By Trinity Tunby, Stentorian Editor-in-Chief
Dear Juniors,
Fated many years ago, your elders once gathered their wisdom and enumerated their cautions in enclosed booklets—these were the pages that composed the buried NCSSM Survival Guides. As is my sacrosanct duty to give to the youth, I will be passing on to you the knowledge us Editors-in-Chief have collected in our day living and learning at our revered hospital home. This piece shall be in honor of the following token from the 1995 edition: “Correspondence as an art form is not dead—write.” Whether our correspondence be through the written word or verbal communication, I should hope you heed with discretion the advice of your seniors.
Find Communities That Energize You
Regardless of whether you identify as an introvert or an extrovert, you are human, and as such, you must socialize (a painful admission to make as one self-proclaimed introvert). To be perfectly clear, the socialization with which you engage should be measured qualitatively. It is necessary to consider that some will require larger communities with more variation each day—and others will require smaller and more interwoven groups. Many of you will find yourselves somewhere in between. You should consider how your community serves you, and correspondingly, what you can do for your community. Prioritize empathy, empowerment, generosity, and kindness towards the people you meet, and surely, you shall find what it is that you seek.
If You Are Without a Space Where You Feel Comfortable: Make One
Do not let my words above mislead you: I know that finding a community that energizes you is no simple feat. It is very likely, however, that if you wish to surround yourself with a certain energy, there will be others—strangers to you—with similar desires. This conviction can be incredibly difficult to hold firmly as you navigate a new environment. However, it may be that your ability to foster environments where others will want to engage is something you must create, rather than something that has yet to be discovered. These spaces can be accomplished through the enactment of new clubs and forums, as well as through a bold commitment to your values as you continue to interact with your peers.
Seek Opportunities That Help Remind You Why You Are Here
I must provide you with one difficult truth: The workload will seldom cease its burden upon you. You must resist its diminishing of your unique essence. Carve out time from the very beginning—or as urgently as you can—to determine what opportunities will nurture who you are and the person you wish to become. To be quite blunt: In times of doubt, do the thing anyway. You truly will not know what you can do if you do not try.
Bring a Mattress Topper
Given the rigorous courses and extensive extracurriculars NCSSM students take, a good night’s sleep is essential. As a most sincere warning, NCSSM’s mattresses are not fluffy, soft, or comfortable. Therefore, it is especially important to invest in a good mattress topper; the type that discourages you from getting up for an 8:30 AM class. Given the sheer number of retailers– Amazon, Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, the list goes on– and personal preferences for a mattress, make sure to research what mattress topper would make you feel comfortable.
Attend Social Events
I spy with my little eye a shy person! No matter who you are– introverted, extroverted,, or anything in between– NCSSM is a place to branch out. Ask new hallmates to go eat dinner at PFM, attend block parties to learn more about a wide variety of cultures, and, in general, reach out to others!
Go to O-Block
Taking tough classes is, well, tough. O-Block serves as a time for NCSSM students to meet with their teachers to ask any questions they might have. Addressing questions you may have in class early-on will save your grade (and sanity) in the long run. Is attending O-Block as fun as hanging out with friends? No. Is it important to develop good relationships with your teacher while making sure you are confident in your in-class abilities? Absolutely.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Your RLAs, CCs, teachers, and seniors are thoroughly experienced and will almost certainly assist at your request. Whether it will be timely assistance, I cannot foresee.
Use This Rare Opportunity to Have a Pivotal Fresh Start
Do it scared and get out of your comfort zone. Talk to new people even if your mind is screaming at you not to.
Be Brave and Explore NCSSM and Beyond
Believe it or not, this place is yours now.
Breathe
Breathe
This adjustment period is a very uncomfortable, present moment of your life. It will not be easy, but over 300 of you are facing the same challenge together.
To the Class of 2027,
We wish you the very best in all of your endeavors, even in the moments you should choose to neglect or forsake our words. After all, are you not also here to take risks?
Sincerely,
The Stentorian
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