To commemorate the Thanksgiving season, I want to share eight things I am thankful for as an Amherst College student. My favorite part of Thanksgiving is reflecting on life and expressing gratitude for the small things. I hope you had the opportunity to reflect as well and find moments of appreciation in your own life. Here are a few of mine:
1. All the lovely friends I’ve made at Amherst College. I love surrounding myself with creative, passionate, kind, and inspiring people. I’m still close with the friends I met during orientation week and look forward to seeing them every day. I can see myself being friends with Amherst students long after I graduate. We’ve shared Val meals, gone on Insomnia Cookie runs, gone sledding, and wandered around campus late at night endlessly chatting. I’m so grateful to have found my second family at Amherst.
2. The support of my family. The support of my family means so much to me. They visit campus proudly wearing Amherst merch and always bring my favorite snacks from the Indian grocery store. Surprisingly, being at Amherst has made me feel even more connected to them. Living in such close quarters at home sometimes caused tension—especially when my brothers hogged the bathroom right when I needed it. But being in college and getting older has made me more grateful for, and more understanding of, my parents’ decisions. It has also made me appreciate my younger brothers more, while giving me a break from their usual annoying behaviors.
3. Valentine Dining Hall. Amherst students love to complain about Val, but we secretly adore it. The cozy vibes, the chocolate milk dispenser, and the lovely workers always bring me back. So many secrets have been spilled at those tables and so many laughs shared. There was one day when I was in Val for seven hours—I love studying there and chatting with friends!
4. My bosses. I have five jobs on campus (I can write a future blog about employment at Amherst if you’re interested!). One reason I love working is because my employers are some of the most caring and supportive people I’ve ever met. My hours are flexible, and they always reward student workers with end-of-year celebrations, work dinners in town, or small treats during meetings. My employers consistently show appreciation for their employees, and I’m so grateful for their recognition and support.
5. Appleton Residence Hall. I’ve lived in Appleton for two years, and I want to spend the rest of my time at Amherst in this dorm. The rooms are huge, and the water is always perfectly hot. The dorm also has a unique aesthetic, with colorful carpets and a bright common room.
6. The Rave. Every semester, Amherst throws a huge party in a tent outside. Students from nearby colleges attend, creating a lively atmosphere with surprisingly good music. I have such great memories of The Rave and love seeing my classmates outside of an academic setting.
7. The grind. I may complain about my classes and the workload, but I secretly enjoy it. I reach my flow state on the A-level (the quiet floor) of Frost Library, writing out organic chemistry reaction mechanisms and solving mathematical proofs. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn and refine my problem-solving skills.
8. The physical campus. Amherst College is the perfect size—not too big and not too small. My classes are at most a 10-minute walk away, and my calves appreciate the lack of steep hills. I also love how easy it is to find a quiet space on campus if I ever need to be alone.
I can’t express how grateful I am to be an Amherst College student with just this short list. There is so much more to share and reflect on. In general, the importance of gratitude as a student is far greater than people acknowledge. It’s so easy to lose yourself in the stress of academics, distractions, or internship searches. Sometimes you just have to remind yourself how lucky you are to be a college student and to be growing intellectually, emotionally, and even physically. Wherever you are in your journey, I hope you’re able to find something today that reminds you just how much there is to be grateful for.
Thank you for reading my blog! I would love to hear what you are grateful for at ipatel28@amherst.edu. As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Thankful for Amherst College
