I've said it before and I'll say it again: Welcome to Tufts, Class of 2015! I'm proud to be able to call each and every one of you a fellow Jumbo.
Beginning college can be a stressful period in life — truly striking out on your own independent path for the first time. The faces and names all blur together, classes can overwhelm, and sometimes you can't help but wonder just what you've gotten yourself into.
You've gotten yourself into one of the finest academic institutions in the country. You've gotten yourself into one of the most caring and comfortable communities that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. You've become a Tufts Jumbo.
What does that mean? Jumbos look out for each other, Jumbos respect each other, and Jumbos challenge one another to strive for greatness. What it boils down to, I suppose, is don't sweat the details. Don't worry about not getting into that class you wanted. Don't worry about club tryouts or finding your way around campus. Things have a habit of working themselves out and you can always turn to a fellow classmate, upperclassman or professor should you need a hand. This is Tufts; they'll be more than willing to help.
So now that you've arrived on the Hill, what should you do with your time?
Join a club such as a dance group, choir ensemble or culinary society, or even run for a spot on the Tufts Community Union Senate to learn all that Tufts has to offer and meet new people. My closest friends now as a senior are the same people I sat next to nervously at general interest meetings as a freshman. As a corollary to that…
Attend other clubs' events on campus. This is something that I didn't do enough of my freshman year, and I regret it completely. With such a diverse array of people and talent, these events are the perfect way to spend a weekday or weekend night. From a cappella shows to dance performances to after−hour lecture series with professors, there is always something happening on the Hill.
If you don't feel like staying at Tufts, head into Boston. Check out the Boston Symphony Orchestra, visit the Museum of Fine Arts or go see a concert or show in the Theater District. Boston is a fantastic city with an incredibly rich history and culture. Get out there and explore.
Study hard. Remember, you are here to develop and grow. Sure, a lot of learning will take place outside of the classroom, but why wouldn't you want to take advantage of the world−renowned professors on campus? Without a doubt, this is one of the greatest opportunities you will ever have to learn from the best and the brightest across all disciplines. As a side note, don't just go to classes. I highly recommend also attending professors' office hours as a way to get to know them and find out more about their specific area of research. Better still: Ask the professor if they'd like to grab a coffee at the Tower Café. The coffee will be free for the both of you and the conversation that much better for it.
At the end of the day as you're settling into your dorm rooms and getting used to walking to Davis Square and back, just remember that the hard part is over. You're here. You are a Tufts Jumbo. You all came here for different reasons, but the important thing is that you all came to the same place. I know I am not alone in saying I look forward to meeting and learning from each and every one of you.
Let's put a light on that Hill. Welcome to Tufts, Class of 2015!
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Tomas Garcia is a senior majoring in international relations. He is the current president of the Tufts Community Union Senate.
