SHSS '07: The Inside Peak

Colleges and Universities A-Z Williams College
1

<p>SHSS (Summer Humanities and Social Sciences):
18 students from around the country (and alaska!) chosen, at random, to live in Wood House for 5 weeks during the summer. One house, 10 guys, 11 girls, and four very odd profs. This is a chronicle of my SHSS '07 experience. </p>

<p>Every day (when i'm not reading 100 pages per night), I will write a detailed entry about the program. most entries will be posted by 11:00 pm. The reader is invited to tag along throughout the next five weeks, exploring the life and times of an anonymous incoming freshman and SHSSer. </p>

<p>Welcome to Williams. your room number will be 3**, third floor of Wood. You can pick up your text books and room key on the common room table.</p>

<p>Your college life... has.just.started :)</p>

2

<p>7/2/07 9:56 pm.</p>

<p>We have to read the NY Times ever morning. Our TA's have randomly assigned the supremely demeaning task to one unlucky prefrosh...each and EVERY morning. The job is rather simple: you take the wagon (bright red!), along with your randomly assigned "partner" and scuttle on down to the Williams Newsroom, to pick up the day's ration of heavy-ass tied-down papers. This morning, it was my team's turn.</p>

<p>My partner knocks on my door at 6:45 am, to announce, rather proudly, that she has already taken the task of venturing down to the newsroom, and, unfortunately, the papers are not expected until 8:00. In taking further uninquired liberties, She announces that the paper-hauling is now officially MY RESPONSIBILITY.
Welcome to Williams's SHSS conference, where you must cope with 17 strangers for a $100 cash stipend and $900 student contribution credit. </p>

<p>Today I have exactly 84 pages of reading, along with a lengthy section of Comp Lit questions, doable by...tonight. This is an easy night. Tomorrow there will be 100 more pages to critique. Ironically, we SHSSers usually don't start working until around 9:00 pm. one kid has confided in me that he does not go to sleep until 4:00 am. As I write this, there are about 11 students upstairs actively procrastinating. I know-because I can hear every creek. That's kind of how we communicate, through the creeks of Wood House. The creeks, motion-sensor towel dispensers, and loud "boom!" of the dorm doors is enough to awaken sleeping beauty herself.</p>

<p>I am typically the first student to wake up. That's how I reserve the shower for myself before the onslaught of fellow guys on my floor. The last thing you want to have to do is inhabit the filthy remains of some other guy's grime and fallen leg (or pubic) hairs. Our dorm is separated into two factions: the early-morning risers who failed to complete their reading last night, and the late-risers who endured the painstaking occasional all-nighter.</p>

<p>Though we are a spontaneous and irrational group, somehow, work coincides with enjoyment. Somewhat. the average student living in Wood House has about 7 complete, unadulterated hours of free time. compare that to our SSP counterparts, who are lucky to enjoy an hour of freetime. Too bad noone brought their playstation.</p>

<p>Williams pays for all our expenses, including room-n-board, 21 meals/week, and school supplies, down to towels and washcloths. You'd almost think these kids are privileged, until you realize that there are three questbridge scholars walking the halls, along with one kid paying full price (me, the unlucky bastard). There are four black females, four black guys, one Native American female, one asian guy, one asian girl, two white girls, and three hispanic guys, along with others.</p>

<p>The TA's advise us not to engage in relationships, but that if it does happen, there are condoms available. I find this humorous. Anyone immature enough to meet, hook up with, and screw a stranger in five weeks falls under my definition of supreme whore. Others echo this sentiment, but time will tell if we see any action...</p>

3

<p>a box fan works well for keeping out noise</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
Today I have exactly 84 pages of reading, along with a lengthy section of Comp Lit questions, doable by...tonight. This is an easy night. Tomorrow there will be 100 more pages to critique. Ironically, we SHSSers usually don't start working until around 9:00 pm. one kid has confided in me that he does not go to sleep until 4:00 am.

[/quote]

Welcome to Williams. :-) </p>

<p>
[quote]
The TA's advise us not to engage in relationships, but that if it does happen, there are condoms available. I find this humorous. Anyone immature enough to meet, hook up with, and screw a stranger in five weeks falls under my definition of supreme whore.

[/quote]

You're in for some surprises. People come here with all kinds of drastically different attitudes about sex and relationships. I'll lay 5-1 odds there's at least one hookup of some sort between prefrosh (i.e., you guys and SSP) on campus this summer. More likely several, although you may not hear about them. 50-50 odds that something happens between a prefrosh and one of us upperclassmen working here for the summer.</p>

<p>Looking forward to reading the rest of your diary. It's always interesting to get a glimpse inside someone else's head, and to see what you guys think of summer at Williams.</p>

5

<p>damn! One of my biggest regret this year was not applying for SHSS TA:(. I bet you guys are having a lot of fun there..and enjoy the summer..because when winter comes....it stays......</p>

6

<p>I wonder if I can single out who you are by systematically tripping every SSH student I see and seeing when it gets put in the thread.</p>

