Term's over. Almost. I've always felt that term wasn't truly over until all of my grades were in, and I'm still waiting for two of them (out of five). But I'm less nervous about my grades this term than I have been in many others, so it feels more or less over.

I'm in Louisville, Kentucky, at my mom's house. I'll be staying here through the end of the APO national convention, which is conveniently also in Louisville this year, then taking the bus down even further south to visit my dad in Woodstock, Georgia.

It's very strange. The first few times I went back to a parental home from my college home, I felt like I was sliding into a different role, a different persona. There was who I was at MIT, and there was who I was at home. It wasn't so much that they were different people, as they were the same person with different aspects played up or down. They dressed differently, spoke a little differently, and interacted a little differently with people. Such is the nature of being in very different envionments and having a very different status within them.

As I've gone further and further through MIT, the person I am at MIT, that person who shaped and was shaped by her environment, has developed more and more. You go to a place like MIT, and I promise you, you not only change but you find out a lot about yourself.

But paradoxically, the more I develop from what I was when I left home and entered school as a frosh, the more my school and home personas converge.

To those who celebrate Christmas among you, Merry Christmas, and to others, Happy Holidays - or if you celebrate no holidays during this time, Happy Winter Season! The shortest day of the year has passed, and now the days begin finally to lengthen again!

Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)

I loved this post. People around me seem to be worrying about how everything's going to change in college - I'm a little afraid of everything new that's going to happen, but we should change in college!

Are you finished with school, Jessie, or planning to go on?

Posted by: Melissa '11 on December 23, 2006

I am a chinese colege student!I am always having the same feeling sometimes！

Posted by: xiao qiang on December 23, 2006

I guess it's not just change, it's growth too, eh? =)

Posted by: Peter on December 23, 2006

Change and growth are often one in the same. Even changes that are mistakes have led to learning, or growth.

Posted by: 0 on December 23, 2006

Its about how perspectives evolve when subjected to a change in environment...we tend to think in a different manner when all of a sudden we leave home and start off a new journey, many times alone...and this journey helps us pick up new lessons which eventually mould our thoughts..thoughts that remain stagnant, probably for a long time from then on..

Posted by: Shashank on December 24, 2006

aren't we all a lot of personnas?! In every environment we try to fit as good as we can- its only natural...
And only if one knows all of your personality aspects, he will really know you..and maybe accept who you really are...

Posted by: Monika on December 26, 2006

I saw a number of people at the airport yesterday wearing APO swag I wondered if they were heading your way. Have a wonderful convention!

Posted by: Sondy on December 27, 2006

hi Jessie. How do you feel now that college is almost over?

Posted by: Anonymous on December 28, 2006

hi Jessie. How do you feel now that college is almost over?

Posted by: Anonymous on December 28, 2006

"The Elisabeth Town" was filmed in your town, and I love it.
Happy New Year!

Posted by: Cecile on December 30, 2006

hi Jussie,

I understand how you feel in MIT. At home you do not have to worry about the assisments, test and what not.

I like to know more about life in MIT.

keshab

Posted by: keshab on December 30, 2006

Thanks for the update on the hall map/hacks. I stumbled across your blog while looking for something else. As an alum, it is great to know that current students are just as crazy as we were, thought quite a bit smarter it seems.
I also like this last entry and introspection, not something MIT students are known for, but someone I certainly remember discussing with friends. Good luck with the APO convention and the spring semester.

Posted by: Frank on January 4, 2007

Thanks for the update on the hall map/hacks. I stumbled across your blog while looking for something else. As an alum, it is great to know that current students are just as crazy as we were, thought quite a bit smarter it seems.
I also like this last entry and introspection, not something MIT students are known for, but someone I certainly remember discussing with friends. Good luck with the APO convention and the spring semester.

Posted by: Frank '74 on January 4, 2007

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