Student Newsletter

Hello, 

Welcome to the Record. You’ve found yourself in very safe hands. I’m sure the world has been scary for you. I’m sure you arrived on campus hoping to look yourself in the eye and figure out who exactly you are, and where exactly you belong in the world. I’m sure you entered your dorm and realized that you needed to bring your own mirror. I’m sure you found a flimsy cardboard mirror to hang up on the back of your door, and I’m sure one day you’ll slam the door because your roommate was chewing gum too loudly in the common room and the mirror will fall and shatter into a million pieces of flimsy cardboard. 

But wait, let’s rewind. I’m sure you got that mirror and hung it up and took a good look at yourself, and I can’t tell you what you saw in that mirror, but I will tell you what I see when I see you. I see a young lion, excited, but scared to voyage alone into the wilderness. You remind me of myself not so long ago. You have the same spirit in your eyes, so playful, so hopeful. 

Dear Lion, your journey forward into the dry thorn forest will be fraught with traps and vines and holes for your small feet to fall into. But dear Lion, we will give you the strength to be brave. The Record and I will pick you up by the scruff of your neck, and we will show you the world as it is. The rest of this email contains valuable advice for you as you start on your journey this year. 

You may be wondering who I am. You may be wondering what my name is. You may be wondering why I’m writing this. You are probably not wondering how I am writing this. You probably assumed I’m sitting at some table in some cafe typing these words onto my MacBook Air. You’re wrong. The first thing a young lion must know is to never assume. I am lying down on my bed, balancing my laptop on my weak thighs, and staring at the blank white ceiling of my dorm room. I am typing this with my eyes up at the ceiling, I’m relying on my muscle memory to get the keys right. I learned how to type in the fourth grade. Once a week, my class would go to the computer lab in the library, and we would practice. And I was fast. In elementary school, I had the highest words per minute in my class. Everybody knew my name, and everybody knew about the speed and strength of my small, chubby fingers. But yesterday I spilled hot chocolate on my computer and now my c key is stiky. Now I type fewer words every minute. Now, nobody knows my name. 

And that’s okay.

Dear Lion, here at Yale, the goal is not to have your name known. The goal is to have your thunderous roar heard. But one cannot exclaim without a base for their exclamation, without knowledge to draw upon. As you walk through the forest, you will build this knowledge naturally. As you read through our publication, you’ll find the sword you need to cut through the vines, the tool you’ll need to discover the truth. 

— T. Bhat, Online Editor-in-Chief

Yale Lingo You Need to Know

As a first-year, you’ll come across many a word you’re unfamiliar with that might bewilder, confuse, or even scare you. Follow along for an exhaustive list of words and phrases that will ensure that you’re in the know!

Fun Facts to Share About Yourself During Orientation

There is nothing more important than the first fun fact. It is your first impression, your first impact on the people around you. Your first, and last, chance to prove you're cool. Have no fear, the Record can give you a hand with this. Read here. 

The Caged First Year

A tale as old as time. A beautiful soliloquy that encapsulates the experiences, emotions, pain, we've all felt.  Treat this as a warning, a learning lesson. Read here. 

Read the First Year Issue!