Convocation Essays
Finalists’ essays
A philosophy major who plays lacrosse and loves the Colbert Report has been selected to deliver the keynote speech of the Chancellor’s Convocation for New Students.
Rule Johnstone, a sophomore from New York City was selected from a group of applicants who wrote essays answering the question: What would you tell a new student about life at the University of Wisconsin-Madison?
“I remembered how anxious I was before the start of freshman year, and really wanted to inspire the freshman of this year, and to eliminate any fear they might have about starting college,” Johnstone says.
Convocation Speaker: Rule Johnstone
Class: 2010
Hometown: New York City
Major: Philosophy
After my first crazy, winding, incredible year at college, I now understand the advice my parents gave me when they said goodbye in the fall. They said that even though I was nervous and anxious, I would adapt quickly, and that most of my fear was self-imposed. They told me that resilience and toughness would be my best allies throughout college: that there would be times when I am too exhausted, too worn down, and too fed up to continue. They told me that the most important part of accomplishing anything is taking the first step, to not be intimidated by a daunting task or obstacle. Lastly, my parents said to above all, enjoy college, to try new things, and dream big. I thought they were just riddling me with clichés, so their advice did not sink in immediately. Only as the year progressed did I realize how right they were.
Although I was nervous, I became reassured eventually since it seemed that every other freshman felt the same way I did. The most pleasant surprise of adapting to life in Madison was the newfound freedom that was so abundant. Despite being such a simple liberty, the freedom to control every aspect of my life was thrilling. With the freedom also came more responsibility, but these balanced out, making the adaptation relatively easy.
What shocked me the most about my first days in Madison was how smooth the transition was into the social scene. The welcome that freshman receive at UW-Madison makes you feel immediately integrated as part of the school and community. Although the parties get much of the publicity, I met many students who weren’t interested in the party scene but still easily found a niche, activity, or group that fit them. Madison students are fortunate that we really do have something for everyone: many other schools make this claim but cannot uphold it. There is of course, a catch; the fun isn’t going to come to you, one must take initiative, take the first step, even if you cannot see the whole staircase. There is nothing wrong with being a little scared or shy, but don’t let this stop you. Don’t be afraid to tag along with a few unfamiliar faces from your hall or introduce yourself to someone completely random: this is how some of your best friends at college will be made.
In high school, there was some amount of “hand-holding” in practically everything you did. In college, as I found out, there was no longer someone watching over me and making sure I stayed on track; the responsibility was entirely mine. I realized how much more tempting it was to ignore a class that I did not enjoy. Conversely, I was amazed at how enthusiastic I became for classes which interested me, and how much better I was doing in those classes. When Christmas break arrived, this distinction became even more apparent. My grades reflected my earlier sentiments. Although I had worked very hard at all of my classes, I got better grades and was worried less by the ones which interested me. I discussed my findings with my parents, to which they reiterated their advice from the start of the year. My stepfather asked me simply if I had enjoyed my classes as a whole. I replied that I had not. He advised me to sign up for only classes which appealed to me, purely in terms of my own interest. I did exactly that: I picked out the courses which I thought I would enjoy. However, I was still skeptical that the road to success would come so easily. My mother told me about the dream she had had since she was a little girl; to buy a sailboat and sail around the world. I instantly recognized her story, since she and my father had lived out that dream, and I had been born halfway through the journey, in New Zealand. My mother told me to imagine how difficult this dream might have seemed to a poor girl from New York City: but she did not accomplish it by being intimidated, but by taking a single step at first.
The second semester could not have gone better. All of my classes were so interesting that the assignments did not seem like work to me. I liked going to lectures, and had no problem motivating myself. I wanted to branch out beyond classes as well, so I signed up for the lacrosse team, and also joined the College Democrats. Although I was taking more credits than my first semester and was busier, everything seemed easier.
