The Life & Times of a First-Year Smithie

The revelations of a super dork as she embarks on her first year at Smith College [Original] var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-19089693-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

[smithhousetea-blog-blog]

The duty of Smith College is, as I see it, to give her daughters the kind of education which will ensure that they will use their minds clearly and wisely, so that they will be able to conduct themselves as courageous and informed citizens of the United States.

Julia Child (http://www.unknownnews.org/040202child.html)

[surelifesnapshots]

[iheartjirachi3-deactivated20130]

[bokugairu-blog]

You are so schooled in critical thinking, it almost hurts to look at you.

Jane Lynch (Smith College Class of 2012 Commencement Speech)

[lifeandtimesfys-blog]

Phase 2: COMPLETE

On to Junior Year...

[lifeandtimesfys-blog]

Smith College, you are so beautiful.

Hi everyone! Couldn't not post today, because there was an especially fucked up Letter to the Editor from a Smith Alum published this week in the Sophian. I felt personally attacked, and I'm pretty sure so did every single Smithie...ever. It was awful and so ridiculously insulting and elitist and racist and homophobic that I can't honestly believe it. 

If you've read it, and you don't go to Smith (yet), know that this is not the true definition of Smith, and that she is a failure of a Smithie.

And if you haven't, don't even bother because nothing she says in it is worth anyone's time, it's so completely pathetic.

Anyway, the point of this post is that I just saw a new tumblr today on the Smith College tag, Pearls and Cashmere, and I  have never been so proud to be a Smithie! Smith College, way to be, my friends! Way to be! You all are so fucking great. Please, everybody, look at this blog, take in all the beauty that is my college, and be proud or be jealous or just be aware that that Smith Alum is a fucking idiot. Also, send in a response to SGA.

[lifeandtimesfys-blog]

*IMPORTANT* New Life & Times blog!

Wait, wait! Before you go! I'm excited to introduce you all to Caitlyn, an incoming first-year.  She'll be starting her own Life & Times of a First-Year Smithie blog for the Class of 2015. I'm super excited! Please follow and read her blog! She's really sweet, and I know she'll do a marvelous job! 

Enjoy!

[lifeandtimesfys-blog]

so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good night

Well, this is my last post. Thanks to everyone who read Life & Times of a First-Year Smithie! Writing this blog has been so much fun and I'll miss it so much! I hope this has helped incoming first-years and prospective students to understand what it really means to be a Smithie. I love Smith College with all my heart, and I just want others to love and appreciate it as much as I do! Take care!

Smithie Love,

Arielle, a sophomore Smithie

[lifeandtimesfys-blog]

It's nice to be at Smith, where everyone seems to be on the same page. There's so much acceptance, and encouragement, and safety within the Smith Bubble. And this really changes you, because when you're in this environment that's so empowering and supportive, you just grow like crazy.

But it's difficult when you go home (or really anytime you leave the Smith Bubble) to go back to how you used to be. I've heard Smithies express anxiety about going home, and being with their family, or really going into any new environment (because there's no other place on Earth like Smith College) and feeling like they can't say what they're thinking because they'll be labeled or misunderstood or shunned. 

Back home, my siblings seem really bothered by how I've changed. I can barely talk to my older sister. Not because I get in fights with her, but because she seems to find the things I like to talk about incredibly uncomfortable (she really doesn't like when I use the word "pussy"...so I say it a lot). I ask the wrong questions and the things I say get under people's skin a little too often. But, as far as I'm concerned, that's their problem and not mine. It's not like I'm forcing my opinions on them. I'm just being myself, and I'm determined to always be okay with who I am. They might not be happy with how I've changed, but I don't mind because I'm confident I've changed for the better.

Anyway, I just want to encourage incoming first-years to embrace the changes that occur when you become a Smithie. They're usually good changes. And also, to remember to hold onto your inner-Smithie after you graduate as well. 

[lifeandtimesfys-blog]

that's it. That post about smith's ED and your post about financial aid and this overall blog is making me want to apply early. I think I will. Thanks!!! I love this blog

Oh my god, I wish I could give you a hug! You just made my entire day! My entire week! You have no idea. I was kinda feeling shit about my blog this week, because people have been getting offended, even though I always I go into this blog with the intention of being helpful and honest. Anyway, I'm so glad that this has inspired you to apply! Good luck! I hope you get in!

[lifeandtimesfys-blog]

how do you apply for the Bridge program/is it basically for any minorities?

Well damn, it's available now. APPLY!

It's exclusively for students of color. Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc. However, if you're an international student, you can't apply for Bridge because you'll have your own special orientation.

[lifeandtimesfys-blog]

Could you explain the BRIDGE program? if you or your friends went through it and your/ their experience with it

Well here's my very first post about Bridge, before I got to Smith.

I also just wrote a post about Bridge today, which I'm guessing you've read already...but just in case.

