University Brown = new University();

Soooo…. I don’t really know where to start. Probably the fact that I am now attending an institution 3,000 miles away from my previous one? After hours, days, weeks, and months of hard work, I am now officially a student at Brown University. I’m a Brunonian. I’m a student at the Laid-Back Ivy. I’m a student at the douchiest university. I’m a student at that institution that was voted as the happiest college in the US. My dream has finally come true.

Life’s been completely different these past few weeks. I’m still trying to adapt to the incredibly rigorous coursework. In other words, I’m still getting used to the fact that I need to study at least five hours a day to keep up with my classes. I’m still getting used to going to TA hours, and having to wait an hour to get one-on-one time with the TA. I’m still getting used to being in a class of two hundred students. Everything’s so different and it’s all just so overwhelming. It makes me so happy to see all these talented, passionate, hard working and intelligent people, and it motivates me to work even harder to achieve my dreams. The part that sucks to me the most is...although I hate to admit this, but at times I do feel kind of outsmarted. I have a legitimate reason to back my rather naive, childish and inexperienced mind though: I’m still seventeen.

Okay. I shouldn’t try to defend myself that way. Instead of using age as a disadvantage, I should use to to my advantage.

But yeah. So far, Brown has been incredible. A lot of people talk about how Brown is really diverse, and I found out during orientation that this is indeed true. There’s people from all around the world and from all walks of life. It’s very cool. Very cool indeed.

And of course, none of this would have ever happened without the help of some very special individuals (aside from God, of course): thank you Mom and Dad for your utmost trust and support, thank you to my wonderful teachers, advisors and mentors for guiding me through this journey, and of course my friends for always being there for me. I hope I will someday make you proud.