The conclusion I drew from my first-year experience is the best advice I can offer a new freshman. I concluded that college is a truly unique period in our lives, since we are no longer restricted and constrained by high school, nor do we have to face the harsh realities of careers and taxes until after we graduate. We are in between these two phases: given a few short years to learn as much as possible. In college, we students have no other responsibility but to follow our dreams. Take full advantage of UW-Madison, heed the school motto and go about the “fearless sifting and winnowing” that our great University emphasizes. If there is any subject which piques your interest, or which you have dreamed of understanding, take a single step towards it, perhaps attend a lecture of a certain class to get a taste of it. If there is any activity or organization that catches your eye, do not hesitate: act on your curiosity, be bold. Even if you are nervous or uncertain now, you will adapt to college, likely easier than you anticipate. Do not be afraid to take a first step towards something big, realize your dream and go after it. If someone ever doubts you, or you doubt yourself, just remember how foolish it must have once seemed for that couple to build a boat to sail around the world.
Essay finalists
Natalie Fairbanks
Class: 2010
Hometown: Franklin, Wis.
Majors: Journalism and Mass Communication & Communication Arts
Independence is a universal college experience. You find yourself faced with many new choices: classes, friends, involvement, and so much more. You, and you alone, will determine how much or how little you will accomplish here at UW-Madison. From this point on, your future is in your hands. That said, I offer this advice: Make the most of this opportunity. You don’t get a second chance at freshman year. If you take advantage of what is offered, however, you won’t need one. You will each find this out for yourself in your own way, but try to keep in mind these three ideas: Be safe, be smart, and be sensational.
Be safe. Look out for each other. Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t give into peer pressure, seriously. It’s difficult to do what you know is right in the face of adversity, but do it anyways. No one ever said that college won’t be difficult. Still, you have a responsibility here on campus, both to yourself and others. Enjoy the social aspect of college life but make well-informed choices and think about the potential consequences of your actions. You are all here because you want a college degree; don’t be the one who prevents that from happening. It’s true that we are our own worst enemies. Take care of yourself and instead try to be your best friend. There are many services here on campus that will help you deal with stress, illness, and other challenges of adapting to college. Learn what they are and use them. Everything on this campus is geared toward making you as successful as possible. In this lies the concept of “be smart.”
By “be smart” I mean don’t forget why you are here. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a very prestigious institution with world-wide acclaim. Be proud that you will now contribute to, and benefit from, this reputation. No one is going to tell you to get up in the morning and go to class. You need to make this choice for yourself, because you believe in yourself and value your education. If you want to stay up all night, no one’s going to tell you it’s wrong, but it’s not the best idea…Believe me, I know from experience. Plan out a routine and stick to it. This will help you stay organized and prevent you from falling behind in class. Don’t be afraid of your professors or TA’s; they’re people too. Go see them outside of class and ask questions. They will expand your horizons in every possible way.
The last concept is “be sensational.” When I say this, I mean that now is your time to shine. Go out and get involved in something on campus. There are so many fantastic opportunities. My involvement with my dorm and a campus newspaper helped me realize my interest in media and communication as a career path. Additionally, campus organizations are a great way to meet other people with similar interests. In joining running club and playing intramural soccer, I realized how much fun college can be. I strongly encourage you to get involved on campus. Also, meet as many people as you can. You won’t become friends with all of them, but it will be worth it for those you do. Try to become friends with those outside of your normal comfort zone as well. I cannot stress this enough. You will be amazed at how much you can learn about another person’s culture and lifestyle. In this way, you will grow tremendously as a person. If you can find at least one club or group to join here on campus, and one other person to share it with, you’ll have already accomplished a great deal.
There will be tough times in college. There will be times when you question yourself, and there will be times when you question whether you should even be here. There will even, believe it or not, be times when you miss your parents. If you do poorly in class, don’t stress out. Be persistent and work toward your goals. Find out what went wrong and learn from it. Never forget that your ultimate objective here is to learn, regardless of how you achieve it. It’s really not what the obstacle is, but how you overcome it that matters.
I wish the best of luck to all of you, wherever your college career may lead you. You will soon find that college is a wonderful opportunity. There are things in store for you that you never even imagined. Enjoy them, relish in them, and make the most of them. This is a once in a lifetime chance. In conclusion, let me remind you once again to be safe, be smart, and be sensational. Thank you.
Nicole Rybeck
Year: Junior
Hometown: Madison, Wis.
Major: Industrial Engineering, French (certificates in Technical Communications, Leadership, and International Engineering)
If someone had told me three years ago that I would be spending my senior year of college working at Harley-Davidson and studying abroad in Finland, I would have never believed them. Come to think of it, if someone would have shown me even a glimpse of the multitude of new friends, late nights, early mornings, dorm food, apartment hunting and incessant studying that lay ahead, I probably would have laughed in their face.
