Welcome to Tufts, Class of 2020

Welcome to Tufts, Class of 2020! My name is Gauri Seth and I have the privilege of serving as your Tufts Community Union (TCU) President this academic year. I want to officially welcome you to the Tufts community on behalf of everyone here on the Hill. Amidst all the craziness of moving in, attempting to learn everyone’s names and bouncing from one orientation event to the next, I urge you to pause, step back and enjoy the moment. You’ve made it. You’ve gotten through the endless SAT classes, the hockey practices and the play rehearsals. You’ve told admissions, “Why Tufts?”; and you’ve let your life speak. Congratulations; we’re so excited to finally have you here!

I know that I am not the only senior who is jealous of the position you are in today. Your entire Tufts career lies untouched in front of you. At first, this may seem daunting, but it is incredibly powerful. Whether you’ve lived in the same house your whole life or moved all around the world, change is never easy. From meeting your new roommate to learning to do your laundry, you are going to have countless new experiences. These experiences will help you to grow exponentially. You will learn so much about yourselves, about human nature and about the world during your time here, and this is truly invaluable.

Every Jumbo is so very different and that is what makes this campus so special. We come from all corners of the world and congregate in Medford, Mass. with our unique perspectives. We each bring our distinct lived experiences of race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, gender, religion, age, ability and nationality with us. This intersection of lived experiences will teach you more than you can imagine. Just remember to listen!

I would be a hypocrite if I told you that adjusting to life here is always easy. College is hard, finals suck, getting homesick is very real and repeating your name, hometown and a fun fact about yourself to 30 different people in a day isn’t all it’s cut out to be. Find comfort in the fact that it does get better. You’ll get through the mountain of reading that seems impossible to finish, finals will be over eventually and you’ll find friends who not only know your name, hometown and a fun fact, but also what makes you tick and how to cheer you up when you’re missing home. So, as many of you leave your family for the first time today, know that it will all turn out to be okay.

I thought I would give you a few pointers from someone who’s made their fair share of mistakes while trying to navigate love, life and the pursuit of happiness. Be open to learning in every situation. It doesn’t matter if it’s sitting in your Principles of Economics lecture in Cohen, or sitting on the floor of your dorm room debating politics — knowledge quite literally is everywhere. Listen to the perspectives of the people around you, learn from the experiences they share with you and question your preconceptions and biases.

Take care of yourself. It’s so easy to keep saying you’re okay, but it’s incredibly important to stop and think about if you really are. College can be overwhelming. Remember to breathe. Call home once in a while and let your loved ones know how you are doing. They’ll worry, but even a two-minute phone call can make a big difference to you and to them.

This campus truly is a very special place; it is where I found my home away from home. So, as you officially begin your journey here as Tufts students, I hope and am confident that you can find that too. Every Tufts student makes this campus their own in a different way and leaves a unique mark. I cannot wait to see the mark that you will leave on the Hill, Class of 2020.