I am a junior. And so, at my mature age of 20 and 363 days, I feel I should share my experience as a viola performance major ? with tendencies towards Spanish ? at the Eastman School of Music.
While I readily admit that I don’t know any more than my neighbors, I do feel that I have an “insatiable curiosity” about life, like the character in Kipling’s well known story, “The Elephant’s Child.” Through this curiosity and the people I’ve met, I’ve stuck my feet in many of the waters on the River and Eastman campuses. From being a casual writer for the Campus Times to sitting through a linguistics class “for fun,” I’ve done enough so that my reflections on these last two years might help a few new faces find their own pond to swim in.
One of the advantages of being at Eastman that many people don’t realize is the illustrious and fascinating college world termed the River Campus. Eastman is affiliated with the River Campus, meaning that we are allowed to partake in any event that the campus offers, including classes, special lectures and hot guys. I have partaken in all three, and can say that all but one of them has met my standards.
The classes that I have taken, which range from Spanish and German to English Literature and linguistics, have all been worth the one hour bus ride. The professors were passionate, engaging and truly thrilled with the fact that I was a musician. While some people smirk when they find out our trade, professors on the River Campus regard us as kindred spirits. Like them, we are passionate about our much-loved subject. What’s more, we enhance the class dynamic with our unique background while making 20 friends who will go to our concerts.
Another highlight of my time here at Eastman has been writing for the Campus Times. The school paper is a great way to express your ideas to a greater audience than your journal and the occasional person that reads your journal when you’re not looking.
Last year I expressed my opinion about the nature of community involvement at Eastman and received quite a response from the student body and faculty. The response was so strong that a few fellow musicians took my lead and wrote in commenting on my article. While some of the words were not exactly complimentary, I felt flattered, to say the least.
College is a time for exploration and experimentation. There will never be another time in our lives when we have as much freedom and as much time. If a subject intrigues you, learn about it.
After a friend’s older brother told me that the top of United Postal Service vans were white because no one could see them and UPS didn’t want to waste the paint, I became obsessed with finding out the truth. So, last year, I spotted a UPS van, ran to the second floor of the library, and gleefully grinned down at the dingy white top of the brown van. While the sort of exploration I’m talking about is a little more profound than what brown paint can do for you, I think you get my point. You too can uncover the random mysteries of life ?? don’t let a school or a major dictate what you learn. Test the waters, and if they’re too cold, pee in them.
Swanson can be reached at kswanson@campustimes.org.
