Thoughts on Transitions
Incoming first-years arriving on campus were met with a big Wellesley welcome as they began their college careers. Though the past year and a half has been uncertain, students are feeling prepared. Nissi Awosanya originally felt concerned about making the transition here.
“I feel like I was really uncertain, but the way things have been going, people are reaching out and explaining things, and making the Class of ’25 feel prepared, I feel fine now,” Awosanya said.
Similarly, Sandra Quintana, who comes from Bushkill, PA, feels prepared because they have been in school for the past year.
“We were able to do hybrid classes in my senior year, so I have experienced going to school in a pandemic,” Quintana said.
However, Quintana commented on the difference between hybrid and full in person classes.
“Since it was hybrid, I was only going into the building two times a week,” Quintana said. “So it’s definitely going to take some getting used to going [to class] from two times a week to five times a week.”
Chloe Shim, an international student from South Korea, had a different experience. She explained the difficult process she faced in order to arrive in the United States.
“Personally, I feel really lucky to be here, because it took me a lot of effort to just get a visa and travel to the US from Korea,” Shim said. “I had to get vaccinated in Korea. And that process was very tedious. So I’m just really lucky to be here.”
Academics
College represents an opportunity to explore completely new topics in-depth. The Green Class of 2025 is looking forward to learning about what Wellesley has to offer, and a return to in-person learning just in time for the beginning of their college careers. Awosanya is an intended computer science major, but is most excited to take Russian 101.
“[Russian] is totally different from anything I’ve ever done before,” Awosanya said. “So, I’m excited. It’s going to be totally new.”
Likewise, Quintana said their prospective majors are English and creative writing, but they are most looking forward to the Integrated BISC 116 class, a hybrid class taught by both biology and chemistry teachers which serves as an alternative to taking both BISC 110 and CHEM 105.
Exploring campus
Many first-years also expressed excitement over the possibility of exploring Wellesley’s campus, specifically outdoors. Awosanya expressed interest in spending time by Lake Waban.
“The lake looks really pretty,” Awosanya said. “So I’m really excited to see [the lake], and just go walking by the lake and check out the greenhouse.”
Hernandez expressed a similar interest in visiting the lake.
Other incoming students are also looking forward to discovering the campus buildings. Quintana, who lives in Pomeroy Hall foresees Lulu being their favorite spot for proximity and practicality reasons: the Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center, or “Lulu,” has a dining hall and the mailroom. Shim, on the other hand, is eager to discover the Clapp Library, and anticipates spending time studying there.
Advice and hopes for the future
Entering college can be a daunting process, but the incoming Class of 2025 received guidance and advice from upper class students. One element first-years are looking forward to is shadow grading, which gives students the opportunity to focus on a multifaceted and balanced academic roster during their first semester. Awosanya hopes in her first semester to learn how to study properly with a balanced schedule.
Awosanya said, “I want to figure out how to study incrementally and spread out my studying over a semester, instead of the last two weeks before midterms and final exams.”
Similarly, Hernandez relayed advice given to her by upper class students.
“They said to really just relax and enjoy myself during my first semester since it’s shadow graded, because after that, it’s not going to be the same,” Hernandez said.
