Dear Pennizens,

I have to admit, it’s weird being here now as a sophomore. This year, everything changes, as it will change junior and senior year. Every year we are going to be exposed to newer and stranger things. For me, it’s living in a fraternity. For some of my junior friends, it’s trying to figure out what they are going to do with their lives. For the seniors, it’s dealing with the realization that this is their last year (read “The Letter from the Editor” in last week’s issue, as Shira explains how much she already misses Penn).

Recently I took a train back home with a freshman at Penn who had gone to my high school. I asked him about his first month here. As I listened to him, it made me think back to my freshman year (such a long time ago now, all of one year). It’s funny to think about how I never could tell the difference between Walnut and Chestnut; how I didn’t know where Qdoba or Fresh Grocer were; how I barely ever left my dorm except to go to random frat parties in locations I would only be able to remember if I were drunk again. Listening to him tell me this brought me back to a time that seems like years ago. It brought me back to what seems like a different world.

A lot of things have caused me to reminisce lately. In this issue of First Call one article thinks back to the beginning of freshman year and the good times we had with roommates in unnaturally close quarters. This year’s NSO and meeting a million different freshmen didn’t help stop the flashbacks much either. Lately, all I can think about is how much everything changed.

Becoming upperclassmen allows us to come in “knowing the ropes,” to explore the city, and to go to all the parties we want. When my friend asked me what my biggest regret was from last year, I gave the answer that I think most upperclassmen give: “I wish I explored downtown Philadelphia more and didn’t stay inside as much.” This year I can do that, and I think I am happier for it. It’s really amazing. Try to take a minute to think back to your own freshman year, or to high school, or even to 5^th grade. It’s astonishing how much we’ve all grown.

So now here we are. School has really begun. Our classes are well on their way and some of us have midterms in a week. Summer is long gone and thoughts of returning and seeing friends here have quickly become thoughts about seeing your friends back at home. But there is no turning back now. Our course selection period has now passed, so unless you are taking five credits, dropping (insert your least favorite class here—for me it’s Calc 114) is now out of the question. We are here, we are settled, and we might as well get used to it.

Sincerely,

Benny Laitman

Editor