Still Giving Back
Wed, Mar 1 2006
Once again, with your help, we chose another deserving young person to benefit from an all expenses paid college experience. Here is a day in the life of Ingrid.
My name is Ingrid Paredes and after winning the LYSR Giving Back Program I decided to attend
In a normal morning at Bryn Mawr, I first go out for a run with my roommate around the campus and all the castle-like buildings make me feel like a princess. Normally, I eat breakfast at Erdman, one of the three dining halls, where I meet with all my friends and make new ones. The food is very good and, if we wish, we can even cook our own food. I love going to eat because often I meet someone new and we become friends. After breakfast, I enjoy going to my classes. I feel like the small bubble I once lived in has opened up. At Bryn Mawr, our class sizes are generally small. I like having small classes because it allows me to get to know my classmates. After class we usually eat lunch together and talk about our interests. Most days I go to the library to do my homework. I roam around the poetry section, where I find myself in love with the literature. I also like to walk around the campus, admiring the orange leaves on the autumn trees. In the evenings I often go to culture shows where I learn about cultures that are completely new to me. These shows and performances open my eyes to a new world.
One of my favorite activities is the writing conferences on Wednesdays. Knowing that I am learning how to write better strengthens my self confidence and brings me a feeling of satisfaction. I also enjoy reading something totally new everyday. Although the workload is very heavy, when I finish it, I know I have accomplished something productive for my life.
Homework can actually be fun. Occasionally at night I stay late with my friends studying and we talk about random aspects of our lives. I especially love the weekends when I can ride my bike around town. In the evenings there are a cappella concerts and plays dedicated to poets from the 16th century. My roommate and I often attend. We love to hear and see the plays of these great masters.
In my spare time I go out to the movies with my friends. It may seem simple but all of this was a dream to me before winning this opportunity. Not knowing whether or how I was going to accomplish my dreams scared me. However, things changed for me, and my life has flourished since last year. Now I plan to double major in English and Spanish and minor in French. With the LYSR Giving Back program, all of my expenses are taken care of to leave me worry free and able to concentrate on school. College life is not what I dreamed of for so long. It is way better, because now I am living my dream.