some of my closest friends.
It’s not a student organization necessarily, but joining Oberlin Student Cooperative Association (the co-ops) was one of the best decisions I ever made. I missed homemade food, I loved vegetarian food, and I wanted to make more friends. I could never have imagined the years of cooking with my friends, attending elite social events (Porchella, Vegetaball, etc.), and making new friends almost every day.
My friends
College will give you some of the greatest friends you will make. I met my best friend Julia my first day of college––she was my random roommate. She’s exceptionally outgoing, kind, and energetic. We love to “play” together (she’s always asking me to play outside), go on walks, or eat lunch at Stevie.
I met my close friend Hanna from a mutual friend. She’s funny, earnest, and incredibly intelligent. We like to cook together, go on long bike rides, and I’ve very fond of teasing her for her earnest questions or strange habits––like Hanna always carries a ceramic mug around instead of a waterbottle. Who does that?
I met my fourth year housemates Elyssa and Anna during my second year of college in Pyle Co-op. We love to watch Harry Potter together (fine, I love to watch Harry Potter), bake, or dish gossip over breakfast every morning. I’ll really miss living with them.
You see, college is a conglomeration of highs and lows. There is so much joy in learning and growing as a person, even as it may be uncomfortable or hard. Take risks. Be involved. And cherish the friendships you make––they will be guiding lights through your time here.
This is my final blog, I really hope you have enjoyed reading my stories. Signing off for the last time, Natalie.
