fall – Julianna Stratton '26

October 18, 2024

All Good Stuff!

With the first half of the semester already over, it feels like an appropriate time to take stock of the highs and lows, what has gone well and what… perhaps leaves some room for improvement. This has, by far, been my busiest semester yet, and, while I insist to my family and friends that “it’s no one thing that’s making me busy,” I would have to admit that it is, in fact, all of the things that I’ve agreed to that make my life so chaotic. 24 hours in a day doesn’t seem like nearly enough when trying to tackle my 5 classes, my 4-hour orgo lab, and the three overload music credits I’m taking on top of that… not to mention my two jobs, and positions on various e-boards and leadership roles. “It’s all good stuff,” has become an all-too familiar mantra to my friends and family as I justify my hectic schedule, and while that is certainly true, I’ll be the first to admit that fall break has been a much-needed respite from the constant influx of work, responsibilities, and assignments that seem to always find me on the hill.

In the spirit of that “good stuff,” though, I’ll share some of the highlights that have come from my chaotic schedule!

My composition class held a workshop with visiting artist Johnny Gandelsman, where he played for us the short pieces we had written for his visit!
I collaborated with a few faculty and another student to put on a lunchtime concert in the Cantor Art Gallery.
I’m working with my co-chair of the music department SAC (student advisory council) to form a Worcester collective of college-aged musicians that will work for the VMA (volunteer musicians of America) – super exciting stuff!
I just finished writing a movement of a quartet that will be performed by one of the chamber groups on campus at their winter concert!
I have actually managed to have some free time occasionally, which has been spent watching movies with friends or sharing some meals together!
During one of my evening classes, we all went out to see the Northern Lights!

All in all, I’ve quite enjoyed this semester so far! The long days and nights are worth it to be able to share the awesome things that are happening on campus and in Worcester, and I’m grateful to be a part of all of it. I’m sure by the time Christmas break rolls around I’ll be sharing a different story… but it’s all good stuff! See you on the other side 😊

August 29, 2024

Here we are, back again!

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of activities and planning as the Kimball captains moved back to campus, and classes begin. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying being back in the Eastern time zone with all my friends after a summer spent in northern Washington State interning at a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

this is where I was working this summer!

Thanks to the Crusader Internship Fund, my summer company was mostly baby animals, ranging from squirrels, opossums and bunnies to raccoons, river otters, hawks, owls, and harbor seal pups. Needless to say, as a pre-vet student, I had the time of my life, and as a Midwesterner, my mind was blown by the state park land and mountains I got to hike.

Back on the East coast again, I’m settling back into the rhythm of work, class and studying! I’ve got a busy and exciting semester lined up for myself, including taking on responsibility for the orchestra e-board and the music department advisory council, and a new job as an attendant in the psychology lab. I’m also back on SGA for another year (yay!) serving as the director of sustainability on the Cabinet. Along with all that, I’m taking five classes again this semester: orgo ii, political psychology, cognitive neuroscience, a music composition seminar, and a seminar on the evolution of medicine in the Western World.

So far, I’m really enjoying all of my classes, and am looking forward to what the year has in store for me! With all my friends back from studying abroad, being back on campus here feels like a family reunion. I have an exciting repertoire of Debussy and Beethoven to work through in my cello lessons, a completely unrealistic reading list, and an overstuffed calendar! Here’s to another lovely semester on the hill — I have a feeling it will be the best one yet!

September 26, 2023

Coffee and Nonsense

It’s quite a perilous thing, being friends with me or being related to me. You never know when you’re going to find a chance encounter or passing comment form the central point of my writing here. Thankfully, there are a few people who have either ignored this warning or simply choose to play the resultant game of chance, and they are all quite dear to me. This is a story about one of such people:

My day a few weeks ago began with a chance encounter in Dag’s during breakfast. I was enjoying my breakfast and working there, as I do every day, when my friend decided to pop by for a quick breakfast before class. This first accidental meeting turned into two, then three, and then a whole week of breakfasts. Now, four weeks into the semester, our morning breakfast debriefs over coffee and a sausage, egg and cheese bagel have not only become custom, but also one of the highlights of my day.

At our first SSPP (Society of Sts. Peter and Paul) meeting of the year, one of the resident Jesuits proposed to our group that our life is defined by seasons, intervals of time that dictate our attitude and behavior. He suggested that, beyond the academic and natural seasons, we live in ought to define the time and seasons we live in through prayer. Of course, he pointed to the Divine Office, the Angelus, and Daily Mass as examples of religious governance in our lives.

Taking a more liberal view of the idea, however, each of our days is structured not just by prayer, but also by our habits and encounters throughout.

While the hours of the Divine Office, and daily mass certainly shape and define my daily schedule, our morning breakfasts have become an added ritual of camaraderie and joy that I would consider equally powerful in defining the tenor of my day.

As Charles Lamb said, “Tis the privilege of friendship to talk nonsense, and to have her nonsense respected.” I am very lucky indeed to indulge in nonsense every day with such dear people!

October 31, 2022

Dogs, Spiders, and Monkeys – Oh my!

This past weekend was Family Weekend and Halloweekend (Halloween Weekend) — an exciting and busy combination! Some highlights from the long weekend included:

the incredible view from my parent’s airbnb!

-Relaxing with my parents in their Airbnb, where they had the most amazing view of the New England color change, and, more importantly, of their host’s three golden retrievers!

-Giving my parents a personal tour of campus, featuring my favorite study spots (one of which is directly in front of a mural of a spider) in the Science Complex and Dinand Library, the best shortcuts up and down the hill, and of course, my favorite foods at Kimball.

-Exploring Blackstone Gateway Park and admiring all the varieties of plants and animals that call it their home!

my friend and I went as Curious George and The Man in the Yellow Hat!

-Attending the HC orchestra Halloween Party, which featured a costume contest (which my friend and I won!) and an egg hunt through the Prior Performing Arts Center (PPAC).

Now it’s back to work, with a physics exam and a music theory midterm this week! (and the countdown begins until thanksgiving…)