Tess Yanisch ’13

I was tempted to put in pictures of my shorter friends, but they don't sit still long enough—and one of them is taking Akido—so kittens, dogs, and squirrels will have to do.

The reading part of the course served as an introduction to American social support systems, while volunteering at Oberlin Community Services gave me an idea of what it might be like to be in a social services profession.

The blog post of inspiring study music, also known as the "please don't sue me" post. Includes Sci-Fi Hall singing a Squidmas carol.

*of the ones I've taken and think would also be fun for non-psychology majors.

Pretty much the whole student body cares about community service, and we got good stuff done. We still need a deeper discussion about "interfaith," but that's next on the list . . . Many Oberlin students have a tendency to be dismissive of religion or openly religious classmates. I think they're responding more to the political end of religion (as we know it) than to any actual beliefs.

I think I was happier this time than when Obama won in 2008; this year, I was more involved, I knew more, I canvassed, I voted--I was able to be a part of it. This win was my win, in a tiny, tiny way, and I had seen more of the other people whose win it was too.

This is a chance for you to talk to me, whether you are a prospie, prospie's parent, current student, or alum. Feel free to ask questions about Oberlin, tell me what you want to read about, or just say hi.

I love to make lists. My room is covered in them. Now my blog is too--a giant list of things to do before I graduate!

Like all the rest of the seniors, I have turned in my application to graduate. But, unlike most, I didn't check the box that says "May 2013." I'll be graduating in January.

I have made an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of what I spend my money on. 81% goes to Oberlin and other necessities (airfare, textbooks, snowboots) and 11% to personal indulgences (goofy t-shirts, eating out). Is this a decent balance? I welcome your thoughts!

Every summer, Oberlin has a citywide "Chalk Walk," a civic day of doodling on the sidewalk. Though most of the art is done by average citizens--including plenty of enthusiastic kids--the event also attracts stunningly good artists. Among this year's coolest pieces were a giant cupcake, the Beatles, and George Washington riding a walrus into space carrying broccoli.

Your name is TESS. You are a SUMMER RESEARCH ASSISTANT at OBERLIN COLLEGE. You are also a LIFEGUARD and a BLOGGER. Currently you are contemplating writing your next blog in the style of a TEXT-BASED GAME.

Remember, the cardinal rule of politeness is to make the other person comfortable. In some situations, this calls for dressing up and shaking hands. In others, it consists of yelling and backslapping. Among Klingons, you say whatever's on your mind and be prepared to back up your words in battle if necessary. And so on.

The Big Parade happened a month and a half ago. I finally got around to writing it up. Includes many pictures!

Through the magic of circus networks and the hard work of our administrators, OCircus! was able to offer heavily-discounted tickets and a free bus ride to Cleveland to Oberlin students who wanted to go see Cirque du Soleil. Of course everyone did.

Perhaps it is strange that an Oberlin blogger should write about almost not coming to Oberlin, especially in a month when prospective students are trying to make their decisions about which school to attend, but I think it's important that you know that Oberlin does not have an aura of inevitability for everyone.

There's more to see than the architectural facades viewbooks usually show you, and I think that these back angles are, if not as aesthetically pleasing, more visually interesting than the fronts.

The only one of Blake's poems that I knew going into this class was "The Tyger." It was, in fact, the first "real" poem I ever learned. I remember standing on my bed, three or four years old, and asking Mom what "fearful symmetry" meant.

My brother got a kitten for Christmas. It is adorable and funny. Many photos included.

The last few weeks of the semester are always incredibly full with people working on final projects, last ExCo or club performances, studying their brains out, and attending study breaks to cram their brains back into their skulls.

Zombies, Nerf guns, and many pictures. What else could you want?

Last week, I wrote about the work I'm doing this summer. However, summer is also about fun, and I've been having lots of that. PLUS: My brother is a genius.

I am proof that not all liberal arts college students get everywhere by bike. Now I am finally learning how to ride one.

Yes, college is expensive, but you have some control over how expensive.

What is "hard"? The pace is faster in college than in high school, but it's mostly notable in comparison. For example, in the first three weeks of Research Methods, we covered at least half of the material in my year-long A.P. Statistics course.

