Before I arrived on campus, I was told that there was no such thing as a “typical Pomona student”. However, over the past month, I’ve noticed that most, if not all, of the people I’ve met here are overwhelmingly and unpretentiously considerate and creative.* Here is an example:
My alarm went off at 8:30 am yesterday morning, prompting me to submit the homework assignment I’d completed the night before, then go for a run. I robotically rose from the bed, hit “submit”, and returned to sleep without a second thought. Fast forward three hours (precisely 30 minutes after my first Tuesday class starts), and we have one frazzled student rushing out the door with her backpack half-zipped, and a longboard wavering under her drowsy feet.
On the way to class, I debated with myself whether or not I should take an excused absence, or face the shameful situation of walking in halfway through my ID seminar. Luckily, when I reached the building, my friend Marianna was studying right outside. I slumped down beside her and asked what she suggested, and she encouraged me to go inside, expressing her support for “team always-go-to-class!” With conviction (my sleepy state may have inhibited the little ability I possess to gauge awkwardness), and as stealthily as possible, I slid through the door and into a seat.
The rest of the day proceeded as usual, though the energy of getting an extra three hours of sleep clashed with the guilt of starting the day in such a tardy fashion. As a result, monotony ruled my afternoon. You can imagine my surprise when Marianna knocked on my door that night, handing me a chocolate bar with a note and a smile!
I was nearly brought to happy tears by this unexpected act of kindness, and it most certainly turned a gloomier-than-average day into an awesome one worth blogging about.
*I’ve also noticed that Pomona students commonly have at least one outrageous, hidden talent that you don’t find out about until a few weeks after you meet them. They are also commonly photogenic, and have contributed to the discovery of the cure for the common cold, whether through scientific research, literary analysis, or simple existence as a person.