It is that time of the year. Tomorrow will be our final “Monday wake up,” for classes as the final week approaches. We are less than a week away from May Day-one of the best traditions at Bryn Mawr.

As we make our “Done is Good” lists and slowly stress out over everything that needs to be finished in the next couple of weeks, May Day is the one day where Mawrtyrs can take a step back, appreciate all that they have accomplished this year, and just enjoy themselves before the craziness of finals and deadlines ensue. May Day is a time for everyone-yes even those with scheduled exams the day or next day after May Day (I have a final on Tuesday *insert crying emoji*)-to enjoy the day and of course take pretty pictures!

Important things for May Day:

1. A White Outfit, if you want of course.
2. A Flower Crown, again if that’s what you want.
3. A picnic blanket or something like it to claim a spot on Merion Green for the day with your friends,
4. Water! Gotta stay hydrated out there-last year it was so hot!
5. Comfortable shoes, you’ll be walking on grass for most of the day so wear shoes accordingly.
6. Sunglasses, will depend on the weather

Some things I learned last year:

• Take pictures!
• Don’t be upset if you don’t end up hanging out with the people you expected to. Things happen, make the best out of the situation.
• Try to not think of school work. Obviously it’s that time of year but try to think of life outside of the library for at least an hour 🙂

May Day with KCass!

The past week, campus was full of admitted students from the Class of 2020. While this is an exciting time for these soon-to-be college students, this time is often the most difficult and stressful time for current college students. While we are piled with exams, papers, readings, etc. it is not only a physically/mentally time of stress, but often an emotionally one as well. This is often the time when first years, and even some sophomores, decide that they want to try something new and transfer.

It is no question that Bryn Mawr College is not the typical college experience. With a focus on traditions and quiet intimate gatherings rather than tailgating and ragers, Bryn Mawr is far from what college life is portrayed in movies.  It can be difficult to accept this for some people, as society and the media has made “the typical college experience” the expectation for most high school students. I know because I have felt this way, and sometimes still do.

There are days when I call my mom in tears claiming that I made a mistake coming to Bryn Mawr and I want to transfer. I want the sports, and the large co-ed college feel. I want everything that Bryn Mawr is not. But what do they say? The grass is always greener on the other side?

Then there are these amazing, magical days, where I feel like I belong here. Knowing that I’m in a place where women went to get an education when they weren’t allowed to, a place where it is encouraged to step out of your comfort zone and do something for the sake of learning and not for the sake of a grade. The days where you can just soak in the amazingness of the people around you, knowing that you too are a person full of amazingness-those days are the best days.

I know that academically, I have some of the best professors in the world. And they care. They know my name, and ask me how I am doing. They talk to me about big things going on in the world, and about trivial things, like sports. They invite me (and my classmates) into their homes for a home cooked meal and to play with their pets. Those are the times that I know that I am in a special place. I know no other place would give me this opportunity-this connection with professors, faculty, and staff.

So yeah there are bad days at Bryn Mawr, but honestly, where aren’t there bad days? It can be really difficult to accept the reality of the situation-college isn’t what was expected. And it is totally fine to say “hey, this isn’t the place for me.” But what I have found on the days were I go “ugh Bryn Mawr,” is to open your eyes to what is in front of you. Often we dwell on a few things that don’t appeal to us because that is just human nature, that we don’t see what is in front of us: a place where you are challenged to achieve a better you academically and socially.

Last weekend, my friends and I spontaneously decided to go to New York…just because. We took the bus from 30th Street Station to SoHo and spent 14 hours in the city. It was super easy to get there, and I am amazed how quick and cheap it was to get to the city. Usually, when I go to New York with my family, we take the train which is efficient but expensive. We got our tickets for Bolt bus on the way there and Mega Bus on the way back, all together a $35 round trip (not counting the cost of Septa getting to 30th street and a Lyft back to Bryn Mawr.)

The aesthetic was on point that day.

Our day consisted mainly of walking and eating-what else could one want? 🙂 We went to cool places like Laudrée for macrons and Dominique Ansel Bakery. We went to Halal Guys for lunch which was delicious! I spent the day with two friends, whom I didn’t necessarily know super well, but I am very glad to say that we are now really great friends. I guess spending fourteen hours walking around New York City and eating does that. We managed to eventually get to Times Square and walk around the chaos there for a bit before taking the subway down to SoHo for dinner. We ate at this super cool Ramen place in SoHo where we met up with two other friends from Bryn Mawr.

Our bus back wasn’t until really late at night so we explored New York City at night which was fun. Of course, we ate more (the Gelato at Fresco Gelateria was amazing!) and just talked. I ended up not only exploring New York, but made four new really great friends.

This was my first time getting really off campus in a very long time. Sometimes when you are so focused on school, and work, and just getting through the tough days at Bryn Mawr, it is difficult to remember that there is a world out there waiting to be explored. There are friends out there waiting to be met, and of course amazing food out there waiting to be eaten. So be spontaneous once in a while-you probably
won’t regret it!