So, without further ado, with two extra years under my belt after writing the original post, here are the most important things I (personally) think any incoming Carleton freshman should know.

Your social groups may change, and that’s totally okay.

There’s a lot of pressure to find your forever friends during freshman fall term. And I don’t know about you, but throughout high school, I always heard: in college, you’ll find the friends that last you a lifetime. And while that can definitely be true (I’ve made lifelong friendships during my time here), a lot of first and second years might feel like they need to rush this process. I’ve met some of my closest, most aligned friends during my third year, and I am constantly meeting new people I absolutely love.

I never felt a huge urgency to “find my people” right away, because I trusted that the right people would find me, and they did. And they will for you, too. If I could tell freshmen worried about making friends one thing, it’d be this: your people are out there. Be open. Follow your interests, don’t feel like you need to “act” a certain way, and they will find you.

Put yourself out there and talk to your professors. Seriously.

If I were to pick one thing really great that I did as a freshman, it would be this. As a first-gen, low-income student, I showed up with the intention of soaking up every resource available, and that started with office hours.

You don’t need to be confused about class material or have questions on the homework to go to office hours. I wanted to learn from my professors as people. Now, I babysit for professors I used to be intimidated by, have made lifelong connections, and even joke about inviting some of them to my wedding.

Profs at Carleton are brilliant, kind, and genuinely want to know you. Let them. It will open up so many connections and opportunities. 

Let’s be real… you might meet your hubby.

Okay, okay… I mostly just wanted that headline to grab your attention.

But the real point is this: you’re here to grow into yourself. I remember some freshmen (…and actually, select people from all years…) feeling pressure to date or “find someone”. During New Student Week, you’ll even hear Carls Marry Carls! a lot.

However, whether or not romance enters the picture, your priority is you and your journey here, so don’t feel like you need to spend energy trying to find someone else. Cultivate your passions, your voice, your weird hobbies. If love comes along, great. But don’t stress about it. My current partner came into my life at a time when I wasn’t searching! And for all of my other coupled friends, they had the same experience.

There is so much cool stuff to do here. Take advantage of it.

Where else can you go birdwatching at 6 a.m., take yoga or aikido classes, learn guitar, live in interest housing, pet dogs, play a sport, learn philosophy, and volunteer— all in the same week?

Carleton is full of hidden gems and free resources. Take advantage of them. You might never again have this kind of access to so much variety, support, and exploration.

Cultivate a you outside of school.

Maybe this is my almost-senior-year wisdom speaking, but I wish I’d let myself breathe more during freshman year. I spent a lot of time worrying about grades, internships, and “figuring it all out.” If you’re a prospective or admitted Carleton student, you are most likely a very high-achieving and driven human. Trust in that. It will work out for you.

Also, since Carleton is a small school (which comes with many pros), sometimes you can forget there is a whole world out there. Things do come together, and stress can make the journey so much harder. Remind yourself to breathe deeply, smell those roses (or your Friday Flowers), since you are never going to get these 4 years back.

Emma is a junior Psychology major with a Neuroscience minor, originally from NorCal and now living in Miami, FL. Needless to say, she’s happiest when the sun is out and there’s no snow on the ground… which, in Minnesota, isn’t always the case. She stays energized and positive by diving into her comps and doing academic research in the Perception Lab. You can usually find her lifting weights at the Rec Center or sipping matcha at her favorite cafe downtown (Little Joy… and only Little Joy). As a first-gen, low-income student in TRIO and a former peer leader at the GSC, Emma is passionate about community and support systems on campus. She’s also one of the few Brazilians at Carleton. Como vai?

The post What I Wish I Knew as a Freshman appeared first on Carleton Admissions.

Collaborating on new skills

As part of my role in Twelfth Night, I get to sing original compositions by the jazz department’s own Laura Caviani. Although I’ve never sung jazz before, I’ve spent the last four weeks taking lessons with Laura and learning how to be a jazz singer. I am going to be performing live with the Jazz Ensemble, so I go to their rehearsals too, twice a week. Being surrounded by such talented people has inspired me to become a better performer.

Meeting new people

I know that every blog you read tells you how cool Carleton people are, but it’s true. Every single person I’ve met in the cast, production team or tech department has been one of the coolest people I’ve ever met. In the fall, I was worried about auditioning because I was worried that never having done a Carleton Players production before would be a setback. But that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Everyone involved in the play has welcomed me with open arms and makes me excited to go to rehearsal every day. 

Exploring my Character

I play Feste, which is the fool. Even though I was out of my comfort zone at first, I’ve started to really lock into my character’s mannerisms and persona. I couldn’t have gotten here, though, without the help of our incredible production team. As part of my rehearsal process, Carleton brought in a professional Shakespeare actor for one-on-one text work sessions. Not only did Will help me figure out what I am saying, he also helped me find my confidence and voice as a character.  

