You Don't Need Newspaper Space to Write a Letter

Dear Self,
Alright, so first semester was great. You learned a lot, let's not deny that. But, despite your extremely dorky love of Hillsdale, you really have a great deal still to learn about this place. Number one, let's remember the lesson of humility. Though it's great to have a good GPA to look back on and a house of brand new sisters to support you, you still need to see the world through clear eyes. It takes the direction of God to move a step forward--to follow the example of Paul, all achievements made by myself are counted for not in the grand scheme of things. Now don't get me wrong, this is no excuse for focusing on yourself negatively. Indeed, I mean quite the opposite. Learning isn't just the classroom (Don't forget to keep working for that, though), it's understanding how to live life outwardly. Think about it: when was the last time you honestly cared to hear about someone's day more than you cared about mentally scheduling out your next week. Stop. Take a breath. Listen. You'll hear some of the greatest, most beautiful things this way. And maybe, you'll learn lessons even greater than those lovely insights you learned about in English class. After all, which role comes first: Student or Christian.
Think about it. Really engage your mind in the study of God and his people. All else comes from this. And though there is no grade in this class, the loss of not learning this lesson is far greater than a poor GPA.
Now, this is all about honesty. So, I have to say that you're not going to be perfect in learning this lesson. It will be as frustrating as getting to know a new professor, as much of a struggle as fighting against your inadequate grasp of prose, and its certainly going to trouble your mind as much as the petty stresses are. Instead of letting it clutter you, though, remember two essential lessons: One, as Aristotle said: "You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor." Two, pray as Aquinas prayed in this lesson too: "Give me keen understanding, a retentive memory and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally. Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm. Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion."
All my love,
Leah

Week 2, Makin' in Big...or something like that.

    I promise my ego is not the size of Texas. Only Alaska. Kidding, kidding. I still am having trouble getting info on my column from the online version of the Collegian, so I am going to put article number two on here. And, if you stick around until the end, you'll get to hear about my unique responses.

Letters Home
by Leah Bernhardson
Dear Family,
     I went to my first Hillsdale football game this week--I figure that astonishes you. Please, please erase form your mind all the horrible things I've said about football in the past. I repent! Watching football is not a waste of four hours of my life. Referring to a team I'm not a member of as "us" is not ridiculous. Screaming at the television is not a mark of insanity.
    I went to the game in gorgeous blue and white and a thick layer of face-paint. And guess what? The Chargers won. My voice is a little worse for the wear, but I hope I recover.
    Football, however, isn't the only thing occupying my mind these days. There's this fantastic book titled The Iliad that I spend a great deal of time reading. Have I ever mentioned that I really like English? I really like English.
    Oh, oh, oh! I received cookies this week! I know they weren't from you, but I'm still extremely excited. See, this appears to be a sign. If I merely wish for things to appear in my Hillsdale mail box, they will! I can foresee endless possibilities here. Cookies, large steaming mugs of hot chocolate...Oh! And maybe even a home-cooked meeal. Hmm. Must go wish things into my mailbox!
                                                                                                                     All my love,
                                                                                                                             Leah

Alright? Still there. Ok. Now for the funny part. So, after this ran in the paper this morning, I received a rather unique email response. Ready? Ready? I'll copy it in full...
"Leah -

 

Enjoyed your article - glad you liked the game!

 

Does this mean you plan to take football class in the spring?

 

Have a great week - God's blessings,

That illegible signature happens to be that of the head football coach at Hillsdale college. Most random thing to ever happen to me? Quite possible. I'm still not entirely sure how to respond. 

I guess when you make it big...Just kidding. But the email did make my day. I think college shows substantial possibility to be one of the most fantastic experiences ever. 

My First Published Article

     I might be a little bit excited about this. Perhaps. Ok, breathe. So, I got published in the first issue of the Hillsdale College school newspaper, The Collegian, in what I understand to be an ongoing column. Knowing me,  it attempts to be humorous, achieves being nerdy, and generally heaps a bit of ridicule on myself.
     Either due to my lack of technological savvy or a delay in putting things online from the Collegian, I don't have a link to the article yet. Feel free to do some digging yourself, if you'd like: http://www.hillsdalecollegian.com/     Without further ado, the text of my article. Oh, and attached is the picture that accompanied it.

Letters Home
by Leah Bernhardson

Dear Family,

Greetings from Hillsdale, land of the free and the home of those bravely awaiting grades from daunting professors!  I’ve finally settled into my dorm. I think. Perhaps.  Ask me this time next week.

                This place is really, truly great. In fact, I’m not homesick at all. I mean, uh, I miss you all like crazy and can’t wait to go home… Ahem. Anyway, did you know that at Hillsdale saying “I was homeschooled” doesn’t get you the what-planet-are-you-from look? I think this nearly makes up for the fact that I’m convinced every professor is working together to intimidate students. I feel like reciting Socrates’ “All that I know is that I know nothing” speech ad nauseam.

                Classes started this week. I haven’t gotten any grades yet, so I really enjoy them. I’m developing a callus on my finger from all the notes I’ve taken. I’m going to name it “The Good” so that I have some answer for Dr. Arnn’s famous question.

                I spend most of my day studying and lamenting the food in Saga. My favorite place to study is the Heritage room. There’s nothing like a collection of bald eagles in attack mode to inspire serious concentration.

                I check my mailbox every day. This does not make any cookies appear. Please send cookies. And Daddy, could you send more money? Caffeine is a necessity for every college student. Really, it is. You wouldn’t want me to be ill-prepared, now would you?

                I’m off to study again. I’m pretty sure the novelty of spending hour upon hour in the library will wear off after a few weeks. For now, though, I’m going to make the most of it.

                                                                                                                              All my love,

                                                                                                                                          Leah