<p>Just kidding. But yeah, don't knock entry incest (I guess this would be pretty close)... it hapens alot more than you would think.</p>

7

<p>I'm sorry, what are these SSP and SHSS programs?</p>

8

<p>7/3/07 7:11 pm
Because I have 126 pages of reading to do, and a 2 page paper to write, I decided to complete tonight's entry early so that I will have more time to devote to studies.</p>

<p>This morning, as I was exiting the shower, one of my floormates flung open the bathroom door, to be welcomed by the sight of a butterball naked me. Professor Crane speaks of "Chi" as it applies to Chinese culture, which is defined as the energy that controls the (mis)fortunes of humans in society.
My Chi has not been good as of late.</p>

<p>I check my Facebook, CC, and blackboard ever morning (blackboard for Prof Bernhadsson's class). This morning, Billionaire Donald Graham sends me a facebook message, praising my diligence in tackling Goethe and asking what other books I am reading. I love Don's email drop-ins. As I glance over at the literal stack of books assigned, I am reminded of the fact that I now have have zero hours of freetime, down from seven. collegeconfidential makes that negative. In lighter news, however, THE TENNIS KIDS HAVE LEFT! Yay, no more congested mission!!! :)</p>

<p>I am beginning to resent my dormmates for their irresponsible and inconsiderate behavior. Many of them, if not all of them, were the top students in their respective high schools, and yet feel contented to come to SHSS only to lose all resemblance of carefully honed academia almost overnight. We have 126 pages of in-depth-philosophical reading, and yet they are at a samba session. That's right, let's spend 90 minutes procrastinating. Then come home, and procrastinate some more, until we procrastinate our way to yet another ALL-NIGHTER.</p>

<p>Don't get me wrong - I am not opposed to having fun, but if "fun" comes at the expense of schoolwork, that is an easy way to failure, or at least mediocrity. I believe I am placing them in too high a regard, and forgetting that most of them were sheltered academic elitists in high school. In other words, they are the very students I have spent the last four years of my life deploring. Notwithstanding the few meritorious students in the group, I have decided to defect, and follow my own path to success. From now on, I will be the first to wake, and the first to sleep. </p>

<p>It is prime squirrel, rabbit, and wasp season in williamstown (the excruciating wasp stinging I endured today serves as proof). In Goethe's "The sorrows of young werther", the young man regards nature as being the progenitor of serenity. In williamstown, this has been true as of late. Last night, however, the temperature dropped to 39 degrees. THIRTY-NINE. We were burning newspapers to keep warm, since Wood House doesn't appear to have centralized heating. Newspaper burning has become the favored mode of destruction of the now-despised NY Times. Alas, one less newspaper to read.</p>

<p>route 2 is the main road through williamstown. Many of the local businesses depend on these trucks to deliver merchandise and raw goods. To me, they are a nuisance. They roll in at 6 am, and no, fans do not work at concealing the noise. My room, unfortunately, faces route 2. So, I hear EVERY LAST TRUCK THAT ROLLS THROUGH. I find that I awake two or three times per night to the sounds of an 18-wheeler rumbling down the street. I swear, you can FEEL these trucks as they go by.</p>

<p>My fellow SHSSers have taken to cliquish tendencies as of late. They make fun of certain members of the group, and I despise them for it. The one girl in particular that they make fun of is smarter than all of them. Put together. Admittedly, they are intelligent, but intelligence without prudence fufills but half the potential of a successful williams student. I know they talk about me, as if I care. I am not here for them, I am here so that I will be ready for the challenge williams places on its students. The tactics that have driven me to success in highschool will have to be deployed yet again.</p>

<p>All said, I enjoy myself, usually hanging out with the SSP students. Elizabeth, one fo the TA's, is really nice and offers encouragement. When reading Max Weber, encouragement definitely helps. The girls in SSP are actually really...cute. Once they learn how to manage their workload, I am sure they will have time to flirt :)</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
I find that I awake two or three times per night to the sounds of an 18-wheeler rumbling down the street. I swear, you can FEEL these trucks as they go by.

[/quote]
Solution: be irresponsible, go out and have fun, and then stay up ridiculously late doing your work. You'll fall asleep as soon as you hit the pillow, and no truck will be able to wake you. :-)</p>

10

<p>After reading your post it is quite unfortunate that your intellectual prowess has not found a way of tackling the social and academic life in the SHSS program. My initial solution to your misfortune is to BALANCE your time well, but it seems that my answer would only leave you immensely confused and perplexd. Here are some suggestions to enact immediate changes in your life that would allow for an easier transition into the Williams social/academic world:</p>

<ol>
<li>"I check my Facebook, CC, and blackboard ever[y] morning (blackboard for Prof Bernhadsson's class)."</li>
</ol>

<p>-- How about you check all three websites later on in the day during a class break and take your morning to ask your housemates to breakfast. Maybe then you can initiate an "intellectual" conversation, of your supposed caliber, with another student. Perhaps your housemates will stop perceiving you to be an arrogant buffoon? </p>