Having Fun

Honestly, this is the most fun I’ve ever had in a show. I grew up doing theater, but I’ve never been in an environment that is this passionate and uplifting. Whether we’re dancing or yelling at each other (for the scene of course), I know it’s going to be a good day when I’m at rehearsal. I can’t wait for these next two weeks when all of the hard work we’ve done starts to really come together.  

As you can see, I’ve had a blast with my first Carleton show and I’m so glad I auditioned. In the fall, I had a million excuses as to why I shouldn’t do it (like: I don’t have time, I’m not good enough, etc), but really, even as a sophomore, I was just scared of trying something new. In this case, getting out of my comfort zone and meeting new people was one of the best decisions I could have made. So, whether you’re a brand-new accepted student or a spring-term senior, trying new things can always be scary. But in the words of Shakespeare himself: “Our doubts are traitors/And makes us lose the good we oft might win/By fearing to attempt.”

Kate (she/her) is a sophomore History major from the Bay Area, California. She loves Carleton’s artsy community, and is involved in both the Theater and Dance department and Vocal Studies Program. Kate’s favorite places on campus are the practice rooms, either in Myers or the Weitz, where she can sing or play the ukulele. She loves the campus during all the seasons, but fall is definitely her favorite. When not in class, you can find Kate either petting the nearest cat or forcing her friends to watch bad movies in a study room.

The post The Shakespearian Process: Performing with Carleton Players appeared first on Carleton Admissions.

Wake up and decorate:

I woke up later since my morning class was cancelled, and immediately went to work decorating my room. My friend and I had gone to Target earlier to get some decorations (some would say way too many), so I spent my morning putting those up in my room.

Getting ready:

One of my friends on campus did my nails, and I completed the look with one of my favorite dresses. Although this is more dressy than I normally look for class, no one gave me any weird looks.

Going to class:

I know some people might think that going to class on your birthday is a bummer, but I was actually really looking forward to it. My anthropology class is super interesting, and I like going to each class. When someone found out it was birthday, he actually tried to get the whole class to sing, which was super sweet. 

Mailroom:

My family was able to send me gifts and flowers through Sayles mail services. It was really nice that they took time out of their day to send things. It made me feel really special (not pictured: the trek from Sayles to my room with four boxes and a vase of flowers). 

Dinner off campus

Being a sophomore comes with certain privileges. One of those privileges is being friends with someone who has a car. Since we do dinner in the dining halls almost every night, going off campus for a meal was a fun treat! 

Friends! 

A lot of my friends cleared their schedules and came to hang out with me. I felt so loved, and it meant the world to me that my community here came together to celebrate with me. Even though most people didn’t know each other very well, everyone got along super well and spent the evening eating cake, talking, and laughing. 

There are so many ways to make your birthday feel special on campus. Don’t let the fact that you’re not at home stop you from finding ways to celebrate. Whether it’s buying a balloon unicorn from Target or ordering in, even something small can make the day even better. And while Carleton students are busy, I promise you, we will always find time to celebrate someone’s birthday. 

Kate (she/her) is a sophomore History major from the Bay Area, California. She loves Carleton’s artsy community, and is involved in both the Theater and Dance department and Vocal Studies Program. Kate’s favorite places on campus are the practice rooms, either in Myers or the Weitz, where she can sing or play the ukulele. She loves the campus during all the seasons, but fall is definitely her favorite. When not in class, you can find Kate either petting the nearest cat or forcing her friends to watch bad movies in a study room.

The post A Special Day in the Life appeared first on Carleton Admissions.

If only!

Oh wait…

Thankfully, in the grand age of technology and development, an all too familiar solution exists for this devastating minor inconvenience: 

There’s an app for that.

My friends and I learned about the built-for-students app for the first time during fall term our freshman year. Chances are, you heard about it pretty early on too (or will, if you’re a recently admitted student! Congratulations, by the way!). The Carls App is indisputably one of the most useful tools a student here could have and use, and everyone here seems to know about it! The Carls App doesn’t exactly get a spotlight during orientation, but trust me—you’ll want it on your home screen by week two. Consider this an introduction to your handy dandy pocket guide to Carleton!

Upon opening the app, you’re faced with this screen of glorious colorful buttons. Navigating the interface is really easy; everything is neatly categorized and labeled for maximum efficacy. 

Best of the Carls App: a Highlight Reel

I’ve gone ahead and compiled a list of all the most helpful parts of the Carls app—the features that’ll save you the most time, stress, and maybe even a few unnecessary treks across campus. The app can help you answer all sorts of common questions, like:

1. “What’s for dinner?”

This is a big one. On the Carleton website, you have to individually select each dining hall or cafe under “Dining Services” to see what’s being served that day. On the Carls App, this information is all located under the “Menus” tab. I check this at least once daily before I make any decisions about where I’m going to eat that day. If you look at this as religiously as my friends and I do, you’ll never miss a Burton burrito bowl day again.

2. “Is ____ open right now?”

Never have I ever: walked all the way across the Carleton campus and tried to enter a building, only to realize that the door was locked (I, unfortunately, am very guilty of this). I’ve since gotten better about checking building hours before I go places, and the Carls App makes this really easy! Dining hall, campus resources, and Rec hours among many other things are all listed under the “Building Hours” tab. 

