Quinn Williams, Special to The Denisonian—
After my first week here at Denison, one thing has been glaringly obvious to me – this is not high school, but it doesn’t really feel like college either. Maybe it’s the t-shirt handouts or the humid sleeping quarters, but, as of right now, Denison feels much more like a summer camp than an academic institution. While roasting marshmallows and singing around the campfire may have been replaced by some more precarious activities, there still seems to be an overarching sentiment of playing hard… and working when you have to. I’m sure seasoned Denisonians will be quick to remind me that this is, in fact, not the case. This isn’t to say that I think the class of 2027 is unprepared for what’s to come, the same liveliness that is expressed at welcome week parties will hopefully carry over to the classroom.
It’s hard for me to understand what it means to be a part of the Denison student body. I’ve been told it’s about embracing the unexpected, adapting to unfamiliar situations, and navigating a complex social culture. To me, and I’m sure to my classmates as well, these sound like empty statements read off the back of a pamphlet. As I find my way through this initial week at Denison, it’s becoming clear to me that there’s a certain method to the college lifestyle that’s distinctly its own; one that’s been birthed from treading through uncomfortable living arrangements all while trying to learn what it means to write at a “college level.” At first glance, some aspects of this lifestyle appear detrimental to one’s well-being – pulling all-nighters, living off dining hall food, and some other things that probably shouldn’t be mentioned in the school paper. However, as I’ve started to dissolve into the student body, I’ve come to understand that these aren’t just frivolous activities; they represent the essence of the college experience filled with spontaneity, exploration, and growth. College is about stepping out of one’s comfort zone, trying things that seem silly or unimportant, and, in the process, discovering more about oneself and forging deeper connections. While I initially approached the college lifestyle with a hint of skepticism (after all, these realizations sound like the same bland statements we’ve heard praising college over and over), I’ve grown to appreciate its unique charm. It’s not just about studying and earning a degree; it’s about embracing every moment, every tradition, and every experience that comes with being a Denisonian.
I’ll be the first to admit that I was scared when I climbed the hill to join a student body that I’d been told would go on to do great things. But, as the weeks progress, I hope I find myself falling into the Denisonian rhythm that supposedly produces these people. I’ve been led to believe that this rhythm isn’t something that is made up of the milestones you hit, or the big-time events that are put together. Instead, the rhythm is everything in between, it’s the same things that make up the college lifestyle and all the things that birthed it. To me, and I’m sure to my classmates as well, it’s becoming evident that college isn’t just another phase of life that’s meant to propel you onto your next best thing, it’s a phase that will define your life, and everything to come afterward.
Quinn Williams ‘27 is a journalism major from Hong Kong.