Brown University Class Confessions

Brown University Class Confessions aims to highlight the unique experiences, problems, and insight of people from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

[brownclassconfessions]

#766

Is anyone else worried about getting water this fall? When it comes to water I would normally fill-up one or two reusable water bottles at the Blue Room or Jos each time I walked by, but I doubt that we'll be able to use those this fall. At the same time, it's expensive to buy water bottles constantly from a store and get them back to a dorm, especially without a car. Are there any recommendations for good water filter pitchers because that's the only solution I can think of right now

[brownclassconfessions]

#765

(CW: suicide mention)

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Brown '24 here. I'm distraught at the idea of staying home until January. I live with abusive mother, and I had been depending on college to get away from her. I also have lived past a suicide attempt that I never told anyone about. I can't see a therapist because my mother distrusts them. I was depending on being able to see one in Providence. I needed Brown to finally be able to heal and move on. I've already been holding on for so long. I don't know how I can hold on for six more months.

[brownclassconfessions]

#764

Due to the pandemic, I am stuck in Europe. I can't go to work and honestly have used all my savings. I contacted brown and decided to take a loan (to pay rent, but my ticket back to LA, and literally just to be able to survive meanwhile I get back home). Brown said that I will not be having access to that loan until mid-September which is irritating and obviously not helping at all because I need it now. I am so mad and hopeless. Does anyone one any private lenders/institutions that could help?

[brownclassconfessions]

#763

incoming class of 2024 and i don't know what i'm gonna do if they cancel fall semester. i cant stay here anymore.

[brownclassconfessions]

#762

Any other low-income students feeling the burden of Corona especially hard right now?

[brownclassconfessions]

#761

Currently on medical leave for the spring semester, but I want to come back for the fall semester... any advice for getting clearance?

[brownclassconfessions]

#760

Hi! I’m a first generation, low income student currently starting research at a biology lab here, but I’m feeling major imposter syndrome because I have no idea what is going on and I also do not have any lab experience. Can someone who has worked at a lab (and started with no experience) give me some advice on how to navigate and become successful at research? Thank you so much :)

[brownclassconfessions]

Not a class confession: (for project purposes) what words related to social and economic justice would it have been helpful to get definitions of when you first arrived on brown's campus or entered the political organizing scene? what are terms/frameworks that you didn't understand (or still don't understand)? if someone was to put together a list of terms and definitions related to social and economic justice, what should be in it? are there definitions that you like to use?

[brownclassconfessions]

#759

Brown and RISD students are incredibly notorious among Providence service workers for being poor tippers despite being disproportionately wealthy so here’s a handy guide: at restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and eateries, always tip 20% or more. If the bill is under $10, tip at least $1 for every item purchased. If you aren’t willing to tip then don’t go to the establishment in the first place! Service workers rely on tips to make a living so don’t waste their time.

[brownclassconfessions]

Not a confession: I haven't agreed on my courses with my advisor for my concentration even though I'm technically supposed to graduate this year. I met with him once and he was so condescending/possibly prejudiced I've been afraid to have contact since. I reached out to the department to change my advisor to no avail. I also still need to do my WRIT requirement too—does anyone know if it's possible to take your WRIT requirement electively S/NC?

[brownclassconfessions]

(Not a confession, but a question) I’m a low income, first gen Black girl, and I just found this blog. I’m a senior in high school, and Brown was my first choice. I was even going to apply ED, but after finding this blog, I’m not so sure if I even should anymore. Should I still apply? Do the classist, racist, etc things that occur on campus make attending Brown not even worth it? Please help!

[brownclassconfessions]

Not a confession: I honestly am not looking forward to housing this upcoming school year. I was assigned on-campus housing through the regular lottery but I have been in contact with a group looking for a roommate to join in their off-campus lease. Can anyone provide info or insight into how I can forfeit my on-campus housing assignment so I can go off-campus? Who do I contact?

[brownclassconfessions]

Not a confession: I have a question for those who went off campus and were on financial aid. We’re you refunded? Financial aids cover all my tuition, but I have no intentions of living in the dorms my senior year. If I am not mistaken, it costs about 15K (meal plan also included). Did you get the same amount refunded? If yes, did you get it before the beginning of the academic year?

[brownclassconfessions]

#758

I've decided to put myself first and leave Brown, transferring elsewhere. Being a low-income minority student I couldn't hack feeling welcome at Brown. I have no idea how to start the process of transferring. Has anyone had any experience transferring schools? Who do I contact?

[brownclassconfessions]

#757

I've been planning to go off meal plan for sophomore year and now they're saying I can't? I understand that food insecurity is a problem, but I literally cannot pay the price of meal plan. The way to fix food insecurity is not to force people to take a meal plan, it's to work with financial aid, make meal plans cheaper, and work directly with the students to see what we need. I don't know how I'm going to afford school next year.

[brownclassconfessions]

#756

As a First Gen, Low Income student, I am so ashamed of myself for not succeeding in college. I have all these expectations to excel and be that thing that finally pulls my family out of poverty, but after 2 years, I'm certain I will be graduating a year late. My family won't tell me that they are disappointed in me, but I can tell that I've let them down. I try to give myself credit, but I hate using my FLi Identity as an excuse. I just wish I could have done better.. for me and my family.

[brownclassconfessions]

#755

Brown was my absolute dream school, but sometimes I regret coming here now. Coming from my high school, I was not prepared for the rigor here and I've only felt smaller around my high-achieving peers. I'm constantly getting B's in my concentration and I know that B's are not that bad, but when you realize that almost more than half the class gets A's, it just makes me feel more like an imposter. As a low income student, I just fear I'm going to fail and not be able to take care of my family.