One of the questions I hear most often from prospective students is, “What does a typical day actually look like?” The truth is that no two days are exactly the same, but my Tuesdays during my second semester are a pretty good snapshot of life at Swarthmore.
8:00 a.m. | A Slow Start
I’m not someone who likes sprinting to my first class, so I usually wake up around 8:00 a.m. That gives me enough time to get ready and stop by the Dining Center for breakfast. Mornings are usually really calm, and I see a lot of my friends before heading to class.
By around 9:40 a.m., I start making the short walk across campus to Kohlberg Hall for my first class.
9:55 a.m. | Exploring Latin American Literature
My day officially begins with Introducción a la Literatura Latinoamericana.
Growing up in a Mexican-American household, Spanish has always been a part of my life, but reading literature in Spanish is a completely different experience. Instead of focusing on grammar or vocabulary, we analyze novels, short stories, and poetry from across Latin America.
One of my favorite authors we read is Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a brilliant 17th-century Mexican nun and self-taught scholar who became the Americas’ first great feminist writer. She fearlessly uses her poetry and essays to defend women’s rights to education and intellectual freedom against a deeply patriarchal society. Our discussions often connect literature to history, politics, and culture, making every class feel like much more than a typical language course.
11:20 a.m. | Statistics
When Spanish ends, I head over to the Science Center for Statistical Methods I.
Statistics is definitely an interesting class. We move from one topic to another, learning probability one day and working through data analysis problems the next. For homework, we use a software program called RStudio. Since I took a statistics class in high school, much of the material feels familiar, and concepts I learned a year earlier begin to click again. Since many classes at Swarthmore are discussion-based, even math classes involve collaborating with classmates and asking questions throughout the lecture.
12:35 a.m. | Lunch at the Dining Center
After two classes, it is finally time for lunch.
Sharples is more than just a place to eat—it’s where I catch up with friends, talk about assignments, or hear about what everyone else has been doing that week. Sometimes lunch lasts twenty minutes, and other times we stay much longer than planned because the conversation is too good to leave.
1:15 p.m. | International Relations
My afternoon class is Introduction to International Relations.
As a political science major, this is one of my favorite classes. We discuss everything from international organizations and diplomacy to conflict and global cooperation. One thing I appreciate about Swarthmore is that professors encourage students to bring their own perspectives into class discussions, so every conversation feels different.
Afternoon
Once class ends around 2:30 p.m., my schedule opens up. I usually head to McCabe Library or another study spot on campus to work on assignments, catch up on readings, or meet with classmates. Having a block of time helps me stay on top of my coursework before the evening.
Evening
I usually end the day by grabbing dinner with friends at the DCC before returning to Parrish Hall. Some evenings are filled with homework, while other times I play pickup soccer, practice my instruments, relax, or catch up with friends.
Looking Back
My Tuesdays are busy, but they are a great example of what I enjoy most about Swarthmore. Every class challenges me in a different way, and the time between classes is just as meaningful—whether I’m studying, catching up with friends, or simply walking across campus.
It’s that balance of academics and community that makes my second semester so rewarding.
