Welcome to the “different” world of Sarah Lawrence!
Looking back over my four years at SLC, I can honestly say that I would not have wanted to have spent my college years anywhere else. The classes were amazing, the people were friendly, the location was perfect, and the experience was fantastic.
Moving into my new double in MacCracken on an extremely hot August day four years ago, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Sarah Lawrence experience. For the first time in my life, I was on my own, in charge of my own life, and all I had in front of me was a schedule of Orientation activities. That list really helped me. My biggest advice, especially in the first week or two, is to get out of your room and interact with other students. Remember, everyone is in the same boat as you. I made some of my best friends at Sarah Lawrence by going out to different events and not being afraid to talk to people on my hall. Make sure to get to know the people on your hall, especially if you live on a floor with many other first-years, like the New Dorms or Westlands. Never underestimate the power of meals. Everyone has to eat, and mealtimes are a great opportunity to talk to and form bonds with new people. Some of favorite SLC memories are from conversations I had with people in Bates. Other memorable moments came from spending hours (sometimes up to three or four hours) talking with friends in the Pub on a Saturday night while avoiding conference work. I also highly recommend weekend brunch, which starts at 11am on both Saturday and Sunday. I’ve already promised my senior-to-be friends that, even though I am a current alumna, I will definitely come back to campus to attend at least a few brunches with them in the upcoming year.
After the first few weeks, the most important thing to do with yourself is to be active on campus. Find something you love, like theater, music, or science, and get involved. Sports is one of my passions, and joining the softball team my first year was one of the best decisions I made. As one of two freshmen on the team, I made friends with upperclassmen and other girls I never would have met if I were not on the team. Over four years, I gained numerous softball friends and formed bonds that went well beyond the softball field, sometimes spilling into Pub dinners after practices and local diners for team dinners after away games. Also, visit the Sports Center. The people there are so friendly and welcoming, and as a former fitness assistant and equipment cage worker, I can say that they are some of the best people to work for on campus.
My other passion going into Sarah Lawrence was journalism. I ended up getting a very journalistic first year studies that solidified my love of the craft. In the next three years, joining The Phoenix (a campus newspaper), Sadie Lou (the online publication you are currently reading), and getting an internship at The Norwood News, a bi-weekly Bronx publication, gave me the experience and confidence necessary to decide what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. All of these events ultimately helped me get into journalism graduate school at Columbia University (so don’t worry about life after SLC—it will all work itself out!)
So make sure to stay involved on campus, no matter how cozy the confines of your room may seem. And don’t forget to take advantage of the school’s geographic location, either. Go into Bronxville for a movie, get some shopping done at Cross County in Yonkers, or hop on the train for a quick 30 minute ride to New York City (or just take the free Met Van shuttle which runs every weekend and drops you off right in front of the Met—see Student Affairs for more information!) Finally, remember to have fun with what has the potential to be some of the best years of your life.
Welcome to the Sarah Lawrence community, and enjoy your stay in Bronxville!