The first quarter of college can be a whirlwind of new faces, unfamiliar routines, and endless possibilities. For first-years at UChicago, the transition means navigating the balance between academic rigor and building a new sense of community. Reflecting in interviews with the Maroon on their initial experiences towards the end of fall quarter, first-years discussed academics, RSOs, and exploring Chicago.
For Risa Bernier, who moved to Chicago for college after living in Japan her entire life, adjusting to UChicago has been full of surprises. “I initially thought it would be all about working, with no time for a social life, but people here are very friendly and don’t just focus on academics,” she said. “That has made my experience much more positive than I expected.”
John Sellers from Bentonville, Arkansas, came to UChicago from a rural town of about 30,000 people and has found a welcoming community in the College. For him, “Social life is who you meet in the house. In classes, everyone is focused on learning.”
Speaking to his academic experience, Sellers said that UChicago has met his expectations about how difficult it would be. “It ramps up, but the professors here really value your time and the amount of money being put into your education,” he said. “The consciousness that you don’t have to be here makes you more motivated to stay and learn.”
Many first-years are excited about taking advantage of the academic opportunities presented by the Core. Aria Saxena from New Delhi, India, explained that she chose UChicago because of the flexibility to study whatever she wanted. “I love that I don’t have to decide everything right away,” she said.
First years say RSOs have also been instrumental in helping them find their footing and their communities. Rhea Gupta, another first-year from New Delhi, has learned to balance her coursework alongside involvement in Kappa Theta Pi, a professional technology fraternity, which has also helped her build her social circle. “It’s rigorous but also rewarding,” she said.
For others, RSOs have opened doors to both personal passions and professional exploration. Bernier said she rekindled her passion for ballet by joining UBallet and is also exploring her professional interests through the UChicago Behavioral Economics Association. Saxena has immersed herself in groups such as Aag, a South Asian a cappella group, Apsara, a South Asian classical dance group, and Women in Business.
Beyond campus, first-years say Chicago has offered opportunities for exploration and added a new dimension to their college experience. Sellers emphasized how the city’s vibrancy enhances the university’s appeal. “The city life makes being at this university even more fun,” he said.
Bernier loves frequenting Chinatown for dinner, Saxena enjoys walking Michigan Avenue and the Riverwalk, and Gupta takes weekly outings downtown with friends to “simply explore.”
“This place makes you want to thrive,” Sellers said.