In a departure from my typical travel posts, I’d like to reflect on my experience at Duke University. This past fall marked my first semester at Duke. I took an untraditional route to get here (after attending boarding school, I deferred my acceptance to take a gap year), so it is safe to say I had an easier transition than most. Unlike many, I know the importance of washing my sheets and dusting, and not to brag, but I can also set an alarm instead of relying on my parents to wake me. Nevertheless, Covid-19 and college life in general have brought unexpected challenges, so I wanted to take the time to reflect on my first semester: academically, socially, and personally. 

When I arrived at Duke, I was planning to major in International Comparative Studies, though after one course in the department, I changed my mind (it was great, just not what I wanted to dedicate my studies to). I loved my French for Current Affairs class, in which I learned about everything from the cost of French primary school to President Emmanuel Macron’s stance on immigration. As you can likely tell from this blog, I love France and French culture, so this class offered an amazing insight into true French life. 

Strangely enough, I also found myself in a number of rather economics-heavy courses, not traditionally my cup of tea. Even more strangely, I actually enjoyed them, so while I do not have any idea whatsoever what I want to study (ideas welcome), I have been able to take some neat classes and expand my horizons. After all, I’m pretty sure every dean will tell you that’s the beauty of a “liberal-arts education,” right? 

Socially, I had low expectations coming into the semester. My first day, I sobbingly complained that I would be stuck alone all semester and unable to make friends due to Covid restrictions. However, my mood quickly turned as I met some amazing people. I was lucky to make some close friends early on, and throughout the semester, my friend group continued to expand. Though we are all at Duke now, everyone has a different life story and perspective, making for engaging conversations about anything from Marxism to the Beatles to crudité (all are actual conversations I’ve had). 

That being said, meeting new people has conjured up inevitable insecurities. I often found myself doubting myself and creating false narratives in my head, from “everyone secretly hates me” to “no one even notices my presence.” Because I am somewhat reserved, it is not easy for me to open up to others and be my truest self, especially in big groups. However, especially during these times, it is important to have a support system. While my inclination is to bottle up my struggles and emotions, I am actively working against this disposition by making a conscious effort to open up to people more. Even over the course of the semester, I’ve grown more comfortable with my friends and have started to tear down the barriers I’ve constructed to be a more genuine version of myself. Better yet, I have also seen my friends do the same. Duke fosters an environment that encourages uniqueness, so abandoning our fears of being “weird,” we have begun to embrace not only our personalities, but also our passions. I love hearing about others’ niche music taste, their favorite books, or even their Common App essays because it gives me a glimpse of the world from their perspective.

From a personal lens, college in this time often proves difficult. As someone who needs to be constantly active (for good or for bad), the increased time spent in my room due to Covid has not always served me well. I realized how much I love being around people, which is not always possible, given my number of virtual classes and social distancing rules. I often feel trapped when I am stuck alone, yearning to move and do something. Luckily, North Carolina weather enabled me to study outside well into October.

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Getting into nature has also offered solace during challenging days and weeks. Running on Durham’s trails has allowed me to escape my thoughts and bask in nature’s beauty. I’ve always loved physical activity because of the gratification, but it has also served as a powerful stress release. Even if I have barely a half hour, I’ll head to Duke Pond to watch the sunset. If I am lucky and have a morning free of work, I’ll go on a longer walk or run on a hiking trail nearby. I have loved watching the foliage as summer ended and fall began.

Experiencing nature has been a wonderful silver lining of this semester, and I’ve even gotten to enjoy some trails with friends too. Because other activities are off limits, we have found creative ways to spend time together. We found a pumpkin patch and corn maze for Halloween, and we celebrated Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’s win in downtown Durham.

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Covid may have taken away football games, nights out, and even sitting in someone’s room with more than two friends, but in the absence of these things, it’s given me the chance to bask in the beauty of the minute and otherwise unnoticed moments of life. Duke has a gorgeous campus, and I consider myself lucky to be there. On my walk to my Freedom and the Markets class, I take in the iconic Duke Chapel and the long tree-lined cobblestone sidewalk. When I go to the dining hall, I see students laying out on lawn blankets, strumming on the guitar, or playing Spike Ball. I may not be at huge parties (which are hardly my scene anyways), but I’ll enjoy a dinner in Durham with friends, a picnic on the quad at sunset, or even painting on a cold November afternoon. Did Covid deprive me of a traditional college experience? Yes, but truth be told, I’ve never been one for traditional anyways. 

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