3. “Who’s that one person again?”

We all know and love the campus directory for this one. Thanks to the Carls App, it’s colloquially referred to as “Stalkernet,” and is (conveniently enough) located under the Stalkernet tab. Unfortunately, you do have to sign into your Carleton account to view this one (sorry prospies and admitted students, you can’t stalk us current students quite yet) which is an extra hurdle, but it’s still great for quickly pulling up someone’s OneCard photo. That way, your friends can put a face to the name of the classmate or the prof you’re telling them a story about!

4. “When is the bus coming?”

The bus schedule is rather elusive on the Carleton website, and for students without cars, this is a hugely important resource to be able to access! The bus schedule and all its stops can be found under the “Transportation” tab, and it makes your obligatory monthly trip to Target, a quick dinner at Culver’s, or coordinating movie theatre visits infinitely easier to figure out. I did once get stranded at Arby’s for an hour freshman year because I missed the bus home from Target. Be better than me and check the app so that never happens to you. Oops.

Take a look around!

Some of the things on here are functions I’d never even looked at until writing this blog. The “SUMO” section, for example, lays out all the movies being shown in Weitz on Fridays and Saturdays. My friends and I have been to a lot of these, and I had no idea the schedule was so accessible this whole time!

The “Calendar” tab also lists events happening at St. Olaf and in Northfield at large for quick reference (I WILL one day attend whatever “Cowaroke” at the Contented Cow is). And the campus map includes the addresses of a lot of houses that are otherwise pretty hard to find! I’d definitely advise you to click through and see all the features the Carls App has to offer. And if you’re a prospective student not living here on campus yet, taking a peek at some of the things on the app is a great way to get the inside scoop on what campus life might look like for you when you get here. It’s certainly worth checking out!

If you’ve ever found yourself lost navigating the metaphorical maze of Carleton’s website or wandering the actual maze that our campus can sometimes be, the Carls App is your new best friend. 

Download it. Use it. Love it.
And maybe—just maybe—you’ll never have to say, “Wait, what time does Burton close?” ever again.

Leksi (she/her) is a sophomore Carleton student from Colorado Springs, Colorado and a (recently declared!) pre-law Psychology major. So far, she could not be happier with her college decision! Northfield and Carleton have done an amazing job providing Leksi with the only five things she needs to thrive: local coffee, music, wilderness, the gym, and ice hockey. She is heavily involved in both men’s and women’s club ice hockey and loves hanging out on the Bald Spot or Bell Field with her friends, some good music, and a football/volleyball/frisbee in the warmer-weathered off-season. She also spends a great deal of time in the cities checking out cool local restaurants and music venues! If you’re unsure where to find Leksi on campus, your best bet is the group tables on Fourth Libe, a Hasenstaab Hall study room, the weight room in the Rec, or hopelessly lost somewhere deep in the arb. Meet the Other Bloggers!

The post The Carls App: Your New Pocket Sidekick appeared first on Carleton Admissions.

Measuring My Success
If success in my case were measured solely by new adventures, then I would say the break was a resounding success. I worked at the ITS Helpdesk, and it was as enjoyable as it could be. Each day offered new opportunities to learn, perfectly aligning with my mantra for the break. ITS welcomed me back and gave me a glimpse into one of its popular departments, the Knowledge Base Team, where I was introduced to writing and publishing IT articles. I also assisted a faculty member with a Wi-Fi survey, using a device to pick up signals across campus buildings and analyze the data with software. This experience was particularly enjoyable—mention a room in a residential building, and I could say I had been there.

While I thought I was merely keeping busy to distract my mind, I realized that I was actually giving my life new meaning. I had never engaged with so many people in such a short time before.

I recognized that I hadn’t taken the opportunity to know others during the fall term because I was too caught up in my personal struggles of adapting to this new environment—perhaps not a bad thing, technically. However, it was surprisingly fulfilling to realize how meaningful life can be when you understand that you are not alone. Making the most of life and time wasn’t just about doing a lot; it meant engaging more with others and recognizing that I share this world with many.

In those moments of cold silence, I came to value the small interactions—those brief lunch breaks with a dear friend, the personal stories shared during work breaks, and the appreciation I felt when others acknowledged my presence and invited me to join them, even for something as simple as sitting at a dining table together. While I may have been successful in accomplishing many tasks, those moments did not erase my thoughts or self-reflections. In fact, I would consider that a success too. At the end of the day, I rediscovered a forgotten part of myself, buried deep within the cold of staying over, and I heard myself better in the silence.

Agnes (she/her) comes from Ghana. While it might seem like a faraway land, the strong sense of community, the incredibly kind people, and the enormous number of trees at Carleton make her feel at home. Her love for science stems from her fascination with nature, as science finds an interesting way to explain the natural world. She is a member of the FOCUS Program.  When she’s not writing, dancing, or singing behind closed doors, you can probably find her engaged in conversation somewhere. She likes to spend time researching medical school and life beyond; that should tell you about her great interest in pre-med. While she continues to explore her interests, she has discovered a great interest for Biology, Chemistry, and CAMS classes at Carleton.

