A few weeks into freshman year, The Daily asked members of the Class of 2030 to describe their favorite aspects of Stanford. Here’s what they said.
Sydney Lee — Late nights with friends
Many of my nights have included playing pickleball with friends until the court lights shut off. We have affectionately come to know this as “mickleball,” or midnight pickle ball, even though the courts actually close at 11 p.m. This is often followed by a series of events: singing to Niko at Lakeside Dining, ordering garlic fries and pizookies, studying for a bit and playing Brawl Stars. Through these late-night activities, friends-of-friends have become some of the people I spend the most time with, and I’ve found an outlet to de-stress.
Eloisa Lin — Wilbur’s pho bar
I could write an ode to Wilbur Dining’s pho bar. From the steaming containers of warm broth, to heaping piles of sticky noodles and tubs of toppings, the bar provides the opportunity to customize the perfect bowl of pho. Sometimes, I like it spicy, with extra chili oil; sometimes, just noodles and broth are all I need to make me happy. In the midst of the rush of new everything — from classes to people to bike routes —the constant presence of the pho bar has been reassuring. It is just nice to come back again and again to the same hot meal every night, even in the midst of the current summer-like heat.
April Yu — Relearning to bike
At the start of high school, I told a friend: “It’s lucky I’m not going to Stanford because I wouldn’t be able to bike.” I was terrified of a bustling 35-acre campus with 10,000 bikes on the West Coast. Now, I’ve flown 2,500 miles with a rickety department store bike that’s taken me to Town & Country cookie shops, Memorial Church photoshoots and Arillaga late-night dining right across from the best dorm (Wilbur Soto). As I bike across campus, I’m learning how to balance myself, explore places with friends and defy my extremely unfit 14-year-old self.
Ada Huang — SLE discussions
As a member of the Structured Liberal Education (SLE) program, our discussion sections have been some of the most stimulating experiences of my life. They’re the perfect combination of energy, ideas and jokes. I have never been in such an extraordinary environment before. The feeling of being matched and challenged over philosophical texts makes my heart race more ardently than anything else (perhaps with the exception of quiz bowl). I have gained insights I would not have arrived at on my own, and it makes me appreciate how amazing of a community SLE has gathered.
Enaya Habib — The people
As a former hermit whose parents would constantly nag her to come out of her room for once, I have undergone a transformation in the short time I’ve been at Stanford. Though I’ve certainly enjoyed the dining hall desserts and the feeling of wind on my face while biking across campus, it’s the feeling of consistent community that lingers with me. Whether it’s through social mixers, late nights in the study lounge or grabbing dinner with familiar or new faces, the unique people I’ve met have been my favorite part amidst the changes of college.
Brilee Copeland — Friendships
A week at Stanford is like a month anywhere else. There’s always something happening on each corner of campus, but so far my favorite part has been building friendships! Whether it’s our late-night “study” seshes in the Crungeon (the Crothers dungeon, i.e., our basement), picnics on the oval or trips around the Bay, the community I’ve built here so far has brought me so much joy. Stanford truly feels like home!