End of Semester Resolutions

The semester is over and we’re now a couple of weeks into summer break. I’m glad the rush of finals is over, but there’s something in me that longs for the simple routines of the school year. Grabbing a chai latte at Azariah's cafe in between classes, slow evenings walking around town, and studying in Peters Hall on a rainy day. Every semester my routines have looked a bit different, but no matter what they look like I always find comfort in them. While there’s no doubt I’ll continue my favorite rituals and routines next semester, I also want to push myself to go outside of my comfort zone. On that note, this blog is going to be about the things I’m going to continue doing AND make an intentional effort to try to do. 

Things I Want to Continue

• I challenged myself to go to at least 1 or 2 events a week. It didn’t matter whether it was theater, a guest lecture, or sports game. That’s one of the best parts about Oberlin, there’s so many events going on (doesn’t really matter whether it’s during the week or weekend) it’s easy to go to an event on the fly. 
• Joining clubs! At the start of every year there’s always a club fair. It’s so fun, there’s usually freebies, and nobody is pushy about making you join. Every year new clubs are added so I recommend making sure you prioritize going every fall to see what’s new. Also take a risk and join a wacky club you never thought you would before. 
• I took advantage of the Oberlin Program Board. Going to Cedar Point during halloweekend, going apple picking at an orchard, and seeing Six in Playhouse Square are some of my favorite opportunities they’ve done. Yes, I did have to pay a small fee to go to these (20-30 dollars usually) but this includes the ticket/activity AND transportation.
• Going to office hours! This one is so underrated. In my opinion the professors at Oberlin are the best in the world. They care about you as a person and a student, and this care isn’t confined to classroom hours. So many times I’ve gone to office hours and watched T.V. shows with professors, shared a cup of tea with them, or exchanged restaurant recommendations in Cleveland. I make an effort to go to office hours as often as I can, even in classes I don’t need extra help in. Plus, making an effort to form these connections makes it easier for professors to write you letters of recommendation in the future!

Things I Want to Challenge Myself To Do

• Go to more events alone! Admittedly, I need to take my own advice on this one. Sometimes I go to events on my own, but more often than I should, I make sure I have a friend to go with. Going with friends is absolutely preferred for me, but occasionally I miss out on going to an event simply because no friends were free to go with me. My senior year I don’t want to let this stop me from getting the most of my experience. Who knows, I might even make some new friends while I’m there! Worst case scenario, I got to enjoy my own company and not miss out on a super cool event! 
• Going to more YeoFit classes. During my first year at Oberlin I regularly went to YeoFit classes, which are free exercise classes for students. There's pilates, yoga, spinning, boxing, and more! The past few years my schedule hasn’t allowed me to go every week, but next year I want to make it a priority. Whether I go once a week or once a month, at least I made an effort to go do something I enjoy. 

I hope that this gives you all the foresight and motivation to both continue being yourself and to maybe take some risks and push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Some of the best things I’ve done or become at Oberlin are because I was comfortable with being uncomfortable. Use this as your sign that you should too!