Wise Fools: College Students Reflect on First-Year
Last year, we took the opportunity to ask fresh faces on campus about themselves and their plans for their career at Georgetown. This year, we revisited with those students to see how things went, how this year’s going and what they’re looking forward to in the future.
Logan Fong (CAS’25)
Hometown: Clovis, CA
Major: Linguistics with a minor in physics.
How did your classes go?
To be honest, I loaded up my spring semester courses after a really chill fall schedule and was not ready for that transition academically – from now on I’ll always try to frontload in the fall and have more free time in the spring to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather and activities in DC. Thankfully, though, I was able to adjust quickly enough to finish well! The Hager Scholars program taught me a lot about the interdisciplinary aspects of language and linguistics, and I still find myself thinking back to different lectures we had throughout the year and how the concepts we learned apply to the classes I’m in today.
What’s your favorite thing about the Hilltop?
No one tells you about this coming in, but there are literally secret rooms and passageways scattered throughout campus that have been really cool to find, which was a fun thing to do with friends during my first-year. No hints though.
Any lessons learned in your first-year?
Community takes work – the community I found in both the campus ministry I’m in and the local church it’s connected with were always fresh reminders of why I’m doing what I’m doing in college. I think freshmen can tend to automatically attach themselves to whoever’s around them, which can oftentimes lead to the feeling of being surrounded by people yet still being isolated. For me, although it was counterintuitive to go out of my way to ask to hang out with people I’d only met once before, it was so worth it to look for and find a community I could truly bring all the good and bad parts of freshman year to.
Do you approach your classes the same way?
I’ve gotten better at compartmentalizing my mind while I’m in class and not overthinking reaching out to professors when I need help. Last year I used to zone out in class once things became routine, but I realized this was creating a blur in my mind between work and rest and I ended up not being able to do either one efficiently. The summer was a good break to reset and train my mind to be fully present wherever I was. Also, I struggled enough in the classes where I didn’t ask questions that I needed to to know it’s not worth it. Your question is always valid and the professors are always more available and willing to help than you think they are.
Did you join any clubs or student groups?
I’m most involved in a ministry group called Campus Outreach, and am also on the board of the Georgetown Undergraduate Languages & Linguistics Society (GULLS). I’m also in the rock climbing club and play chamber music for campus events when I have the time!
What are you most looking forward to in your sophomore year?
Last year, I was focusing on adjusting to academic and community life at Georgetown, and now I’m excited to be in a place where I feel like I can start to challenge myself in different areas of my life. I’m taking on a physics minor to dive deeper into a subject that interests me and contrasts with the majority of my other classes, but which also serves to enhance my knowledge of the other things in my life I already love – namely the natural world and my understanding of God as the creator of an intricate and complexly ordered universe.
Have your plans for the future changed?
This year I’m actually taking a class called Language Endangerment and Documentation and it’s easily my favorite class and has definitely reinforced my desire to work with these languages in the future. I’m still planning to study abroad at the Villa Le Balze next year, and am also planning to add the Himalayan Peoples and Cultures program in Nepal for the fall semester!
Dayree Ramirez (CAS’25)
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Major: Government, with a potential minor in business studies.
How did your classes go?
I got a lot out of my classes like new perspectives but they definitely could have gone a lot better.
What’s your favorite thing about the Hilltop?
My favorite thing about the Hilltop is the wonderful people I have met here. I never imagined I would find as genuine and loving people and friends as I have. The people I’ve built a community with really make the Hilltop feel like home!
Any lessons learned in your first-year?
One of the lessons I learned from my first-year was to put myself first. Putting myself first can look like saying ‘”no,” making time for exercise and making sure I do something for myself every single day.
Do you approach your classes the same way?
No! Instead of approaching classes as something that I have to get done, I approach them as an opportunity to learn, meet new people, and interact with knowledgeable professors.
Did you join any clubs or student groups?
Yes! I got involved with the Circle of Indigenous Students’ Alliance, H*yas for Choice and GUASFCU. As well as staying involved with the Georgetown Scholars Program and the Community Scholars Program.
What are you most looking forward to in your sophomore year?
This year I’m looking forward to experiencing new Georgetown traditions that weren’t held last year for COVID safety.
Have your plans for the future changed?
My plans for the future have not changed, but I think I have a better grasp of reality and recognize that I will not immediately achieve all of my dreams.
Jaden Cobb (CAS’25)
Hometown: Douglasville, GA
Major: Government
How did your classes go?
Classes at Georgetown are truly amazing. I have learned so much valuable information over the past year. Some of my favorite classes were my first-year seminar about the first amendment, Protestant theologies and facing Georgetown University’s history.
What’s your favorite thing about the Hilltop?
The people! Here at Georgetown, there truly is a sense of community. Everyone is so kind and welcoming it makes the Hilltop truly feel like home. From randomly talking to someone on Lau 2 to even small things like making sure the door doesn’t close on you, Georgetown really embraces a sense of “Southern hospitality” in DC.
Any lessons learned in your first-year?
One lesson that I learned from my first-year is to have stellar time management skills. At first it was very difficult managing my time because there was so much that I had to juggle. Long days turned into short weeks because of how busy I stayed. Nevertheless, It got much better once I learned how to manage my time. I was able to improve the balance of life and school.
Do you approach your classes the same way?
I have drastically changed my study habits when it comes to class by making sure that I start my work when I receive it. I have also become more comfortable speaking in class.
Did you join any clubs or student groups?
Yes, I am currently GUSA’s Director of Inclusion and Equity, the Black Student Alliance’s Director of Sophomore Relations, a member of Chess Club and Black Gen Capital. I also started working for the MSB Tech Center.
