Spring 2021 Update
I can’t believe a new semester is right around the corner!
Since I took last semester off, instead of graduating in 2022, I’ll be a J grad. My new class year is 2023J! About half of my friends decided to take time off, and of them, about half took/are taking a semester off like I did, and the other half are taking off the full year. Even though I’ll be graduating in January, my eventual job search and grad school applications shouldn’t be affected too much. A lot of grad school programs that are in the back of my mind have January start dates, and jobs are always hiring.
During my semester off I interned for the author of Young Mongols, which was an incredibly meaningful and rewarding experience. I also continued tutoring for Ringle, which I began last March.
I spent my semester off at home in NYC. Normally I go to LA a few times a year to visit my Dad but, because of the pandemic, I haven’t done so. I haven’t seen him in over a year now which is really strange. It has never seemed worth the risk to travel, but hopefully, vaccine distribution will go well so I can see him in-person soon.
My Mom moved over the summer to a new apartment in Murray Hill that has a small terrace, which has been phenomenal. We actually ate breakfast out there on Christmas Eve!
Our terrace is VERY New York-- it faces a brick wall! I really like the privacy though so we aren’t very high up.
This coming semester I’ll be living off-campus in Northampton for part of the semester with one of my friends and my girlfriend. It’s a really cute apartment that is about a 20 minute walk away from campus.
Even though I’m living off-campus, I’ll actually be on-campus quite a bit. Because I’m living locally, I’m enrolled in Smith’s asymptomatic testing program. I’ll be getting tested three times a week at the Campus Center. You can learn more about Smith’s Coronavirus Screenings here. I’m also enrolled in one enhanced remote class (though I’m not sure what the “enhanced” part will look like), and when I’m allowed/it’s safe to do so, I’ll be going for long walks around paradise pond!
An old photo of Paradise Pond