YuLin Zhen, Photography Editor

The class of 2028 is adjusting to Yale, facing many typical first-year challenges. As Camp Yale is over and classes start to ramp up, the News spoke to ten first years about their first two weeks of school. 

While navigating Yale’s “culture of busyness,” time management is non-negotiable, all ten students agree. First years need time to adapt to the college academic environment but are excited to explore class offerings and get to know their peers.  

“Classes have been a bit of a struggle,” Tarn Timmermans ’28 said. “The short lectures style format and then spending four hours catching up on the material all on your own time. The lecturer will write up something on the board, then rub it out, and it will be two weeks of high school content.” 

First years expressed interest in exploring the variety of courses available at Yale and taking advantage of Yale’s liberal arts approach to education.

Nick Finch ’28 told the News he was excited to push himself out of his comfort zone. Although a STEM student, Nick is taking a class in anthropology this semester, a topic he says he would not normally explore. 

Nancy Eastman ’28 echoed Finch, describing her excitement to explore the depth of Yale’s courses.

“I’m excited to take very niche classes because I feel like those always end up being the most interesting,” she said. “In my high school, the classes were more general like math and English but here it’s exciting to take more classes focused on a specific topic.” 

With Yale’s “culture of busyness,” first years described university life as fast-paced and occasionally overwhelming. 

Some students expressed feeling the duality of enjoying being busy but also trying to learn how to deal with having downtime without feeling bad about it.

“There is a constant pressure to have to be doing something, whether it’s doing your work or going to a club or a sport,” Eastman said. “That can be challenging.”

But some students have found the busy culture comforting. 

Timmerman, for example, has not had the time to feel lonely because he feels he is always wrapped up in tasks or social events. 

“I was worried coming in that I wouldn’t find my people,” Timmerman said. “I think some people have a fear of loneliness but there is none of that here for me.” 

International students the News spoke to found Yale to be very welcoming. 

“What is nice is I have my international group who is always there for me to talk to,” Finch, who is from London, said.

International students face unique challenges, such as registering a U.S. phone number and getting an American credit card, among other chores about which domestic students do not have to worry. Students the News spoke to say peer international students are a great resource.

Many first years said that they were most excited to meet all of the other Yalies in their class. 

Eastman expressed her appreciation for the variety of people who make up Yale’s student population.

“It’s interesting to meet people from so many different places and seeing how you are similar and how you are different,” she said. 

First years began their classes on Aug. 28.