The post In Silence: A Reflection on Time Spent Alone appeared first on Carleton Admissions.

College is big.

Both physically, and in its emblematic presence.

It represents a big change of scenery. A big change of pace. A big change in the people you know, and relationships you maintain.

Its grandeur means it’s garnered a sort of fabled reputation in popular culture. College isn’t just school, it’s a lifestyle. A place where anything and everything can happen, where parties rage into the dark hours of the morning, where schoolwork piles up like the rubble that wiped Pompeii from the map. But does it deserve this notoriety? Which expectations of mine were fulfilled my first year, and which were not?

I’ll briefly take you through some of my presuppositions before coming to Carleton. In an effort to appeal to the Letterboxd fans out there, I’ll assess how accurate they were by ranking them on a scale from 1 to 10: the lowest meaning “totally incorrect”, and the highest indicating “100% spot on”. 

Expectation: the food will be bad

Maybe it was my high school dining experience tainting my assumptions, but I initially had severe doubts that any meal service provider that had to serve 2,000 kids three times a day would manage to cook decent food. Turns out I was mostly wrong. I generally think the food at Carleton is pretty good. It’s possible that my particular oh-so-low expectations made it taste even better, but I think anyone will be able to tell you that the meals aren’t half bad, and the variety that’s available makes up for most shortcomings.

Accuracy rating: 3

Expectation: people party every night

This seems like a natural assumption given the way college is represented in most media. Think the red cups, beer pong, thumping music, and sweat-soaked basement raves. To be honest, though, people keep their heads in their books most weeknights. Friday and Saturday offer opportunities for people looking to go out, but an institution of waking up every morning filled with headaches and regret—Carleton is not.

Accuracy rating: 2

Expectation: you have so much more freedom

College life is certainly a step up in terms of personal autonomy. There can be pros and cons: on the one hand, the lack of immediate parental support can be daunting. On the other, if you decide one day that you want to have ice cream for dinner… no one’s gonna stop you. You get used to figuring things out for yourself a bit more. But don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need support: there are always people to lean on!

Accuracy rating: 8

Expectation: you have no free time because of schoolwork 

I’d qualify this as a slight misjudgment rather than flat out incorrect. It’s true that the homework load is much heavier than in high school, and expectations are higher. But it doesn’t feel overwhelming because of the schedule of the classes: on any given day, I have, at most, 2 70-minute-long lessons to attend, and the rest of my day is essentially free for me to mold into whatever I think will be most productive.

Accuracy rating: 3

I hope these offer some insights (and possibly quell some fears!) about Carleton life and the college experience in general. Adjustments take time, of course, but trust me: soon enough you’ll find yourself in a routine that works well for you.

Inigo (he/him/his) is trying very hard to turn interests in subjects like film, english, and psychology into a manageable course load. Originally from Somerville, Massachusetts, he can often be found running in the Cowling Arboretum (and getting passed by everyone on the cross country team) or rock climbing at the bouldering cave in the evening. He loves Carleton’s walkability: it didn’t even matter that he forgot to bring his bike to campus. He considers bad horror movies to be the ultimate form of entertainment.

The post College: Expectations vs Reality appeared first on Carleton Admissions.

What we do get, however, is a single day in the middle of the term called Mid-Term break.

Now that doesn’t sound like a long time, and to be fair, it’s not, however I think you’ll find that mid term break is a gift that keeps on giving.

For me, I probably will get work done on that day, but that leaves me with Saturday for fun and shenanigans. So let’s walk through today!

7:00* AM

Is when I kind of woke up. That’s the time I opened my eyes and looked at my phone for about a half hour (what can I say? I have not been saved from the screenager epidemic.)

I got ready for the day and looked over what homework I have for the weekend. Not much this weekend! Taking notes on a chapter for Greek, studying for a Greek quiz, doing a couple problems for physics, and a reading for my understanding religion class.

Additionally, it was snowing for one of the first times this term! It probably snows more where I lived in Colorado than it does here so I appreciate it anytime it does snow here. It was so pretty and my view from the Goodhue super lounge may have been a little distracting from my work. But that’s okay! It’s midterm break! I have time.

11:30 AM

BRUNCH. At Carleton, normally breakfast is served starting at 7:30 but on weekends, the language dining center (LDC) opens for brunch at 10:30 and Burton dining opens at 11:30. Even though I live in Goodhue which is probably the dorm furthest away from Burton, I went there for food because they have trays there and I wanted to partake in the Carleton tradition of traying (taking trays from the dining hall and using them as sleds!)

When I got there, I quickly realized that taking trays would be pretty awkward as it’s not an officially approved activity by the school. I ended up deciding not to take the trays and instead opted for the sledding library that was at a house right next to campus!

12:00 PM

Sledding! This was a really fun part of the day. Behind the Evans dorm is an amazing hill for sledding and my friend and I took our sleds up and down the hill for about an hour and it was amazing.

