Junior Year Excitement
Zoë shares aspects of starting the school year that excite her most as she enters junior year.
Zoë shares aspects of starting the school year that excite her most as she enters junior year.
I’m officially a junior at Carleton! It’s hard to wrap my mind around. Freshman year on campus whipped by, sophomore year was somewhat compromised by COVID-19, and all of a sudden I find myself entering my third year of college. Here I list some of the main reasons why I am so enthused to start the second half of my college journey at Carleton.
1. A change of dormitory scenery
A former resident of Goodhue Hall, Nourse Hall, and Myers Hall, I am currently living in James! James houses suite-style living quarters, with a common room, mini kitchenette, private bathroom, and several bedrooms branching out from the main living space. I’m happy with my dorm decorations as well—my roommate and I have scoped out poster options and are on the hunt for a couple plants to beautify our living space.
2. Upper level classes in the SoAn major
Perhaps the most work-intensive class this term is my 300-level Sociology-Anthropology class called Sociological Thought & Theory. A required class for the SoAn major, it involves close, critical readings of writings by theorists like Durkheim, Marx, and Weber. Needless to say, it’s quite a demanding course, requiring significant amounts of reading. Nevertheless, I look forward to taking the course with my fellow classmates (many of whom are SoAn majors) this term.
3. In-person tours for Admissions
I gave in-person tours for the Admissions Office this summer, and I am lucky enough to continue leading tours during the school year. I love meeting prospective students and their families, and it’s also fun to show off a campus densely populated with students during the school year. Sign up for an in-person or virtual visit here.
4. Orchestra rehearsals
This past year, orchestra rehearsals were compromised due to COVID restrictions. With occupancy limits and social distancing, nobody had a stand partner. This year, however, we are able to rehearse in the auditorium as a full ensemble again. It’s so lovely to play together under more normal circumstances.
5. Club soccer games
The Womxn’s Club Soccer team has intercollegiate games planned this term, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to play games against our opponents. My close friends are the captains of the team this year, and I am so impressed with their leadership. As an upperclassman, it’s cool to see my peers nurture their passions and lead with such competency. Read more about what club soccer entails in a previous blog post of mine.
6. Twin Cities exploration
Minneapolis and St. Paul are super accessible to students at Carleton, and this term I intend to make at least a couple trips into the cities with friends. For instance, my friend and I are attending a Julien Baker concert in Minneapolis this week. Later in the term I have plans to eat at an Ethiopian restaurant with a friend and my roommate.
7. Meeting new people
While Carleton is a small liberal arts college of about 2,000 (roughly the same size as my high school), I have yet to get to know so many new faces. This term, I’ve already befriended coworkers in the Admissions Office whom I had never met before. Other avenues such as club soccer, orchestra, classes, residential life, and mutual friends make meeting new people an easy feat.
Zoë is a junior Sociology-Anthropology major who loves traveling and studying abroad, taking photos, and luxuriating in long walks in the glorious Arb. At Carleton, some of Zoë’s favorite pastimes include frequenting the various coffee shops in downtown Northfield, playing cello in the orchestra, participating in club soccer, and spending time with friends. Meet the other bloggers!