My alarm, which once rotated between a myriad of different alarm tones and is now effectively kept on vibrate mode, as per the inspiration of my roommate, is set for 8:30 AM. My friend has invited me to work out with him at 9:00, so I go through my morning routine— timed to be completed in precisely twenty-two minutes— before walking to our campus gym: the Matchbox. I have never been much of an active person, and the tens of thousands of steps I gain from on-campus gallivanting typically makes up for this shortcoming, but fencing nationals is quickly approaching and I want to gaslight myself into thinking that I am nearly entirely prepared. I spend about half an hour exercising before breakfast.
My first-year seminar, Narcissus, begins at 10:30 AM, so I have time to send emails and talk with some friends beforehand. Last night’s reading, Black Skin and White Masks, was particularly compelling, and I am able to initiate classroom discussion even more than usual. Afterwards, my friend and I walk to the mailroom and inevitably run into an event in Shane Lounge. Excitingly, they have origami paper, hot chocolate, normal chocolate, and fruit. I hang around for a bit before heading over to the Dining Center. I grab some salmon and green beans for lunch and take a seat at the six person table that my friends and I always manage to squeeze at least twelve into. We finish eating and a few of us head to the Gender and Sexuality Center for about half an hour to do some karaoke (and I am able to put my Swarthmore-funded private vocal lessons to work). At 1:07 PM, I head towards my favorite class: Antisemitism: Theories and Politics. Today’s particular lesson deals with the concept of Anti-Antisemitism and our professor, Brendan, facilitates the discussion in a way that is incredibly engaging. I also find the opportunity to discuss my International Relations final project with some peers who are able to provide me with feedback that I implement into my paper later on.
After Antisemitism, I go to Cornell Library: one of my favorite on-campus study spots. I recently picked up embroidery, so I sit and work on making a strawberry tote bag while running my lines for my upcoming acting final. One of my close friends comes to the library after his lab, so we do a bit of work together before taking a quick break and heading into the Crum Woods: sitting by the river, talking, and listening to music. At 6:20 PM, we return to the library and I leave for a dinner of steak, salad, and creme brûlée (my fav!!) at the Dining Center. I, once again, join my friends at our slightly-too-small table before taking off to get ready for fencing practice. I arrive at the Fieldhouse and we do our warm-up and footwork drills, then get set for bouting. While I have improved greatly over the past year, I am still one of the newer fencers, so my incredible teammates help me find places to refine my technique. We do drilled bouts, and I actually beat one of my Bryn Mawr friends for the very first time (shoutout to the Tri-College Consortium). Practice concludes at 9:30 PM, and, as a member of the club’s executive board, I stick around for our usual post-practice leadership meeting with Coach. We discuss to-dos for the upcoming national and home tournaments, then I head towards the Science Center Cafe for “Second Dinner”: the team’s tradition where everyone shares a late evening meal together. I grab my usual, shrimp tempura sushi, and join my teammates for a couple quick hours.
From there, we walk back to the dorms, and I take the elevator up to my building’s third floor. Despite being a second-floor resident, I know I can always find a friend or two in the Danawell 3rd louge, so, unsurprisingly, I am able to join four of my closest friends in a late-night study session and do some readings for the next day. Finally, I end my evening with a late-night conversation and some popcorn with my roomie and prepare for another equally unremarkable day at my favorite place in the world.
