Stereotypes are kinda true

I knew that Harvard College would be overwhelming - not only academically but also socially. There are so many remarkable people I've met: my roommate was an Intel ISEF scholar, a girl living across from me wrote and performed a song for the United Nations, a boy down the hall is a Gates Millennium Scholar and already has a B.A. etc. You get the point. I'm left thinking, how the hell did I end up here? (I'm told everyone experiences this but ask the Valedictorian next door) While watching the Freshmen Arts Program a few nights ago, it struck me that I'm surrounded by so many fantastic individuals that it was impossible to meet all of them. There are, after all, 1600 freshman here. But then, I started thinking about all the amazing people I have met, and gotten the chance to know, in my lifetime: nationally recognized athletes, first-generation college attendees, students balancing 5,000 clubs at school while still acing classes - my friends.

Everyone is spectacular. Get the chance to really know any individual that you meet because you may realize there is so much more than meets the eye. But also, don't compare yourself to others around you because people cannot be compared (I'll have to take my own advice here). Every individual is so unique and different that it would be a crime to pit one against another.

Update: finally starting to settle into the dorm! It's not as bad as I expected - a little small, but manageable. I think my roommates got put into perhaps the smallest room on our floor...alas. The people on my floor (we call it an "entryway") are super nice and friendly. And, the walk to/from the Yard doesn't hurt. Let's turn Freshman 15 into Freshman -15 (not possible)!