Afterwards, our friend had an indoor track meet so we went for about an hour and a half at the rec to cheer him on. One really nice thing about Carleton is that it’s a relatively small campus but there’s a ton of things happening all of the time so it’s very easy to go from thing to thing and have done a lot of things throughout the day.

2:45 PM

At this point I’m pretty cold and tired. Time for a hot chocolate break! A couple friends and I journeyed across campus to the Sayles Cafe where two of us got hot chocolate and my friend got sushi (yes, you can get that here in the mid-west and from what I’ve heard, it’s not half bad!)

Afterwards, I went back to my dorm and talked to some of my friends back at home and got a little bit of work done before the Mid-Winter Ball that was happening that night!

6:00 PM

I journeyed all the way from Goodhue back to Burton again for dinner. We had dinner for a couple hours, which is definitely abnormal but not entirely uncommon. Afterwards it was time to get ready for Mid-Winter ball!

8:30 PM

Rugby had a pre-ball hang out! Rugby also has a tradition where we all take photos in the laundry room in Burton every Mid-Winter Ball. Getting on top of the machines for the photo in our dresses was definitely an experience, but very fun overall!

10:15 PM

The dance! There was the classic DJ room in Sayles, but there was also a room for Latin dancing (think Salsa) and a different one for classic ball room dances! (think Waltz or Fox Trot) While I’m not a great dancer, I had gone to a couple of social dance club practices and so it was very fun trying to stumble through the dances.

Overall, it was just a very nice time getting dressed up and hanging out with my friends in a very nice and formal setting.

12:25 AM

Debrief time! I will be completely honest, the parties at Carleton are not exactly the most exciting things. For me at least, the most exciting and the parts of parties I remember the most are the debriefs post activity. The people I went to the dance with and I went to one of our dorms and chat and hung out for a few hours

The post A Day in the Life on Midterm Break appeared first on Carleton Admissions.

It’s almost five weeks into the winter term, and Minnesota has kept us waiting for that real snow—the kind everyone talks about when they mention the state’s infamous winter.  I was expecting a lot of things when I left home, the cold being one of them, but nothing quite prepares you for this. You hear the warnings: “Make sure you have good winter gear,” “The snow is beautiful but deceiving,” “Layers, layers, layers!” But nothing really clicks until you’re standing outside, facing the icy wind that bites through every layer of your clothing, wondering if you’ve suddenly developed the power of invisibility because the cold has numbed you into an entirely new dimension. I have been bracing myself for the cold, the snow hadn’t really shown up yet. Yes, we’ve had a few flurries here and there, but nothing that could truly be called “Minnesota snow.” Finally, we had a snowstorm hit over winter break.

I decided to stay on campus over the break, and I’m so glad I did. It was peaceful, and a great time to catch up on things while enjoying a slower pace. But one morning, I woke up to a surprise. Overnight, the campus had transformed. Snow was falling thick and fast, covering everything in a beautiful blanket of white. It was the kind of snow you see in movies – huge, soft flakes drifting down from the sky in slow motion. It felt like nature was putting on a show just for me. And somehow, in the midst of the cold, I found warmth.

The campus was completely covered. You couldn’t see the sidewalks or the benches – just pure, unbroken snow. It was the kind of snow that makes you want to step outside and take a deep breath, just to feel the chill on your face and listen to the crunch of your boots in the fresh powder. By midday, the Carleton Facilities services had sent out their snowplows to clear the sidewalks, creating neat paths and making the campus look even more beautiful. The snow was carefully removed, making it easier to get around and improving the overall view.

The Snow felt like Magic!

There’s something about snow that brings a certain magic to the atmosphere.  I couldn’t help but take pictures and videos. I was walking around campus, taking in the beauty of it all, and I realized that, even in the middle of winter, Minnesota has a way of making you feel welcome. Even the students I saw on that day had bundled up just like me, but you could still see their smiles behind their scarves. 

What made it even more special was how quiet it was. Without the usual hustle and bustle of a full campus, the snow seemed to dampen all the noise, leaving just the sound of my own footsteps and the few leaves tightly holding onto their branches with full strength against the blowing calm wind. It felt like a rare moment of solitude, a chance to pause and appreciate the beauty of the season.

 It’s moments like these that remind me why I’m so glad I chose this college – even in the middle of Minnesota’s harsh winter, there’s always a little magic waiting around the corner. The best part? I know the snow will be sticking around, and there’s more to come.  It’s a little sad I haven’t seen any like that since the start of the term but I hope to experience another soon.

Maybe next time, I’ll try building a snowman. After all, Minnesota snow has a way of making even the coldest days feel a little brighter.

Agnes (she/her) comes from Ghana. While it might seem like a faraway land, the strong sense of community, the incredibly kind people, and the enormous number of trees at Carleton make her feel at home. Her love for science stems from her fascination with nature, as science finds an interesting way to explain the natural world. She is a member of the FOCUS Program.  When she’s not writing, dancing, or singing behind closed doors, you can probably find her engaged in conversation somewhere. She likes to spend time researching medical school and life beyond; that should tell you about her great interest in pre-med. While she continues to explore her interests, she has discovered a great interest for Biology, Chemistry, and CAMS classes at Carleton.