<ol>
<li>"In lighter news, however, THE TENNIS KIDS HAVE LEFT! Yay, no more congested mission!!!"</li>
</ol>

<p>-- YAY! Maybe now you can eat faster dinners so you can spend more time hanging out with your peers in the house. If not, you can return to your room so you can get your reading done earlier so you can then hang out with your housemates.</p>

<ol>
<li>"Don't get me wrong - I am not opposed to having fun, but if "fun" comes at the expense of schoolwork, that is an easy way to failure, or at least mediocrity."</li>
</ol>

<p>-- Mediocrity does not arise from having "fun." You have been misinformed. I think you should start reading less and listening more to those around you. Mediocrity comes from complacency and lack of responsibility. You can have as much fun as you want and still get your work done. Your success is not a function of how much time or how fast you get your work done. It is a matter of understanding the material at your own pace, and then analyzing that material to extend the conversation in a classroom or in a paper.</p>

<ol>
<li>"I am beginning to resent my dormmates for their irresponsible and inconsiderate behavior."</li>
</ol>

<p>-- To resolve this problem, how about you stop walking out of your shower naked. Is that not an inconsiderate action on your behalf? You are lucky it was not a woman. That could easily be perceived to be sexual harassment, especially coming from the fact that you are stalking the SSP girls.</p>

<ol>
<li>"I believe I am placing them in too high a regard, and forgetting that most of them were sheltered academic elitists in high school."</li>
</ol>

<p>-- Can I get the bucket and vomit in it? For someone who presupposes to be an academic machine, your commentary only proves how much of a dilettante you are. Please stop judging your peers. They are not here to please you or coax your ego. If you think that they are sheltered how about you actually use your "intellectual" skills to broaden their social experiences at Williams. While I doubt you can live up to such a claim, I suggest you begin to engage them in discussion to gain a better understanding of their socioeconomic upbringing.</p>

<ol>
<li>"From now on, I will be the first to wake, and the first to sleep. "</li>
</ol>

<p>-- WOOPIE! Want a cookie for your individual accomplishments. I think NARCISSISM is your middle name.</p>

<ol>
<li>". I find that I awake two or three times per night to the sounds of an 18-wheeler rumbling down the street. "</li>
</ol>

<p>-- Have you ever thought of investing in earplugs?</p>

<ol>
<li>"Once they learn how to manage their workload, I am sure they will have time to flirt."</li>
</ol>

<p>-- From your comments it seems that you still have much to do in order to manage your workload successfully. How about we lay off the girls and start using our time for more productive life-changing endeavors. How about asking Gail to assign you a middle school student to tutor over the summer?</p>

11

<p>who's the native american? </p>

<p>you remind me of werther cause youre so whiney.</p>

12

<p>C'mon, guys, let's play nice. (I don't see all of you putting yourselves out there for all to see. And remember, this is technically still a prefrosh.)</p>

13

<p>I agree that everyone needs to play nice.</p>

<p>However, I am somewhat concerned by the nature of O.P.'s posts. R.H., virtually no one at Williams studies all of the time. It is a very social place, and since you have spent time on campus before, I presume you know that. Please please please please try not to alienate your classmates so early in the game. You seem like such a wonderful person, and tolerance on your part will allow you to make the most of your Williams education.</p>

14

<p>P.S. outside noise is usually completely eliminated with a box fan. Go to Wal Mart and get one..</p>

15

<p>keep posting rl hill.</p>

<p>And i agree with mickey. there can be a tremendous amount of work at Williams but it doesnt come at the expense of socializing with your peers. The best part of Williams education is coming back from the library after working 10 hours straight and talking with your entrymated for hours. Yes, we dont sleep much over there, but you will soon realize as the semester starts that there are things more valuable than a decent amount of sleep. </p>

<p>Also try group study sessions. You would be amazed by how smart your classmates are.</p>

16

<p>williamseph09 may have been a tad harsh in his message, but he's right. MikeyD223 put it alot nicer and shorter, and he's also right.</p>

<p>Most people here do not work all the time. People are important. And, honestly, don't worry so much about the readings. You can skim, or if you're really good, get by without doing about half of it. Hardly anyone I know actually reads all the assigned reading for a class.</p>

17

<p>I won't say I'm antisocial [I might be] but I'm socially inept. True, Williams might be a social place, but still, there are those who are always busy doing something. There might be so many things I'm involved in, and those places are where you get to build friendships. XC for instance, or the MSRC where I hung out almost every night last semester. Whenever I truly relax, I do so in the peace and quiet of my room, and the classroom, for me, is the place for socializing. </p>

<p>jackberm: SSP = Summer Science Program, refers to current Williams [and other college] students doing research on campus.
SHSS = Summer Humanities and Social Sciences [Program] for incoming first-years.</p>

18

<p>there are actually 2 male asians.</p>

19

<p>jrock: SSP is prefrosh too (a science program). I don't think the summer research program for current students has an acronym.</p>

20

<p>I'm sorry, I was mistaken.</p>