What are you most looking forward to in your sophomore year?
I am looking forward to my classes, officially declaring my major and spending time with my new family here at Georgetown!
Have your plans for the future changed?
Every other week here at Georgetown my plans somewhat change because I am introduced to new possibilities of what my future can look like.
Erin Davies (CAS’25)
Hometown: Sudbury, MA
Major: Computer science
How did your classes go?
I am, overall, happy with my classes. Of course, there are some classes I like more than others, but I would say so far I am only finding the higher-level courses more interesting than their intro-level counterparts.
What’s your favorite thing about the Hilltop?
When I am not too stressed, I enjoy the people, the atmosphere and the opportunity to get involved in all sorts of projects. I also generally appreciate Georgetown’s exterior aesthetics, especially in spring, and getting drinks from the Corp.
Do you approach your classes the same way?
It depends on the subject matter, but I have at least definitely changed my method for taking notes. While I am still tweaking my system, I have started having one notebook for key information and notes and a different notebook for working through examples, solving problems, general brainstorming and homework scribbles.
Did you join any clubs or student groups?
I had a lot of fun on the Women’s Club Ice Hockey team last year and am looking forward to playing again this season. I am also currently stage managing Mask & Bauble’s production of Shakespeare’s Love’s Labours’ Lost, which is taking up a lot of my free time right now, but I am hoping to get involved with a couple other clubs after the show closes, namely GPB and Georgetown Board Games.
What are you most looking forward to in your sophomore year?
I am looking forward to meeting even more new people and to being eligible for my major’s elective classes next semester.
Have your plans for the future changed?
I do not have any particularly concrete plans for the future and am just trying to explore the possibilities that I can.
Rams-Lyne Thomas (CAS’25)
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Major: Double major in government and African American studies.
How did your classes go?
My classes were very relaxed in the spring semester, and in retrospect, this was a challenge for me. I didn’t know how to time manage and prioritize my assignments for these classes. I would say spring semester 2022 has been the roughest semester so far on campus.
What’s your favorite thing about the Hilltop?
My favorite thing about the Hilltop is the scenery! Whether it’s walking on Prospect Street and seeing the Potomac, the sunset settling beautifully behind John Carrol and Healy or the color of the leaves when fall comes around, the scenery always reminds me of where I am in the present moment and to appreciate where I am at Georgetown.
Any lessons learned in your first-year?
Whew, quite a few, but in a few short bullet points:
- Never wait until later, you will indeed not do it later.
- Make a friend or have a familiar face in all of your classes.
- Go to office hours frequently not only for help but to build connections with your professors and TAs.
- Do not study on Lau 2 if you’re seriously behind on work.
- I’m going to be okay, and I’m only closer to my goals than when I first started.
Do you approach your classes the same way?
I do not approach classes the same way, and I’m proud of myself for reflecting and realizing what worked for me last semester and what didn’t. Every day I am frequently looking at my class syllabi, I am always writing down a to-do list to make sure that I am prioritizing the work that needs to be done sooner rather than waiting until everything piles up and, lastly, I am not looking at my classes as letter grades or percentages, but rather I am more engaged and active in my classes which will reflect in my grades.
Did you join any clubs or student groups?
Yes, I did! I currently am the social media chair for The Blaxa, which is a group that Black students on campus can look to for entertainment, news and art by other Black students and in the local DC community. I have loved working with the Blaxa, and we are excited to continue our mission this school year.
What are you most looking forward to in your sophomore year?
I am looking forward to growing as an individual and growing in the relationships that have kept me grounded here at Georgetown so far. I also hope to become more involved in clubs and events this year while simultaneously taking care of my mental health and academics.
Have your plans for the future changed?
My plans for the future are relatively the same, I still am planning to apply and go to law school, but because my degree is very versatile, I am open to wherever my path takes me, just as long as I love what I do and I serve the communities that once served me.
Laura Liptrap (CAS’23)
Hometown: Newport Beach, CA
Major: Government and history with a minor emphasis in education.
How did your classes go?
My courses have gone quite well. I find them enjoyable and interesting. The recent optional mask mandate has allowed us to see one another in class which is a nice change.
What’s your favorite thing about the Hilltop?
The return of the farmers’ market on Wednesdays! I also admire the options for learning. This past summer, I participated in the Machiavelli Seminar in Florence, Italy. Professors Shambaugh and Kroenig imparted a wealth of valuable education inside Georgetown’s Villa and around Italy. We went bike riding on top of the Walls of Lucca, a defense structure during the Renaissance. The entire trip was an incredible academic opportunity.
Any lessons learned in your first-year?
When you feel like crying during finals, look around, someone already is. Students shouldn’t create internal judgment of their skills based on a subjective graded paper by a professor or TA. Just keep moving because it all comes together in the end.
Do you approach your classes the same way?
No, I do not approach my courses the same as last year. I’ve learned a new method of organization for studying that I now carry through to all my courses. I worked too hard last year trying to figure it all out.
Did you join any clubs or student groups?
Yes, I joined several political and governmental student groups, but my favorite group where I found community is my Hawaii Club. Since living in Hawaii, I’ve always had regret that I never danced the hula. I had the opportunity last spring to dance the hula at our annual luau. It was one of my highlights of the year.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I have been exploring DC restaurants, museums and monuments as well as the surrounding states. I want to take away the full experience of Georgetown.
Have your plans for the future changed?
Yes, my future plans have changed. I thought that I would return to my business as a CEO in Southern California after receiving my degree. I never envisioned that my hunger for education would continue to grow. I’m in the process of applying to graduate schools.
-by Hayden Frye (CAS’17)