Here I am, sitting at my computer, recovering from a night of "Zombie tag" and a day of studying, napping, studying and more napping.  As my Dad just told me over the phone, "Boy, college life is tough."
 
  Honestly,  I entered my College Orientation two weeks ago at Kalamzoo College, in Kalamazoo, Michigan with little to no adjustment.  I was not abashed by living in a dorm with 200 strangers, sharing a bathroom with potentially dirty people, or meeting big and scary new professors.  In fact, I glorified these facts.  I earnestly missed school over the summer, so much that I embraced my two week Driver's Ed (shh, don't tell anyone that i'm a dork).  
  In terms of my academic load, my french class seems a wee bit on the easy side (but with K-College's trimester system, they're going to bump me up next quarter), my History of German and Central Europe class kicked my butt with a fast 87 page read for the first night, and my First-Year seminar has me reading play a week, and writing a paper a week.  I am only slighted surprised by recieving a C on that first paper, but I jokingly (but with seriousness in mind) informed my professor that it would not happen again. 

I joined three active clubs, the choir, auditioned for Hamlet, and started in with Ultimate Frisbee, but somehow these activites, along with my classwork, just doesn't add up to the daily hours I clocked-in at Mercersburg.  I'm thinking..."What will I do with all this free time?"  However, two days ago actually, I had a mini epiphany.  I do not have to do anything.  I don't need to rack up a resume of extra-curriculars; I don't need to impress anyone(although, if you had asked me while at Mercersburg, I would have assured you that I did everything for me and no one else).  I can do things that I'd truthfully want to do, and choose when I want to do them.

To form a bit of a conclusion of this jumble of relaxed excitement, I am perfectly okay with getting full nights of sleep, studying and shooting for that 4.0, and trying new activites like Kung Fu and Swing Dancing Club.   Mercersburg has prepared me so well that I forget that others may feel homesick or rushed and busy. I'm just working hard and having fun. 

Katie

PS- "Zombie Tag" is a late night event created by the CGC, the Childish Games Commission.  Students run at full speed through the Fine Arts Building while the'Zombies' walk with arms outstreched, screaming "BRAAAINS" trying to tag a new troupe of Zombies.  No brains were eaten, I promise.

PPS- I truly am learning Kung Fu.

Posted by at September 28, 2007 10:00 PM

Comments

Claire email -

Katie,

My name is Claire and I am in 8th grade. I would like to go to a highshcool that is challenging enough but also provides many choices for classes and extracurricular activities. Whould you say that Mercersburg fits that description? I would also like to know if the new underclassmen that go to Mercersburg feel welcome right away.

Both of my parents went to Kalamazoo College and really enjoyed their experience there.

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