Features
Senior reflection: Making connections on the Hill
By Kate Getman ’16
October 8, 2015
I have always had an independent streak. Whether I was born with an intense desire to be self-reliant or learned it from my hard-working parents, I have always shied away from accepting help. This stubbornness manifested in my life in dozens of ways before I came to Hamilton: I never let my Dad help carry my overwhelming luggage on family trips, I dreaded collaborative projects in school and I often preferred to run errands by myself instead of with my sisters. As much as I loved being with my friends, I equally loved spending time alone.
My experience at Hamilton has changed my life. Hamilton has taught me that asking for help is ok. As a January admit, I found that my transition to Hamilton was successful because I began to embrace others. As much as I wanted to stick to my own routine during the day and complete my academic work by myself, Hamilton pushed me in the other direction. I went to office hours. I worked with my fellow classmates on problem sets. I studied for biology tests with groups of people and we commiserated together walking back to Bundy at 2 a.m. I joined the rugby team and put my body on the line during every game for my teammates. I learned more about trust and camaraderie than I ever did playing varsity sports in high school.
As much as I wanted to stay closed off in my safe independent bubble, Hamilton’s community wouldn’t let me do that. The community we are privileged to live in fills me with immense pride. I’ve met such extraordinary people, some of whom I consider my own family. As I reflect on my time at Hamilton I can’t stress enough to others that even if you may want to withdraw, and as isolated as you may feel, this campus has the potential to change those feelings if you let it. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you don’t need anyone but yourself, or that you can get all you want out of your college experience on your own. We need each other so much. I’m continually amazed at how much my mood can change from just a simple conversation with a friend in the library, or a casual hang in a suite common room. I attribute a lot of my happiness at Hamilton to those who have simply asked how my day was going or have taken the time to grab Opus with me before a long night in the library. Helping uphold the friendly atmosphere that exists on this campus by reaching out to others in small ways is imperative to surviving the rough times that the undergraduate experience can bring. I’ve learned that college can be a trying time, and often we can’t be sure of who we really are or what we want out of our future. Having special people in your life grounds you. I’ve had friends come and go, and while at times this was difficult to accept, the friends who have stuck around have become some of the most important people in my life.
Although it may be important to perform well in school and on the field, don’t forget to devote time to the relationships you have at Hamilton. Whether it’s with professors, teammates, significant others or friends, these are the relationships that make your time here meaningful. I’ve tried new things. I’ve met people from different walks of life. I’ve opened up to others who are now my family and that I couldn’t imagine my life without. It’s these people who have picked me up off the floor when I thought I couldn’t move forward. While letting myself feel vulnerable has been terrifying at times, I know when I walk across the stage in May I will be a better person for it.