Hello and welcome back to back-to-school week at American Style. Through Friday, you’ll be hearing from a different college student each day about life across America, live from their first week back on campus. Each will be answering the American Style College Questionnaire, a 16-question survey designed to encompass the modern student experience with prompts like, “Do you eat at the dining hall?” and “Do you currently have a crush?” We got things started yesterday at Parsons.
Today, we’re headed to Ohio with Isabel, a junior at Oberlin College. Raised in Michigan, Isabel was recruited to join Oberlin’s women’s swim team, but ultimately decided against it. For American Style, she reports on a girl who decided to go to Oberlin because her name is Lena, the impact of weed legalization on the student population, and her reality TV class.
Name: Isabel
Age: 19
College/year: Oberlin College third year
Hometown: Okemos, Michigan
Major: Cinema and Media
It’s always a shock coming back after being home all summer. These people still kinda freak me out. I remember my mom asking why anyone from NYC would come to Oberlin; it’s in the middle of nowhere and the school is so self-contained. I tried to explain that I met a girl who wanted to because her name is Lena, etc. There doesn’t have to be a crazy compelling reason for a 17-year-old to want to do something. Some people from my high school went to Arizona and Florida to rush sororities, and that was their right as Americans.
Anyway… I’ve been thinking a lot about my first year. It contained some of the worst consecutive months of my life—I was a crazy person—but it was also then that I met Miriam. Miriam was one of the first people I ever knew on campus, and she had a (brief) crush on me, which is why we first started hanging out. She confessed to me on Halloween that year and I cried, ostensibly because I was sorry that I didn’t reciprocate her feelings but really because I already knew about them; I was afraid she wouldn’t want my friendship if there was no possibility beyond the platonic. But it was all inconsequential. She’s studying abroad in Paris with her boyfriend. Mimi, I miss you!!
She wants me to say that she wore her Victoria’s Secret babydoll top before Addison Rae.
Breakfast: Plain bagel ♥️
Do you live on campus? Yes. With my roommate Josie, who I met through random roommate selection our freshman year. She’s an English major from Brooklyn. Gun to my head: she’s Hannah, I’m Marnie.
This year we’re on the “sci-fi” themed floor of Noah Hall; we do like science fiction but mostly applied to keep living on North campus.
Do you participate in any sports, clubs or extracurriculars? I was initially recruited to Oberlin to join the women’s swim team. I didn’t because high school swim ended on a high enough note for me. I swim a lot on my own.
Last semester I took IronmanCo—ExCos are informal student-led classes/clubs—which was basically “triathlon preparation” for people who are unlikely to do a triathlon. The girl who ran it actually does Ironmans and is also an equestrian. It was a one-time thing, so now I’m thinking of doing [Twin Peaks: The] ReturnCo with Jo. Me and my friend Miriam want to start a Love Island ExCo next year. Like Love Island but at Oberlin…
I go to a lot of the Oberlin Film Society screenings at the Apollo Theatre, and I love doing production design stuff for student theatre and film :-) I’m hoping to work in the theatre paint shop alongside being a student office assistant at the Center for Student Success.
Do you currently have a crush? I’m trying. Lana’s mom said we should have one for every class—it’s good motivation.
How would you describe the style on campus? To oversimplify: MANY of my peers went to LaG* type high schools and/or look like it. For “girls,” think clogs, Merrell, Puma, Frye, nipples, Brandy Melville boxers, shaggy hair (anywhere), translucent skin, Padawan braids, and especially nose or eyebrow piercings. I should mention the occasional nudity; people go barefoot, too.
The men are effete, wiry. They can be cruel.
Student athletes tend toward more of a Big 10 look.
* [LaGuardia High School, famous visual/performing arts high school in NYC]
If you’re a sophomore, junior or senior, what changes have you noticed on campus since your first year? A short and incomplete list:
A huge new dorm (Woodland Hall) opened this fall
The Cinema Studies major was changed to Cinema and Media
The Business major was added
The Music Theater major was added to the Conservatory
And most importantly: weed was legalized in Ohio during my first year. This was huge news, especially for my friends. They love it so much! I do not.
There doesn’t have to be a crazy compelling reason for a 17-year-old to want to do something.
Did you go back-to-school shopping? What did you buy? Stuff like gum, hairspray, conditioner…
What’s your first day back outfit? I took the shirt, watch, and bracelet from my mom. Shorts are from eBay (LA Apparel), I got the boots for my 16th birthday, and my friend gave me these earrings to wear at our senior prom. The headband is from Walgreens or something.
Lunch: Vague chicken and vegetables from Stevenson Dining Hall (stevie)
How would you rate your level of school spirit? High. I’m happy I didn’t choose MSU or even UMich like my twin brother. Oberlin can be very beautiful.
For “girls,” think clogs, Merrell, Puma, Frye, nipples, Brandy Melville boxers, shaggy hair (anywhere), translucent skin, Padawan braids, and especially nose or eyebrow piercings. I should mention the occasional nudity; people go barefoot, too.
What does a typical weekend look like for you? Maybe I’ll get out more. Usually I do homework, watch movies, and see people during the day. I make it to pregames but I like going to bed.
Do you eat at the dining hall? Yes.
What’s your best class? I made myself take a bunch of gen eds so I could choose all fun courses this semester. Their titles: Reality TV, Costume Design, Advanced Screenwriting Workshop, and Contemporary World Auteurs.
What’s your worst? Accounting last fall :[
Do you currently have a crush? I’m trying. Lana’s mom said we should have one for every class—it’s good motivation.
Dinner: Our friend Paco made a potato and green bean thing (idk)
What do you want to do after you graduate? Probably leave Michigan? My dad keeps saying a street near our neighborhood reminds him of The Virgin Suicides.
Thank you for reading the American Style College Questionnaire. Tomorrow we’re going to Louisiana State University.
having a crush in every class...that mom is so wise
“The men are effete, wiry. They can be cruel.” Sooo impressed with how good the writing is in this series! I was so stupid in college compared to these icons!