It is 5:29 p.m. on Thursday evening and I am standing atop the memorial for Alex Mendell — better known as Alex's Place. Overcast skies and a light rainfall result in a "tap−tap" spattering sound over the hood of my rain jacket. From here there is a view that already has me reminiscing about the day before as this unforgettable summer of 2010 comes to a close. But what makes it most memorable is my acceptance into the urban and environmental policy and planning (UEP) and civil engineering graduate programs at Tufts — for many reasons.
Filled with many of the best minds of all hues, ages and genders, my time at Tufts is fast becoming a memorable experience for me. I spent the first week organizing the plethora of resources that made being here very challenging — challenging not because there was a poor selection of resources (on the contrary, there are exceptional resources), but due to decentralization, the system through which you access these resources is somewhat dysfunctional. But with some effort, this complex web of resources has enriched my experience.
On a couple of occasions, I have found that I am already becoming a resource for some of my peers. I informed one that she could get her computer worked on for free — something I would not have known at all if I hadn't encountered the friendly good−natured Judi from University Information Technology (UIT) during the general graduate student orientation. She introduced me to the tremendously helpful new flash drive system — a great resource — that Tufts has first experimented with this year, through which graduate students can instantly access resources related to Tufts graduate programs. Judi also led me to a UIT website — http://it.tufts.edu/ — which will help students understand how to better navigate through the web of services at Tufts. In a different vein, my connection with Katrina of the Africana Center created an opportunity for me to do some mentoring for undergraduate students at Tufts, an initiative that I feel is very important.
In terms of resources at the Tisch Library, I learned about the great locker space available to graduate students after scheduling an appointment with Karen, a librarian who services the engineering students and helps them effectively use the library's resources. This exchange lead me to Regina (another librarian who helps UEP students), from whom I gained further insight into what the library has to offer for UEP students. If it were not for initial interactions like these, I would not have had the opportunity to have these valuable connections with such a wide range of people at Tufts, from administration to faculty to students. It is important to take the opportunity to engage in conversations with all members of the Tufts community because they're likely to lead to longer−term relationships and connections. Based on these experiences, my recommendation is to tackle the challenges that make being at Tufts overwhelming sooner rather than later, and don't be uncomfortable asking questions — it takes courage. Spending my first week organizing was the best choice for me, but only you can determine what actions you need to make a priority for yourself.
I have engaged in multiple conversations with students and faculty about society, the needs on the campus, special events and Chinese culture and collaboration. This week alone led me to a variety of activities — from a great barbecue held for Tufts graduate students to the bluegrass sounds and dialogue of the Carolina Chocolate Drops — and I still had time to produce work assignments a few days to a week before the work was due. At first the anticipation of the graduate school workload left me feeling somewhat anxious and wondering how I would do and if I were ready, among other unknowns; fortunately, I find myself settling in at this point. I know all will go well.
About a week ago, I started toying around with ideas for my thesis. More importantly, I began utilizing my peers in this process — a resource none should take for granted — by bouncing ideas off of them and informally testing the feasibility of these ideas. Because learning is a constant work in process (hopefully right up to our last breath), I am still assessing how I learn best; my learning tools are constantly evolving and so my thinking about how I learn best must constantly evolve as well. Now, digital recording devices, smartphones, pen and paper, e−mail and Blackboard all play a role in how I learn best. And although I am using all of them, none are a substitute for direct contact. Fortunately, some of the people with whom I interact still recognize the value in this fundamental human approach to learning through direct communication.
Back at Alex's Place, I am contemplating his generosity and that of his parents. I am wondering if he would grant me the honor of borrowing his place for a while, until my time here is done, and if he would let me identify it as my place. It is where I go to reflect, to find answers and to recharge. I imagine Alex was the kind of person who would want such a place for someone like me. I think there are several of those types of compassionate people on campus as I assess the Tufts culture thus far.
What does it mean to have "arrived"? Are you familiar with the term? For me it means the culmination of all the pieces moving in the right direction, of all the cogs in the wheel working in unison. No, not everything at Tufts is perfect. I could make a few recommendations that would improve the student experience here. But right now, for me, it is the near−perfect experience. Fate could not have chosen a better journey for me than my presence at Tufts right now.
--
