Challenge and Support

Well, first week has been interesting. My classes are all pretty great, but the workload has definitely ramped up. However, I’ve mostly been able to turn this into reason for excitement rather than stress, largely because of how supportive a place Carleton can be.

First I should take a step back and give a run-down of my courses. I’m continuing on the French track, and this term I’m taking 102 from Stephanie Cox. She has a great sense of humor and is ridiculously patient (foreign languages don’t come too naturally for me), which I guess is proof that everyone in the French department is just a gem. My physics course is taught by Ryan Terrien — a recent Carleton grad! This is pretty cool because he has a good sense of how Carleton works, both academically and socially, and working with him is a direct opportunity to learn about possible career paths as a Carleton physics major. My last class, Memory and Politics, is taught by Mihaela Czobor-Lupp. She’s an extremely passionate (and fun) professor who has a talent for challenging my perspective on things, which makes class very enjoyable. So overall, another term full of great classes and professors.

All this learning requires a lot of work, though, and I can safely say I’ve been pushed harder this past week than I ever have been before. The sheer amount of reading I’ve gotten through seems dizzying in retrospect, partly because I’ve never been particular quick at it. This is already starting to change, though, as the past days’ assignments have helped me learn to improve both my reading speed and comprehension. On top of this, my physics problem sets have required a level of critical thinking that is similarly new to me, but also very rewarding. I’ve made a number of new friends simply by struggling through some problems together.

I think all this would be more unwieldy if it weren’t for all the resources Carleton has to offer. In this regard I have to say I’m deeply impressed, and a little overwhelmed. The sheer number of options I have is astounding. Take physics, for example. First, collaboration is highly encouraged, and indeed sought after among the students in my class. But on top of this, there are problem solving sessions held specifically for and by physics students once per assignment. And there’s the Math Skills Center! And an online forum on our class Moodle page! And, of course, my professor’s office hours! The same goes for my other courses, too. I’ve made friends in Memory and Politics I can parse readings with, and French still offers its Study Center tables in the Libe on multiple nights a week. The question isn’t whether I can find help, but rather which form works best for me — a matter I’m still working on answering. Regardless, though, the process has been a beneficial one, and I feel so lucky to get to learn at such a dually challenging and supportive place.

Lucas is in his freshman year at Carleton, bringing with him a passion for all things nerdy and a talent for overthinking and awkwardness (and self-deprecation). He hails from Pasadena, California, and yes, he realizes it gets cold out here. Currently wildly undecided, he can see himself attempting a Physics and Cinema and Media Studies double major, although Chemistry, Economics, and Computer Science (among many other subjects) have been tempting him as well. He misses his bearded dragon.

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