Intrinsic Introspection to Pass On

My first two years at Stanford were starkly different.

Freshman year was the time for me to explore Stanford. I vividly remember driving to campus on move-in day with my father. I was so nervous. “Nervous” isn’t the right word. I was absolutely terrified! Would people like me? Should I reinvent myself? Will I make friends? My advice: be open-minded about everyone and everything. I met my best friend by sitting next to her during our first house meeting. We didn’t become close until the end of fall quarter, but I now call her “my person,” like Meredith and Christina from Grey’s Anatomy. I quickly immersed myself in my freshman dorm, got involved with several clubs – Stanford Jump Rope (This is a shameless plug. Come to try-outs! I walked into try-outs accidentally, and I am so thankful for serendipity. Fun fact: our founder starred in Disney’s Jump In with Corbin Bleu.), Stanford Dance Marathon, The Stanford Daily, and Stanford Bitcoin Club – and began my collegiate career by taking chemistry and math courses because I had planned to go to medical school after my four years here.

For me, sophomore year was less about exploration and more about tackling academic and personal challenges. I was no longer a bright-eyed and bushy-tail frosh. (Side note: Stanford is home to squirrels of various colors. You might laugh now, but you will soon realize this statement is quite true.) I decided to veer off the pre-medical track and take different courses: Principles of Economics with Mark Duggan (who is now my major advisor), Introduction to Psychology 1 with Jamil Zaki, and Biosecurity and Bioterrorism Response with Milana Trounce (which has been my favorite class at Stanford). Sophomore year was difficult for me because I was trying to find myself. Who am I? What do I believe in? What am I doing at Stanford? I admit that I have yet to find answers to these questions, but I now understand that I am constantly changing. Had I found answers yesterday, those answers might not apply to who I am today.

Whenever anyone asks me about my time at Stanford thus far, I compare it to the island of the lotus-eaters in the Odyssey. Time simply does not exist. I cannot believe that I am now a junior; I am halfway done! Stanford is different for everyone, so don't compare your experience with others because it’s yours. And enjoy your time on the Farm because before you know it, you have graduated.

Elizabeth Trinh

International Relations and Science, Technology, and Society
Class of 2018

If you have a Stanford Story you would like to share, contact melissas@stanford.edu.