My First Two Weeks at Stanford

By Camille Peisner

On the one year anniversary of my commitment to Stanford, I arrived on the Farm in a full-size SUV that was packed to the brim with anything and everything I thought I might need for the next year. Seriously, I don't think we could have fit another box in there if we tried (not saying we didn't try). Shoutout to my parents for putting all their clothes for the week into a tiny suitcase so that I could have more space! I had been planning and preparing for move-in day all summer, and I was so excited to unpack and organize my belongings. Is it wrong that's what I was most excited for? Anyways, the day had finally come. Looming over my excitement was a cloud of uncertainty about a pretty major factor -- my roommate. Stanford has a policy where you don't get to find out your roommate until you move in. As an only child, I have never had to share my space with anyone, let alone a complete stranger. I was so anxious to meet my roommate. What if we were complete opposites? What if she snores? What if she never leaves the room and I never get to nap? These were just a few of the ever-present questions swirling in my mind all summer.

All that worrying must have worked, because I ended up with the best roommate. She never leaves a mess. She never makes a sound. She never has people over late at night. Actually, I never really see her. We are so compatible.

Okay, so I don't have a roommate. I ended up getting a single room with hardwood floors. I'm convinced that they couldn't find anyone compatible with me and my elementary sleeping schedule so they gave up and stuck me in a single. Whatever the reason, it has worked out well for me. I genuinely think that it has made the transition a lot easier. I haven't had to get used to living with another person, and I have been able to retreat to my room for peace and quiet whenever I want.

I can see how not having a roommate could be lonely, but I've been meeting people in different ways! First, the girls on my floor are the sweetest ever. It's kind of like a sisterhood since we all live together, share the same bathrooms, and eat together sometimes. Then there's the team! Our freshman class is pretty

big, and the upperclassmen have been so welcoming and invite us to all kinds of team activities. There's always a teammate to eat with or hang out with! There are also other sports in season, so if you are ever looking for something to do, it's easy to grab some people and head to a sporting event! My favorite games so far have been football and girls volleyball.

Of course, this is college, and there are classes to attend! Thankfully, I was able to enroll in all the classes that I wanted, and they are everything I hoped they would be! My professors are all great. For people who are such experts in their field, they make sure to teach clearly and speak kindly to the students. I'm a nerd and usually enjoy doing homework anyways because it makes me feel productive, but I'm actually loving the content that we are studying as well. It hasn't been too difficult yet, but I think it's just a matter of time until the tests and assignments start rolling in.

On the track, I am loving practice, my team, and my coaches. Having led the warmups at Valor since I was 14, it's weird to all of the sudden be the newbie who doesn't know what drill is next. I'm getting the hang of it, though. The best part of track so far is how goal-oriented the culture is. We have met as an entire team, as a sprints squad, and as individuals to set goals for the season. I've never really done this before, but I love having something to look forward to. This next week is our first hard week of practice, so pray for me, y'all!

Overall, my first two weeks have been amazing. The people here truly do make it special (they must not accept mean people's applications or something). And the campus! This is my first time really exploring campus, and sometimes I have to stop my bike to snap a picture. Everywhere you look there are picturesque palm trees and stunning architectural designs. Don't even get me started about the weather. I haven't even looked at the Weather app since I have been here since the weather is so predictable and pleasant. It's sunny every day, with cool mornings and nights and hot afternoons. I couldn't ask for better weather, or first two week experience for that matter!

I am looking forward to learning more about college life at Stanford and sharing it with you all! If you want to stay updated with my experiences, be sure to subscribe using the yellow button. Thanks for reading!