There’s nothing more priceless than having yourselve considered as a student life hero because of that one line you said at a speech. So priceless!

Videos are an easier way of communicating your thoughts rather than just plain ‘ol text. But you have to bear with me here, I’ve read the whole post. Just want to save other’s the time and trouble, if they don’t have either of those at their disposal.

Also, I see what you are saying about students being so busy that we sacrifice time simply to get to know each other to finish that 10-pager. However, I believe that the extra-curriculars and social organizations that we join are ways in which we can connect with the people around us. I am participating in a Middlebury Alternative Break Trip to El Paso, TX this coming February break, and my group has met on a couple occasions to get to know each other. The students on this trip are from all over the world, and I already feel that I’m getting to know them and am connecting and learning from the group. I am also sure that as we continue to meet, we will delve into the serious and timely topic of immigration and will listen to and question each others’ opinions.

I am also baking for the Ross Fireplace Cafe every few Thursdays. Through this commitment, I have developed friendships with a handful of people with a shared interest in baking. While waiting for pumpkin bread to rise in the oven takes time, we talk about topics beyond the ordinary, ‘where are you from/what classes are you taking/which Commons are you in’ introductory conversations.

At September Orientation this year, one of the most valuable pieces of advice I was given was to schedule unscheduled time into my agenda so that I could enjoy spending time just getting to know the people around me. Even if we are extremely busy, we are constantly around people at lunch tables, in our dorms, and in whichever social organizations or special-interest groups we may be apart of. I believe that the more time that we spend with these people, the deeper conversation and greater understanding of each other will come, and that we just have to be open to participating in this discussion.

I hope this helps.

But I’m also curious to hear about what some of the “social improvements” student sought for the school were. I’ve been thinking lately that despite the phenomenal quality of our education, and the ever-increasing diversity of background and perspective that populates this campus, we don’t learn nearly as much from each other as we could.

My concern stems from how busy people are with some of the commitments you mention (class, extra-curriculars, athletics, etc.). I worry that we do not have the time to truly get to know one another and discuss the various challenges, biases, and exclusionary rhetoric and action we all encounter and espouse, whether we are athletes who feel pigeonholed by the assumptions of other students, or financial-aid recipients affected by the extreme monetary privilege of others. I worry that we all see the world in very distinct, sometimes problematic ways, but we rarely are given the opportunity to sit down and truly establish understanding between one another.

I hope that some of these things were discussed at the meetings. I’m part of a growing group of students working to increase the acceptability and feasibility of really learning from each other and confronting each other; if you or anyone else is interested in helping out let me know.