The post The Big Snow Day on Campus appeared first on Carleton Admissions.

This week, we’ve had a day with a high of -6 and a low of -18 Fahrenheit. Obviously, I haven’t been able to go outside as often as I used to which has been challenging because I love being outdoors.  So how do we remedy this?

By bringing out my inner Minnesotan that I didn’t know that I had and going out anyway. How do we do this when frostbite can set in within minutes here? Well, we’ve got to prep.

Armoring Up

I have been working up a high tolerance for the cold. That being said, no matter how much my mind tells me that I can walk outside without a coat, my hands will go numb no matter what. If it’s really cold, I try to ensure that my only exposed skin is around my eyes so that I can see.

Otherwise, it’s a long-sleeved shirt, my winter coat, a scarf that goes above my nose and wraps around my whole face, a winter hat, gloves, two layers of pants, and my winter boots. I’ve only needed the entire ensemble a couple of times, and usually I’m losing layers about 45 minutes into being outside, even in the -20-degree weather. Remember: your body is much more adaptable than you think, and if you get outside enough your body learns to regulate itself.

AT THE SAME TIME. It can be a pretty challenging balance because sometimes I’ll walk outside, feel fine, and then get sick because I was exposed to the cold for too long. So when armoring up, opt for more winter protection rather than less!

Battle Cry…

…with extremely strong and well-chosen words. Yes, indeed the stereotypes of Minnesotans ranting about the weather all the time is very true. The times when I’m complaining about the weather have been the most mid-western I’ve felt since I’ve gotten here.

I will say that you learn to live with the weather. It’s always a back-and-forth between complaining about it and wishing it would go away and realizing that actually, it’s not that bad, and then you can tell all of your friends and family who don’t live in the Midwest how you can walk outside in 10 degrees with only a sweatshirt because that’s 40 degrees warmer than the day before.

And What Are We Fighting For?

OUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH! It’s so incredibly easy to just disappear into a dorm

or a study room and just study or doom scroll from dawn to dusk because getting outside is a battle. However, it’s so important to make oneself get out during the dark months of the year.

Walking in the arb with friends has been so great to get myself moving, see nature, and connect with my friends in a new way. Something about the woods makes it feel like you can tell your friends anything and it’s safe to do so. Because the arb is up by Goodhue, which I’ll be perfectly honest, is treated as the far outskirts that one must journey to reach, there usually aren’t a ton of people in the arb which makes a great place to escape everything if that’s something you need.

In addition, it’s gorgeous. I love the arb in the Summer or in the Autumn, but the winter has its own sort of beauty. The snow blanketing the trees and the frozen river that runs through it are stunning.

Recovering From Battle

Even though these walks are my breaks, it takes a little bit to warm up. If I go on a night arb walk and then immediately try to go to bed before warming up, I’m in for a long night of shivering. My favorite thing to help me is putting on a pair of sweatpants, making a cup of tea, and looking through the photos I just took of the previous adventures.

Overall, Winter here has taken its toll on me, but these small outings give me the strength to make it through term with excitement and joy.

The post Warring Against Winter With Walks appeared first on Carleton Admissions.

Carleton’s Lunch: a time to enjoy a simple or sophisticated meal, a break in the day mostly in between classes, and a time to refuel. Yet, it can also be a canvas for the unexpected.

Carleton’s Lunch Period

Lunchtime in college is often a whirlwind of activity. Between classes, assignments, and socializing, it can feel like another break in a busy day. Here at Carleton, I find it mesmerizing how some groups of friends at the dining table find a lot to talk about during lunch without a pause. I remember some time ago I pulled a quiet girl sitting next to me in for a discussion by asking her what she thinks about people who talk throughout lunch in groups, she said: “When you’re with a group that enjoys each other’s company, you never run out of things to talk about”. So, one particular Tuesday, while entering LDC, I decided I would try to get myself into a group discussion since I was taking a late lunch and didn’t have class afterward. Find more about Dining services here.

      The Little Adventure

My little adventure began when I stepped into the dining hall, determined to turn an ordinary college lunch into a memorable exploration of culinary influences. I decided to ask a few people about their food choices, and the responses I received truly surprised me.

For some context, Carleton College boasts multiple dining halls and cafes, each offering unique menus that change daily. This variety not only sparks creativity, but also allows for endless combinations—two students might visit the same hall and end up with entirely different meals. In this chilly winter environment, I find comfort in warming my body with hot foods that feel like home. My go-to selections often lean toward familiar flavors, though I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the offerings so far.