When I think back on it, freshman year is really like the first day of kindergarten- except it’s an entire year long and you won’t have your parents there to pack you a crustless peanut butter sandwich and walk you to the bus. Instead, you throw an apple and maybe some dry cereal in your backpack and run to class because your alarm didn’t go off — again. You arrived at your dorm that first day and weren’t quite sure what to do with yourself when your grown-ups gave you the final send-off. I somehow had convinced myself the first day that I arrived that as soon as I had everything perfectly arranged in my dorm room that the rest of my life would fall into place. I organized for a good week straight until I realized that I had to do more than just ‘Febreeze’ my new sheets to make things come together for the year ahead.
So I got out there and met people and took down a few of those walls I had put up in high school. You know the ones I’m talking about. I took down the walls of being an only child who wasn’t used to the constant socialization, the walls of being a straight-A student in high school who wasn’t used to the possibility of seeing her first B or C, and most importantly, the huge wall of being used to having a bathroom that I didn’t have to share with 75 other girls.
I lived my entire freshman year without regret. I went to class, learned the value of a good night’s sleep the hard way, found the ‘safe’ foods in our dorm cafeteria (side note: I highly recommend the salad bar at Chadbourne, made-to-order pasta is always a safe bet, too) and most importantly, learned to be on my own. I learned how to walk myself to class without my pack of new friends and how to go down to the cafeteria and get dinner for myself without feeling self-conscious. I figured out the best places to study and who my best study buddies would be. I learned how to approach my professors at office hours and how to study for exams. I figured out how to ride the buses and that it generally isn’t a good idea to hop on a bus unless you really truly know where it’s going.
I think the one thing that really got me through my freshman year was knowing what I wanted to get out of my college experience. I knew I wanted to be an engineering student and I wanted to keep studying French. I knew that I wanted to meet a lot of new people and that I wanted to be at each and every Badger home football game. I wanted to take advantage of every single opportunity presented to me and make sure that I could reflect back four years later and realize that I had zero regrets for missed opportunities.
In short- I didn’t force myself to be something I was not. It’s hard when you realize that you can’t just blend into a clique or team in college. I’ve never quite felt like I could be defined in these past three years. Not even my major has defined who I am or the things that I stand for. I want to stress that point to you- your major is not who you are. Not every women’s studies major is a feminist and not every engineering student is just dying to fix your bike. Everyone here is so different from you, no matter how connected and alike you might feel. Half of the beauty of college is that you’ll meet so many people you can connect who are absolutely nothing like you and will help you figure out more about yourself in the process of learning more about them. These are the kinds of opportunities I was talking about.
But as much as you learn about others and your ‘new’ self, don’t ever forget where you came from or the people who supported you along the way to being in this room right now. Still write those thank-you notes that you were always forced to growing up, send birthday cards and call your family. Things like this mean even more coming from someone who is just entering the grown-up world. Remember, they were the people who made those sandwiches for you and walked you to the bus.
College really is a lot like kindergarten. You really don’t think that there could be life beyond it, but there is and here you are. You’re learning everything you’ll need to get you through the next stage of your life. So take it all in, enjoy every moment and be sure to take as many naps as you may need- you can rest assured that some things will never change.
Catherine D. Quinn
Hometown: Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
Majors: Pre-med UW Madison 5th year senior, majoring in English and French
Congratulations class of 2011! Welcome to the University of Wisconsin-Madison! You made it here! Now buckle up!
Just as Baz Lurhman informed the graduating class of 1997 to “wear sunscreen”, so do I come before you to give you terse bits of advice for your freshman year of college and the collegiate years to come. To echo Lurhman by putting my most important piece of advice first, instead of “wear sunscreen”, class of 2011, if I could offer you only one tip for your college career, it would be: Study!
This is the message I wish had been more in grained in my head as I entered UW-Madison for my freshman year. Don’t get wrong — I did study in high school, and people did tell me to study in college. I just didn’t know what “Study” really meant, until I got to college. I stand here telling you today to study because no matter what prep school or top state high school you come from, no matter if you were the valedictorian (as 16 of the 20 girls on my freshman dorm hall were), or somewhere in the top 15% of your class, UW-Madison levels the playing field.
