Hello and welcome class of 2015!

My name is Andry Sitara Ulrich DeJong, and I like to say that I am from India. Ethnically, I’m a petri-dish of Dutch, German, and Norwegian with a splash of French and Native American thrown in. Technically, I’m American with a PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card. Culturally, I grew up between India, Madagascar, and America; spending sixteen out of eighteen years in India. If its too confusing, you can just call me a TCK (Third Culture Kid) or a global nomad.

I’m a rising sophomore potentially with an English and French major. I love languages, cooking, baking (especially pies), long runs in the Arboretum, and books. At Carleton, I have joined the Social Dance Club, and have participated in the South Asian festivities with a group called MOSAIC. Next year I will be a board member with this organization, and I plan to also join the Ebony dance group in the fall.

Carleton has a very welcoming environment and is generally very accepting of people. No one should be scared to ask for help whether it pertains to academia or personal troubles. I am excited to ease your transition to Carleton and hopefully get to know all of you.

cheers,

-a

What are the academics at Carleton?

The academics at Carleton are known to be quite rigorous; I myself at times was often pushed to the edges of my abilities. There are also numerous programs designed to help students: from the Writing Center to the TAs (teacher’s assistant) hired to help you understand the course material. Teachers are also very lenient in their office hours. I stress the fact that there is no shame attached to needing help here; asking for help shows that you are a very willing student. I am continually amazed at the quality of teaching I have encountered in my various courses at Carleton. Sometimes my most rewarding class of the term was the toughest. Keep in mind that the terms are only ten weeks long and the classes will be over before you know it. With this sense of perspective, the workload becomes less ominous. Most importantly, don’t forget to have fun!

How does one manage time at Carleton?

The best way to manage time is to be aware of the events and the due dates for assignments. Checking your mail regularly helps, as does flagging or noting down the important emails. Also, using a planner to note the important dates of events and deadlines will make your life much easier (I still sometimes forget to do so and as a result, I often miss events I would have loved to attend). You will find these events on posters around campus, sometimes by email, and other times by word-of-mouth. It is always a good idea to start work on an assignment immediately. If you leave enough time to double-check your answers or to proofread your essays, you will eliminate overlooked mistakes. Prioritizing also helps, as sometimes you will be rushed to complete several assignments due around the same time. In between long study sessions, take a break. I personally find it helpful to study with someone for several reasons: first, you can catch up with that person during your study breaks. Second, that person will make sure you don’t procrastinate and third, if they are working on the same assignment you can ask for help if you get stuck. Finally, don’t forget to hang out with people! Contrary to popular belief, there is enough time at Carleton. It is just a matter of making room for it.