With this in mind, I invited two people at my table to join me in a lighthearted chat about their food choices. Here’s what they had to say:

The Hunger Decision-makers

Elijah, ’28, is a friend I’ve known from taking most of my classes, so when I asked him about his food choices, he was more than willing to share his latest combo. He proudly told me he had a slice of pizza paired with everything you see above plus the rest that he was going to get after these—an unusual mix for sure! But when I pressed him for a reason behind his selection, he shrugged and laughed, saying there wasn’t any particular rationale. We chuckled at the idea that many people in the dining hall probably think the same way, just grabbing whatever looks good. Though, in my mind, I believe there’s a reason for everything, even if we sometimes don’t realize it. Maybe Elijah’s choice was a reflection of his adventurous spirit—or perhaps it was just a desperate attempt to combine comfort foods!

The Explorers

Peaches, ’27, sat right across from Elijah at our table with her intriguing food choices. She is a friend I met through the Fellowship in Christ, a vibrant Christian group at Carleton. She said that she typically went for something she had never tried before and usually ended up loving it! Regardless of where we fall on the spectrum of just trying to get some food on our plate or attempting to carefully craft our meals,  the Carleton dining halls are a welcoming space for exploration, where trying new things is not only encouraged but celebrated.

Agnes (she/her) comes from Ghana. While it might seem like a faraway land, the strong sense of community, the incredibly kind people, and the enormous number of trees at Carleton make her feel at home. Her love for science stems from her fascination with nature, as science finds an interesting way to explain the natural world. She is a member of the FOCUS Program.  When she’s not writing, dancing, or singing behind closed doors, you can probably find her engaged in conversation somewhere. She likes to spend time researching medical school and life beyond; that should tell you about her great interest in pre-med. While she continues to explore her interests, she has discovered a great interest for Biology, Chemistry, and CAMS classes at Carleton.

The post One Day During Lunch appeared first on Carleton Admissions.

This month marks the beginning of my second winter here at Carleton, and with that, the commencement of my second ice hockey season here on campus. This sport has been a huge passion of mine for as long as I can remember, and I’m so glad I get to bring that part of my identity with me to college. I had a total blast last year and have been eager to hit the ice again since our bittersweet final practice of the 2024 season. After waiting for what feels like eons, I’m beyond excited to say that hockey is finally back! Woohoo!

This year, however, things are going to look a little different for me. Last fall as a freshman, I remember heading straight to the hockey table at the involvement fair to sign up to play on the women’s team (read the blog I wrote on this last year if you’re curious). At the beginning of this school year, I found myself in the same spot; except this time, I was helping run the booth (for both the men’s and women’s teams, no less)! 

Playing on Two Teams!

First, not only do I now play on the women’s hockey team (aka WHAC, Women’s Hockey at Carleton), but I also snagged myself a spot on the men’s ice hockey roster part of the way through last season. I played co-ed hockey all through high school (girls’ high school hockey isn’t very big back home in Colorado, so I grew up very accustomed to playing on a predominantly male team), so I had planned on at least trying to play for both teams once I got to Carleton. Still, it took shockingly little (and by little, I mean absolutely no) convincing for me to be able to skate at a men’s team practice. It seems the general consensus for Carleton sport clubs is always “the more, the merrier,” so they were happy to welcome me to the roster. I’m not even a trailblazer in that regard; the men’s hockey team’s starting goalies have been women for the past two years!

How I Got Involved, and How You Can Too!

I won’t hesitate to admit that I leapt into the Carleton College hockey program with a bit of an agenda. I had hoped to fill a leadership role on the women’s team at some point from day one. Even so, if you told freshman me she’d have gotten the opportunity to be this immersed in hockey by just sophomore year, she’d be stunned. 

Getting involved in the things you love here at Carleton is much more feasible than it might at first seem! One of our privileges as students on a small campus is that people pay attention to and appreciate the time and effort we put into things. When you find something you’re really enthusiastic about and want to be a part of, the community around you takes notice!

I started small by volunteering to handle women’s hockey’s social media presence last January (bit of a shameless plug here; go check out the account @carletonwhockey!). Putting a little of my free time into curating posts and announcements for the program went such a long way with my teammates. Especially when it comes to club sports, being passionate and invested is the best way to earn an influential role. 

Finding small ways I could help out last year’s leadership by coming up with ideas for fundraising and events put me on the track to earning my current role as one of WHAC’s two social captains! This means I’m now in charge of planning events and coordinating with other clubs and teams in collaborative situations. Things have been going great in this respect so far!

I made it a point last season to be outgoing and communicative with other players and explain the nuances of the sport to people less familiar with it, so this season, I’m also one of the acting on-ice captains for the women’s team. This means I also attend captains’ meetings, help plan practices for the team, and explain/lead drills when we’re on the ice in addition to fulfilling my duties as social captain. It’s a lot of responsibility sometimes, but there’s nowhere else I’d rather be!

A Dual Commitment… Double Social Captain?

Juggling two teams with the rigorous academics Carleton has to offer has definitely been difficult, but it’s a challenge I’m fully committed to. When I first started playing on both the men’s and women’s teams, I knew it would require extra effort and time. But being able to participate in something I love so much has made the difficulty beyond worth it.

