Something’s Changed: Coming Back to Vandy, January 2016
After a changed flight number and an hour-and-a-half delay, I’m finally headed back to Vanderbilt!!! I’m so excited to go back and have a huge salad from the salad bar, or maybe a veggie burger with Tabasco, or maybe even a bowl of rice. Or actually, maybe everything. After all, I have five new flex meals… ;)
Yes, after hearing stories about different friends’ mediocre dining hall experiences, I’m so glad to be back to Vandy.
Over Christmas, I edited the Grand Plan. I realized that I can take a series of online Spanish courses (lesson 4 so far!) on edx.org and then with those extra 18 hours that aren’t being used, take up a Creative Writing Major! Or to be more specific, an English major with a concentration in Creative Writing.
Goodness, I’m so excited. For as long as I can remember I’ve found so much joy in writing. As we fly over the cloud cover (So gorgeous!), I’m just reflecting on how I’m so grateful to head back to a college where it’s still crazy but doable (17 or 18 hour semester from now on? Perf. :)) to do an Applied Math and Creative Writing double-major with a General Music Minor on the pre-med track with a series of honors seminars. Crazy, but doable. With even time in there to take a trip to Barcelona, Spain for my study abroad!
What else is up this next semester? A SWING DANCING CLASS. Gosh, I’m incredibly excited. One of my friends, Robbie, already said that he’d sign up for the class too (and we have to do that soon: deadline January 14th!) so I even have a partner! There are benefits to Vandy’s 51:49 guy: girl ratio… ;)
I believe I wrote in the beginning of this that I was interested in joining the Christian sorority, Sigma Phi Lambda. But now because of my 17-hour schedule with even more practicing because of violin, I’m not going to be able to do the two 90-minute meetings a week. I’m a little sad that I won’t be able to connect with all those amazing girls, at least not this year, but maybe next.
And I’m so joyful to be able to say that I’m going to be one of four Ministers of Joy for University Catholic! What does a Minister of Joy do? Only the best job ever: help out with UCat parties and make sure people are having a great time! In addition to pitching in with UCat events (So many! A Fish Fry! Stations of the Cross! A Throwback to the 90’s! Awakening! Square Dances!), I also help out with the hot chocolate and cookies after the 9 PM at Benton Mass! UCat is THE BEST.
I also wrote that I was interested in joining a research program. That, my friends, is happening! I’m applying for the research program SyBBURE, which is headed by the professor of my Honors Seminar, Professor John Wikswo. I really really REALLY hope that I’m accepted for the program; I’ve completed two full research internships as well as participated in science fair during high school and done a few side-internships. Although I’m more of a people person than cell cultures, I do have quite a passion for science and I know that I’ll be able to fulfill that at Vandy.
Also! Over break, a couple of future-Vandy students (hopefully!) :) contacted me about applying to Vandy. I sent each back an ever so long email about Vandy life, and I’m going to call one soon so that we can talk about the merits of various scholarship programs versus those of Vanderbilt. So, if you need help in any way with deciding between schools—email me!!! I’d love to talk to you about how life is at Vandy, beyond the blogs!!! For any info, contact me at Sophia.druffner@vanderbilt.edu!
Love y’all!
Sophie!!!