Don’t be afraid to admit even as soon as your freshman year that you need to re-learn what it means to study, and definitely don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are countless resources on campus that want to help you succeed. Additionally, you will learn within the first few months here that there are no longer any “popular” people, nor jocks, nor preps, nor skaters, nor Goths. There may be some geeks though. Ok, let’s face it, we’re all geeks. And that’s the way we like it! We are at a top University, would you expect anything less? In light of this, don’t be afraid to study. I promise, no one will condemn you for it, even if you do it on a Friday night, or even if you do it alone. You will realize very quickly that UW calculus is not high school calc, UW chemistry is not high school chem., UW Shakespeare classes are not high school Shakespeare classes, and UW Swahili is nothing like anything you saw in high school at all.
Though you will all need to forge your own path, and I know there is nothing I can tell you that will truly prepare you for the life-changing event that is a college experience at the University of Wisconsin, allow me to impart just a few more lessons I’ve learned here in the hopes that you will take advantage of this great experience as early as possible.
First, the world is your campus, and in this world, you are a face, not just a number. At the University of Wisconsin, your college experience is what you make of it. You will be in classes of 300+ people, and could be in classes as small as 8 starting your freshman year if you so choose. You will learn that there are advantages to both, but if you’d like to make the campus your own, I’d suggest that you seek out advisors, go to office hours, and if nothing else, attend class. Remember what you are paying tuition for, and take advantage of all the doors it opens up. But what do I mean about the world being your campus? Beyond just the opportunities that the UW offers through a multitude of majors and internal colleges, there are research opportunities for students that abound regardless of major. Join a club or intramural sport. Go to a cultural event or see a distinguished lecturer. If you are really looking for an adventure, study abroad. Some of you may go home after your freshman year is over and some of you may stay in Madison. After my freshman, I felt I had changed too much to go back to life in a small Wisconsin town to live with my parents. I wanted to see just how far I could push the envelope of my campus world, to challenge myself, and discover just how big my wings were. I connected with a few professors and looked for programs online until I found one that fit my interests. The summer after my freshman year, I spent job shadowing a cardiothoracic surgeon in Paris and living with a French host family. It was one of the best choices I made during my college career. Likewise, my brother found a program after his freshman year that allowed him to teach English in China. These experiences allowed us both to realize how large our campus really was, and what it truly meant to be part of the global community of ideas. Don’t be afraid to reach out and push the limits of your world.
Finally, the last idea that I want you to walk away with today is: figure out what your dreams are and don’t let anyone take them away from you. Many of us come into college with ideas of who we will become and other people’s dreams for us. College is a time where you decide what you want, what you’ll take for classes, who you’ll make for friends, what you’ll eat, and what time you will go to bed. Don’t be afraid to change. That is what this experience is all about. Take classes that interest you, and don’t fear that you may not end up in the major that you started with, or achieving the dreams your parents have for you. That is ok. Some of my smartest friends are those who had the courage to drop their aeronautics major and study English, or be pre-med and major in dance. At UW, anything is possible. Try new things. It is only through trying that you’ll find out what you really enjoy. Take Shakespeare, take woman’s studies, take an art class, and take physiology. Perhaps don’t take them all in the same semester. Don’t be afraid of psychology or organic chemistry. Really. Its not as bad as everyone tells you.
Organic chemistry brings me back to my original point: Don’t let people take your dreams away from you. When I was a sophomore, I was in O-chem, studying very hard to get C’s, thinking “I’m never going to get into med school.” But it is only through this adversity that made me realize: it is exactly this kind of thinking that keeps people from med school. I decided after one particularly arduous exam that I wasn’t going to let O-chem or any other class, professor, or student keep me from getting in if that was truly my dream. I had to take O-chem again, but now as a graduated senior, I’m proud to announce that med school is still on the horizon for me. Everyone has different paths. Don’t let others tell you what you can do just because you haven’t done it their way.
In conclusion, I wish you all the best for your freshman year and college career as a whole. Remember to take breaks and have fun, to make friends indiscriminately, and only keep the ones that help you become who you really want to be. At the end of these four short years, you will have achieved a great level of knowledge and skill, and you will all be completely different than you are today. It is an exciting ride. Enjoy every moment. But if you take away only one thing from this talk: trust me on the studying.