Anyway, Bridge is a pre-orientation program for incoming students of color. You can apply for it the summer before your first year. The majority of Smith is white, and it's hard sometimes to be a person of color on campus. In Bridge, you're there for about 3-4 days (it changes), and about 35-ish students of color (including yourself) live in one of the houses. Basically, it's a way to welcome students of color on campus and give them resources and a community. It's exhausting. You're running around doing activities, and bonding, and just getting a lot of really useful information. 

If you look at the notes of my Bridge post, you'll see other Smithies raving about it. It's highly recommended. I encourage you to apply (if you meet the qualifications of being a student of color, of course)!

[smithiefromguam]

[lifeandtimesfys-blog]

Do you think it's possible for me to get a full tuition if my annual income's about 38k..?

Well I know my household's annual income is a little more than that, and Smith paid for almost everything. Maybe? I'm not sure. It seems possible.

[scc09-blog]

I also loved the lively, noisy sense of ownership Smith women displayed about the campus. I liked to listen to the spontaneously raised voices of students chaffing one another, or barracking in the heated rivalry generated by intramural athletic contests. I’d spent many years on coeducational campuses without hearing women’s voices raised in unselfconscious ownership of place and event. The noise level at Smith was the sound of women in charge.

former Smith College President Jill Ker Conway (via scc09)

[lifeandtimesfys-blog]

I don't think you should ever turn down an opportunity to better yourself, and educate yourself. Smith is overflowing with these kinds of opportunities, and I feel like you should most definitely take advantage of them. 

Easy-to-find opportunities:

Leadership programs - The Office of Student Engagement hosts several leadership programs. Let's get down to the nitty gritty. They give you some GOOD food. Like, delicious. Omg. So yummy. Also, I guess it's beneficial to take part in these kind of reflective programs. They're meant to give you a chance to better understand yourself and what your leadership style is like. They're really chill, and kinda fun. 

Courses - I recommend a Sociology course, or a SWG course, IDP 102 course, “Thinking Through Race,” etc. These are classes that teach you about the world around you, and more importantly about yourself. Of course, you can find these qualities in a variety of courses. These are just ones that jump out at me.

Within organizations

Publicized by professors

[lifeandtimesfys-blog]

So this is a slightly awkward question that can apply to all dorm life (not just Smith's), but I'll ask it anyway. I'm an incoming first year and I'm in a double with this straight girl who has a long term boyfriend but I'm a lesbian. How is it possible to have sex (solo or not) when you have a double without awkward walk ins or putting the ever obvious sock on the door knob....? You probably had a single since you're from the quad, but I guess it never hurts to ask... Thanks in advance, and I'm in love with your blog! It gives insight to Smith without sounding pompous or fake. <3 By the way, what's your personal blog since you're not a first year anymore? :)

I actually had a double, so we're good there.

I guess the first big piece of advice that I would give to roommates, in general, is to have really open communication. Passive aggressiveness is not going to get you anywhere. If you have a stance on something, or something's bothering you, I would say that you should probably let your roommate know ASAP. When you first move in, you'll have to fill out a Roommate contract. Be real, and let your roommate know whether or not you're fine with their boyfriend/girlfriend staying overnight or being in the room frequently. If you're not upfront from the beginning (about anything in the contract), and you go to one of the heads of the house to complain, people are gonna be like "Well you said you were okay with it then. Why are you bitching about it now?" So I think just be straightforward with how you're feeling so that there's no confusion.

My answer to your question would be to ask your roommate when you meet her (or get to know a little bit better after a while because I understand that this might be a little awkward) how you both want to go about it.

So here are some suggestions on how you can avoid those mortifying walk-ins: 

Text your roommate with a short message (e.g. "Yo dawg, can Michelle/Mike and I have the room for [time period]?" DON'T forget something along the lines of "Does that work for you? Is that alright?" because honestly it's not just your room and nobody likes an inconsiderate jerk. You/your roommate might have early practice and wanna get to bed early or want to study in their room for a quiz, etc.

Make up a code (e.g. create a beautiful illustration of Seelye Hall on the dry erase board on your door anytime the room is “occupied” OR call it by another name like "Hey Jane, I'm gonna go get some Alpha Bravo.” And then wink twice and tug your ear lobe. If they don't know what you mean, then you're. not. communicating!  I was gonna say call it Starbucks, like "Dan and I were thinking of getting some Starbucks right now." but everyone drinks Starbucks, so that could lead to endless confusion OR whatever suits your fancy!)

Shower sex? I mean, no one is going to barge in on you in the shower…I don’t think.

Take advantage of times when you know for sure that your roommate is going to be out. Not so much when their class will be over, but if you know they’re leaving for the weekend.  

Main point : Communicate! Non-communication is the reason why awkward walk-ins exist.

You: [awkward walk-in occurs] Oh god, I'm so sorry! I had no idea! (EXACTLY.)

Your Roommate: If only I had drawn Seelye on our door! All of this could've been avoided!