The tenth annual Big Parade: an afternoon of relaxation, ingenuity, and stilts.

The Romans would offer bread and circuses to distract the public from real issues and keep them happy. Similarly, I am writing about pleasant things to avoid working on finals.

Having a sense of humor helps a lot when you're sick. So do cartoons and silly puzzle-solving video games.

Oberlin's second convocation of the semester took place last Wednesday. The speaker was Gloria Steinem. It wasn't the first time the famous feminist has been at Oberlin--she was here in 1972--and, listening to her talk, I wondered how the political and activist atmosphere here has changed since then.

Winter Term co-ops and cinnamon rolls! Includes lots and lots of process pictures, a la Ma'ayan.

My excuse for not blogging regularly: I have been HELLA busy. What I've been up to, things my friends have introduced me to, and pictures of me fishing for college students with candy in the library.

In which Tess raves about her social science classes, challenges the use of images of women in advertising, goes to a panel discussion, and learns how to sing (kind of).

Most colleges give their students a choice between traditional housing and fraternities or sororities. Oberlin, being Oberlin, has a different--and much wider--array of choices. Case in point: Sci-Fi Hall, where I now live.

The photo-illustrated "do"s and "don't"s of packing for Oberlin. Hints: no cats, no grout, and no prom dresses.

"Is there such a thing as playing the field anymore? Is there a middle ground between a couple and a hookup? Because it sure doesn't look like it." I think that there should be.

Adventures in babysitting, feeding live crickets to frogs, and the things people will tell you when you're walking a dog.

An explanation of various conceptual categories, mostly related to SF Hall, delivered with my trademark wit and witticism. Bonus: further photographic evidence that I was a very strange child!

I'm proud to say that I've been able to roll over $1,500 in tuition and buy all my books for each of my first two semesters. Still, paying for an education is a group effort, encompassing students, parents, and colleges.

And now, news from our intrepid correspondent, who has left the comfortable craziness of a small liberal arts college to brave the rather different craziness of an even smaller technical school!

I gave my first impressions of my classes at the beginning of the semester, but I never really came back and described them more fully. So now I'm going to give a more detailed view of what I've been up to.

One choice--to visit a college--can be the first step on that much-talked-of journey of a thousand miles. No, I'm not referring to the famous Confucius quote, actually--I'm thinking of The Lord of the Rings. Although Oberlin is a lot more fun than Mount Doom.

This blog gives you a few pointers for getting the most out of your campus visit. I don't usually go in for grandiose, sweeping statements, but I think I can say without (much of) a doubt that this blog could be the most important thing you read during your college search. I can say this because I have learned from experience.

Oberlin is more than living up to my expectations about both interdisciplinary material and extracurricular opportunities. However, I must say that I never expected the two to combine as they have in my life. That is to say, I'm finding that skills I've learned working on improv are helping me with my genre fiction writing.

More about latrinalia, Winter Term, statistical analysis (and not doing it), and a whimsical, completely unrelated movie review for variety. Pictures included, of course.

How to study bathroom graffiti seriously, with theories, transcriptions, and *photos*! LOTS of photos!

Well, not really. But it might. (Finn's looking for scholarships, after all.)

"You haven't written your application essays yet? Well get crackin'!" --A Pamphlet on applying to (not too many!) Colleges; Plus, a few modest Examples are included for the perusal of the curious Reader.

In which our protagonist goes to Chicago with eight other Obies and they do seriously amazing stuff. And we have videos.

A list of the things I've been doing and thinking about this week, including Nazgul costumes, three lectures, and accidentally screwing up the basis of democracy.

Greetings, children of the night! Today's entry is a series of snapshots of my triumphant return to Oberlin, including lectures, geeky joy, and local apple cider.

I first heard about the SJI in the admissions packet I got at the beginning of the summer. It wasn't terribly clear about what exactly the SJI was going to be, but I filled out the application anyway and sent it in, figuring it would be interesting if I got in. I did, and I attended the first session of it today. I still wasn't very clear about what it was until it started. . .

Of school colors and Substance-Free Housing, neither of which is lame in the slightest.