Lindsay Bradfish
Year: Junior
Hometown: Lakeville, Minn.
Majors: Journalism and Psychology
Badger Holes
Greetings fellow Badgers, my furry, ferocious animal peers; the brethren of Bucky Badger. My name is Lindsay Bradfish and I am currently a senior here at UW Madison. After three long, exciting years exploring this campus, I believe I have finally come to understand what it means to be a Badger and I'd like to share it with all of you.
As a Minnesota import to this great state, I was at first unfamiliar with the history surrounding the connection between the badger and Wisconsin. It wasn't until my fervent curiosity, and some persuasion from a politically inclined friend, led me to take a tour of the capital last year. It was here that I learned that during the 1820's when Wisconsin was a rich lead mining area, men who worked in the mines were referred to as badgers. Workers spent so much time underground, outsiders declared these men were practically living in "badger holes."
While I appreciate this rich tradition that has evolved into the eternally-cherished mascot Bucky Badger, I discovered that most students on campus behave quite the opposite. The best thing about Madison is the opportunities presented to each and every Badger to crawl out of their protective holes and familiar environments and to explore the greater world.
What are your holes?
Have I lost some of you? Holes are places in your life that you get stuck; areas where you become so comfortable, you stop stepping outside to take risks. What's great about holes is that they are sheltered areas and, therefore, provide a sense of security. However, without sticking your neck out to take a risk, you may be trapped in that hole forever. We all have holes in life. Maybe yours is the small town in which you grew up , maybe it's your close knit group of high school friends that you've spent every day with since you could crawl.
My hole was my high school. I knew almost everybody, I had participated in the same activities for four years, and I knew where I belonged. What would it be like when I left my comfort zone and moved four hours away for college? It can be a truly terrifying thought. It can also, however, be the most thrilling. As you begin your college education, you have the opportunity to experience all that the campus has to offer; a chance to shape yourself into the person you wish to become.
Exploring campus
My advice to incoming students is to crawl out of your hole. Embrace the fresh air and expansive opportunities that are available to you. Never skydived before? There's a club for that. Looking for a place to get involved in politics? Madison's got that too. There are hundreds of student organizations on campus that give you the chance to explore an area of interest you are passionate about or to try something brand new. It may sound odd, but look at your feet these first few weeks, as the sidewalks are covered in chalked events you can attend and, hint-hint, these are great places to score some free food.
Making friends
But what if you're not comfortable going solo? Every freshman is thrown into this same situation. Everyone is interested in making friends. Leaving your "hole of a dorm room's" door open really does help facilitate introductions. It may be tempting to close your door and call your best friend from home, but I encourage you to take the initiative to meet your neighbors and dig yourself out of the hole. The only thing I can think of that is better than a Badger is more than one Badger and everything from buying your books to attending information sessions on a student "org" is easier if you have someone to do it with.
Relationships with teachers
While I'm on the topic of buying books, most of you or your parents are paying a lot of money to go to school here. Don't you want to make the most out of it and get the best return on your investment? Professors and advisors on campus are here to help you, and while the first time you get back an exam grade you might disagree, professors really do want you to succeed in their classes. If you're struggling in an area, don't be afraid to go to office hours and, quite honestly, the sooner you do this, the better. I've waited as long as two hours in line to meet with a professor to talk about an assignment the night before it was due. Is this procrastination on my part? Maybe. But I like to tell myself I work better under pressure. Is this an incredibly dedicated professor who stayed in her office until every student who wanted help received it? Most definitely.
Building relationships with professors and advisors has other far reaching benefits than success in a single course. From attending office hours, I have seen students get recommendations for courses that might be of interest to them, receive jobs, and acquire the golden ticket from professors - the personal letter of recommendation. Professors are all people were once where you are right now, and they obviously did something right to get to where they currently are. They are an invaluable resource for your education.
Conclusion
I'm not trying to tell you to abandon the areas in your life in which you find comfort.. These holes certainly contain the things that have shaped you into who you are. Don't forget your successes and friends of the past, but rather bring them along and pack them into that "backpack" as you emerge from your hole ready to take chances, put yourself out there and live in the present. By following these tips, I can almost guarantee you will have no regrets. After all, you are now students of the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and it's a great day to be a Badger.