A long time ago (okay, the ‘90s — but it really doesn’t feel that long ago) in a galaxy far, far away (Ohio can feel like its own galaxy), I started my college adventure at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
A tradition was born the very first time my parents dropped me off: We’d have one last meal together at Wendy’s before they headed back to Cleveland. Even now, I still get a little misty when I eat a single with fries and a chocolate Frosty.
That first day, when I returned to my residence hall room after my parents left, I cried while assembling a bookshelf. My roommate Roma saw me, sat down on the floor and said, “Let’s build this shelf together.” It’s little moments of kindness, vulnerability, laughter and yes … tears, that helped launch my college life.
With Roma at my side, I decided to do “all the things.” Some that felt comfortable, and others that scared me to death. And every single one of them was meaningful. I joined intramural teams. I worked with the chair of the history department on a historiography project. I joined Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. I was elected president of Miami’s women’s glee club, the Choraliers. I helped students with their papers as a peer tutor. I spent the summer before my senior year in Dijon, France, studying at the Université de Bourgogne (pain au chocolat + Orangina = pure joy). I even prepared to go to graduate school to study medieval history (fun fact: my favorite historical event is the Fall of Constantinople in 1453).
And yes, I learned to fail —sometimes spectacularly — and get back up again:
Fail: I started as a chemistry major and barely passed my chem classes with Ds. I eventually switched to history, where I thrived.
Fail-ish: Roma only had to throw my alarm clock in the pool once (I’ve always been a snooze-button enthusiast … still am).
Looking back, I’m in awe of the profound impact my college experience had on who I’ve become. The people I met — faculty, staff, peers, community members — and the skills and knowledge I developed all pushed, pulled, challenged and affirmed me. They shaped the college student I was and continue to influence the professional and human being I’m still becoming.
I’m excited for you to experience your own transformation: to dive into discovery and curiosity; to build relationships with people you never would have met if you hadn’t come to Trinity; to find your niche, your passions, the things that make your soul light up and your mind buzz with ideas; to figure out what is meaningful to you; to find your authentic self and live a life of purpose.
That’s my hope for you. So let’s go on this journey together. And remember — be kind to your roommate, and maybe try not to hit the snooze button too many times. Even Roma had her limits.
