One of my favorite things to talk about in regard to the Scripps experience is the classroom environment. It was the deciding factor in my choosing of Scripps and has been one of my favorite parts about being a Scripps student.
I have always been a talkative person and student, almost to a fault. Many of my report cards in elementary school said that I was doing well but talked too much. Coming into Scripps, I did not think that I needed any help feeling comfortable in the classroom because of my background, so I was surprised to see how much I had to learn. Although talking came easily to me, listening was a lesson that I took yearsssss to learn. That’s where attending Scripps really benefited me as a student.
In my Scripps classes, I realized that I was more driven to speak because I was worried my professor or teacher’s questions would only be met with an awkward silence that apparently only I could fill. Having classmates as equally engaged as I was allowed those potential silenced to be filled with voices other than mine, and because of that, I could listen to perspectives and opinions that differed from mine. I always like to say that when you walk into a Scripps class, you really have 15 professors, rather than just one. On any given day, your classmates are just as likely to teach you something or reframe your perspective as your actual professor. Our professors give us space to learn and express our thoughts in our own ways and convey information and questions in ways that our peers are receptive and can relate to. There have been a number of occasions where my professors will take a backseat and let the class communicate and discuss material almost entirely on our own.
One of my discussion seminars was structured so that most of our class time was us talking to each other, and our professor would only jump in towards the beginning and the end, and the rest of our 3-hour class was up to us to carry. It was awkward and disjointed at first, but by the mid-point of our semester, we were having complicated and intricate conversations with one another with almost no interjection from our professor. She still guided us in the basic curriculum and chiming in when we were stumped by a question, but she gradually instilled a great amount of confidence in sharing our thoughts or asking our questions to the group.
What makes this communicative classroom dynamic work is the supportive nature of the Scripps community. I went to an incredibly competitive high school where people actively bragged about their better grade, better ideas or comments in class, and in my senior year, what Ivy Leagues they were applying to. As I looked at schools, I quickly realized that the Ivy League route was NOT for me, and that I wanted to go to school with people who wanted to learn independently and with their peers. I wanted to distance myself from that competitive nature as much as possible, and I am eternally grateful that I found Scripps. When I am in class, I am not concerned with sounding like the smartest person or getting the best grade in the class. I know that no one will ask or care how well I am doing in comparison to them, but they would love to study for the midterm together or proofread my term paper. My classmates are receptive to what I have to say because they value my opinion and want to learn from my perspective, knowing that I feel the same way about them.
College was also the place that I discovered that I actually enjoy group projects. Once I was no longer saddled with doing the whole project myself or having it done for me by someone who perceived themselves to be smarter or better than me, I really enjoyed the collaborative aspect of projects. Knowing that my partners will show up to our meetings and will be excited to work with me has made all the difference. We also become more supportive and understanding of each other knowing that everyone is equally invested. People will know to listen to the seniors’ advice and suggestions, but they might be a bit more swamped with writing their theses. The underclassmen might not be as skilled in this subject area or know the professor as well as you do, but you can teach them along the way and they’ll be more willing to contribute while you’re off in a thesis advisory meeting.
Being virtual this year, one of the things I miss the most is walking into a classroom, sitting by the people I have connected to the most or in My Seat™. Before the professor walked in, we would joke about how we haven’t even started the impending assignment or about meeting up at an event that weekend and then snap into focus as the professor came in. As a group, we would exchange pleasantries, maybe making a joke or two before officially starting the class, and then continue talking, shifting to the most recent reading. In this kind of environment, your forge a lot of friendships with people that can become your closest class friends, study buddies, and people you’re excited to run into in a dining hall or at a party.
The Scripps community is incredibly supportive and receptive to one another, and the strongest example of that is within our classroom environment. Regardless of your major or your background, when you walk into a Scripps classroom, you are seen and welcomed. Whether you’re as talkative as I am, nervous to talk but eager to participate, or a quiet listener, you have a place in a Scripps classroom and you’ll be respected regardless.