learning new skills

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Sorry for the long time between updates! I’ve been neglecting the internet way too much lately. Now that I’ve adjusted to this new college lifestyle,  promise I’ll be better!

Anyway, I’ve officially completed my first two weeks of college. (I love having no classes on Friday!) These past couple days were kind off stressful. My first Arabic quiz was on Thursday, and I had quite a bit of reading to keep up with for various classes. The material is all pretty interesting though so it wasn’t too bad.

As I’m sure some of you know, Gossip Girl returned on Monday. I watch a lot of television, and for me Gossip Girl is entertaining, but nothing special, so I was slightly taken by surprise by how big a deal it was with people here. Not everyone obviously, but there was definitely a lot of talk about it in my hall and with friends. I decided to join in the excitement and go watch the premiere at the Africana center. I wasn’t sure what it was going to be like. Besides the friend that invited me, I didn’t think I’d know many people there, but she ensured me that they had a really nice tv, and when it comes to a television watching event that’s really all that matters. It turns out they do have a really nice television. And after forcing myself to get used to watching tv on my laptop or the tiny television in my dorm, this was a more than welcome change. It also turns out that watching Gossip Girl in a social setting made the show way more fun. It was a pretty bizarre premiere, and provided plenty of topics to discuss during the commercials. There was a nice relaxed environment, all of us watching were really into it, and I had a great time.

In keeping with the entertainment themed nature of this post, I would like to share with the world my love for the Tufts Film Series. They play free movies every weekend in one of the lecture halls on campus. Last weekend I saw Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. (if you’re in the market for fun facts, it was Jason Statham’s first ever role.) One of my concerns about coming to college was the fact that I would probably not get to go to the theater nearly as often as I’d like. Luckily, Davis Square has a nice little theater only a few minutes from campus. I saw Inglorious Basterds there yesterday instead of finishing this post. But for all the times when I don’t feel like making the walk/taking the shuttle and paying for a movie, the Film Series serves as a fantastic alternative. One of the other really cool things about the Tufts Film Series is that they play their movies on legit 35 mm film reels, not just dvds. I went to the general interest meeting to join group last week and signed up to learn how to splice film. Training was really really interesting. I tend to learn much slower than most, so right now it still seems like there are a lot of things to keep track of and steps to remember, but I can’t wait to try it again.

What struck me the most about training was the fact that all of a sudden, only two weeks into the year, I’m learning a completely new skill. I’ve always had a passion for movies, but Tufts has provided me a way to do something about it. I can actually get involved and participate in the process. After attending the student activities fair, I think it’s safe to say that this is true for many different hobbies. Like photography? Join Exposure, get mentored by leaders in the field and go to foreign countries to improve your skills. Interested in the legal process? Become a judiciary advocate for students facing disciplinary actions by the university. There are less serious/academic options too. If you love food, join the culinary society and learn how to make it. Even if you’re simply passionate about Harry Potter you can join the society for that. I’m not sure what they do there, but I bet it’s fascinating.

I feel like people focus mostly on academics and a social life when they think about college, but there’s so much more. The clubs and organizations here provide students an active way to get involved in so many different fields. In many cases they give us an outlet to transform a random interest or passive hobby into something much more dynamic and tangible.

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