I have always lived by the famous saying, "life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning how to dance in the rain." By finding more positive ways to look at negative situations, my life is filled with more optimism and contentment. Whether feeling insulted by the abundance of homophobia or distracted by being the only one studying on Thursday nights, I have resorted back to this quote several times in the last couple of months.
Time after time, I end up feeling disconnected from my college community. In the beginning, I just told myself, "dance in the rain Randy, find your niche," but I have grown restless dancing in a storm that seems to never pass. I need to feel inspired by my college environment and surrounded by kids as passionate about life as I am. When I found many colleges with small classes, passionate professors, and a liberal college environment, I challenged whether dancing in the storm is enough to be happy.
Oberlin's more personal aspects opened my eyes and verified that change was necessary. Oberlin offers a 4-1-4 system, designating a winter term for me to propose and carry out a project. I will leave the classroom to experience learning. Interning, traveling, and researching are just some of the endless possibilities that will lead to my discovery of which academic path and career is right for me. I will apply class material to a purpose and be even more encouraged to learn regardless of a grade.
Students are attracted to Oberlin for its academic opportunity rather that its rural location creating a vibrant community of students and professors who love intimacy and learning. On weekends, students rarely go home or leave college grounds making Oberlin's campus a consistently social and lively place to be. Having first hand experience in a fraternity at Cal Poly, Oberlin's lack of Greek life removes social competition and superiority from the community.
Oberlin's eclectic group of students with economic, religious, racial, and all around personality diversity encourages originality. I will feel comfortable and eager to show off the quirky, philosophical, and nerdy person I am without hiding behind insecurity and attempts to be "normal." I am excited by Oberlin's wide array of intriguing that will challenge my way of thinking, expand my mind, and feed my obsession to learn. In addition to its vast social and academic assortment, Oberlin has a variety of study abroad opportunities. My infatuation with other cultures and societal nuances will also be nourished by studying and traveling to parts of the world I have never been.
Now, as Cal Poly's storm continues, I will rethink my options. Oberlin's unique and diverse academic and social environment helped me to see dancing in the rain is not always the best way to live a fulfilling life. The choices are not always as simple as watching it rain or getting wet; sometimes when trapped in a storm that will never pass, escaping it to inquire the sun is the only way to be happy. Oberlin's environment is one in which I will thrive for it is the place my sun will come out.
Time after time, I end up feeling disconnected from my college community. In the beginning, I just told myself, "dance in the rain Randy, find your niche," but I have grown restless dancing in a storm that seems to never pass. I need to feel inspired by my college environment and surrounded by kids as passionate about life as I am. When I found many colleges with small classes, passionate professors, and a liberal college environment, I challenged whether dancing in the storm is enough to be happy.
Oberlin's more personal aspects opened my eyes and verified that change was necessary. Oberlin offers a 4-1-4 system, designating a winter term for me to propose and carry out a project. I will leave the classroom to experience learning. Interning, traveling, and researching are just some of the endless possibilities that will lead to my discovery of which academic path and career is right for me. I will apply class material to a purpose and be even more encouraged to learn regardless of a grade.
Students are attracted to Oberlin for its academic opportunity rather that its rural location creating a vibrant community of students and professors who love intimacy and learning. On weekends, students rarely go home or leave college grounds making Oberlin's campus a consistently social and lively place to be. Having first hand experience in a fraternity at Cal Poly, Oberlin's lack of Greek life removes social competition and superiority from the community.
Oberlin's eclectic group of students with economic, religious, racial, and all around personality diversity encourages originality. I will feel comfortable and eager to show off the quirky, philosophical, and nerdy person I am without hiding behind insecurity and attempts to be "normal." I am excited by Oberlin's wide array of intriguing that will challenge my way of thinking, expand my mind, and feed my obsession to learn. In addition to its vast social and academic assortment, Oberlin has a variety of study abroad opportunities. My infatuation with other cultures and societal nuances will also be nourished by studying and traveling to parts of the world I have never been.
Now, as Cal Poly's storm continues, I will rethink my options. Oberlin's unique and diverse academic and social environment helped me to see dancing in the rain is not always the best way to live a fulfilling life. The choices are not always as simple as watching it rain or getting wet; sometimes when trapped in a storm that will never pass, escaping it to inquire the sun is the only way to be happy. Oberlin's environment is one in which I will thrive for it is the place my sun will come out.