The more I got involved with the men’s hockey team, the more I found myself becoming an integral part of their club structure as well. As a result, I’m excited to say that next year, I’m slated to take over the social captaincy for the men’s team as well! I’ve already started assuming some of the organizational responsibilities for this as I prepare for the role.

It’s been a lot to balance—participating in practice and games for two separate rosters, planning drills for the women’s ice times, and maintaining my responsibilities as social captain for both teams, all while keeping in mind that I am a student first. Despite the commitment, there’s no place I’d rather be almost every night of the week than the Northfield Ice Arena. 

Why You Should Do What I Did!

For students who have strong passions that they want to pursue here at Carleton, I can confidently say there’s no more fulfilling way to do that than integrating themselves into a group of people who share those same interests. You don’t have to give up certain passions just because you move away to college! Taking a personal role in cultivating the club hockey environment here has been so much fun, and I’ve built so many personal connections with other like-minded people in the process.

Being a part of a club sports community is an awesome way to branch out, meet people, and make lasting friendships. Of course, I’m partial to the hockey environment here in particular; I truly think the atmosphere can’t be beat. Both programs welcome players of all skill levels, and we get players who range from seasoned athletes who have played since they started walking to completely new members who’ve never held a stick before. If you find yourself loving a club’s mission and environment as much as I do with hockey, dive headfirst into making yourself a part of it!

Leksi (she/her) is a first-year Carleton student from Colorado Springs, Colorado and a prospective pre-law Psychology or Cognitive Science major. So far, she could not be happier with her college decision! Northfield and Carleton have done an amazing job providing Leksi with the only five things she needs to thrive: local coffee, music, wilderness, the gym, ice hockey, and (of course!) her friends. She is involved in club ice hockey and the Carleton Association of Nature and Outdoor Enthusiasts (CANOE). If you’re unsure where to find Leksi on campus, your best bet is the group tables on Fourth Libe or hopelessly lost somewhere deep in the arb. Meet the Other Bloggers!

The post Winter Is for Ice Hockey appeared first on Carleton Admissions.

Two things happen every time the cold months wrap their icy fingers around my neck.

1. I immediately want to migrate to a warmer climate (not happening, unfortunately).
2. Winter break happens! Yay!

Luckily, I had the opportunity to fulfill the first one this break. During the Fall, I applied to a Carleton-sponsored externship program—short work experiences and shadowing opportunities that Carleton offers during the six-week break. These programs span disciplines from science to art to law to business and are often hosted by Carleton alumni or friends of the college.

My externship was centered around environmental sustainability in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador. There were a few things that appealed to me about the position: aside from it being in a field that I particularly wanted to explore, it was an experience that sounded crazy on paper—flying to the Amazon, my first time in South America, and working with the Indigenous community of Shandia to help with ecotourism and economic development. They say variety is the spice of life, so I told myself there was no way I would pass up on this opportunity. And I didn’t.

Shandia, Ecuador

We flew into the capital city of Quito—a place which, despite being directly on the equator, is so high up that it often feels uncomfortably cold! The road from Quito twisted down from the mountains and the plants grew more lush as we descended into the jungle on the first day. Here was Shandia, a tiny village located in the Napo province. It’s mainly made up of Kichwa people, the Indigenous group local to the area. The two main spoken languages are Spanish and Kichwa (none of which I knew going into the program, but both of which I eventually learned a few phrases of), and with less than ten percent of the population knowing English, it’s safe to say that my “element” was far away from here.

But I didn’t let my nervousness get in the way of trying new things. My main jobs on site involved presenting a workshop on leveraging ecotourism for economic development, and helping community members build chakras (sort of like eco-friendly tourist lodges). I have to admit, as a softened city boy myself, manual labor is not my strong suit. When we were given machetes to whack through the underbrush and clear a path for the chakras, I handled the tool with all the coordination of a newborn chimpanzee. But the community members didn’t seem too concerned with my lack of prowess, they seemed grateful that we were helping out in any way we could.

The schoolchildren of Shandia were incredibly friendly. Again, my lack of Spanish or Kichwa knowledge worried me from the start—but the children didn’t seem to mind at all, and we ended up playing card games, volleyball, and soccer, becoming quite close despite the language barrier. My two greatest moments of pride were: 1. Demonstrating how to build card towers, and 2. Showing them the only magic trick I know how to pull off, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

The 2 weeks came and went, and I was left with an experience that was unique in its process and intention. From trying new foods like grubs (yes, really) to diving deep into a field I had no previous experience with, it was a welcome disruption to the—let’s face it—oftentimes monotonous six-week break.

Inigo (he/him/his) is trying very hard to turn interests in subjects like film, English, and psychology into a manageable course load. Originally from Somerville, Massachusetts, he can often be found running in the Cowling Arboretum (and getting passed by everyone on the cross-country team) or rock climbing at the bouldering cave in the evening. He loves Carleton’s walkability: it didn’t even matter that he forgot to bring his bike to campus. He considers bad horror movies to be the ultimate form of entertainment.

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