BY CORRINE LIU ’23
The start of the spring semester means beginning classes, extracurriculars and escaping forced family interactions. But for the class of 2023 spring admits, or “springies,” this semester brings the long-awaited first arrival to Mount Holyoke. Regardless of all the stress, waiting and uncertainty that comes with spring entrance, three spring admits to the class of 2023 seem to love their experience just the way it is. Through the added camaraderie of the older springie cohorts’ support, tight-knit relationships due to their small group size and a refreshed mindset after spending the past semester in their home states, this year’s springies seem to be fully embracing their first semester at Mount Holyoke
Sarah Parsons ’23, one of the 38 spring admits, is from Eugene, Oregon. Parsons embraced the semester gap, discussing how having more time before “making that huge life adjustment” was appealing. Parsons explained that the extra few months off before starting at Mount Holyoke helped her “not only decompress, but learn outside of the classroom ... that time off made me excited to come to campus,” she said.
Parsons is interested in environmental studies, theater, and possibly minoring in Spanish. Despite acknowledging the fairly isolated geographical nature of Mount Holyoke’s campus, Parsons believes the vibrancy of the College’s campus and its students makes up for it.
“The coolest thing that has surprised me about MHC is seeing how many different backgrounds people here are coming from, and the different experiences we’ve all had that have brought us to the same place,” Parsons said.
Parsons embraces her springie experience, saying the extra months and the small group of admits make the adjustment to college much easier. She explained that it was “surprisingly easy to meet and connect with people because the group was small,” and that the extra time off made her excited to start learning and challenging herself on campus.
To Carrie Lewis ’23, the prospect of spring entrance was a “mix of excited and nervous feelings.” Lewis is from West Covina, California, and decided to come to Mount Holyoke because of the sense of community fostered on campus, as well as the outstanding support in academics, she said.
“Going to a historically women’s college allows this community to be built among students in all class years and from all different backgrounds,” Lewis said. “I don’t think I would be able to handle the strenuous academics if I didn’t have classmates and peers relating and supporting me like at Mount Holyoke.” Despite this excitement, Lewis did face some uneasiness in the wake of approaching the spring semester.
“I was excited that I would have the opportunity to attend MHC, but nervous about finding the most productive way to spend the semester at home,” Lewis said.
According to Lewis, the springies began their friendships “organically during orientation.” She added that they, “appreciate that springies from the upper classes have made an effort to reach out and connect in springie solidarity, especially during meals in Blanch.”
Lewis cited the friends she has made, saying that meeting them has been what she loved the most about her first few weeks.
“I was so nervous about finding people to be friends with and that was one of the easiest parts of moving,” Lewis said.
She is planning to study neuroscience and behavior but is also interested in minoring in Spanish and taking advantage of the Five College Consortium to take gender studies courses. Lewis is looking forward to exploring more of the topics she is interested in and living in a place with a“real” winter.
According to Audrey Gavitz ’23, even though orientation was overwhelming, being busy helped the springies get “really close really fast” and find a strong community with each other. She hails from Dallas, Texas, making the Massachusetts weather one of the major changes she has experienced.
“Being from Dallas where it rarely snows, I think the snow makes the campus look even more magical than it would have looked in August,” Gavitz said.
Gavitz spent the fall taking courses at a community college and working. Initially, she felt worried about arriving on campus, but her fears were reportedly quickly erased.
“I really do feel like I am home and before I came I was so scared I wouldn’t fit in or that I wouldn’t make friends,” Gavitz said. “Mount Holyoke really has surpassed my expectations.”
For Gavitz, this year’s springie class seemed to fit together quite naturally. As she describes it, being a springie is “one of the best things that could have happened.”
Gavitz is interested in studying dance and the humanities. So far, she is enjoying the community at Mount Holyoke.
“My favorite part of MHC is definitely the people,”Gavitz said. “Every single person has been so nice and welcoming and it makes me feel at home.”