Student Profile
Nooreen
- Class: Freshman
- Major:
- Gender: F
- High School: Nonnewaug High School
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
Wellesley is a bubble. A big, shiny, translucent bubble, with little rainbow swirls of 'real life'. I, personally, find this to be a wonderful environment most of the time. Honestly, I'm not ready for the 'real world' yet. I want to live in a bubble, developing my ideas at leisure and sharing them with my fellow students. Sometimes, however, this bubble gets oppressive, and even discouraging. Bubbles, you see, are finite - the possibilities of real life, and the real world, however, are (for the most part) infinite. There are some times when you want to reach out to try something, and find someone gently slapping your hand saying, no, sorry, not now. The traditions of Wellesley inspire a strong sense of community, and, while they can sometimes feel strange (traditions of an old world presented to modern women), they are definitely an experience to enjoy at Wellesley. If I could change anything, it would have to be where Wellesley is situated. Don't get me wrong - the campus is absolutely gorgeous! - it's the college town, or lack thereof. Wellesley is stuck smack dab in the middle of upperclass suburbia. "The Vil" (our so-called college town) is, for the most part, a collection of incredibly expensive boutiques, with clothing items ranging on average from $50 to $300+. There is, however, a wonderful book store, a CVS, a Starbucks... and the bus to Boston. The local mall is a prime example of gentrification, but there is another mall approximately a half hour away that's probably just like the mall of your home town. The only problem is that you're going to need either a car (or a friend with a car) to get there. The surrounding area of Wellesley is rather wealthy, and it is reflected in the shopping areas.
Academic Life
Academics are tough. The work load is heavy, the material is deep, and the scheduling can get pretty intense - but it is all do-able. The professors are kind and caring, and they can, in fact, learn your name. One of the best resources you can take advantage of at Wellesley is 'Office Hours' where you can go to discuss with your professor pretty much anything that is on your mind. In the (nearly) two semesters I've been at Wellesley, I have taken 2 physics classes, 1 language class (Latin - it kicked my butt), 2 religion classes (Buddhism and a class about Hildegard of Bingen which I'm actually taking for music credit), 1 math class (second semester calculus), and 2 writing courses (short story composition and a required writing class on the relationship between the great apes and humans). Next semester (yes, I'm coming back) I'm changing gears completely and taking some environmental studies courses, as well as a psychology 101. I do have to say that the academic requirements are tough - but the best thing to remember about Wellesley - and college in general - is that nothing is set in stone. Just because you get through a year and realize you're studying entirely the wrong thing (like I did) doesn't mean that your future is ruined. If you have to do another year, well, then do it! You need to follow your dreams and d something you love - if I've learned anything in my time at Wellesley, it's that following your passions is the absolute best thing you can do with your life.
Student Body
Wellesley's student body is extremely diverse. I don't know the numbers, but I'm sure they're somewhere on the Wellesley homepage. We have many races, cultures, religions, social orientations, etc. When my older brother started college at the University of New Hampshire, he had to take a class on diversity. At Wellesley, you can learn about diversity by just striking up a conversation with someone. Everyone is willing and eager to talk about themselves (ok - sorry! No generalizing! The girls who are not either working on their theses or buried in books are the ones to talk to. Most of the time) and their situations. One thing though - if you come here, do NOT ask someone where they are from... originally. I look Indian, because my father is from Pakistan. I, however, was born and raised in the US. I don't associate with a culture other than 'American', and I only speak English. I can't tell you the number of times I have been asked about my origins. One girl just kept asking the same question over and over when I told her that I was born in Florida. I finally had to say 'Look. I was born in Florida. I've never been out of North America. That's just the way it is.' Long story short - be accepting of different people and their situations. You probably won't have a great time if you aren't (unless... you find the other people on campus who are like that. But there certainly aren't that many). Another valuable Wellesley lesson: There is no such thing as "Normal" - so don't worry about it. Be yourself.
The Best Things
The lack of boys.
The Worst Things
The lack of boys.
